Ruth Rippon

Ruth Rippon is known for making functional pieces. She was equally comfortable when throwing, coiling or slab building her forms.

Nature was a major influence on her work throughout her career. Rippon was known for making pieces in a full range of sizes from domestic scale to major floor pieces. She was known for her carved surfaces which perhaps lead to the contribution for which she is best known, the development of "sgraffito-through-engobe," drawing or scratching designs into raw clay body through the engobe (a slip-like substance made with clays containing kaolin or calcined kaolin instead of ball clay (used in slips) and a fritted material). Rippon gained considerable public recognition after completing a commission for her “lollies”, short for ‘little old ladies on display’ at the Pavilions Mall in Sacramento, California.

While at California State University, Sacramento, Rippon helped found the University’s ceramic arts program. Rippon was an influential teacher who worked to establish the department’s reputation.

Rippon studied with Antonio Prieto at the California College of Arts and Crafts.