My good friend and neighbor, Blenda Tyvoll, invited me to join her in an artistic Blog Hop. The idea is that each artist who participates answers some questions about their art, then invites three more artists to join. It is a great way to get to know new artists around the web. Thanks, Blenda, for asking me to join!
Blenda is amazing… she blogs, and sells her work on Etsy, Fine Art America, Local Galleries, and much more. Plus she and her husband own beautiful Victorhill Tree Farm; where you can cut your own fresh, lovely Christmas tree, sip hot cocoa and shop for wreaths and ornaments. I admire her energy and work ethic!
The blog hop has a few tough questions:
“Beneath the Surface” ©Ruth Armitage 2014 Watercolor 30×22″
1.) How does my creating process work?
I work in a series, meaning a group of paintings all focused around the same subject. I’m currently painting images related to growing up on a farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I call this series “Down on the Farm.” But I’m also always looking for something new in my work. So I try to strike a balance between something new and surprising, and something that looks like mine.
I often choose the title of a work first, then try to achieve the feeling or idea as I go along. I work mostly from imagination, thinking in terms of design if I get into trouble. I particularly like it when the title can have more than one layer of meaning. For example, the painting above started with the idea of seeds beneath the surface of the soil. As I worked, I realized it could also imply something emotional happening to me, internally.
My painting table: Can you see the hummingbird feeder just outside?
2.) How does my work differ from others of its Genre?
There are two things that I think make my abstract work recognizable: Color and line.
I enjoy making gestural marks during the painting process, using brushes, pencils, scratching tools, drips, crayon and string. Just like handwriting, line can be a great way to infuse the artists’ personality in the painting. I started employing line way back in my figurative paintings.
Color is another element that has followed from my figurative work to the more abstract paintings. I use color to imply mood, from light to dark and warm to cool. I am always looking for new color combinations and try to get something surprising into each work.
3.) What am I working on?
The painting I’m currently working on has the working title “Coming Through the Rye.” I took a few minutes of video of my process so you can see how radically I change my mind during the painting. Then I sped it up to 8X the actual speed! I wish I could paint this quickly 🙂
The title is one of those that has multiple meanings for me. Obviously there is the Catcher in the Rye allusion, but I was also thinking about walking through fields of tall grass as a kid.
href="http://youtu.be/OFm1BGiKM1g
Here is a link to the Youtube video… some people are having trouble viewing: http://youtu.be/OFm1BGiKM1g
Now for the fun part: introducing the three artists I’ve chosen for the blog hop!
1.) Sue Martin: I got to know Sue through the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. This Utah artist completed her Bachelor of Arts degree (her third degree) in 2012, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah. I enjoy following her blog about layering the past and present in paint. I hope you’ll drop in to her blog & leave a comment!
2.) Jo Reimer: I met Jo through the Watercolor Society of Oregon. She & I have had the pleasure of painting together several times, including this plein-air get together. We share a similar rural upbringing and I enjoy seeing how she incorporates collage in her work. Jo is also an avid sketcher. You’ll love looking through her recent posts!
3.) Dayna Collins: I first met Dayna before she started making art… when she bought one of my paintings at an art fair. Now she is creating with abandon, painting, collaging, making assemblage… you name it! Dayna shows her work at Guardino Gallery in Portland and Riversea Gallery in Astoria, OR. She is currently sponsoring “Scattered by the Wind” a special project at the Salem Art Association’s Project Space Gallery. I know you’ll love visiting Dayna’s BOLD blog!
Have fun hopping through these artists’ creative internet homes. Leave me a comment and let me know what you found! If you like to join the ‘hop’ leave the other participating artists a comment 🙂
I love your art Ruth. I enjoyed seeing all of your interesting tools in this video!! Thanks!
Thank you Sally! I see you work abstractly too… isn’t it fun?!
Oh yes, I’d love to attend one of your workshops one day.
Thanks Sally! Just visited your site… your paintings are beautiful 🙂
I was feeling like a stranger in a strange land using almost everything but a brush in many of my recent paintings. Now, having watched the video, I won’t be so hesitant about it. Love the video and the piece as well as the questions and comments.
Thanks Sandra. After I put the video on the computer I realized the same thing 🙂
Love the video, Ruth.
Thanks so much for including me in the “hop.” I loved seeing your 8x video of a work in progress. I think even non-artists will appreciate how much fun you’re having! And the final painting is spectacular!
Our connection goes even farther back than you thought, Ruth. I took a class from you at the Cedar Hills school, probably 15 years ago. Thanks for including me in your blog hop. I’ll have my post up within a few days.
You are right Jo! I had forgotten about that 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your post!
Thank you Ruth – amazing creativity – love the palette (and your speed – ha ha). Great video 🙂
Thanks Mickey!
What an honor to participate in this. Fun hop! Off to check out your blog recommendations. I am sorry that your video doesn’t work on my iPad. Must be an Apple/Flash thing. Wish those boys could just play nice 🙂 Laura
Darn it! I wonder if it is just Youtube or if Vimeo does that too, Laura. Thanks for letting me know!
Even though we talk a lot on the phone it was interesting to read about your process here.
Thanks Donna 🙂
Very interesting to see your process, Ruth. You make it look so random, but I know there is much thought process that goes into moving the paint around and making color/line/mark choices. For some reason I was only able to view the video in full screen mode, but no matter—it worked!
Thanks Liz. I think I like using vimeo better than YouTube… I seem to have less viewer issues! Live and learn…
Way to go you techie your own video! I enjoyed the video Ruth and know a link on FB would get more views.
Thank you Bruce 🙂
So, rats, it didn’t work on Microsoft either. TEars. Must be me as I see others could see it fine. I definitely think its a good idea. Maybe the next time for me…:(
Hi Laura, so sorry it didn’t work for you…
So fun to watch your joyous spontaneity. I work this way too but I just don’t get the results you get! You have put in your 10,000 hrs to get where you are see it through to a finished painting. I love your work in this method. You inspire me with each new post. And yes, it is nice having the link to your blog. Partly my lazy girl speaking.
Ah, thank you Susan! It looks pretty cool in 8x speed 🙂 In reality it is slower, and I stopped the video to let things dry in between layers. 🙂
Hi Ruth, thank you for sharing your working process. I have been following you on facebook and really enjoy your work. It’s great seeing how you apply your paint and I think that I will have the courage now to try new things such as applying paint straight from the tube even though I usually work in watercolour. I shall now continue blog hopping!
Thanks so much Deborah! Glad you enjoyed the video and I hop you have fun at the other blogs too!
A very informative post, especially for a non-artist such as me. Hop, hop.
Thanks Lucy! I hope you had fun reading some of the other blogs 🙂
Thanks for the invitation to participate, Ruth. I’ll be writing my post in the next few days. On another note, I love the video of you creating a piece of your art. Wonderful, yummy, rich colors and the layers you use is dizzyingly wonderful.
Ah, Dayna! Thank you 🙂 I look forward to reading your post!
Love reading about your art process especially the speed video. And what beautiful paintings!
Thanks Blenda 🙂 And thanks for inviting me to be a part of the Blog Hop!
Ruth, I’m enjoying your abstract paintings and learning how you work. Thanks for starting the blog hop.
Thanks Paula!
Your fabulous, bold, process captured in your video. Just made my day.
Thank you Linda 🙂
Hi, Dear Ruth !
Your abstract artworks are amazing.
I was very inspired from your colors and art technique.
Wish you a future success in the art world !
Kind Regards:
Nik