Rathskellers

 The Studio 
of
 Wendy Ruska Ellis.

Award Winning Artist, Designer, Photographer, Wendy Ruska Ellis, is a native of Pocatello, Idaho. As a child Ruska-Ellis studied with local artisans and by the third grade was interviewed by the local paper about her creativity, it was at that time that she stated "I am an artist". 

Always involved in a variety of mediums it wasn't until 1980 that she began studying under Bob Whitney and Joe Fontana. By the mid 80's she was using her computer to design publications for the Idaho National Guard.

 In 1985 she opened her own Floral Shop, creating cutting edge designs as she worked on becoming a master florist. As the 90's approached, Ruska-Ellis started using Photography as her primary means of expression.

In 1995 she was creating everything from digital paintings, menus, newsletters, forms and presentations for small businesses to writing children’s stories and lyrics for her daughter.

In 2000, she started her formal training in the arts at Idaho State University where she studied Photography, Graphic Design, Weaving, Metals, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics and Book Arts.  Recently, she began a study of non traditional use of mediums and found that it was the most rewarding experience in her creative process.

Over the years, her work has progressed from a very tight realistic style of painting and drawing to a more colorful, loose style with subtle messages in mixed media. Her forms usually lean toward the organic feel of nature and figure.  The content of her work is usually focused on current events and women’s issues; however, she also finds creative fuel from dreams and the human figure, and even enjoys producing an occasional abstract. Ruska-Ellis holds a bachelors degree of Fine Arts, a minor in Women’s Studies.  Ruska-Ellis plans to continue creating art   combined with a small art related business and eventually will seek her Masters Degree in Book Arts and Textiles. At that time she hopes to complete her 2^nd minor in Mass Communications.