“Garden Break” ©Ruth Armitage SOLD

The painting “Garden Break” is now happily hanging in its new home after my friend Jenica and I made an art trade! She knit me a beautiful wool sweater in exchange for this art. I’ve made some great art swaps over the years, including orthodontics for my kids, art in exchange for a stay at our beach house, wonderful ceramics by my friend Melanie Thompson, and art glass by Salem artist Wendy Brockhaus. I proposed the trade for the orthodontics, the others proposed the trades for art. Each time I see them, I’m reminded of the friend I traded with, an added bonus!

I’m so thrilled to be the new owner of this fabulous sweater! I chose the pattern and the yarn, and Jenica spent a whole month knitting it up for me. I wish you could see the beautiful lace pattern in the back.

Jenica took quite a few photos, including this one of me with my new little goat, Harry. We got a few with his ‘brother’ Houdini too, but they didn’t turn out quite as well. These guys are the companions for our new ram. He came to us from my artist buddy Katherine Dunn. My husband wanted to know why I was out doing ‘farm work’ in my nice white pants? He doesn’t realize this was a fashion shoot, lol!

If you are thinking about approaching an artist for a trade, here are some helpful hints. You should ask to trade if:

• You already have a trusting relationship with the artist
• You have something the artist really wants or needs
• Your item is approximately equal in value to the art piece
• You won’t be offended if the artist has to say no

Go forth and trade!