LACMA

ShopMembershipMyLACMATickets
LACMA
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
info@lacma.org
(323) 857-6000
Sign up to receive emails
Subscribe
© Museum Associates 2026
  • About LACMA
  • Jobs
  • Building LACMA
  • Host An Event
  • Unframed
  • Press
  • FAQs
  • Log in to MyLACMA
  • Privacy Policy
© Museum Associates 2026
Collections

Unknown
Ruth G. Waddy Sketchbook1968-1981

Not on view
Ink drawing on off-white paper, loose energetic lines depicting a seated nude figure from the waist up, with heavily scribbled head and loosely contoured torso
Ink sketch of a figure leaning forward over a surface, rendered with rapid, energetic crosshatching lines. The figure wears a cap and loose clothing, shown in profile facing right.
Ink drawing of a figure in profile seated at a round table, wearing glasses and a jacket, with hatched shading throughout; venetian blinds visible in the background and a small heater beneath the table at right.
Drawing in black ink and green crayon of a stylized frontal figure with a large spherical head atop a narrow ringed neck, set against dense hatching; small notations in an unidentified script at upper right.
Blank white page with a handwritten pencil note at the top reading "Roland Welton did preceding page."
Ink drawing on white paper with dense, scratchy cross-hatching; three loosely rendered standing figures, a large profile head at upper left, a smaller rounded head at center, and a compact figure at upper right.
Ink drawing on paper, close-up portrait of a face rendered in energetic, gestural scribbled lines, with features emerging from dense crosshatching; signature and date at lower left.
Ink sketch on paper of a nude figure seated in a high-backed chair, rendered with rapid crosshatching and gestural line work. A handwritten signature and page number "7" appear at lower right.
Ink and wash sketchbook page with multiple figure studies: a seated nude in the center rendered in loose gestural line with gray wash, a small abstract figure labeled "Face in Hands" upper left, a profile head study lower left, and a drapery sketch lower right. Page numbered 8.
Pencil sketch portrait of a person's face with short hair and bangs, centered on a sketchbook page, with a cursive signature and date '4/19/68' at lower right.
Ink sketch portrait of a person with long flowing hair, rendered in rapid gestural lines and crosshatching on white paper, signed and dated lower right.
Pen and ink sketchbook drawing of a stylized oval mask face centered on the page, surrounded by energetic radiating lines, hatching, and scribbled textures. Two smaller circular motifs with curvilinear designs appear above and below the mask. Handwritten text in the lower portion reads "Voodou" and a signature with date at lower right.
Ink drawing, profile portrait of a man in a suit and tie, rendered with loose cross-hatching and gestural linework; handwritten inscriptions in the lower portion of the sheet.
Pencil sketch of a woman holding an infant, rendered with loose gestural lines and crosshatched shading. The woman wears a hoop earring and upswept hair. A cursive signature appears below the composition.
Ink drawing on sketchbook page depicting a segmented banner or wall structure with three circular wheel-like forms across the top section and the handwritten text "Keep the Faith" across the middle panels; zigzag border above, hatched lower band, and a row of small floral or cross motifs along the bottom edge.
Pencil sketch, bust-length portrait of a woman in three-quarter profile facing downward, with loose gestural linework, short wavy hair, and a geometric drop earring; chair back visible at left.
Ink drawing on paper with loose, energetic linework. A spread-winged eagle holding a heraldic shield tops the composition. Below, radiating lines burst from a central point, surrounded by scattered elements: the number 66, two rectangular boxes, the text "BTAGRX," a boxed letter X, three small profile head silhouettes, a simplified standing figure, and the inscription "NCA 1968." A partial rounded form appears at bottom center. Handwritten signature and page number at lower right.
Pencil drawing, three studies of a bearded man's head: profile view at top, upward-tilted three-quarter view at lower left, and frontal three-quarter view at lower right, rendered with loose hatching on cream paper.
Ink drawing of two figures facing each other in stylized, caricature-like line work; the figure at left wears a ruffled collar, while the figure at right wears drop earrings and an ornate headpiece, rendered with bold continuous lines and hatching on white paper.
