“Vessel” ©Ruth Armitage 2013 30″x22 Watercolor on paper
Here is another example of a painting going through its final transformations. My friend, Sue Martin, wrote on her blog this week about a painting’s “birthing pains” and how some paintings seem to slip easily into the world, and others take more hours of labor and agonizing. This one did not seem complete to me until I changed the orientation, thanks to a very perceptive comment at critique.
My friend Linda Rothchild Ollis also was able to use photoshop to help me preview what the painting would look like with more shapes and color in the far left side, giving me the courage to make some changes there. I also subdued the bright yellows and most of the turquoises, and added more black mark-making. The final image was professionally photographed by David Hooten at Pixel-Point Artistry. It makes a huge difference in getting the color to show correctly! Thank you, David.
I’m including the ‘before’ image here for your comparison.
Work in Progress, ‘Vessel’ before
From their website: “This prestigious exhibit features 30 artworks selected from over 1000 entries. In addition to GPMA, the exhibition schedule includes Massachusetts, North Carolina, Michigan, and Arizona.
Entries in this exhibition must be primarily watercolor media on a paper surface and unvarnished. Pastel or collage, if used, must be in conjunction with the water media, however, water media must be the dominant element. Juror, Elaine Daily Birnbaum states, “this show is a succession of images that demonstrate the requisite balance between technical skill, and independent thought”.”
As always, I love hearing your comments!
What a great difference your changes made to the painting. Thanks for the reminder about the NWS show. I’ll be in GP in August!
You’re welcome, Margaret! The NWS travel show is not-to-be missed! I’m planning to see it this summer when we go down for a friend’s party 🙂
Love the painting. I have often thought about the process of finishing a painting comparing it to give birth – which it is. I know when I get to “transition” it’s probably time to push and be done! I love the idea of vessels too. Would make a wonderful series. So many things and people are vessels for many things. Hmmm.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Becki,
In this case I was thinking of the earth as a vessel, particularly the family farm.
Well done Ruth, the new marks introduce a random, wild element.
Hi Ruth,
Fascinating and exciting to see the before and after of this piece! Thanks for the info about the NWS show in Grants Pass, I need to get up there and see it!
Ruth, I admire your ability to do abstracts. I just draw a blank thinking about beginning one. Love this piece. It’s amazing how changing the orientation put you back on track and the results are superb.
Thanks Mary,
This is my first series of abstracts, though my work has been getting less realistic all along. I started with the idea of using the basic shapes of the fields and building of our family farm from above, and embellished with exaggerated color and mark making. I feel like the flood gates have been opened though!
Like the new orientation and of course I love the color. Keep up the good work
Just checked out your website and have been away too long.
We need to bottle just a little of your creative energy and start selling it!
Seeing all of your abstract paintings on the screen at one time and using
the interactive design made it a delight to navigate. I am impressed.
Thanks for the news about the NWS travelling show in GP.
Thanks Linda 🙂