Artist Ruth / Art Is Truth
Your Intention, Growth and Change
I have been interested in the idea of intention for years. It indicates focus, committment, and drive. I have not thought of it as an agent of growth before though. I have been looking back over the history of my website and blog this month. It's my 9th year of...
5 Keys For a Successful Art Business
Or - What I learned by shopping at Nordstrom Gaining success in your art business without "selling out” requires common sense, organization and a willingness to think of others first. I often put myself in the shoes of my customer or collectors in order to figure out...
5 Ways to Cultivate Focus in Your Art
Most serious Artists and Collectors agree that focus is important for an artist's body of work. Focus provides continuity from one painting to the next, and allows the work to hang together when presented en masse. But how does one go about creating a focus in their...
Patience and Fulfillment for Artists
I love this quote by Mary Oliver about patience and fulfillment, shared by one of my students in last week's ABC's of Abstraction workshop. I think adult learners often forget the years of practice that art-making entails. "The hour of fulfillment is buried in years...
I Dream of Art Supplies
Art supplies are magic. They can make even the most unimaginative artist want to pull up the nearest easel and start creating. Like the smell of a new box of crayons at the beginning of the school year, new art supplies really stir my soul.
Art Inquiries: Fraud vs. Friend
Art Inquiries To Take Seriously
How do you tell whether that email you’ve received from your website is for real? I’ve been fortunate enough to sell a few pieces of artwork via my website. I’ve also received more than my fair share of fraudulent or scam emails posing as potential buyers.
Pour it On! WFWS42 and WSO
WFWS42 and WSO's 52nd Annual Spring Exhibition The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art hosts “Pour It On! Watercolors from the West.” This exhibition features work from the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies and the Watercolor Society of Oregon. On view from April...
Art Extravaganza 2017 Sponsored by Clackamas Art Alliance
If you've never experienced Art Extravaganza, you're in for a treat! Sponsored by the Clackamas Art Alliance, this vendor trade show is an opportunity for artists, educators, students and all art enthusiasts to test, try and buy new and favorite art supplies and...
Learn About The Artist’s Palette
Learn About the Artist's Palette Join me from 12-3pm on Saturday, February 25th, 2017 at the Portland Art Museum's Rental Sales Gallery. You'll have a chance to meet and visit with 4 artists: Chris Bibby, Chuck Bloom, Rachel Wolf and me. You'll also get to explore...
Ice Crystal Painting for Texture
Oregon has had its share of ice this winter, and I took advantage of this unusual weather to do a bit of ice crystal painting. I wet a sheet of 300 lb. Fabriano soft press watercolor paper, took it outside into the freezing cold, and dropped fluid acrylics and acrylic...
Don’t Dilute Your Aesthetic Urge
The Artist's Aesthetic Urge Just after Christmas I enjoyed a woodsy walk with art buddy Randall Tipton. I casually mentioned that I hadn't actually made art in over a month. I had been occupied with preparing for the holidays and for the big WFWS Exhibition coming up...
Best Brushes for Watercolor, Acrylic and Oil Painting
I have a large collection, some vintage brushes, some for watercolor, some for acrylic and oil painting. It is my opinion that one can never have too many brushes!
Mist and Moss – A Blessing From the Northwest
This recent painting was an attempt to create the feeling of mist and moss, without rendering a pond, a stream or a fallen log. Enjoy this video peek into my process!
Homage to Arts Organizations
I don't see enough people paying homage to Arts Organizations. Without these vital groups in our communities, the intensive work of bringing art to the public eye would be ignored. Personally, I've been working diligently for the Watercolor Society of Oregon to plan...
Art for Everyone – Sitka Invitational
Two shows this week: Art for Everyone - Sitka Invitational! Please join me to celebrate the release of Art for Everyone, a new textbook created by the Faculty at Chemeketa Community College to help alleviate the high cost of textbooks for art students. I'm...
2 Reasons to Ignore Feedback from Artist Friends
2 Reasons to Ignore Feedback from Artist Friends Here are two reasons I sometimes ignore feedback from my artists friends: I'm the only one who needs to be happy with the painting. They may not know my goals for the painting. Do you always listen to feedback about...
Finishing an Abstract Painting
I thought my Gold Beach students would be interested in seeing how I go about finishing an abstract painting - this is one I started in the class. I've filmed my final steps using my iphone and time-lapse photography. I hope you enjoy the resulting video! I thought it...
Recent Art Workshops Recap
“Ok – MIND BLOWN!”
PDXOS – Portland Open Studios – Related Events
October 8th & 9th and October 15th & 16th, 2016, 10 am – 5 pm each day
Read the full post here for more details, directions and extra events!
Crucible Abstract Acrylic
Each experience in our lives produces its own alchemy. This painting arose out of a contour drawing of my two dogs, Red & Lola. I’ve integrated them into the painting to the point that they disappear, and the painting has become something else entirely. The title has been in my head for months, relating to an experience that was intense and frustrating.