Ink drawing, loose gestural lines depicting a woman's head in profile facing right, with swept-back hair and a dangling earring, rendered in rapid expressive strokes on white paper.
Sketchbook page with pen or pencil drawings: a large, expressive face study at upper left rendered in loose, energetic line work, with a partial torso below; two smaller gestural figure sketches at right; cursive handwritten inscription at lower center.
Ink sketch portrait of a person with short hair, shown from the shoulders up in three-quarter view, rendered with loose gestural lines on white sketchbook paper.
Ink sketch of a person reclining on the floor, upper body propped on one arm, rendered with loose cross-hatching. Handwritten inscription in lower right reads "Art Conference, April 28, 1968."
Ink sketch in a sketchbook, a winding road flanked by trees and foliage rendered in loose, energetic line work, with a dark swirling sky above; handwritten inscription and date '4/20/68' at lower right.
Pen and ink sketchbook landscape with energetic, loose linework; tall trees with drooping branches frame a view of water and distant low mountains, with a seated figure at lower left; page numbered 26.
Ballpoint pen sketch in a spiral-bound notebook, quick gestural drawing of a bearded man in profile at upper right, with a desk lamp and handwritten text reading "SMITH," "LITY," and "PIANO" in the lower portion, page numbered 28.
Sketchbook page with abstract ink drawing of sweeping, looping lines forming a dense tangle in the upper half, below which a horizontal rectangular form contains rhythmic curved strokes; a bold cursive signature and underline appear at lower right.
Ink drawing with fine hatching; a gallows-like wooden structure at center with a noose and small sign reading "Do Not Dance"; a dark cloaked figure stands beneath it; a crescent moon and star upper left; a large circular form with an eye at left; bare branches and abstract landscape elements throughout.
Charcoal drawing featuring an abstract figurative composition with interlocking curved and angular forms, a small wine glass at center, and a dark oval shape in the upper left, executed with heavy shading and bold outlines.
Pencil drawing of two figures rendered with dense diagonal hatching; an upper face emerges from dark shading while a smaller face appears below, both partially obscured. Cursive signature and date at upper center.
Pencil or charcoal sketch of a figure's head and shoulders, with energetic cross-hatched marks indicating dark hair, and minimal lines defining facial features and a long neck.
Pencil drawing on white paper, bust-length figure with an abstracted, mask-like face rendered in continuous line, one hand raised to the chest holding a small plant or flower, with a signature and date at lower left.
Mixed-media work on paper with gestural abstract composition in black, red, and blue on white ground; bold brushstrokes and linear marks suggest fragmented figures and forms, with energetic overlapping lines and fluid ink passages.
Ink sketch portrait of a person looking upward, head and shoulders, rendered with crosshatching. Handwritten inscription reads "Ruth / We Shall Overcome" with a signature and "'66" below.
Sketchbook page with pencil and brown crayon drawing; three elongated abstract figures with rounded tops at left, beside a composition of geometric forms including a crosshatched circle, a curved brown band, and a shaded rectangular plane.
Ink drawing on a sketchbook page showing three elongated abstract figures with bulbous bodies and thin stalk-like necks topped with rounded forms; a small schematically drawn figure holding a trumpet appears within the central form, rendered in fluid continuous line.
Pencil sketch on white paper, abstract composition of flowing curved lines forming an elongated eye-like shape with concentric oval forms at center, a horizontal line extending to the right where a handwritten signature and date appear.
Pencil sketch portrait of a man with a mustache, rendered in loose gestural lines, with a handwritten inscription at lower right and page number 43.
Pencil sketch of three small boats on calm water, with a stepped structure at left; handwritten cursive inscription reads "a photograph by Eubanks" at lower right, page numbered 47.
Pencil sketch of a face in three-quarter profile, tilted upward, with round glasses pushed up on the head; loose, gestural linework on white paper, with a cursive signature below.
Ink drawing on white paper; loose, gestural linework depicting a figure's head with voluminous curly hair and glasses at right, with rapidly sketched forms extending left along a horizontal line.
Pencil sketch portrait of a child in left-facing profile, wearing a bonnet, with loose crosshatching in the background and minimal detail on the shoulders and torso.
