Artist Ruth / Art Is Truth
The Dark Side
I’ve been looking at the dark side a lot lately. This isn’t about perspective, it’s something I have to go through as part of the process of grief and loss. Although I often find myself trying to ‘bright-side’ everything, the pain and fears for the future have been overwhelming at times. I’ve always been a bit of a night owl, and now that I’m alone that proclivity is even stronger. Like many women my age, I struggle with insomnia a bit, and I find my ideas flow more easily at night. Maybe it’s just that I have had the chance to clear the slate of ‘to-dos’ by this time of day – or maybe the to-do’s wake me up.
A Tribute to my Mentors
In my first show at Waterstone Gallery, I pay Tribute with nine abstract paintings based on artists who have influenced my work and invited each to show their work alongside mine.
Experiential Travel vs. Tours
Attending a workshop at La Romita Art School means you’re signed up for experiential travel rather than a tour. Staying in one place for a week and really studying its light, textures, atmosphere and people by drawing and painting.
Color Notes
Color notes have been so important as I prepare work for my June show "Tribute" at Waterstonte Gallery. Usually I begin my paintings with a title, which guides my decisions as the work progresses. Now, the 'Tribute' show is different, in that each painting will be an...
Making Sense of Challenges: 2021
The past year has been filled with challenges that have been a mix of good & bad. We need challenges to help us grow, yet they can also be discouraging if the grade is too steep. Looking back can be productive and help me make sense of challenges achieved and...
Is Art-work Play?
Do you think art-work is play? I just finished teaching a 4 week workshop with Winslow Art Center. It amazed me how students mentioned that when they began to 'play' around with an idea, they were more successful. I'm always a bit annoyed when people talk about how...
Time Does Not Return
Travel: because money returns but time does not. Time is one slippery beast. It cannot be caged, nor tamed. It passes quickly when we least want it to, and slowly when we want it to speed up. I wish our time in Switzerland and France had been longer. When it takes so...
When You’re Unaware
When you use social media, you're unaware of its impact. People could be simply scrolling - or they might be turning into your biggest fan. I prefer to think of social media as an easy way to stay in touch with lots of friends. I had a nice surprise this week when...
In Praise of Impulsive Ideas
Being impulsive is often seen as a character flaw, but I see it as a good thing. More errors arise from inhibited indecision than from impulsive behavior." -Morris L. Ernst I just returned from an impulsive week-long trip to New Mexico with my...
Tohubohu and Art News
Tohubohu is today’s Dictionary.com word of the day. It fits this house to a ‘T!’ Tohubohu (noun) means chaos, disorder and confusion.
I’m still in the throes of unpacking
Humble Brag Blog Celebration + Giveaway
This isn't really a humble brag - it's a proud brag - but not about me. Right now I'm really proud of the work students in my Roaring '20s have been doing, and I have to brag! I haven't been able to paint recently because of our upcoming move... so this is a good...
Magical Places + Blog Anniversary Giveaway
Magical places are an important part of an artist's inspiration. I built a tree house when I was a little girl. Well really my mom built it. Actually it wasn't a tree 'house' - it was more of a tree 'seat.' It was a smooth board, probably 6"x12"x1" nailed over two...
No Path: Influence, Ideas and New Vistas
"Traveler, there are no paths. Paths are made by walking." I need to keep moving here. Literally. We've sold our home and I'm packing up the studio. We have a new place picked out in Vancouver, WA and hope to be moved in in early July. It has been quite a journey...
A Change in Perspective
I wonder how many people would prefer the horizontal instead of the vertical? I’d love to hear your perspective.
Ideas Arrive with Silence: Conquering Distractions
Ideas arrive with silence oftentimes. My most recent epiphany came at the most inopportune moment. When I rolled over for the 5th time at 2 a.m.; I would have preferred to fall back asleep if given the choice. But instead, I ran down a thought detour and connected two...
Taken for granted: Recognizing Women in the Arts
Unlike other art forms such as music, dance, and theatre, the visual arts are a gift that artists give to the community for free. People can walk into galleries without paying and experience original art.
If You Get Lost – Experiment – Giveaway Contest & Demo
If you get lost, what do you do? When we are kids we learn to stand still and wait for someone to find us. It’s just the opposite in artwork. Those who keep going make progress.
I’m experimenting with a new paper – see my video demo and enter to win!
Progressive Dinner Learning Journey
Bluebird buffet - a progressive dinner learning opportunity Our local Western Bluebirds have been enjoying a progressive dinner lately. The gang of neighborhood bluebird fanciers has enjoyed watching them flock from house to house, feasting on dried mealworms. Once...
Art is Not About Painting
Art is not about painting. That might sound weird, coming from a painter. But really, it’s about seeing. We artists synthesize visual elements and ideas.
Do You Do This Too? Art vs. Decor
Cute Aggression and Art vs. Decor I don’t think it started when the mouse I rescued from our farm cat clamped on to the soft pad of my finger and didn’t let go - even as I shook my hand like it was a thermometer. But, true confession, sometimes I feel mildly violent...
