Evolution of an Abstract Acrylic Painting

“Land lasts longer than blood or love. It is not like a river.”

– Annick Smith, Homestead

“Homestead” ©Ruth Armitage, Mixed Media on Paper, 11″x15″ $395

My newest work, titled “Homestead,” is an abstract acrylic painting, inspired by landforms and the patterns farming leaves on them. 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.

This week, while waiting for something else to dry I decided it needed more temperature contrast, and I added a glaze of quinacridone gold over a roughly triangular section near the center. I also enhanced some of the darks with more color. It is hard to see in this image, but the darkest areas are a very intense Phthalo Turquoise, a new favorite introduced to me by Gale Webb.

I’m also working on a larger piece, but not sure it is finished yet. I’m letting my latest efforts settle. I think it needs some larger shapes.

Here are some photos from a recent trip to Seattle for the Northwest Watercolor Society’s 75th Anniversary Exhibition and Convention. I was honored to be included in this International Exhibition. The Seattle Convention Center is a beautiful venue – stop in to see the show if you can, until September 30th, 2015.