Wisdom and Grace
Elevina – Kiowa Apache
“WINNER: Ethnic Female Beauty Challenge on Ethnic Art
(2009.NOV.22)
WINNER: Soul Challenge on
Images And Ideas
(2009.OCT.30)
WINNER: Portrait Of A Woman Challenge
on The Woman Photographer
WINNER: I Am Woman Challenge on Mood And Ambience
(2009.JUN.18)
Placed Top Ten in
Wisdom And Character Challenge on Good News Group
(2009.OCT.16)
That One Great Portrait Challenge on That One Great Shot
(2009.MAY.09)
“Special Feature“
The Wild West Show
(2009.APR.26)
Featured on:
Everyday Women
(2009.NOV.19)
True Potential
(2009.NOV.05)
50+
(2009.NOV.01)
Good News Group – Sharing & Caring
(2009.OCT.25)
Light In The Darkness
(2009.JUL.15)
Spirit of the Native American
(2009.FEB.18)
THE SISTERHOOD
(2009.FEB.16)
Views 1,137: 2009.NOV.19
Sales: 2 RedBubble, 6 Gallery
Canon 350D EOS
Tamron 55/200mm
Natural light.
RedBubble Album: People Of The West
All sales of this work are shared by photographer and model.
Wisdom and Grace belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, ! $$☻Get Art Promoted☺$$ !, ! 100% !, " You Big SOFTY", *Focus and Lighting*, 1 In The Beginning - Ancient Practices, 4 Winners Only, 50+ GROUP, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Art For The World, Art Inspired by Dreams, Capturing Emotion, Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Deep Within, Digital Photography, Elderly , Ethnic Art, Everyday Women, Featured Features - For Featured Art, Photography, T-Shirts, Writing, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), First Things, For the love of Canon - 2 Images per day with type of Canon camera used, Freedom to Shine, Friends of RedBubble, Good News Group - Sharing & Caring, Human and Nature, Images & Ideas, In Another World .., Inspired By Life, JPG Cast-Offs, LEFT WING VALUES AND POSITIVE GLOBAL AWARENESS, Lifeline, Light In The Darkness, Live, Love, Dream: , Masterpiece: Photography, Mature Woman, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Of Noble Birth, Old farts of redbubble, Out of the Past, Outsiders, PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, People and Portraiture Photography, Personal Meaning Photography, Photographers of Redbubble (2 per 24hr, Camera info added before it will be accepted!!), Photography Fun, Shades of Grey, Shameless Self-Promotion, Sisters in Arms (feminine relationship described), Sold! , SPIRIT, Spirit of the Native American, Spiritual Art, THE 500 TO 5000 VIEWINGS GROUP, The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄, The Healing Journey, The Human Condition, The Patchwork , THE SISTERHOOD, The true beauty, The Wild West Show, The Woman Photographer **7 Submissions a week only please**, The World, The X - Human Sentiment, United States, Universal Innovation, Unlimited Quality, Vibration in Art and Verse - VAVoom!, Victorian Viewfinders, Western United States Artists and Photographers, Who are YOU to Judge? and Woman Appreciation Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints


Martina Fagan
beautiful capture:)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Marsbub!
She is a delightful subject to work with!
Robert Armstrong
What a wonderful shot, well captured!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Robert!
Sally Omar
This is gorgeous…it touches the heart!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxooxox
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Sally!
Pinkham
Lovely title for a powerful shot.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you!
I appreciate your comment!
Marion Cullen
Excellent portrait, and a most aptly titled piece.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, very much!
Susan Bergstrom
Beautiful capture!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Susan!
Most of the credit should go to the model.
She simply has “presence”.
Rebecca Bryson
This is most excellent!! Fantastic portraiture!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Rebecca!
Sally Omar
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you for featuring this image in “The Sisterhood”!
I am elated!
arvyart
Very professional and forceful capture! That’s right, the model deserves compliments as the photographer does. Indeed they work as one big whole. Modesty adorns people. However, the photographer picks up what should be captured and the detailed way it has be done. Congrats!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, so much!
yolanda
Beautiful portrait and the title describes her perfectly. Well done ;-)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks so much for the comment (and fav), Yolanda.
Greatly appreciated!
Leon Walker
Wonderful work!!!!!!!!!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, so much, Leon!
