Artist Ruth / Art Is Truth
Mother & Child
It has been a busy weekend, and today was a nice chance to get back into the studio and back to a routine. I've been working on a painting based on a snapshot of my mother holding me when I was about 2 months of age. It is a rather iconic image of Mother &...
Supply and Demand
I've been thinking about something I'll call the 'chalupa effect' lately.... My husband and I were lucky enough to go see the Blazers play basketball here in Portland a few weeks ago... It was a very exciting game, with Portland scoring over 100 points... And every...
Staying Positive
One would think that I wouldn't have had any trouble staying in a positive frame of mind today. The sun was out, and it felt positively spring-like! My crocus popped their heads up this morning on the east side of the house. Such a wonderful harbinger of the coming...
Interview with Margaret and 100 Artists
Margaret Godfrey, a watercolorist from the Eugene area, has taken me up on the offer of an interview. You can see my questions to her, and her answers, on her blog MSGodfreyArt. I find it interesting to hear what let people to pursue art, and find out more about the...
Unknown Territory
I think the longevity of the artist depends on always being willing, able, and unafraid, to step into unknown territory. - Maria Irene Fornes I went into my studio today to see what would happen. I thought maybe I could start a new painting, do some value studies,...
Getting ready for upcoming Shows
My painting "Grace & Mameo" was juried into the Beaverton Arts Commission Showcase, set to open February 7 with an artist's reception from 7-9 pm. The show will be at the beautiful Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th St., continuing February 8-21. Artists display the...
Interview with Leslie Miller
What fun to share interview questions with other creative bloggers! Leslie Miller's great blog Textures Shapes and Color had a wonderful interview, and I thought it would be interesting to participate. Here are her questions to me and my answers. 1. Tell us about the...
Happy Inauguration Day
It has been an emotional morning, watching the coverage of Barack Obama's inauguration as 44th President of the United States. I found his speech inspiring, moving and sobering as he charged Americans to live up to the responsibilities that our citizenship in this...
Finding an Answer
A Bird does not sing because it has an answer -- it sings because it has a song. -- Proverb I spent the afternoon in my studio, puttering, trying to find my song. I've been quiet artistically for so long, I can't quite remember where I left it. I started out today...
Why they call it Art-Work
I spent yesterday digging out the clutter of Christmas in preparation for hosting my critique group here today. It feels so strange to have nothing to show to my peers. My only production in the studio has been my project for the 100 artists show at Mary Lou Zeek...
Action
I have decided to try to make more of my posts about art, while still trying to share a few personal tidbits... how do you separate art from life? One goal I thought of for my posts this year was to try to share a quote about creativity for each post, and how it...
Getting Back Into the Swing
Whew! The holidays really threw me for a spin as far as art goes.... Book Club, Critiques, family gatherings, Husband's birthday, decorating, socializing... I think I'm going to become a hermit! (not) I am ready to get back into the studio though, and did so...
Still Snowing….
Today brought more snow to our area... thought I'd post some photos. Between wrapping presents and feeding the birds, I've been spending a few minutes in my studio, trying out some ideas for my book project for the Mary Lou Zeek gallery's 100 Artists show. So far I...
Cold Days & Nights, Electric Bodies
We've been snowed & iced in with two extra teenagers here, my daughter's boyfriend stranded on his way home to Oakland and my son's girlfriend from Eugene. All that young chemistry and parents galore to stop it! I sent them all out sledding last night at about 9...
Losing a Friend
I had a call last night when I got home from Christmas shopping. An art friend, a talented woman who was wise and generous and gifted has passed away. It was not unexpected, but still a blow. I will miss Satsuko, as I know many others will. Several years ago I painted...
Wintery Weather, Baking & Books
We are finding ourselves housebound with the snow & ice that have hit the pacific northwest. Yesterday my daughter & I cleaned & organized the spice & baking cupboard! It was sorely needed, hadn't been emptied since we moved in 19 years ago this month....
A week to see Friends
This first week of December is full to bursting with social engagements. For an artist, who usually spends most of her time alone in the studio, it is a welcome chance to connect with friends and fellow artists. The day after Thanksgiving, we started right in.... cut...
Goldylocks and the three bears
My husband & I made a trip to the Oregon Coast this weekend to fix a window in our vacation home. We had a friend there last weekend working on replacing the deck and they arrived to find the kitchen window busted out. It looked like the intruder had just been...
The Ultimate Gift
You can see more of Karen's work at www.karenappleton.blogspot.com Thanks to Pia at blog.piajanebijkerk.com/WordPress/ for turning me on to her work! We (my family & I) were given the gift of good news today. The first screening of the lymph nodes from my mom's...
Catching up
Whew! I started a post last week about my workshop in Bend at the Arts Station... Somehow amidst the updating of my server I think it vanished into the ether. Weird, as I saw it up for a while, but now it has disappeared! So.... here we go again! I had a great time!...
