Mary Ruden

Mary Ruden taught Art at several colleges in the south before her artistic goals became a full time pursuit. She has spoken to dozens of environmental groups on botanical and conservation themes for native plants. Her interest in native orchids took her to many places, from swamps to high elevations the mountains, observing native plant populations with botanists. She illustrated several posters on native orchids, and shows her paintings of orchids in galleries and education venues. She also creates large outdoor sculptures for Public Art projects, state parks, and government buildings. Living near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, her botanical illustrations of native plants were on display in the Park for the Centennial exhibit to honor 100 years of the National Parks, and at the U.S. Botanic Garden. "Preservation of the environment where native orchids live is important to their survival, and to that of other plants and insects. Through my art I try to inspire, and portray the vast number of species of these amazing plants."