Dawnsky2
very beautiful indeed,, lovely capture :)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Dawnsky2!
PS – I love your avatar; I know it well. ;)
Dawnsky2
you do? fabulous,,
Reiki :)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Master-Teacher since 1996.
PM me, if you like.
SkyFoxFPP
Gorgeous!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, so much, SkyFox!
(It’s nice to find you on RB)
jwinman
she is beautiful! fantastic portrait.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
I appreciate the compliment, and the fav, jwinman!
Arla M. Ruggles
Thank you, so very much, Spirit of the Native American
for featuring Wisdom and Grace!
As grateful as I am for this acknowledgment, the subject shall be even more empowered to know that others recognize in her, the Native spirit she so elegantly portrays; in the photograph, and in her daily life. I cannot wait to tell her!!
Arla
Ellen Price
WoW!! Very beautiful
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Ellen!
I really appreciate the comment and fav!
Arla
Dawnsky2
Congratulations, your image has been…



sorry for the late banners, i cant wait to find out what she says on being featured!
Arla M. Ruggles
Worth the wait—it is beautiful!
Thanks, so much!
Arla
arvyart
Congrats! You’ve deserved that!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Arvy!
Kate Purdy
Really beautiful portrait!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks so much, Kate!
ellamental
wonderful!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, ellamental. Greatly appreciate the comment!
Mizz1
wow, that’s a powerful image : )
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Mizz1!
Antanas
lovely portrait, well done
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Antanas!
I always appreciate your comments!!
Helene Kippert
Beautiful portrait – you’ve captured her strength and dignity
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Helene!
Mary Campbell
Lovely.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks so much, Mary!
Luke Luther
Arla, we should all be so beautiful…thanks for sharing!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Indeed!
Thanks for the comment, Luke. I appreciate that!
Ilene Clayton
Spectacular! Absolutely wonderful capture!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Ilene!
(This has become my most popular image on RedBubble. :-D)
Ilene Clayton
You have a porfolio just full of beautiful shots! This being the most popular of them all is quite a statement to this work. It is a captivating portrait. Well done!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, so much!!
Evita
Excellent portrait !!!! :D
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much, Evita!
dawndavies
fabulous picture, many congrats on your feature,dawnx
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, dawnx! I appreciate the comment!
KarenKSmith
Fabulous portrait!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Karen! I greatly appreciate your kind comment!
KcranmerArt
So beautiful, just like my great grandmother!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you! She seems to evoke powerful feelings for so many … what an honor to have been the eyes that captured that something!
Jens Helmstedt
Nice capture! I like it!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Jens. I’m glad you like it!
Pip Gerard
wonderful photograph!!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Pip!
Helen Chierego
Love that face and her beautiful hands…
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Helen!
John Linton
Wow!!!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, John!!!
May Lattanzio
Incredible. Just incredible.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, May!
StressieCat
Wow this is excellent…
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, StressieCat!
Joanne Bradley
This is really beautiful! Excellent work! She is so elegant!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Joanne!
Judith Oppenhe...
what a beautiful woman and stunning portrait! instant fav!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Judith!
Sassafras
This IS so Beautiful!!! And well deserving of being Featured. Congratulations.
Peace,
sass
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Oh dear! I completely missed this comment, Sass … so sorry!
And thank you for your kind comments!
David Hibberd
This image stirs the heart, wonderful
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, David!
I think this is most commented-on image—all due to the subject; not the photographer. ;]
Karen Tillotson
Absolutely STUNNING portrait!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Karen!!
Jadephotos
Beautiful! Wonderful portrait
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Monica. I appreciate your comment – and fav!!
skyhorse
that is such a perfect title for this sublime portrait
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you SO MUCH, SkyHorse!
Wojciech Dabro...
Powerful image…really like the low saturation levels you used here.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Wojciech!
Lindamell
Congratulations Arla on Portrait of a Women win, this is such a wonderful image so very well deserved :))
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Linda … I just found out!
Yee haw!!
Wendi Donaldson
Congratulations on your win, Arla…..this is a beautiful image of widsom and grace. WEll done!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much, Wendi!
There were so many outstanding entries, I am thrilled!!
~ Selle
Fabulous portrait! Congratulations on winning the challenge
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much, ~ Selle!
