Artist Ruth / Art Is Truth
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...
Roaring ’20s 2.0
I'm so excited to be launching Roaring '20s 2.0 - the Winter/Spring session of my 6 month mentorship program. I bet you’ve wondered how I formed friendships with artists all over the country. One way was by taking workshops. One of the things I’ve always admired about...
Most People Get it Wrong About Art – What – How -Why
Most people get it wrong when thinking about art. They think that What you paint and How you paint it is all there is. They miss one key component. The Why.
Comments from Pollyanna, Punch & Judy
Even though I work hard to be objective, my inner critic fluctuates between Pollyanna and Punch & Judy. It can be hard to know which of my multiple personalities to trust! You should hear their comments!
Confessions of a Dizzy Artist
I had so many things crowding my brain last Friday, it made me dizzy! Therefore, I spent hours driving around. But 3 lucky realizations saved the day.
Inspiration: Guest Post by Tara Choate
Tara Choate writes a guest post about the near mythical relevance that inspiration holds for an artist. Is Inspiration the process or the idea itself? Read Tara’s take on this fascinating topic.
