Ruby Warnecke Illustrator from Lübeck, Germany
Photo: Michael Orth
Born in Lübeck, near the Baltic Sea, Ruby still feels a close affinity to the ocean. The sea and nature in all its variety are a great inspiration to the illustrator and continue to move her to new works. After Highschool (Abitur), Ruby moved to Hamburg where she began her Master’s in illustration at the HAW (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) in 2015. In 2017 she did a semester abroad at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore (USA). The new country and the different way of teaching and learning were a great enrichment to her artistic development. It was here that she discovered the joy of working for children. Ruby started work as a freelancer in 2017, when she was still studying. This was when she illustrated her first children’s book. Since then, the illustrator has been working with publishers in the fields of children- and picture books as well as designing stationary.
She has worked on a wide variety of projects, such as picture books, baby card books, first-reads, activity books, stickers, and greetings cards. Ruby’s work is characterized by her attention to detail. She particularly enjoys drawing animals, plants or flowers, as well as fantastical motifs. In her illustrations she often uses ornamental, decorative elements, that are often inspired by motifs found in art history. Her illustrations have a modern look due to her carefully chosen, minimalist color pallet. They are created both digitally as well as manually with gouache paints, watercolors or colored pencils.
Through her first-time participation in the Artist-in-Residence project Rim of Heaven in Italy in 2022, she made enriching connections with other artists that have lasted and inspired her beyond the residency. It was therefore very special for Ruby to be able to show her work as part of the exhibition BELONGING at ESMOA in El Segundo, near Los Angeles, alongside fifteen other artists, where she was able to have a lively exchange and travel the US once more.
We had this interview with Ruby in 2020.
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Photo: Michael Orth
What brought you to art?
Even as a child I was always creative, painting, drawing, sewing bags from old clothes, weaving or making up my own stories. There was no one moment that sparked my interest in art. Art, meaning painting, drawing, being creative, has always been part of my life. It is a place where I feel at home and to which I can always return. Art relaxes me and at the same time always presents me with new challenges!
As a result, it was clear to me early on that I also wanted to do something creative professionally. I couldn't imagine any other option. At first I thought of studying product or fashion design, until I finally heard about the illustration program in Hamburg. The many subject areas that illustration has to offer were the deciding factor in my decision to apply there. I was also simply impressed by the talent and range of artistic expression of many illustrators. At HAW, as at many other art schools, you apply with a portfolio, a selection of your strongest artistic works. For this purpose, I attended a preparatory course, which strengthened my decision. There we received inspiration and input for the portfolio on the spot and painted, drew or collaged.
At the beginning of the course, I tried out a lot, experimented and gained insights into the different areas of illustration. Meanwhile, I developed a special interest in book illustration. It fascinates me to create my own (pictorial) worlds in this context, in which the reader can immerse himself. Working on a book takes many weeks or months and represents a very intensive examination of a topic or a story. I find this focused and intensive project work very appealing. It's also nice to hold the finished book in your hands later.
Ruby's contribution to the HAW competition (Photo: Michael Orth)
How did the opportunity arise for you to participate in Cornelia's "Artist in Residence Program"?
At our university, there was a call for entries from Cornelia's foundation "Rim of Heaven", in cooperation with Dressler Verlag.
We were given a few text excerpts from the "Reckless" universe to choose from, one of which we could illustrate. It was important to me not to depict the obvious, but to venture my own interpretation.
Ruby's sketchbook (Photo: Michael Orth)
Besides sunscreen and slippers, what do you need in your suitcase for the trip to Malibu? And what do you dream of from your time on Cornelia's farm (have you ever been to the USA/California before)?
Definitely need to bring sketchbook, notebook, some tubes of paint and lots of pens so that new ideas can be captured immediately! I'll also be packing my iPad, which is where I do a lot of my illustrations.
From the stay at Cornelia's farm, I hope to recharge creative energy and take away inspiration from all the new impressions. Maybe I'll also travel back home with one or two ideas for my own creative projects, that would be nice! I want to approach this experience with an open mind and open to new things. I'm especially looking forward to interacting with other creatives, and getting to know the animals on the farm!
So far I have been to the US twice, but on the east coast. Which is why I'm really looking forward to getting to know the west coast! I imagine the giant redwood trees will be particularly impressive, and I look forward to learning about the native flora and fauna. Following my stay with Cornelia, I would like to travel and see some of the National Parks on the West Coast.
Designs from Ruby's picture book "Fridolin lernt das Gruseln" (Photo: Michael Orth)
Before Corona made the trip to the U.S. impossible, did you have any specific plans for the week in California, such as a project you wanted to tackle or finish there, etc.?
Since I was able to work on some larger publishing projects this year, I wanted to use the time in California mostly for myself and my own projects. I'd like to do a lot of sketching and photography to create a body of images to draw from later. At the same time, I'd like to explore local nature through drawings and sketchbooks. So the trip would be all about getting to know new things, collecting impressions, drifting and discovering the unexpected.
