Ruth Bravetti and Annie

Born third in a family of four siblings I spent the first 18 years of my life in Okanogan and Omak, two small Washington State towns north of Wenatchee. Elmer Haines, my father worked in a lumber mill. My mother, Hazeldene, was a Methodist Minister and later taught elementary school. Both my mother and her mother were artist though neither did more with their artistic ability than create gifts and teach me the fundamentals of drawing and painting. As long as I can remember art has been a big part of my life. Within me is a strong desire to create visual art.

Okanogan High School art classes provided me with more opportunities to produce art work for class assignments, fairs, pep rallies, friends, and the chamber of commerce. Receiving awards, ribbons, and small amounts of money for my art helped me stay focused on art as a career. My mother’s continued support was what really kept me progressing with my first language, art. She bought art supplies when money was scarce and gave me encouragement when times were difficult. She found space for me to oil paint between the kitchen and living room in a house that was way to small for the six of us.

After I graduated from Okanogan High School my family moved to Auburn, Washington. I enrolled at Green River Community College. This change was a wonderful new-found freedom for me. I finally felt that I could express my inner-self through visual art in a way I had never experienced before. My parents provided a small room in the basement for my art studio. One of my art professors commissioned me to draw portraits of his three children. This was a tremendous self-confidence booster. The Pacific West Coast provided eye-opening experiences in the arts, cultural differences, and learning opportunities. I absorbed all of these things with overwhelming enthusiasm. I previously never even imagined many of the experiences I was living. The possibilities seemed endless.

Transferring to Central Washington University provided me the break from my family and a change to be on my own. I floundered as many young students do, trying to find my place in a world split by the Vietnam War. It was a wonderful growing up time in my life, full of many wonderful adventures and great learning opportunities. I thrived on the art program Central offered and wanted school never to end. I met my future husband at Ellensburg. After earning my BA in art I went on to earn my Masters in Art majoring in printmaking. I also earned my teaching certificate as my husband worked to complete his degree in art education.

We spent several years trying to find a place we enjoyed and a job that would meet my husband’s needs. After managing apartments, substitute teaching, and my husband’s employment experiences in Spokane and Renton as a sales representative, we finally settled in Kent. Our two sons; Michael, born in Spokane, and Tony, born in Renton; kept me very busy for several years before and during their first years of school. During this time I worked nights and weekends as a waitress at the local country club, volunteered at the elementary school, and repaired damaged art work for an insurance contractor. I continued to do some of my own art, though finding the time was not easy and the encouragement was limited.

With my boys in school full time I began pursuing a teaching career. After substituting for two years I signed a contract to teach full time as an Art, and Math teacher in Kent's alternative school. During the nine years of teaching in Kent my students painted two large murals for the City of Kent. Several of my students also received awards for their art work in shows, district displays, and local exhibits. It was an enjoyable teaching experience with many ups and downs. During this time my husband and I divorced. I learned I could be a strong and self-sufficient woman. Until my youngest, Tony, graduated from high school I continued in this teaching position.

On my own, with my children grown and off to college, I challenged myself by taking a math teaching position at the Centralia High School in Centralia, Washington. I moved to Olympia, a city I always loved to visit, and commuted to my work in Centralia. This was a difficult time for my creative needs. For the first time in my life I was not recognized as an artist. It became stressful and I knew I needed a change after five years in this large district that provided little room for my creativity. I took a math position in the small town of Oakville, Washington. I was given an art class to teach my second year at Oakville. There were no supplies and little to no resources, but I was ecstatic with renewed enthusiasm to be teaching art once again. We had a great year. One of my students won the state art show held at the OSPI building. Presently I am teaching two art and three math classes. With the help from donations, grants, and district support, Oakville has a small but growing art program.          

My future goals, besides continuing to teach, are to create more visual images. This last spring I renewed my printmaking skills by taking a college class focusing on non-toxic printmaking techniques. With the addition of an art studio to my home and the purchase of a printing press, I am very content producing visual art and working on this web site.

Your response to my work and website is appreciated. bravettiart@comcast.net

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