“Lichen and Blackberries” 5″x7″ Oil on panel ©Ruth Armitage SOLD
Reading blogs this morning, I came across this question on Grace Carol Bomer’s blog: “Are you a person that prefers to believe in things that always make sense/things that you can see? Or are you a person that prefers to believe in miracles/take things on faith? There are no right or wrong answers–just an opportunity for introspection.” . The question was inspired by the movie “Life of Pi.”
This got me to thinking about recent changes and questions in my artwork. In all of my paintings, the story or narrative is the spark. Recently I’ve been experimenting with stories of imagination, miracles, things unseen. I still return to paint things that make sense, things as I see them. I’ve felt a bit schizophrenic in my productivity, but moving back and forth between realism and abstraction has felt as natural to me as sampling both fiction and non-fiction. I normally prefer fiction. How about you?
“Minto Brown Wetland” 11″x13″ Oil on Canvas ©Ruth Armitage SOLD
Last night I finished reading Wild, Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of her solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. It was a story of faith, courage and spirit, told with humor and honesty. One of the many things that touched me upon finishing the book was the Acknowledgements section at the end. When we finish a painting, artists don’t have a card below that painting thanking the many people who helped in small ways to bring that painting into being. I think my next post may focus on Acknowledging some of those people!
Here are a couple of shots from a Plein Air outing yesterday at Minto-Brown park. I met some folks whose work I have followed online, and other new painters. It was a great way to get out of the studio and make new art friends! Thanks to Randall Tipton for organizing the outing. The location was beautiful, wild and mossy, and it was one of our few mild days, no wind and the rain held off till we were finished painting. Temperatures in the upper 50’s made it possible to get the two paintings above nearly finished. Let me know what you think…
Sarah Sedwick, Annie Salness, Sarah Peroutka, Jo Reimer, Randall Tipton, Celeste Bergin, Carol Marine and I
Thanks to Celeste Bergin and Dave for documenting some of the day!
When we finish a painting, artists don’t have a card below that painting thanking the many people who helped in small ways to bring that painting into being. What a good point Ruth. It looks like you had fun. I enjoy Jo Reimer. I bet you had fun.
Thanks Leslie, We really did have a good time!
Great post, Ruth – the topic, the art, the outing. For my current show, I considered having an acknowledgement written somewhere, but in the end decided to keep it simple. So many often do help us through a painting or a show,
I also painted a piece based on reality this past week, and it is such a different process from my typical work which comes out of a conversation between me and the paper. I found it refreshing–it made me wonder why I so seldom do that. But to answer your question, I am a fiction reader.
Great blog, Ruth! Your paintings and comments are always thought provoking, which makes viewing and reading them most enjoyable for me!
Thank you for linking my blog to blog and your illustrious group, Ruth! I enjoyed browsing all your favorite artists! You will like my upcoming post …SEEN/UNSEEN!
Although I read both, I prefer fiction. A good story will grab me and hold my interest, every time. Nice paintings! They capture the grayish day and winter foliage beautifully. I love the intensity of plein air painting — looks like you had a great time with a big group of artists.
Minto Brown Wetland is fabulous! I love the pop of rust and green colors – they seem to say to me that we often see the old (rust) with the new (green), both in nature and life.
Thanks Lucy! So true, in nature and in life!
The dichotomy is interesting.. I am a science-based believer in facts and numbers and yet I paint non-objective (not reality based) and have no desire to go back and forth. This is an interesting question you have brought up. And it certainly looks like you had a wonderful time. It is always inspiring to be around other artists.
Love the new path your work has taken.
Hi Ruth, Like Donna Watson, I have become pretty much a science-based believer in facts. But, I move back and forth between abstract and realism, at least for the time being. Sometimes it takes a lot of faith in myself to believe my work will come out OK…especially through the ugly phase! I particularly like your lichens and blackberries — it has both abstract and realism in it it!