“Summer Night” ©Ruth Armitage 2013, watercolor on yupo, 20×26″

Yesterday was my first day back in the studio after a long weekend in Bandon, Oregon for the Watercolor Society of Oregon’s Fall Convention. I had left two paintings in process and near completion. After yesterday’s session, I think this one is complete. I won’t swear to it… I’m open to comments and suggestions!

The painting was inspired by a childhood memory of sleeping under the stars. Each summer, our old farmhouse suffered the accumulation of heat from no insulation in the attic. My sisters and I would rake up giant piles of straw in the fields after harvest, and throw our sleeping bags on top of the fluff. It was a heavenly place to relax after a long day in the fields, and we loved watching the meteor showers, owls and bats swoop through the sky. Waking in the chilly dawn was another sensory experience that might eventually make it into a painting.

I had some trouble with this painting wanting to become too busy and too literal with lots of stars and constellations. Luckily it was on yupo, and I could easily wipe out large areas of paint. It wasn’t easy to sacrifice some of my favorite parts of luscious texture and color, but I think it helped the painting. Let me know what you think!

Yours Truly and Beth Verheyden on Judging Day

Before the weekend started, I had the honor of judging the Springfield “Mayor’s Art Show” at the Emerald Art Association. Beth Verheyden served as my co-juror for this beautiful show. I was very impressed with all the entries, and glad we didn’t have to eliminate any. It was difficult to choose all the awards, there was so much good art.

Beautiful Gallery at the Emerald Art Center

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll already know that my painting “Vessel” won an award at the WSO show.  I’m looking forward to experimenting with the Dr. Ph. Martins liquid watercolors that I won. It was a great conference. I really enjoyed the paint-outs, lectures and demonstrations. And of course it was wonderful to connect with friends from all over the state! I was so lucky to stay with my friend Charlotte Peterson at her ‘House of Ewauna’ overlooking beautiful Face Rock. The Oregon Coast is best in autumn, mellow and warm with a golden glow to rival anyplace on earth.

View from my bedroom window – Can you see the face in ‘Face Rock?’

Bandon Sunset

Finally, if you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll notice that I offered a free ticket to the Sitka Show for the first 10 subscribers who responded. Though hundreds of folks have opened the newsletter, I still have 6 tickets left! If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up today and I will send out the current issue. You could still win!