Ruth Poniarski is an artist who doesn’t just paint pictures. With a foundation in architecture from Pratt Institute, Poniarski spent a decade in the construction industry before turning to painting in 1988. This shift opened up a path for her to explore more imaginative, surreal terrain, blending narrative threads from mythology, literature, philosophy, and culture. Her paintings aren’t confined to the visual either—since 1995, she has been writing poems that accompany each piece, deepening the connection between word and image. In this interview, Poniarski speaks about her creative process, how her architectural training has influenced her disciplined and detail-oriented approach, and the emotional investment that goes into each painting. She discusses the difficulty of moving from one intense project to the next and how she hopes her work invites others to process reality through a poetic and reflective lens. Her work is deeply personal yet open to interpretation.
Here is the artist’s interview.
1. What is your creative process like?
Ruth: I commence with an idea for a painting adopted and adapted from daily life situations and embellish the narrative with inspiration from art history,myths, literature, philosophy, and culture.
2. Do any personal experiences shape your work?
Ruth: I was formally trained as an architect which enhanced my discipline to complete complex surreal narratives that require the skills of patience, drafting, and detailed application of acrylic paint.
3. What challenges do you face as an artist?
Ruth: I find it challenging to create an idea that inspires me following the completion of a former painting as so much heart and soul is executed in each of my works. And it never ends once I completed a painting as I can keep working on it forever!
4. What do you want people to feel when they see your art?
Ruth: I want viewers to enjoy their interpretation of my narratives and experience a different way of processing reality, or validating a familiar response to daily life enhanced by a poetic edge
Ruth Poniarski’s work stands at the intersection of structure and imagination, where surreal imagery meets literary insight. Her paintings, enriched with poetry and thoughtful detail, reveal a mind both disciplined and curious. From the challenges of sustaining creative inspiration to the joy of viewer interpretation, she continues to evolve with every new piece. Through her art, Poniarski invites us to slow down, look closer, and see the poetic threads running through our own lives. It’s not just about what we see—it’s about how we choose to understand it. Her work quietly encourages that shift in perception.
