Dorothy Ruñez is an award-winning artist & photographer based in Pearl River, Louisiana. Intrigued by the complexities and restorative power of nature, Ruñez finds solace in its embrace. Her art encapsulates the ever-changing moods of Louisiana coastal wetlands, from tranquil sunsets to tempestuous storms, illustrating nature's power and vulnerability. Her work transports viewers to this thriving and valuable ecosystem, urging them to appreciate and conserve its fragile existence.
Ruñez’s art is also deeply influenced by music and her personal and psychological experiences, allowing her to bring the subconscious to life, exploring emotions and memories. Her artwork invites viewers to engage in a meditative and introspective experience, connecting with their own inner landscapes and finding solace in the natural world. She practices both representational and abstract art.
Having studied graphic design at Loyola University New Orleans and motion graphics at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, Ruñez has acquired a diverse skill set that enriches her artistic perspective. She has also embarked on artist mentorship programs in Barga, Italy, and Denver, Colorado, further honing her craft and expanding her creative horizons. Her dedication and unwavering commitment has led her to receiving numerous awards as an emerging artist throughout her promising career.
Member of Pontchatrain Conservancy, Healthy Gulf, Common Ground Relief, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
Member of New Orleans Photo Alliance, St. Tammany Art Association, Photographic Society of America
Juried Shows and Exhibitions:
Gallerium art exhibition and The Book of Arts publications, Animals of the Planet, April 2024
Exhibizone, Look At Me, March 2024
St. Tammany Art Association, Art Bienvenue, Covington, LA 2024
The Hummingbird & Dragonfly Art Gallery, Beauty and Splendor, California 2024
1st place, Expression in Abstract, Lakewood, CO
1st place, Abstract category, You Belong Here, Evergreen, CO
40W Gallery, Self Exhibit, Lakewood, Colorado
The Skys the Limit, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, California
Dab Art Co, Art in the time of Corona | A Global Art Project, Los Angeles, CA
Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Painting through the Pandemic Exhibition, Pawtucket, RI
SWA, Society of Watercolor Artists, International Exhibition, Fort Worth, TX
Off the Wall, Cape Cod Arts Center, Barnstable MA
Scenic 2021, International art exhibition, Exhibizone
Education:
Otis College of Art and Design, Digital media, BFA ‘04, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University, Graphic design, BA ’01, New Orleans, LA