Antonia Ruppert Art

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Thank you Dave for supporting my artistry! 💙💚🩵

With familial roots in Alabama - THIS hits home. You are not behind. Don't let the enemy tell you differently.

(Me: said to myself)

Annie Lee was born in 1935 in Gadsden, Alabama and raised in Chicago, where she showed artistic talent early—winning her first art competition at just ten years old. But life took her into steady work instead of galleries. She worked at Northwestern Railroad as a clerk in the engineering department while building a life that didn’t yet include her art full-time.

At 40, she made a decision that changed everything: she went back to school. While working full-time, she studied at Loop Junior College, later earning her undergraduate degree from Mundelein College and an M.A. in interdisciplinary arts education from Loyola University—often through night classes stretched across years.

Her lived experience shaped her work. Her time at the railroad inspired her iconic painting Blue Monday, capturing the weight of everyday struggle and routine.

At 50, she had her first gallery show. Later, her art appeared on major TV shows like The Cosby Show and A Different World, bringing her national recognition.

Her story is a reminder that timing is not a limit. It’s just a different route to the same destination.

I am Grateful to my longtime collector - Michael - who just selected this 16x20 print - "For Frank & Lillie Mae."

This painting evolved as the country was rupturing over the Constitution. My ancestors stood on the WORD and the Constitution. Read the words that they stand on...

Tonight is our LYONS Art and Garden Pop-Up. Come through for more thought-provoking AND beautiful art.

Comment below what YOU are standing on these days?

So excited to share that my painting “Master's Touch” is being made into a short -run print. Only 30 will be released.

When I went down south to visit family in Alabama, Uncle Johnny asked me who cut my hair. After I answered, he commenced to lining me properly for a more feminine look.

Don't you just love it?

NEW Print Now Available for Pre-Order: Master's Touch So excited to share that Master's Touch is being made into a short -run print. Only 30 will be released. When I went down south to visit family in Alabama, Uncle Johnny asked me who cut my hair. After I answered, he commenced to lining me properly for a more feminine look.Don't you just love it?The....

Thank you to Executive Director, Janet Bloch Bloch, Curator Nelsy Marcano and Marketing Director Jessie Sexton with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts for a deeply impactful First Friday Artist Talk and Opening Reception for my new exhibition, Connected Voices.

Connected Voices explores portraiture via painting, collage, video and original songs honoring narratives and voices often left untold.

The whole team did an amazing job positioning the work—which is up through February.

What’s next? I am looking to build on this work through residencies and exhibition opportunities preferably in Southern United States (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc.)

I am asking for help.

If you’d like to collaborate, sponsor or promote this next effort, DM’s are welcome. 🎨

❤️

There are seasons when rest is the most faithful response.

You are not behind.

Celebrate Fulfilled Dreams + My Birthday 🎉 - https://mailchi.mp/antoniaruppert.com/celebrating

Heyyy Friend, I am ending 2025 on a high note. I'm so grateful to announce that I will be finishing my graduate program at Clark University in January 2026 - fulfilling a dream that I've had for 30 years.

I told a friend recently that my number one guide has been God. I share more resources to encourage you in your faith on my site.

Go to the link included in this post.