Pencil sketch of two figures seated at a table set with plates, a wine glass, and a small plant, with sailboat masts sketched loosely in the upper right background; energetic crosshatched linework throughout.
Ink drawing on paper featuring an abstract composition of interlocking geometric and organic forms in black and white, including zigzag patterns, jagged teeth-like shapes, a heart, a sun with radiating lines, and stylized mask-like faces, rendered with bold confident linework and solid black fills.
Charcoal or graphite sketchbook page showing four figures: a woman in profile with natural hair and hoop earrings at top, a bearded man's face below, and two smaller sketched figures at right. Loose, expressive line work with handwritten notations in the left margin. Page numbered 53.
Ink drawing in a sketchbook: stylized figure in profile with an elongated pointed headdress, facial markings, and bent knees; a small stick figure appears at lower right; handwritten notation at bottom corner.
Handwritten note in black ink on white paper reading 'Preceding page by Bob Jefferson, Jeweler, sculptor in Berkeley, Calif.'
Pencil sketchbook page with multiple overlapping face studies in loose, gestural linework; a frontal head dominates the center, with profile and three-quarter views layered around it, and a smaller bearded face sketched in the upper right corner.
Pencil sketch on sketchbook page, frontal portrait of a person with curly hair, rendered with light and shadow shading divided along a central vertical line, handwritten cursive signature below the chin.
Sketchbook page with a profile portrait in green and blue ink, loose gestural lines depicting a figure facing right with flowing hair swept back, partially legible handwritten inscription below.
Pencil sketch in a sketchbook, full-length figure in profile facing left, wearing a headband, armbands, wrist cuff, and patterned wrap skirt, with voluminous hair; loose gestural linework.
Pencil sketch of a figure in profile facing left, head tilted upward with hair pulled up, rendered in loose gestural lines on sketchbook paper, with torso lightly indicated below.
Ink drawing on paper; an oval elongated form with carved face-like features centered vertically, surrounded by dense horizontal hatching suggesting water or reflections, with a monogram at bottom center.
Pen and ink figure study on white paper, three nude figures in rapid gestural lines: one seated on a wooden stool in profile, one standing with back turned at right, and one loosely sketched at left. Cursive signature at lower right.
Pen-and-ink drawing on paper, bust-length portrait of a woman with voluminous upswept hair and drop earrings, rendered in sparse continuous line work, hands resting at lower left, handwritten inscription at bottom right.
Ink drawing in two registers: above, a figure with a feathered headdress holds a staff against a mountainous night sky with crescent moon; below, a large heart-shaped torso form rendered in bold black and white, with a reclining figure and additional faces emerging from dark, heavily cross-hatched surroundings.
Ink drawing portrait of a young child, head and shoulders, turned slightly in three-quarter view, with short hair rendered in crosshatching and large expressive eyes outlined in fluid, gestural line work.
Ink drawing, profile portrait of a child's head and shoulders facing left, rendered in loose, fluid line work on white paper, with a cursive signature below.
Pencil and ink drawing, bust-length portrait of a woman with close-cropped hair, hoop earrings, and a pendant necklace, rendered with loose charcoal-like shading. Handwritten cursive poem in blue ink fills the lower left portion of the page, with a signature at bottom right.
Ballpoint pen sketch portrait of a person in three-quarter profile wearing rectangular glasses, with short hair and loose gestural linework in blue ink on white paper.
Charcoal or pencil sketch on white paper depicting an automatic rifle held upright by a roughly drawn hand, rendered with heavy crosshatching. Handwritten text to the right reads "the struggle continues unabated" followed by a signature.
Ink drawing of a rocky landscape with tall vertical tree trunks rising from boulders, rendered in rapid, energetic line work with cross-hatched shadows on white paper.
Pen and ink sketch on sketchbook page, bust-length portrait of a man with round eyeglasses and a mustache, rendered in loose continuous line work; signed and dated lower right.
Ink drawing on paper, three figures seated together in loose, gestural strokes; the leftmost figure wears a cap, the central figure leans forward with arms crossed, and a third figure sits cross-legged at right.
