Ruth Armitage

Searching

Ruth — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:06:55 +0000

"Searching" ©Ruth Armitage, Oil on Canvas 11"x14"

This painting was inspired by an earlier series of watercolors that I did. I wanted to revisit the subject in oil. Each time I work on a painting in a series I make new discoveries. I like the ability to layer and blend more easily in oil. It really allows for more sensitive color harmonies. I’m experimenting in how polished to make the oil paintings, and finding I prefer the energy of a painting that has been done in one or two sessions. This one took three or four. Let me know what you think!

Winter Stream Before & After

Ruth — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:05:51 +0000

It has been a very busy week, preparing for a big celebration for my mom’s 80th birthday, watching over my broody hen and expecting chicks any day now, wedding shower here for one of my daughter’s friends, etc. But somehow, I’ve managed to get into the studio to work on the larger canvas. The version on the right was my original concept. After sharing the image with a couple of trusted painting friends, I decided to simplify the foreground even further. It is difficult to know when a painting is finished! Let me know your thoughts on this one: I love getting your comments.

Trying New Things

Ruth — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:45:37 +0000

I’ve been trying some new things lately, including the oil paintings. Next up I’m tackling a larger canvas. I’m looking forward to some new discoveries!

I’ve also been exploring a different way to paint the landscape. At my recent workshop in Santa Barbara I focused on aerial views of the farm where I was raised. I’ve been thinking about what will happen when my mom no longer lives there and the many decisions we face between now and then. That, mingled with the memories that each field and feature of the farm evoke has led to these new paintings, which are more abstract.

"Round and Round" ©Ruth Armitage, Mixed Watermedia 15"x22"

"June" ©Ruth Armitage, Mixed Watermedia 15"x22"

"Night" ©Ruth Armitage, Mixed Watermedia 15"x22"

"Harvest" ©Ruth Armitage, Mixed Watermedia 15"x22"

More News:

"New Vista" ©Ruth Armitage, Watercolor & Gouache 15x22"

I heard this week that my painting “New Vista” was accepted to the National Watermedia Exhibition sponsored by the Red River Watercolor Society! Juried by Donna Zagotta, the show runs June 17 through September 16, 2012 at the Hjemkomst Gallery in Moorhead, Minnesota. If you’re in that neck of the woods and get a chance to see the exhibition, snap a pic of my work for me please!

I’m working on getting an exhibit together at a local winery in June. You’ll receive a special goody if you’re a newsletter subscriber, so sign up at this link! I will also make an announcement here, of course. I want it to be a great event and fun party, so if you enjoy the blog or the newsletter, I would really appreciate your sharing it with anyone and everyone. I’m trying to build a bigger audience and know that my friends’ network is my best resource.

I was also flattered and excited to hear that I’ve been invited to participate in this year’s Sitka Invitational at the World Forestry Center! If you’ve never been to the Sitka Center, check it out! They sponsor wonderful classes and artists’ residencies at beautiful Cascade Head.

This salon-style sale presents over 500 pieces of art responding to and reflecting on the natural world. Art sales are split 50/50 with the artists, making this the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology’s largest fundraiser. I love that this group has chosen to also allow artists to designate that their gallery representation share in a portion of the proceeds. Galleries need all the support they can get!

The Adventure of the Artist

Ruth — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:01:04 +0000

One of the points I try to emphasize in my ‘Creative Spark Sessions’ is that the successful artist approaches their work with the mindset of the Explorer. This is something I constantly have to work at myself, and also something I thought I might write about here because I’m not sure that many non-artists really understand it.

Once an artist understands most of the technical aspects of making art, the question becomes: What do I want to say and how do I best say it with my art? Once that goal is identified, the adventure begins. Where will the art take you? When I go off to teach a class or work in the studio, I often hear from friends and family “Have Fun!”

While I am motivated to create and I enjoy the creative process and its results, I wouldn’t describe it as fun exactly. If you came upon Indiana Jones in the bottom of a pit full of writhing snakes as he tried desperately to save the treasure of the Ark of the Covenant AND the love of his life, I doubt you would say ‘Have Fun!’

Granted, making art is not a life or death event. But the rewards of a successful painting and the discoveries we make about ourselves, our world and our own process are worth the quest. Just like William Clark and Meriwether Lewis as they set out on the Oregon Trail, the artist can prepare for success. There is no guarantee of a good painting, but if you have a clear goal in mind, plan, take along a good guide and have a sense of adventure your risk may be worth it.

What risks does the artist take? Each step along the way brings new choices. Here are just a few:

color
texture
shape
line
value
size
direction

And each new brush stroke or mark can make or break the painting. Past experience can guide you, but there is no map, no pattern to follow, no recipe for success. Each painting is a new country every time for every artist. Following another artist’s path or process can be a good way to learn survival skills, but it won’t ultimately satisfy like making your own discoveries.