Christine Wilson
really nice shot
Christine Wilson
oh and congrats on the win :)) very well done
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much, Wendi!
There were so many excellent submissions, I can’t get over this!
Judith Oppenhe...
congrats on the challenge win, so well deserved!!!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Judith!!!
Jen Ryan
Arla M. Ruggles replied
OMG!!
My internet has been down for two days … I must be the last to know!
I am so excited—I cannot wait to tell Ellie!
This portrait will be framed and hung by the front door of my gallery … Thanks you SOOOO MUCH, members of The Woman Photographer!!
KazM
Many congrats on winnin The Woman Photographer
Portrait of a Woman Challenge. So well deserved.
Many congrats
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so very much, KazM!!
Tenee Attoh
Beautiful portrait..
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Tenee!
MrClaypole
So many compliments and so richly deserved, great work AA, great work. xx
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Why, Mr. Claypole! How lovely to see you on this side of the net …. and thanks again!
Ellen Price
This work has been chosen for our “Special Feature Sunday ” for the month of April…Congratulations!!!

Arla M. Ruggles replied
WOW!!! Just when I thought our lady had reached her zenith ….
What a most excellent way to start the week!
Thank you so much Ellen & George!
arvyart
Congrats, Arla!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Arvy!
awdigitaldreams
oh she is gorgeous! great shot and congrats on all the features:)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Oops! I’m sorry I missed your comment before, AW!
Thank you so very much!
T. Wall ~Throu...
Arla
What a beautiful shot. You know that Native Americans used to believe that the camera captured their soul and did not want their picture taken. In this photo, I believe that you did capture her soul…..
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Yes, TEEJAY; and some of the older people still seem think that. I hope that I have captured a glimpse of Ellie’s spirit, and the spirit of her people … without taking anything away from it.
I appreciate your thoughtful comments!
T. Wall ~Throu...
You are so welcome! I wish my cousin Mardella lived closer to you. Mardella is full blooded Lumbee & an elder and “Keeper of the Legends”. She has not had her photo done in so very long and you would take the perfect picture:)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Ah, well … thank you for the confidence, but I am not a portrait photographer – I just got lucky, this one time! :D
T. Wall ~Throu...
I think you would do wonderful!!
walela
Lovely capture!
flokot
You take such beautiful photographs of your home area. I was just reading your philosophy behind it on your RedBubble profile and thinking it really is a shame when all these beautiful remote regions are engulfed by the monster that is civilsation! Keep up your good work recording your beautiful piece of the world. :-)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, so VERY MUCH, for your kind comment, flokot! ... as for the last: I’m not sure that I have any choice. ;)
Carol Berliner
Woooooow pure magic!! Instant fav!! I loooooove it!!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much, Carol!!
eelsblueEllen
WINNER!! Mood & Ambience group
I Am Woman challenge!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
WOW!! Thank you, Ellen!!
nadine henley
congrats cherry on winning the I am Woman challenge and all these other features and challenges for this glorious shot!
Daidalos
Beautiful portrait! Great work.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Daidalos!
Kseniya Beliaeva
beautiful…
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you!!
fuelthesoul
Beautiful image
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much!
AnnDixon
Very beautiful,
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Ann – I appreciate your comment!
janfoster
absolutely wonderful Arla : )
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much, Jan!
LeilaniMelayna
Perfect title! I love the naturalness which this portrait offers! Her hands look so strong from enduring much labor….she appears very healthy & content.
Smiles Leilani
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you so much for sharing your astute observations, Leilani!
Angel Gold
Perfect
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Angel!
Jan Landers
stunning portrait….straight to the heart….
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, Jan – Greatly appreciated!
Barbara Brown
A beautiful portrait!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Barbara!
Lee Modrok
Being a native, I had to faorite this ASAP. Thank you, Lee
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Lee!
Anne-Marie Bok...
Arla, what a beautiful portrait of a strong and wise woman!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Anne-Marie!!
Diane Swarts
Arla – this an outstanding image, but you prob already know that ;-)))
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Well … it is definitely my most popular, and among my best selling images. (I split sales with the model.)
I’m very glad you like it! :)
gabbielizzie
very nice capture
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much!
niki78
beautiful capture , congratulations on winning challenges.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Niki!
