Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatrice Ruggeri.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story began in Italy, where I was born, and has continued across the United States, weaving through different states, communities, and creative experiences. Every place I’ve lived has left a little color on my palette and helped shape the artist and educator I am today.
My journey as an art teacher started in Miami, where I began teaching outside the traditional school system. From there, I continued sharing my passion for creativity in studios, art centers, and schools in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and New York City before making Utah my home six years ago.
I see myself equally as an artist and an art educator. Those two identities aren’t separate—they constantly inspire and strengthen one another. Teaching keeps my curiosity alive, while creating reminds me why I fell in love with art in the first place.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed exploring a wide range of artistic media. My acrylic paintings have been exhibited and collected through galleries, but I also love working with clay, recycled materials, repurposed objects, and found treasures that spark my imagination. I believe creativity has no boundaries, and some of the most meaningful art begins with the simplest materials and an open mind.
Three years ago, I launched my YouTube channel, Art with Ms. B, where I create art tutorials for beginners and intermediate artists. More importantly, it’s a place where I hope to open a window into creative expression for everyone—regardless of age, experience, or background. Art has an incredible ability to heal, connect, and empower us, and I want people to discover that they don’t need to be “artists” to enjoy its benefits. They simply need the willingness to begin.
I also founded a small online business where I offer products featuring my original, hand-drawn designs to customers across the United States and Europe. It’s where my whimsical side comes to life. Tiny enchanted worlds, cheerful mushrooms, wildflowers, colorful creatures, and playful details find their way into my illustrations. Every design begins with a pencil, a sketchbook, and a little bit of wonder before being printed on demand by a trusted production partner, ensuring each piece is made with care and exceptional quality.
Looking back, I realize my journey has never really been about moving from one place to another—it’s been about collecting stories, meeting people, and finding new ways to inspire mine and others’ creativity wherever I go.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many artists, my journey hasn’t always been a smooth one. There have been seasons of abundance, exciting opportunities, and wonderful connections with people through art. Then the pandemic changed everything. In-person markets and events disappeared almost overnight, and as the economy became more uncertain, original art and handmade pieces naturally became less of a priority for many families.
Instead of giving up, I decided to adapt. I opened an Etsy shop as a temporary solution and began offering the collection I had originally created for local markets. It turned into a new way to keep creating, sharing beauty, and reaching people far beyond my local community.
Living in Utah has brought its own unique challenges. There are many talented and creative people here, but art and fine crafts are often seen as lovely extras rather than something worth investing in. Many people also enjoy making things themselves, which I truly admire—creativity should always be encouraged. At the same time, I believe supporting local artists and makers is just as important because they bring originality, culture, and a sense of community that can’t be replicated.
Today, I balance both worlds by selling online and participating in local markets whenever I can. I’ve learned that every challenge is simply an invitation to create a new path for ourselves.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist, educator, and content creator, I love exploring creativity in many forms. My YouTube channel, Art with Ms. B, features tutorials in watercolor, drawing, colored pencils, and alcohol markers, with projects ranging from mandalas and patterns to abstract and figurative art. My goal is to make art approachable, enjoyable, and inspiring for creators of all ages and skill levels.
My personal artwork focuses on colorful, contemporary landscapes and expressive compositions. My paintings have been featured at the Midway Gallery for three consecutive seasons and five were selected as the award for the winner team of an environmental program at the University of Utah.
Beyond painting, I enjoy creating handmade fine crafts, including clay ornaments, greeting cards, journals, and home décor. I also design original illustrations for my online shop, where every product features my hand-drawn artwork. Whether I’m painting on canvas, sculpting with clay, or designing new collections, my goal is always the same: to create pieces that bring joy, beauty, and a little everyday magic into people’s lives.
I’m most proud of my handmade ornaments and small crafts because they tell my story as both a person and an artist. Every piece reflects the time, patience, and care I pour into it, along with the textures, imperfections, and challenges of the materials I work with. Creating them feels deeply personal—I make each one as if it were destined for my own home, and I hope that sense of warmth and intimacy is felt by everyone who brings one into theirs.
I believe art should be lived, not just admired—it should spark joy, tell stories, and remind us to see the extraordinary in ordinary moments.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, I’m excited about what the future holds. One of my biggest goals is to dedicate even more time to growing my YouTube channel, **Art with Ms. B**, creating new tutorials and continuing to build a welcoming community where creativity is accessible to everyone.
I also look forward to participating in local art markets wherever life takes me. For me, meeting people face-to-face, sharing stories, and seeing someone fall in love with a handmade piece is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist.
As my business continues to grow, I plan to move my online shop to Etsy to make it even more accessible to customers in both the United States and Europe, allowing my work to reach more homes and more hearts.
Perhaps the dream that excites me the most is writing a book. Before becoming an art educator, I earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Sociology, and I’ve always believed that art and society are deeply connected. I would love to write a book that blends personal experiences with sociological reflections, exploring how creativity, beauty, and human connection can help keep our societies compassionate, curious, and deeply human.
If there’s one thing I hope my future reflects, it’s this: no matter where I live or what form my work takes, I want to keep creating, keep teaching, and keep reminding people that art isn’t a luxury—it’s one of the ways we understand ourselves, connect with one another, and make the world a kinder, more colorful place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artwithmsb.com
- Instagram: ms.beaart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584217736503
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-ruggeri-b5a20826/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtwithMs.B
