Ruth Ko

When asked why she creates art Ko says, “my mission is to make people smile.” Those close to Ko know she’s a gifted, inspired artist who sees things that others often miss. “I people watch a lot,” says Ko, who describes her work, such as the mother and child, as giving. “I do it because it makes me feel good; I like creating it, and I like sharing it. But most of all, I like to make people smile.” All of Ko’s work has an Asian influence, and when she is creating, the pieces speak to her. “I want to create a dialogue that, hopefully, the buyer will connect with,” she says. Ko, who finds solace in her at-home studio, has several pieces in the works, including one called Kami, which means “divine aura” in Japanese, and another named Kanji, meaning “humble.” For Ko, there is no ultimate goal or finish line when it comes to her art; she’s simply committed to producing pieces that make people smile while putting a little piece of her everlasting out into the world.

Unlike some, Ko didn’t study fine art in college. She didn't venture abroad as student to explore the works of Michelangelo or Vincent Van Gogh. That simply wasn’t an option for Ko; A self-made, successful businesswoman who left home at 15 to explore and create her world.

Ko became a successful businesswoman and an artist simultaneously. She spent the last three decades building an empire of image and wealth, turning a small, independent regional magazine into an iconic statement of the Orange County, California lifestyle. She went to work at Orange Coast magazine in '76, and purchased the magazine in '95. She grew it into a successful business, and ultimately sold it at the top of the market.

Her creativity is boundless. Artistically, '96 was a pivotal year for Ko. As she traveled through Bali and Singapore, Ko was captivated by the architecture and artistry that she saw. It compelled her to explore her own talent as an artist through more travel and training with the masters.

Ko is already experiencing phenomenal success as an artist. She’s currently working on a series of sculptures, which is already attracting buzz in the art world. All of her work carries Asian influences—some subtle, some obvious. For Ko, they evoke a sense of calm, well being and peacefulness. When Ko is seeking inspiration, she often gazes outside her studio onto a serene Japanese garden. The emotions evoked by this contemplation—particularly serenity—are the things that motivate Ko in her work.