Ruth M.A. Fraser is a self-taught artist, illustrator, pyrographor, floral designer, leather craftsman and multi-instrumentalist. For over 30 years - 17 years in the NHS - she enjoyed her career as a health care professional, with a speciality in orthopedics.

Unfortunately, this satisfying career came to an end due to illness. The loss of her professional involvement caused her to go into depression and many times caused her to question “if I am not a nurse, who am I?”

 

It was during this time that she was encouraged by a friend not to give up on art. With sketchbook and pencil in hand God reminded her of the talent she was blessed with and challenged her to use what she had in her hands. That was seven years ago.

Ruth’s expertise and interests are seen in the wide swathe of her topics and the different medium used. She is an artist who works in charcoal, pencil and via digital medium.

Her long association with the health service and love for music is an obvious influence in the sequence of her drawings. Ruth’s interest in orthopedics is obvious in her fascinating collection of drawings of different bones of the body. The moving collection with its heartfelt identification with the overworked members of the health service worldwide pays tribute to all who keep us healthy.

As an artist/illustrator Ruth has worked with author Thea Wray during the 2020 lockdown on the illustration of Shola the Shy Shark and Christmas Animal Party, both published in 2023. Ruth also illustrated Thea Wray’s most recent offering, Anancy.

More recently, she has worked on the illustration of “What’s happening in my body,” and “Growing teens listen to their body” written and published by her sister and niece, Kimberley and JoiannaYhap.

Despite her disability, Ruth has created over2000 pieces of art that have been a blessing to her family and friends around the world.

Her work has reached as far as Australia, Russia and China. Most recently, she returned from Thailand, where she expanded her artistic journey by completing her first three murals - each a vibrant celebration of color and culture.

 

Ruth has had numerous art exhibitions as part of Peckham Festival 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and at Kings College Hospital. Also a four-week exhibition at the Galleria on the Rye, in Peckham, South East London.

 

Her artwork is also on mugs, t-shirts, fridge magnets, tea towels, tote bags, and 5 album covers on iTunes and YouTube.