“Meanderings” ©Ruth Armitage Watercolor & Acrylic on paper 22×30″

This is another of my recent series of work based on an aerial view of the farmland of my childhood home. As a kid, my favorite way to sort things out was to go for a walk. I’ve covered this area, aimlessly, many times as I sorted out thoughts through adolescence and young adulthood. The title comes from both my meanderings during those walks, and also the meanderings of the Calapooia River that runs through the property.

Although this series might seem like a departure from earlier work, for me it is simply a different way to narrate my story. This is a contemporary abstract painting in the true sense of the term. I am enjoying the freedom to express with color and mark making. Although the shapes are close to a literal view of the property, my use of color is subjective, not realistic. This painting went through several ugly stages, and my daughter even tried to get me to give up on it. But I think persistence paid off in the end. I don’t mind adding acrylic to get what I want from the final image. I will post another in this series later this week.

I’ve also been spending time recently preparing for my workshop at the Keizer Art Association next month. I hope you will join me for a Creative Spark Session! Still spaces available and the classroom is wonderful. If you haven’t studied with me before, take a look at what my former students have to say here. You can register by emailing keizerarts @ gmail.com or phoning 503-390-3010.

Finally, I’d like to pay tribute to a brave and inspiring friend who passed away this week. I met Catharine Kim Woodin in a workshop in California several years ago. You can tell by looking at her work what a positive and enthusiastic person she was, with a smile that lit up the room. Catharine’s struggle with cancer was a long one, but she never gave up. Her sudden passing this week has left me saddened, yet more determined than ever to make every day count. I’m off to the studio.