“Camp Out” ©Ruth Armitage, 2014, Mixed Media on Paper 15×11″ $395

Summer always reminds me of camping out. The painting above was inspired by memories of ‘camping’ in the harvested fields of my parents’ farm. I wanted to imply the night, without everything being extremely dark. This piece began with watercolor and incorporates transparent layers of deli-paper that I printed with the Gelli-Plate.

I finished with calligraphy using watercolor crayon, watercolor pencil and some Golden High Flow Acrylic. I began this painting in the workshop with Katherine Chang Liu in Ventura back in mid-June. Things have been piling up and I haven’t really had time to write about my experience there.

Unlike many art workshops where the focus might be on learning a different technique or method, Katherine Chang Liu’s focus is on helping each individual artist develop their own unique voice as an artist. I wrote more about my individual experience here: on growth.

View more of Taryn Curiel’s work at http://taryncuriel.com

Katherine’s workshop definitely influences my teaching too. I really feel excited when every student in my workshop comes up with something totally unique to them. This is not easy to achieve… to have work that is distinguishable from everyone else’s. Here is a motivating talk on this very subject.

I hope that the following recap of the Newport workshop entices you to join me at the Sitka Center Workshop: September 23-25, 2014.

Our beautiful workshop location

Rachelle & Cynthia lost in the painting

The coast is a wonderful setting for teaching art!