John Ruthven, who has been called a twentieth century Audubon, is a leader in conservation and protection of endangered species is also widely known as a lecturer and writer. He grew up in southwestern Ohio near the Ohio River. He had an early interest in woodlands and wildlife. After serving in the Navy during World War  II, he entered the Art Acaemy of Cincinnati and later opened a commercial art studio in Cincinnati. In the early 1960’s he gave up his flourishing commercial art business to concentrate solely on wildlife.

Ruthven’s work has received many awards including: Federal Duck Stamp, 1960 - 61; First Ohio Animal / Print artist 1988; Ducks Unlimited Pacific Flyway Artist, 1989 and many others. He has completed major commissions for : Armco Steel; Cincinnati Zoo;  National Republican Party; Crown Prince Henri, Luxembourg; U.S. Trade and Economic Council and others. John and his wife Judy  reside in a restored 100-year -old farm house in southwestern Ohio.