RAY RUDDELL

Jewelry artist - Klamath Falls

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Ray’s ability as a natural artist started when he was nine or ten years old in Highland Park, California, a suburb of Los Angeles sandwiched between Pasadena and Glendale. Every summer the city park sponsored a craft competition for kids. He created an elephant for the “Clay Sculpture Division”, and won a first prize blue ribbon. Ray did not pursue that artistic gift for another 50 or so years. In his 40s, he would often see many beautiful forms within the trees, rocks, hills and clouds. He promised himself someday he would use his hands to turn God’s creations into timeless items for people to enjoy. He was so intrigued with what God, the creator, has provided for us, why not?

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Ray began to carve jade around 2001. He then moved on to other stone and wood carvings. When he moved to Klamath Falls, he became involved with the Two Rivers Art Gallery through its Director, Judy Pate. He saw the Gallery and Gift Shop as a great opportunity and benefit for artists within the local region. Ray started in about 2017 when there were around 40 artists. Now the Gallery has around 100 artists sharing and selling their artwork in the north end of the Community Center in Chiloquin. Our well-designed space of 2,300 sq ft, displays our members' very reasonably priced, unique artwork. The Gallery also hosts events, clubs, and classes for anyone to attend.

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Ray makes Native American style flutes and shows them in the Gallery. The flutes are made of Alderwood and African Mahogany, often with Blue Sapphire and Turquoise creatively inlaid in an African totem styled design. The flutes are tuned to the key of D. Ray loves playing his flute when he helps in our all-volunteer gallery. Surprisingly, he tells us in his video, you don’t need a musical score. Once you learn the fingering on the flute, the rest is easy to learn.

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Ray also carves stones into jewelry and sculptures. He has beautiful stone earrings pendants, and necklaces with hand woven adjustable cords in the Gallery.

 

We invite you to watch his video on “Two Rivers Art Gallery in Chiloquin” Facebook page and/or our website: www.2riversartgallery.com, he instructs us about playing the flute and shows his masterful inclusion of fine gems and carved animals as features on his instruments.