“Dark Water” ©Ruth Armitage 2014 Acrylic on Canvas 20×20″ each
I wanted to finish this painting before my last class, but I hadn’t gotten as much feedback on it as I wanted. I missed one critique meeting because of teaching and the other was cancelled because of snow. Thank goodness for the internet! My friend Margaret gave me some feedback that I wanted to act on. I so enjoy the blogs I read that show a painting transforming over time. Somehow, my insecurities always make me hesitate to show a work in progress. If it is in progress, I’m not satisfied with it yet!
But in the interest of entertaining you, my readers, I’m baring all here! I have also been experimenting with shooting video while I paint… and I absolutely LOVE to watch the painting process at about 8x the regular speed. If only I painted that quickly! I hope you enjoy seeing how “Dark Water” evolved! I can’t believe how long it took to edit and voice-over this video, but it is finally done!
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/88206941]
Now I see the connection of the two parts. Really nice!
Thanks for your suggestions, Margaret 🙂
Ruth: I know it was a lot of work to put together this video but it is worth it from the standpoint of seeing all the different elements that go into how you paint and then how you change the different parts of the painting to get to the final design. It makes me want to dance my brushes across the page at that speed…… I wish. Thanks for putting your painting out there for comments. It does take a brave soul as I felt recently during the 30 Day Challenge to put your paintings out there before they are finished or possibly even being good enough to be out there for the world to see.
Thanks Diana!
Ruth, Thanks for sharing this lively and intuitive process. It was such fun to watch and your end “product” was exciting. I look forward to seeing more of these. They will get easier for you to set up as you do more, I would think, so I hope you do. I am very inspired!
Thanks Margaret & Susan. I will probably try another one. I do think the editing would get easier the more I do it. I DON’t think it will become a new career! LOL 🙂
Ruth, I didn’t watch the video until this morning–what fun! I know it takes a lot of time, though, to edit and put the sound in etc. A new career?
Thanks for making and sharing the video…it was great to see! Are you bringing your Down on the Farm series back to Santa Barbara this April? If so, I’ll see you then!
Thanks Norene!
Nice work, Ruth!
Thanks Alyson!
Ruth, I am new to so much, but never embarrassed to ask a question. I loved watching the process…would love to see some videos of the early stages, too. Im curious about your comment about seeking a critique, and having meetings. Is this typical for your style of art or all styles of art….? 🙂 Laura
Thanks Laura, I will work on another video showing some of the earlier stages 🙂 I think many artists have gatherings where they share work in progress, either formal critiques or informal get-togethers. I am lucky enough to belong to a few groups that share their work with each other. They are an invaluable support!
It would be interesting to hear about other artists’ experiences too!