-Lilith-
Wonderful image! She is SO beautiful!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks very much, Lilith!
poodlenuts
awesome photo it has a beautiful feel !!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks so much, poodlenuts. I’ll tell her you said so. ;)
carlosramos
Flawless excution with excellent creativity and stunning outcome, my compliment !! :o)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you very much, Carlos!
Jenni Atkins-S...
Barbara Applegate
Great image, good job. The Wild West Group has a Challenge going on right now for Soiled Doves(Prostitutes) and Painted Ladies (Saloon Girls) Challenge
This would be an Excellent entry, why not go enter? You Might be a winner.
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, Barbara ……. I don’t think this model would appreciate being cast as a prostitute ……. I have something else entered in that challenge.
Memaa
Magnificient shot. I looked over your fantasitic collection of work here on Red Bubble. Such perfection in each composition. WOW. Sue
Arla M. Ruggles replied
My goodness, Sue!
I thank you so much for these comments, and for those in your B-Mail. I am at a loss for words to express how AMAZING such glowing compliments are to me …. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
laureenr
Terry Hinkle
Exceptional shot.
It could not have a better title.
Arla M. Ruggles replied 27 days ago
Thank you so much, Terry!
eelsblueEllen 27 days ago
WINNER!!
Images & Ideas group
Soul challenge!
Arla M. Ruggles replied 27 days ago
Oh WOW!! What a WONDERFUL surprise!
Thank you Ellen – and I&I!!
dove99 27 days ago
Congrats on your latest win!
Arla M. Ruggles replied 26 days ago
Thanks very much, DiDi …..
This image, though
-I don’t think of it as “mine”. It is more than the model, and more than my feeble skills at portraiture …. more than the combination of those things. This image seems to have a life all its own. I just feel so humbled, sometimes, to have my name stuck to it. :)Anastasia Zabr... 27 days ago
Arla M. Ruggles replied 26 days ago
Thank you SOooo MUCH, Anastasia!
Nedim Bosnic 27 days ago
wonderful portrait
Arla M. Ruggles replied 26 days ago
Thank you very much, Nedim!
Olitto 26 days ago
CONGRATULATIONS Arla! This image is currently being featured in the 50+ Group
Great work and well deserved.
Arla M. Ruggles replied 26 days ago
Thank you VERY MUCH, Olitto!!
Graham Povey 26 days ago
Stunning portrait. Simply beautiful lady.
Arla M. Ruggles replied 26 days ago
Thanks so much, Graham … and yes, she is! :)
GuyAmazed 25 days ago
I saw this shot in the challenge and meant to comment then—you cleanly crossed the intersection of the beauty of body and soul.
Arla M. Ruggles replied 25 days ago
Thanks so much, Guy. Something tremendously serendipitous occurred ….
Rhenastarr 25 days ago
Congrats on all your features and challenge wins. Certainly deserving of same.
Such an exquisite portrait.
Arla M. Ruggles replied 25 days ago
Thank you very much, Rhenstarr!!
Lee-Anne Raffe... 25 days ago
beautiful portrait
Arla M. Ruggles replied 22 days ago
Thank you, Lee-Anne!
bernard lacoque 22 days ago
A real beauty and an excellant photographer
Arla M. Ruggles replied 20 days ago
Thank you, Bernard!
Artist Ibrahim 19 days ago
beautifully ART WORK VERY beautifully BRAVO
Arla M. Ruggles replied 18 days ago
Thank you very much, Artist Ibrahim!
LoneAngel 15 days ago
very nice shot
Arla M. Ruggles replied 15 days ago
Thank you, LoneAngel!
Tania Birch 10 days ago
Wow beautiful shot!
Arla M. Ruggles replied 10 days ago
Thanks very much, Tania!
Shannon Donovan 7 days ago
Excellent work Arla!
Arla M. Ruggles replied 7 days ago
Awesome! Thank you very much, Shannon!!
Fred Smilde 5 days ago
Congratulations Arla you have won our 2nd Challenge- Ethnic Beauty
Arla M. Ruggles replied 2 days ago
Oh! There were so many outstanding images in that challenge, this is truly a great honor! Thank you, members of Ethnic Art!
Lynda Harris 4 days ago
Well deserved win. A beautiful strong portrait. Well done!
Arla M. Ruggles replied 2 days ago
Thanks very much, Lynda!