A student has become the first in Gordonstoun’s 90-year history to paint a portrait of one of the school’s Principals.
Previously, the portraits of former Heads and Principals at Gordonstoun were painted by established artists.
However, the work of 17-year-old Ruby Mitcham – regarded as one of the most talented young artists in the UK – will also take pride of place in Gordonstoun’s prestigious ‘North Room’.
The portrait will hang alongside portraits of Gordonstoun founder Kurt Hahn, former student HRH Prince Philip and HRH The Princess Royal, who holds the role of Warden at Gordonstoun.
Ruby only began oil painting two years ago and is currently in the first year of a two-year senior art scholarship at Gordonstoun.
She has quickly established herself as one of the most promising artists of her generation. Ruby recently became the youngest artist to feature at the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) Annual Exhibition in Edinburgh, which has previously featured work by Raeburn, Picasso and Munch.
She was delighted when former Gordonstoun Principal Lisa Kerr asked Ruby to paint her portrait just before she left the school in July to become Principal of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. The painting was unveiled at an event at Gordonstoun on 14 March.
Ruby Mitcham said:
“When the school asked me, I couldn’t believe it. I called my mum and almost couldn’t talk sensibly to her. It’s a privilege to have been asked and to leave something on display here that I’ve painted.
“The school is my second home and Gordonstoun has really supported me in becoming the person I am. I like the idea of having a tangible connection to school even when I move on.
“In return for the painting, the school offered to fund my place on one of their Arctic sailing trips. So, along with the prestige of the commission, came the bonus of being able to join a crew sailing to Arctic Norway. I’m 100% a Gordonstoun girl and love all that they offer on the outdoors front, so this was the perfect reward for me.”
Ruby based the portrait on a series of photos taken of the school’s former Principal and started the painting last summer.
She added:
“I had around a week before I went on the school sailing trip to get the bulk of it done. So, I worked full days and some nights. After three weeks sailing, I had the advantage of returning to the painting with fresh eyes. I spent a less intense period until early September finishing and tweaking areas.
“I wanted to incorporate the Gordonstoun tartan colours somehow but wasn’t sure how. In certain lighting, you can see these subtly within the background, which is also a little reminiscent of the northern lights, which we see so often at school.
“This was my first commission, so I learned a lot through doing all the stages. I now have some really exciting commissions booked in, but don’t want to spill the beans on them too soon. Watch this space!”
Ruby has now joined a prestigious list of artists, including Royal painter Chen Yan Ning, Frances Bell and Rosalie Watkins, whose work is featured in the North Room in Gordonstoun House.
She and her family had no idea she had such a talent until she first painted a portrait of her father, Damian, aged just 15 years. Ruby’s striking painting called ‘A Scottish Lass’ – a portrait of her best friend and roommate Iona Watters – was one of just over 200 works selected from more than 2,000 entries for the SSA exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA).
Gordonstoun Principal Peter Green said:
“Ruby’s talent has shone through in the past few years and her dedication to honing her artistic skills is a tremendous credit to her.
“She has a distinctive style which obviously caught the eye of the prestigious Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) Annual Exhibition and it’s fitting that one of her paintings will now hang alongside accomplished artists at Gordonstoun.
“Ruby is an inspiration to younger students and a great example of our ethos, ‘Plus est en vous’. We are proud to support Ruby during her art scholarship at Gordonstoun and excited to see what she does next.”
Another of Ruby’s paintings, called ‘A Pause Between Wild Adventures’, was shortlisted for the Scottish Portrait Awards and Ruby was also nominated for Young Fine Artist.
Lisa Kerr said:
“Having known Ruby since she attended Gordonstoun for the Senior School Taster weekend, I have always been aware that she is a very talented pupil.
“It was a privilege to see her grow and develop during my time as Principal and asking her to paint the portrait was a unique opportunity to put a pupil’s piece of work at the heart of school life.
“There is a real depth and dimension to Ruby’s paintings and she has produced a piece of art that will remain relevant for decades to come.
“I’m thankful to Ruby for the piece of work she has done and she can be proud that her painting will now be part of the future of Gordonstoun.”
Ruby further honed her talent in learning the techniques of old masters by spending a week at the Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art.
She also spent a week’s residency with acclaimed Scottish artist Frances Macdonald after Ruby’s work was exhibited in London.