Mary Ruth Pruitt

Class of 2014
Talented and driven — Mary Ruth is a successful young artist who has completed her first graphic novel, The Rodentiad. 

Mary Ruth graduated from Emory & Henry College in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She is continuing to work as an active artist, and sell paintings and drawings, while working towards a Masters of Fine Arts in Illustration at Memphis College of Art. Her present illustrative project is a graphic novel focused on the lives of artistic couple Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. This project will be largely historical fiction, sprinkled with elements of magical realism, with a cast of lizards and frogs. She hopes this graphic narrative will be both an educational and enjoyable adventure for its readers. Her completed graphic novel, The Rodentiad, is being prepared to be submitted to publishers.

Q: What advice would you give to first-year Honors Scholars?
A: My advice is two fold. Firstly, do not take yourself too seriously. There is always room for you to grow. There is always room for the expansion of your horizon of ignorance. Even when you graduate there will be much that you will need to learn, because as William Butler Yeats said, “education is not filling a bucket but the lighting of a fire.” Part and parcel with not taking yourself too seriously is have a little fun. Soon enough you will be busier than you can imagine. Secondly, know that your professors are there for you. And as your friends are there for you, your professors are another kind of support system; however, give each person you meet on campus the respect she or he deserves.

Major(s):

Studio Art

English Literature 

Hometown:

Tuscaloosa, AL

Location:

memphis