Pencil sketch in a sketchbook, three-quarter portrait of a woman wearing a ruffled headband, with loose gestural lines; handwritten text at top reads "ANGIE FOR RUTH"; page numbered 71.
Pencil drawing on sketchbook page, frontal portrait of a person's face and neck with short hair, rendered in simple outline style with minimal shading; handwritten inscription at right reads "Marion Epting 4-21-69"; page numbered 74.
Pen and ink portrait sketch of a person's head and shoulders, rendered with energetic cross-hatching; face turned slightly to the right, with short curly hair and strong facial features.
Pencil sketch on sketchbook page, head-and-shoulders portrait of a person in three-quarter profile wearing a floral headwrap and large circular earring, with handwritten inscriptions and a date reading '18 Oct 69, Trinidad + Tobago'
Ink drawing on white paper; dense abstract composition of interlocking biomorphic outline shapes with small dot accents, forming an irregular mounded mass; thin, continuous black line work; handwritten inscription and date at lower right.
Pencil drawing of a botanical specimen, a single upright stem with broad, lobed leaves and a partially open flower bud at upper right; detailed fine linework throughout, with handwritten annotations in the lower right corner.
Ink drawing with loose, gestural linework depicting abstracted figures in dynamic poses alongside percussion instruments, including a conga drum and what appears to be a steel pan. Inscribed with a signature, the date 24/6/70, and the word "TOBAGO" at lower right.
Pencil sketch of a stone archway passage between historic buildings, with a hanging lamp above the arch and rooftops visible above; loose hatching throughout; handwritten inscriptions in lower corners dated 24.6.70
Ink drawing of overlapping feathery fronds or plant branches rendered in dense parallel hatching lines in dark blue-black ink on white paper, with a handwritten inscription below the composition.
Blue ink sketch of a woman with upswept hair and round glasses, seated in a chair with legs crossed, looking downward at an object in her hands, rendered in loose gestural lines; handwritten inscription at lower right reads "Al Akong, Trinidad, W.I., 4-7-70."
Ink drawing of an urban industrial scene with tall latticed structures and a circular spiral form at upper right, above horizontal lines suggesting a waterfront or street level; bold, loose brushwork on white paper.
Pen sketch in blue ink on white paper; a tall leaning palm tree at left beside a small sailboat on calm water, with loosely drawn sky and circular sun; handwritten inscription at lower right reads "Bosland / Trinidad / 4/7/70."
Pencil sketch in a sketchbook of two profile heads stacked vertically within a rectangular frame, one facing left above the other; handwritten inscription in cursive at lower right with the words "Trinidad" and "Belmont" visible.
Ink drawing on sketchbook page, loosely rendered landscape with vertical hatched lines suggesting tall trees or cliffs in the upper right, and small clustered marks below indicating vessels or structures on open water, executed with rapid gestural strokes in black ink.
Red ink drawing on white sketchbook page, three-quarter view of a standing nude figure with a visibly pregnant abdomen, rendered in loose expressive linework with energetic hatching around the head. Handwritten inscription in red reads "Year of the Child" at lower right.
Pencil sketch portrait of a man's head in three-quarter view, with a mustache and goatee, rendered in loose hatching lines; handwritten inscription in ink at lower right.
Ink sketch in a sketchbook of a small figure seen from behind, with feet turned outward, holding a large conical hat or covering over its head. Handwritten text in English at right reads "Douen / T'daa Folk Lore" with a descriptive passage below. Artist's signature at bottom left.
Charcoal drawing on sketchbook page, close-up portrait of a person's face turned slightly upward, rendered with bold, expressive strokes and strong contrast between light and shadow. Cursive inscription at upper left and handwritten signature with date at lower right.
Ink drawing on white paper of a curled cat at upper left, its tail extending in a long wavy line down to a small mouse at lower center, rendered in loose continuous linework with a handwritten signature and date '70 at bottom right.
Watercolor and ink sketch of a city skyline in pink and blue washes, with tall buildings reflected in teal-green water below; a sailboat and birds indicated with minimal line work.
Ink drawing of two stylized figures with angular, mask-like faces rendered in energetic blue and black hatched lines on white paper, dated 1970.
