Beginning at the age of 4 or 5 and throughout the rest of her life Ruthanne displayed both an interest and a talent in drawing and painting. As a child and as a teenager she took art lessons and frequently displayed her artwork at the Skowhegan State Fair. She started drawing with crayons and colored pencils and later used water colors, pen and, paints and pastels. Her subjects included still life, landscapes, animals and portraits. For Ruthanne her artwork was never a commercial venture and none of her works were ever for sale. She frequently gave relatives and friends some of her work as gifts for special occasions.