Ruth Pawson was born in Stratford, Ontario, but moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, with her family at the age of three-and-a-half. Pawson developed an interest in painting as a child, but only began studying seriously later. She started by taking painting classes with Gus Kenderdine, and art history classes from Gordon Snelgrove. She received an Associate of Fine Arts degree from Regina College in 1940, and continued her studies at the Emma Lake and Banff School of Fine Arts workshops. Pawson spent three summers in Banff studying with A.Y. Jackson, who influenced her style. In an interview with Gary Essar, Pawson said “I think maybe the brushstroke I use I learned when I was working with (Jackson). The brush strokes accentuate the rhythm and movement, especially in our country, where we have wind and these elements are part of your painting, too.” (Essar, 1980). In addition to painting, Pawson was a teacher. In 1976, a Regina public school (Ruth Pawson Elementary School) was named in her honour. In 1993, she received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Pawson died in 1994 at the age of 86.