“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” ©Ruth Armitage, Watercolor on Paper 30″x22″ SOLD

How do artists come up with ideas for a series of paintings? The painting above is just one of my series ‘Down on the Farm,’ which has been in process for the past 3 years. My series is based on memories of my parents’ farm, growing up on a farm and some of the letting go I’ve been doing since my mom sold the place and moved closer to my sisters and I.

In my last post, I talked about some of the advantages of working in a series, but how do artists settle on a satisfying and enduring topic for a series? I recently read an interesting article by Joe Fusaro: Taking the Long Way Home. He mentions that it is good for artists to study artists who work, and actually think in a series. He cites artists such as Mark Rothko, Diego Rivera, Carrie Mae Weems and Trenton Doyle Hancock.

Looking at Trenton Doyle Hancock’s interview was fascinating. He talks about asking himself questions about things that appear in his work. “Where do they come from?” “What do they eat?” “How tall are they?” Hancock uses a personal symbolism of letters, colors and characters in his series. What questions could you ask yourself about your own work?

Artist Squeak Carnwath has a large series of work based on song lyrics, and another titled the “Crazy Papers” based on notes and journals of her works in progress. Pat San Soucie once wrote to me about having a store of ‘ideas ready for use.’

I’ve bookmarked other artists who work in a series on my Pinterest board. Check it out! One of the artists I particularly admire is Felicia van Bork. Her series is connected by the titles. Each title begins with “How to ____.” The evocative words she uses in her titles are playful, yet laden with symbolism. Think about these: “How to Turn Inside Out”, “How to Forgive a Debt”, “How to Console the Queen”, and “How to Expect Seasons.” View her gallery talk, especially part three: jeraldmelberg.com

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 keeping a list of words about my subject can often spur new ideas. I like words that have double meaning or perhaps symbolic meaning.

For example, the painting above is titled “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” referring to the fact that the land has an enduring nature. It has provided in the past, present and will provide in the future. I also thought about the past, present and future inhabitants of the land. This painting is headed to the Watercolor Society of Oregon’s Fall Watercolor show in Hermiston, Oregon next month.

I recently discovered a free online course about modern art: on Coursera.org. The course classifies the art we are looking at in terms of four different themes:

• Places and Spaces
• Art & Identity
• Transforming Everyday Objects
• Art & Society

Each of these themes has a wealth of possible ideas for a series. My own series is based on Places and Spaces. Identity is a broad category and could include Public or Private identity, Group Identity, Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender or the Body. Think about artists who have explored Art & Society: from Bruegel the Elder, to Warhol, Sargent, Religious Art, Political Art, and other art that makes social commentary. The commonplace everyday objects transformed may perhaps tell us the most about the artist and their creativity.

If you are an artist, where do your ideas for a series come from? If you’re currently working on a series, does it fit into one of the four categories above? If you are a patron, what kinds of questions do you have about working in a series?

Thanks for reading, and be sure to mark your calendar for a visit with me during Portland Open Studios – both weekends – October 10 & 11 AND October 17 & 18. I’ll be ready to talk to you more about my work from 10-5 each day. You can watch me working on demonstration paintings each day at about 12 p.m. My neighbor, Carrie Moore, is also on the tour! Join us – Maps are available to download as a smartphone app. from the #PDXOS website, or click here for a map if you’re driving from the North or East, or here if you’re arriving from Salem, Albany or points south.