Joanne Beaule Ruggles' figure studies are created in line on large white sheets of paper. Completed with humble twigs or broken dowels dipped deep into pitch-black India ink - these aggressive studies each capture the essence of a particular gestural pose. Such a technique allows the artist to distance herself from any feeling of preciousness about the resulting drawings. As she begins a painting, Ruggles creates a rich non-representational color "environment" on her canvas with acrylic paint. Drips, scratches, and smears coexist in abstract harmony as the artist intuitively explores color and mark. Ruggles creates history on her painting - continuing to build thickness of surface until the work obtains a feeling of abstract soundness. The artist is likely to put the painted abstract work aside until the right time to reacquaint herself with it - in order to see it with fresh eyes. Within each such abstract field, Ruggles finds figurative references that begin to suggest the canvas is ready to accept her development of one or more gestural poses on its surface. Working quickly with charcoal or chalk, the artist expressively draws figures into the abstract environment. Alternately drawing and painting, painting and drawing, Joanne Beaule Ruggles' artwork evolves without a preconceived theme or image - yet within each canvas this artist finds a universal human narrative. Honestly portraying the human condition in all of its great diversity, Ruggles' work resonates with empathy. She says "I draw and paint the human form so I can better know myself - that in itself is a fulfilling journey".