Some artists take more risks than others. Many artists work is constantly evolving and gradually changing. Picasso had his ‘blue period’ then moved on to other explorations. Others have found an artistic language that fits their temperament and a subject matter that they can explore endlessly. Hopper had a fascination for light on objects and night-time effects. Some artists make work that describes their external world, others are more interested in internal emotions, some try for both.

Whatever the reason for making art, the sense of discovery keeps us coming back again & again. Solving problems during the painting process is not ‘fun’ but it is rewarding! And even more rewarding is when a painting you’ve brought into the world touches someone. When someone buys a painting, I know that they ‘get me.’ Something I’ve said with painting about how I see the world speaks to them.

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this subject. You can read more about my explorations in my next post. It’s been so long since I’ve written that I probably need to split this into two segments!

Art Adventures

Ruth — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:05:32 +0000

I was doing so well at posting more frequently, but recent travels have interrupted my flow of web updates. I am home for a while now, so hopefully I will be able to keep up a more regular schedule.

I’ve been all over on art-related travel recently: A workshop in Santa Barbara, CA; a trip to Las Vegas for the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies show; and a short trip to Corvallis to teach my ‘Creative Spark Session’ for a wonderful group of painters there. I love meeting creative people and talking about art, seeing art and seeing different places. But it always feels good to be home, too!

Here are some photos of my recent adventures!

Shy

Ruth — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:22:08 +0000

"Shy" ©Ruth Armitage Watercolor & Gouache 22x22"

I finally feel like this painting has come together today. As I painted it, the vivid colors really looked garish, but I think I have subdued them enough now. I wanted to use bright colors, but still create a soft, delicate mood to go with the gesture of the figure & the deer. The deer was inspired by looking out at our pasture and the figure is from a photo of our neighbor’s daughter. Somehow they seemed to belong together.

My kids find this hard to believe, but I was very shy as I was growing up. I was often alone in nature, observing, soaking in the quiet. This painting has a lot of me in it from my childhood.

Spring has arrived here, but these colors must be carried over in my memory from my trip to the southwest heat. Here in Oregon, it is cool and mossy and rainy. I’m looking forward to a trip to California next week to study with Skip Lawrence and stay with my good friend Ruth Ellen Hoag.

Autumn Wetland

Ruth — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:57:44 +0000

We had a family celebration at our house last night, complete with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It made me feel so rich to have so many loving folks gathered under our roof to laugh, play chess, tell stories, share books and eat. We brought appetizers, salads, our own home-raised beef and ice-cream cake to a table decorated for a spring birthday. Though we missed some key family members, it was great to be together for an evening.

My niece mentioned that she needed to make a found object sculpture for her art class, and we had a wonderful time pulling out things from my collection of ‘junque’ for her to use. She was especially fascinated by some 45 records and went home with a Carpenter’s disc, and other select items including a tail light from an old farm truck. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for her project.

I got some feedback on a new painting that I have in process, and it felt good to go through the volume of work I have accumulated in the past couple of months. It really adds up if you work consistently.

Here is a recent effort in oils. I think that I would like to get some lager canvases and start trying to take there a little further. The first photo shows the painting in process. While I wasn’t unhappy with it, I thought I could push the color to something more evocative and moody.

SOLD

Near the Wood

Ruth — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:58:50 +0000

Available at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery

This is a painting from 2009 that I did as a demonstration for a class at The Art Station in Bend, Oregon. I was the juror for the National Watercolor & Pastel exhibition and taught the workshop in conjunction. The mood seems to fit these dark winter days.

Yellowstone Mist

Ruth — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:31:53 +0000

Another painting of the same falls from my trip to Yellowstone with my son. I enjoy working in a series, and this painting has been calling to me recently. You can see the first version here, and the second became Water Witch. This time I decided to try using a warm toned underpainting (bright orange). Can you see it peeking through? I also did most of the painting using a palette knife. I’m finding it is a wonderful way to create random texture. As always, your comments are appreciated!

Early Spring Wetlands

Ruth — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 01:34:27 +0000

Today has been steady rain and my day of sketching at Bryant Park is a distant memory. But looking out my office window, the woods are full of color. The pinks of new blossoms, the greens of moss, the lichen and the mist have influenced my painting today and mingled with my color memory of this place. Here is a photo of what it looked like:

And here is what it felt like…in my mingled color memory. It is so interesting to just work from a sketch with no color reference besides memory. I continue to make new discoveries in the oil painting process. I’m loving the rivulets that let the underpainting show through.

I’m hoping to feel better in the next few days. I really need to clean the house & start cooking for company this weekend!

Here is a ‘lol dog’ made from a photo of our sweet dog “Red”

If you’ve never explored Icanhascheezeburger.com you owe yourself this small diversion! If cats are more your style, be my guest!

Happy 1st Day of Spring!