Based in Stuart, Florida, Barbara Catana Ruge is a mixed media artist working
mostly in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic paints. She likes to add embellishments
and relief with cutouts, appliques, and gesso textures. Barbara has been drawing
and painting from early childhood under the guidance of her artistically talented
father who was educated in Italy. Art and music filled the household and extended
into school and community life. Barbara has a BA degree majoring in Mathematics
education, but art classes were her chosen elective course work. She taught high
school math for a short period. She finds that algebra and geometric principles
play a role in her art, too. In addition to watercolor 2D artworks, “Barb” has had her
hands on interior decorating, quilting, embroidery, and furniture refinishing
throughout her adult life. From 2005 to 2008 she was proprietor of her own retail
space within a decorating and design shop in Fort Lauderdale. There she sold her
painted and refinished vintage and mid-century furniture. Presently, Barbara is
retired from a 39-year career in real estate and emerging with earnest into the local
Treasure Coast art communities.
Barbara exhibits with Palm City Art Associates, where she serves on the board of
directors. Her art is displayed and offered for sale at the Cleveland Clinic Martin
Wellness Center during the year.
Barbara recently won a Third Place ribbon for her watercolor in the 37th Annual
PCAA Art Show and Sale February 26, 2026, and successfully sold her winning
artwork.
The Martin Artisans Guild selected her Small2rd painting to show at the Palm Room
for their Summer Salon 2025.
She is a member of the Jensen Beach Art League and showing her works for sale
on the grounds of the Elliott Museum during “season” months.
She is also a member of Martin Art
Artist Statement:
A mostly self-taught artist, all mediums and textures provoke my curiosity. Color is my passion. I may be heavily influenced by my Italian ancestry and my father’s talent is ever present. I am inspired to characterize my dear pets and the joyful playfulness of my children and grandchildren. I always start with a sketch of a featured subject, a central character. From there, I wait for it to “speak” to me. How to proceed? What colors and textures? What shapes needed to express the emotion the subject provokes in me. Every work has its own descriptive commentary. The piece develops around me. I love whimsy and surrealism. I devour the works of Dali, Matisse, Chagal and Klimt. Artists who use designs within designs. Although, I work mostly with water-based paints, I am not a watercolor artist in the traditional sense. I dislike white space and prefer to cover every inch of surface with color, keeping them bright. I also enjoy appliques for fun and layered shapes, sending a needed message or telling a story.
Overall, my artworks are directed at the human spirit, personal feelings, family experiences and colorful wildlife. My aim is to create art that evokes an emotion, a memory, or starts a conversation with the observer. The Great Egret is my spiritual muse. I like to believe she carries the souls of my mother and brother when she visits my yard. I have a few intriguing true stories to share should one be interested in asking. 😊