“Shy” ©Ruth Armitage Watercolor & Gouache 22×22″
I was honored to learn this week that “Shy” was accepted into the 4th Annual Signature American Watercolor Exhibition in Fallbrook, CA. The juror for this exhibition is Cheng-Khee Chee, AWS D.F., NWS. The show accepts a small number of paintings from artists who have achieved signature status in one or more established Watercolor Associations in the US.
She had better get over being shy, cause this girl is about to gain a bigger audience! Entering shows like this is always unnerving. The chance for rejection is high. I don’t want anyone to think that I enter every show I enter! Far from it! I have a huge file of rejection notices, and I carefully pick through them when I get ready to enter. Who liked which painting?
I felt strongly about the gestures of the deer and the child, and combined two reference shots for the final painting. Using a strong, subjective palette really helped to convey a more surreal and emotionally charged atmosphere.
It is interesting to me how artists go about choosing which is their best work. I often feel that a particular work is more successful simply because of how the painting process went. If the process was fairly straightforward, then I have a more positive attitude toward the painting. If the process was fraught with problems, I sometimes feel that the painting is less successful.
Jurors and patrons don’t have any of that history, and they come to viewing the work fresh. It is one of the reasons that I love to hear others’ reactions to my work… it verifies to me that the struggle is worth it! Not only for the easy pieces, but also for the hard ones. As always, I treasure your comments! If you’d like to see this piece in person before it goes to California, it is hanging at the Lakewood Center of the Arts in Lake Oswego through January 9.
Way to go Ruth!!
Thank you Bruce!
Congratulations, Ruth. I enjoyed seeing this painting develop and am so happy for you that it’s success is being recognized.
Thanks Hal 🙂
She is very powerful in her shyness, Ruth. This is a lovely piece.
Thanks Susan 🙂
Wow Ruth–this color palette is really working well for your subject! All that passion and shyness is intense and I’m intensely happy this painting was accepted into this great show. Very thrilling indeed..congratulations! Mary
That’s what I was hoping, Mary 🙂 Hope your painting is going well!
Hi Ruth, Congratulations! I do enjoy your glowing color and painterly approach. Your style seems to be as personal as your subject. So exciting though! To be selected among the signature members of the AWS, big time kudos! Enjoy the moment, you and your wonderfully shy girl!
Thanks Peggy! You don’t have to be a signature member of AWS to enter, just a signature member of a US Watercolor Society. NWWS or NWS is what I entered under!