Ruth Wright Paulsen is an artist, illustrator, and published author of children’s books and books for young readers, best known as the wife of Gary James Paulsen.
Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of young adult literature, best known for coming of age stories about the wilderness. He died on October 13, 2021, at the age of 82.
Ruth Wright Paulsen attended two years at Principia College studying the basics of art and later graduated from the University of Colorado, where she studied oil painting. She further intensified her knowledge of painting by studying at the University of Denver, at the San Francisco Art Institute.
Ruth Wright Paulsen also taught art at a junior high school in Colorado for two and a half years, which informs her illustrations for children’s books. She later left teaching and moved to Taos, New Mexico to devote her time fully to painting. There she met her husband, author Gary Paulsen whom she married in 1971.
Ruth Wright Paulse had frequently partnered with her husband, author Gary Paulsen, in making books. Her illustrations can be seen in his books Father Water, Mother Woods and My Life in Dog Years. She is reportedly living in La Luz, New Mexico and works daily in a studio she maintains at her home.