Pencil drawing of two overlapping faces within a single elongated outline; the figure at right wears a collar and tie, with a signature inscribed below in pencil.
Pencil and charcoal sketch on paper showing two rectangular compositional studies stacked vertically. Upper study features bold curved and spiral forms with a large shaded sphere; lower study shows loosely drawn circular and clustered organic shapes. Handwritten signature and date at bottom right, with an annotated arrow at left margin.
Pen and ink sketch of a bearded man in a brimmed hat, head tilted downward, rendered with loose cross-hatching. A small landscape sketch appears at upper right. Handwritten inscription and date '11/13/70' at center right.
Ink drawing of an urban storefront scene, address number 1701 beneath a large "Liquor" sign; silhouetted figures of adults and children stand near the entrance, with signs reading "Cold Beer" and "Lay Away" visible in adjacent windows; a news stand and resting dog appear at left; loose, energetic linework with collaged paper elements.
Pencil sketch on notebook page featuring the number "19" and notation "11/70" at upper left, beside an outlined top hat with horizontal stripes and three stars; below, a schematic face with glasses and the handwritten phrase "for you"; two heart shapes and a small dove sketch appear lower left, with a cursive signature at bottom right.
Pencil and colored pencil sketch in a sketchbook, two caricatured figures: a crouching barefoot figure at left gestures toward a seated heavyset figure in a cowboy hat at right. Watermelon slice and bottle rendered in red and green at lower right. Handwritten text and signature visible below composition, dated 12/25/70, page 104.
Ballpoint pen sketchbook drawing of a heavily crosshatched form suspended from a branch by a thin line, surrounded by concentric flowing contour lines. Handwritten text reads "GOD BLESS THE FRUIT" at lower right.
Pencil portrait sketch, bust-length view of a person with short hair wearing a loose open-collared garment, rendered with crosshatching and loose shading. Handwritten inscription reads "Cedric Adams 10/27/71" at lower right.
Ballpoint pen sketchbook drawing in blue ink; half-length figure of a person holding a bowl containing three round objects, a bird sketched in the upper right, loose energetic linework throughout; handwritten notation and date at lower right.
Pencil or charcoal drawing on sketchbook page; bust-length portrait of a man wearing round glasses and a collared shirt, rendered with bold hatching against a fragmented geometric background of rectangular planes.
Ink drawing on paper of a reclining nude figure, rendered with loose gestural line work and bold black ink washes at lower left, combining fluid contour lines with expressive, spontaneous mark-making.
Verso of a document or print, plain white surface with a handwritten ink inscription in the lower right, reading "To a dear friend, Mrs Waddy / Vernon C. Williams / 2/25/72", written at a slight diagonal.
Pencil sketch of a seated figure in three-quarter view, rendered with loose crosshatching; the face and clothing are loosely suggested with dark shading against white paper, with a handwritten signature and date at lower right.
Charcoal drawing of a crouching human figure with knees drawn up and head bowed, surrounded by bold angular dark shapes, executed with vigorous gestural strokes on white paper.
Blue ballpoint pen sketch on white paper, small abstract form with angular, overlapping planes and loose hatching, centered in upper half of sheet, with a cursive signature below.
Pen drawing in blue ink on white paper; loose, continuous line forms an abstract reclining figure in the upper center, with long flowing lines extending horizontally across the page.
Pencil sketch on white paper, minimal continuous line drawing of a face in profile showing forehead, nose, and lips, with handwritten cursive annotations to the right and a page number "116" at lower right.
Pen and ink sketchbook drawing with rapid, energetic crosshatching depicting a large profile face at left and a smaller figure at right, executed with loose gestural linework; signatures and the date '72 inscribed below.
Pencil drawing in a sketchbook, bust-length portrait of a woman with long dreadlocks wearing a floral top and knotted necklace, surrounded by abstract geometric shapes and arrows; a handwritten dedication reads "To Ruth Waddy, May Peace, Good Health & Prosperity Always Be Yours. Sincerely" with a signature and date 2-12-81 below.
Ballpoint pen sketchbook drawing of two figures in blue ink; at left, a bust-length figure faces forward, and at right, a second figure in a collared jacket is shown in three-quarter profile, with loose gestural linework and rectangular forms sketched in the background.
