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City People

A clear epiphany

The art teacher retired, then had a realization at church. Now her painted glass is in demand, even from the likes of Aretha and Beyonce.

By LESLIE PAREDES
Published October 14, 2005

SUNSET PARK - She sits in a glass room.

Light from the dewy morning sun reflects in from the canal behind her house on San Rafael Street.

Ruthbyrd Waters carefully draws a stroke of vibrant color onto the glass piece that will become her latest artwork.

Waters, 70, paints glass with translucent paint, creating the appearance of blown glass.

"I am doing art on glass. It's not something you would see anyone do," said Waters, who took up the craft about 10 years ago. "I go into everything I do hard and put every moment of myself into it."

Waters paints watery impressions on plates, bowls, wall art and vases. Her four-piece series of diamond-shaped pieces featuring whimsical jazz musicians blowing into horns or shimmying their hips has appeared in boutiques in New York, Las Vegas and Sarasota. Aretha Franklin and Beyonce Knowles each scooped up a series in New Orleans.

Locally, a few of Waters' largest creations are on display at the National Wall Art Gallery downtown. Two, which have already sold, are large round pieces with koi fish.

Hal Leek, the owner of the gallery, which features sculptural wall art and freestanding pieces, said he plans to devote about 800 square feet to Waters' work.

"Her work is so unusual. It's just a one-of-a-kind process," Leek said. "It's extremely intricate and it's beautiful on top of that. We really try to focus on the unusual and the different, and I don't know anyone else in this country who is painting with the paint that she uses."

Barbara Gibbons, owner of AccentSsories Home Decor in Ybor City, commissioned Waters to create a series of Safari-inspired pieces. The outcome: leopards resting, their paws hanging from gold-leafed tree trunks with shimmery bronze backgrounds.

In the sticky brightness of South Carolina summers, Waters began what would become a lifetime of passion for art at age 10.

"My aunt was an artist," said Waters in her graceful Southern accent. "When I was young, I spent summers with her, and she taught me everything."

After graduating a year early from high school at age 16, she attended Columbia College, where she studied music, art and education. In the end, after three years of studying music, the idea of a solo recital petrified her.

She graduated prepared to start a career as a teacher. She taught art to elementary school students in Atlanta, then moved to Tampa with her husband, Phil, who got a job in public relations.

Waters taught art at Lanier Elementary for about eight years before retiring. She planned to be a substitute teacher during retirement but decided she wasn't stern enough.

Throughout her teaching career, Waters cultivated her artistic craft, mostly focusing on oil and watercolor painting that had dominated her youth. Then she got an opportunity to broaden her skills.

"My church asked me to do some simulated stained-glass windows for the Sunday school room. I hadn't done anything like that, but I thought I'd give it a try," Waters said. "Then I just realized, "This is my niche. This is where I can be a little different in my artwork.' "

She spends her mornings working in a studio she created out of a sunroom. She often reflects on the joy and purpose her art has given her, especially later in life.

"I am just thankful to the Lord for the little talent he has given me."

Leslie Paredes can be reached at 226-3339 or lparedes@sptimes.com

AGE: 70

HOME: Sunset Park

BORN: Greenwood, S.C.

FAMILY: Her husband, Phil, of 50 years, and her dog, Lucky, a Maltese/bichon frise.

SOUTHERN ROOTS: At age 16, Waters was crowned a Maid of Cotton, a distinction that came with requests to attend social events. "We were invited to all these clubs, but they only wanted us because we were beautiful, not because we had any sense," she said.

CRAFTY: With some help from her mother, Waters designed her own satin, lace and beaded wedding dress.

HER GAME: Waters is women's club champion at Quail Hollow and Feather Sound golf courses. Her best score is 73.

HER NAME: Ruth was the name of an aunt who inspired her to paint. Byrd was the last name of a relative who was a general in the Confederate Army.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 08:20:12]