"Going to Town" ©Ruth Armitage, 2013 Acrylic on Paper 22x30"

“Going to Town” ©Ruth Armitage, 2013 Acrylic on Paper 22×30″

As I paint this series, all kinds of memories of growing up come back to me. When I was little, the biggest event of the week was ‘going to town.’ On Sunday mornings, we would head seven miles down the road to the thriving metropolis of Albany, Oregon to go to church. If we were good, we would get to enjoy donuts and juice after mass. The other excitement was going to Safeway on our way home. Don’t ask me why I thought this was all exciting… I guess because we got to go somewhere. We were a bit isolated growing up!

As I painted this image, it went through radical transformations. Beneath the white areas you can still see some of the chaotic mark-making and textures. I like the title because of the dual meaning of ‘going to town’ which my dad always used to describe working hard or progress. I’m getting ready to deliver new work to the Riversea gallery in Astoria next week. I’m excited to see how this new one will look framed up!

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