Artist Ruth / Art Is Truth
The New Year’s Potential – Setting Goals
The New Year always gives me a feeling of great potential. I spend time going over the past year's accomplishments and deficits and setting goals for the coming months. This weekend we woke to a blanket of white over everything. It makes the land look fresh,...
Sculpt to learn Facial Anatomy
Last week in my class at Oregon Society of Artists, several painters were having trouble learning facial anatomy. I did a quick, impromptu lesson on painting facial features, challenging each artist to paint the face in different ways: simply, realistically, with exaggeration, with different skin tones, combining painting with drawing etc.
One thing that I forgot to mention to them is how much sculpting a face can help painters to learn to create features. It really helps one to understand the construction of a head in 3 dimensions!
Big 500 Art Show and Sale
The Big 500 Drill-Down Two artists' receptions - guaranteed great people watching! 1st - Saturday, December 12th, 2 - 9 pm and 2nd Reception - Saturday, December 19th, 5 - 9 pm People's Art of Portland, 3rd floor, Pioneer Place Mall 700 SW 5th Ave, Suite 4005,...
Abstract Animation Acrylic Work in Process
Abstract Animation Work in Progress Have you ever wanted to see an abstract animation of a painting as it develops? I thought you might want to see a few of the steps it took to create "The Cliffs." This painting is going to a new home next week, as it sold during...
Own the Art You Wish For
What is the Art you Wish For? During Portland Open Studios I had a chance to observe viewers as they considered purchasing art. While many people wanted to take artwork home with them, only a few did. One viewer expressly said to me, 'I wish I could buy one of your...
Dust Devils – New Work for Sitka Invitational
I'm proud to unveil this new painting, inspired by summer winds kicking up dust & chaff in the fields during harvest. I'll also be teaching a class for Sitka this weekend at Hoyt Arboretum - Oil & Cold Wax. I'm looking forward to sharing this yummy...
NWS 95th Annual Exhibition
General Excitement Level Prestige Indicator Nerves Networking Level Time flies - I've been home from the LA area and seeing the NWS 95th Annual Exhibition since Sunday and still have not had time to update my website! At right you can see me with my painting at the...
Portland Open Studios 2015
Here are links to Google Maps for directions to my studio from the North or East, or from the South. You'll notice that I've been hard at work creating new artwork to share, spiffing up the studio and getting organized. My wonderful neighbor, Carrie Moore, will also...
Ideas for a Series with Staying Power
For me, finding a series involves paying attention to the things that occupy my thoughts. If I find myself obsessing about a subject, that often indicates the possibility that there is rich subject matter there. Titles often get me started, and
Surprising Yourself with a Series
Happy Labor Day! I'm looking forward to spending time with my friend Sara Swink at her studio today. My daughter and I took a workshop with Sara this summer at the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology called 'Creative Process Workshop.' I'm fascinated by all things...
The Cliffs and Time Management
I’d prefer to lump all my exterior work and play together and then have a clear calendar and I can really dive in when I do get back in the studio. My calendar can sometimes look like a crossword puzzle…
Farm to Fork – Art of the Harvest
Farm to Fork will feature seventeen artists from Oregon and Washington, presenting artwork in a variety of media that depicts all aspects of harvest: from illustrations of local farming behind the scenes to interpretations of the harvest to finely crafted implements for the dining table. Plan now to attend!
Homestead – Abstract Acrylic Painting
Our family’s property has passed through several generations at this point, and will hopefully outlast a few more generations in this family. Part of it is passed to another family now, too. I began this painting probably over a year ago and had never quite felt that it was complete.
Red, White and a Blue Ribbon
I was thrilled to receive a blue ribbon at the Lake Oswego Festival of Arts last weekend for "Granery!" Validation like this is hard-won and that is what makes it special! I was even more flattered when I saw all the great work in the exhibit: The Artist's Vision. It...
The Artist’s Vision – Lake Oswego Festival of Arts
The Lake Oswego Festival of Arts kicks off tomorrow and you can find 4 of my paintings there. I will be at the reception for The Artist's Vision Friday evening. Be sure to take one of the free shuttles from Lake Oswego Junior High, Lakeridge High School or Marylhurst...
Anniversary Blog Post & Giveaway
It's my blog's Anniversary! First, I'm celebrating by doing a Giveaway of my original painting, below. And, the Winner is: Kristen Hamilton! Congratulations Kristen! 🙂 Way back in June 2008, I started an adventure in putting my ideas on the World Wide Web. Little...
Artists Challenge for Summer
I just sent out my weekly newsletter to artists with a Summer Challenge! If you're not on my email list, (you can subscribe here) here is a taste of what a weekly newsletter to artists looks like: Next year's OSA class will be Intermediate/Advanced Painting- All Media...
Rejected Again, Hooray!
Why do I say Hooray? Well, first of all, I still love the paintings. I still feel confident about the work, regardless of the fact that one person did not think it stacked up to the competition in this particular show. I’m still pleasing the most important person: myself.
Travelers and Friends – Call for Entries
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." - Robert Louis Stevenson I've just returned from the 40th Exhibition of the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies in Lubbock, Texas. It was an...
