Charger by Ruby C. Williams

Medium: Acrylic on plastic charger
Dimensions: 13x13
 
About Ruby C. Williams:
Ruby Williams grew up in Bealsville, Florida - a community formed by her ancestors, freed slaves, in the 1860's. It is these roots that form the stage for Ruby's produce stand and "walk in" gallery on State Road 60.
Ruby Williams’ art career began when people passing by noticed her brightly painted signs advertising her fruits and vegetables. With coaxing, this spiritual businesswoman, minister and grandmother embarked on the journey that has led her into classrooms, galleries and museums in Florida, as well as nationally. Recently Williams illustrated a charming children's book titled, I Am Ruby.
"I've been ministering since I was a kid... I do everything from the bottom of my heart, whether shelling a bucket of beans or making a painting." Her brightly colored paintings speak her messages loudly and clearly. "...I like when people look at it and smile."
 
Ruby Williams was honored with a Florida Folk Life Award in Tallahassee and was included in the show, "On Their Own - Selected Self-taught Artists" at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum in Washington D.C.
 
In 2009, Ruby was presented with the Folk Art Society of America’s Award of Distinction. At the society’s conference in 09, FASA presented one of Ruby’s paintings to the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. Recently Ruby’s work was featured at the American Visionary Museum in Baltimore, MD.