Jerry Ruthven was born and raised in Blue Branch, a small community in Texas. A middle child in a family of six, Ruthven practically lived outdoors. Although an active boy, who played both football and track, Ruthven had begun to sketch at a very early age. Indeed, his penchant for drawing during his study time got him in trouble quite a few times. However, his parents recognized his talent, and encouraged him by presenting him with art supplies whenever a gift was in order. This, combined with his love of the outdoors, led Ruthven to work at capturing the beautiful Texas countryside that surrounded him.

Once out of school, Ruthven faced a common problem among young artists: how to make a living while tr...