Pen and ink sketch of a bearded man seated with hands clasped, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, with diagonal lines suggesting a tent or canopy overhead; handwritten inscription and date below.
Drawing or print on a book page, a large square filled with dense, evenly applied graphite hatching, bordered by two concise dark ruled lines, with Roman numerals and a handwritten signature below.
Ink sketch of a seated figure in profile, rendered with loose gestural line work on white paper. The upper body is bare, with long trousers and shoes suggested by minimal contour lines. A cursive signature and the year 72 appear at the bottom center.
Ink drawing on white sketchbook page; a loosely sketched laced boot at lower left with an extending diagonal line, accompanied by a small curved mark and dot at lower right.
Ink sketch portrait of a person in three-quarter profile facing right, rendered in loose continuous line work. The subject wears a headband and drop earrings. Handwritten inscription in lower right reads "Walt '75 Pgh, Pa."
Ink drawing on paper, abstract composition of overlapping rounded and angular forms in bold black brushwork against white, creating a dense, layered cluster. Handwritten inscription and date at lower right.
Ink drawing on white paper, rapid gestural lines depicting a seated figure in three-quarter view, wearing a large hoop earring, with a spiral motif on a cushion or chair at left; minimal detail, loose expressive strokes.
Pencil drawing of an abstracted profile head in loose hatching, with curved flowing forms below containing the handwritten phrases "PASS IT ON" repeated twice, a small cityscape, and wavy lines suggesting a crowd or landscape; inscribed "Houston '77" and numbered "128" in blue ink.
Ballpoint pen drawing of a full-figured woman in a wide, dome-shaped dress covered in teardrop motifs and horizontal ribbed bands, with curly hair and wavy lines radiating upward; a snake curves along the right side; handwritten inscription and date at lower right.
Pen and ink drawing with color accents depicting a figure in profile wearing a hat and hoop earring, seated amid a cluttered studio interior. Framed artworks hang on the wall behind. A canvas with red abstract markings and the text "A Matter of Opinion" appears at left. Foreground includes a tobacco tin, art supplies, and small sketches. Handwritten inscription at bottom reads "Ruth Waddy at Work / Building a Nation of Black Artists."
Ink sketch on sketchbook page, close-up portrait of a man's face in three-quarter profile with expressive, fluid line work; glasses indicated with minimal strokes; handwritten date "8/25/73" and a signature in upper corners.
Ink drawing on white paper, abstract surrealist composition suggesting a large biomorphic head in profile, rendered with fluid dark blue contour lines incorporating small cactus, fan, shell, and vine-like forms embedded within the figure's outline.
Ink drawing on white paper, two abstracted face profiles rendered in rapid, gestural black brushstrokes, with small Chinese characters inscribed at upper right and a signature at lower center.
Handwritten letter in blue ink on white paper, with a small pencil sketch of a figure at lower center. Text includes a date, notes at top, and a larger cursive message below referencing Claremont College and Black Studies Center.
Pen and ink sketchbook drawing of an abstracted figure viewed from behind, with elongated organic forms suggesting a head and shoulders rendered in loose, continuous line work. Handwritten inscription in upper right corner.
Pencil sketch of a figure in profile, head bowed and turned downward, with loose gestural lines. Handwritten names and addresses in cursive fill the right side of the page.
Blank white notebook page with three lines of pencil handwriting in the upper right corner, bound on the left with visible punch holes.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Ruth G. Waddy Sketchbook
Place Made
United States
Date Made
1968-1981
Medium
Various media including: charcoal, ink, ink wash, marker, pen, graphite, watercolor, colored ink, colored pencil and collage on paper
Dimensions
.1-.122) Image and sheet: 10 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. (26.67 x 20.96 cm) each; .1-.122) Overall: 11 x 8 1/2 x 1 in. (27.94 x 21.59 x 2.54 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Azzi-Lusenhop Black Arts Movement Collection and purchased with funds provided by Robert and Kelly Day, the Modern and Contemporary Art Council, and the Elliot and Kimberly Perry Collection
Accession Number
M.2011.33.1-.122
Classification
Drawings
Collecting Area
American Art