Artist Ruth / Art Is Truth
There is No Abstract Art
This week I had a wonderful workshop review from one of my students from the Emerald Art Center workshop. I...
Emerald Art Center Recap
Leaving home to teach a workshop is like entering a fantasy land. No worries about meals, laundry, housework or volunteer activities. We had a wonderful three days of exploration and creative camaraderie at the Emerald Art Center over Veterans Day weekend. Somehow,...
Tell Your Story
I'm packing and preparing to head to the Emerald Art Center for my Creative Sparks workshop this weekend. In gathering materials and getting mentally prepared for the class, I started to remember all the good things that happened in my last workshop. One woman told me...
The Artist’s Ego
At last weekend's open studio, a recurring conversational theme came up with fellow artists who stopped by: the artist's ego. Ego is a fragile thing in artists and demands a delicate balance between humility and hubris. It can be looked at as a negative, as pomposity,...
The Art of Teaching
The painting above is the finished version of the demonstration that I started at the Emerald Art Center on November 11. It is based on a childhood memory of running away from home. I am looking for takers. If you know of anyone who might be interested in my...
Open Studios This Weekend
You're Invited! Who: Ruth Armitage, Painter & Darla Lynn, Mosaics What: Open Studios of Beavercreek When: Friday through Sunday 10 am. - 5 pm. Where: Ruth Armitage Studios Click here for a map! Why: Art, demonstrations and Inspiration We have had such glorious...
Emerald Art Center Demonstration
Just a quick note to let those of you in the Springfield area know that I'm giving a free painting demonstration tonight! Where: Emerald Art Center, 500 Main St., Springfield, Oregon Who: Ruth Armitage When: 5:30-7:30 - Artwalk What: I'll be demonstrating some of my...
Where to Begin
“What would make the goals personal and lead people to action?”
Summer Night
Yesterday was my first day back in the studio after a long weekend in Bandon, Oregon for the Watercolor Society of Oregon's Fall Convention. I had left two paintings in process and near completion. After yesterday's session, I think this one is complete. I won't swear...
R & R
My husband & I had a weekend away from the farm last weekend. We went to a remote cabin between Granite and Ukiah,...
Treehouse
I have been enjoying painting my memories of growing up "Down on the Farm" recently. One strong image that resonates with me when I think of childhood on the farm is my treehouse. It was a place of sanctuary for me, where I went to read, write, and dream. It was an...
Swath
In farm lingo, a swath is a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe. Swathe can also mean to bind, wrap, envelope or swaddle. I've also heard it used as a term for cutting a path, which is what I had to do to get started in my studio today. When I returned from...
Learning to Fly
Read more about the evolution of this painting here.
Tupelo Honey
I had another blog post all ready to go, but I've been updating the featured images on my home page and realized that I don't think I've posted this painting yet! My other post was waiting for a new image of a work in progress, so this one gets to go first....
Summer Storm
Read more about the evolution of this painting here.
River Bottom
Read more about the evolution of this painting here.
Bluegrass and Bluegill
Read more about the evolution of this painting here.
Learning from the Masters – How directed practice creates results
My husband and I just spent a wonderful weekend with friends at Morrison's Lodge, on the Rogue River near Merlin, OR. I devoted one day to plein air painting in this beautiful spot... It was a fun way to interact with all ages, from kids to adult. They really enjoyed...
Salt Lake City Workshop re-cap
I just returned from Salt Lake City to the good news that "Vessel" was accepted to the Watercolor Society of Oregon's Fall Transparent Watercolor exhibition in Bandon. I will be excited to see the show, which features 80 of the best examples of watercolor from across...
