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One World One Heart

A Bird in the Head 1.5x3.5" Acrylic on Wood Block

I have decided to participate in the blog giveaway One World One Heart this year! The  idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way. 
You can enter to win my original miniature painting shown above by leaving me a comment before February 15, 2010. On February 15, I will choose one comment at random and announce the winner on my blog. You need to leave your email address with your comment so that I can contact you if you win! (your information will remain private and not distributed in any way)
I encourage you to check out other giveaways on the One World One Heart site! Good luck!

Photo

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42 Responses to “One World One Heart”

  1. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:16 amSandy

    Fantastic giveaway! I love it.
    Your work is brilliant.

    Please enter my name! Pop over to my blog (#59 on the magic carpet) for a chance to win, too! :D

  2. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:19 amLibby

    The Raven is my totem and I would be delighted to have this beautiful piece of art in my studio. Please put me on your list. My blog is #651
    rachae19@mindspring.com

  3. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:23 amRob

    Hi Artist Ruth,
    Please enter me in the draw for your very interesting and lovely painting. Thanks for the chance. Please come by #70 and enter my draw, great meeting you.
    Rob

  4. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:35 amHope G

    What a unique and beautiful piece!

  5. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:48 amRebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva

    love the painting..count me in please…isn’t this fun?? it is so great to meet you….please visit my blog and have a chance to win a handmade clutch purse…i live on a tiny island off florida’s east coast USA…hugs and blessings, Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva

  6. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:01 pmJodi Davis

    A Bird in the Head is wonderful. I would love to have her hanging in my home. Please include me in your drawing.

  7. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:05 pmMarion

    I immediately fell in love with your beautiful and mysterious painting!! So pleeeeeaaaase enter my name in your drawing, I´d love to have a piece of your art on my wall!

  8. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:07 pmNancy Malay

    I would love to be entered in your drawing. I hope you’ll stop by my blog to enter mine…….I’m #419 on the Magic Carpet Ride.

    http://www.nancymalay.blogspot.com

  9. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:17 pmgrace

    I absolutely LOVE this little paining. The colors are so striking. Thanks for offering this-

  10. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:17 pmgrace

    Uh, sorry – painting not paining. My cold fingers don’t type so well.

  11. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:19 pmbaukje

    LOvely painting. Please enter me.

    http://busybeefree.blogspot.com/

  12. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:24 pmNicole/Beadwright

    Hello. This is just beautiful. Please please please count me in. I would love to win this. Stop by and see me as well.
    Nicole/Beadwright
    #350 on the magic carpet ride
    http://beadwright.blogspot.com

  13. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:29 pmKathy

    I’d love to win!
    Thank you for a lovely stop on the magic carpet!
    Outrageous joy,
    Kathy over at Everyday Bliss
    #111 on the blog hop

  14. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:46 pmDonna

    Hello from Georgia, USA!! I’m really having fun flying from blog to blog and seeing so much talent!
    I’m new to the art world and overwhelmed by all the different kinds of art I might could learn.
    Please enter me and thank you for your generosity!

  15. on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:54 pmKathryn Uster

    Count me in your giveaway! Just beautiful! This is my first time doing OWOH and I’m seeing so much wonderful work! Stop by my blog, and please include me in the giveaway of this beautiful work! Thanks, Kathryn Uster #1033

  16. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:02 pmTara

    aww its so sweet! Please count me in – i would love to unwrap this. Just off to explore your blog!
    #822 sewgorgeous.blogspot.com
    isn’t this fun??

  17. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:10 pmRowena Barnard aka craftypagan

    Very beautiful! Your work is wonderful! The colour is wonderful! What an honour it would be to own this wonderful work! Please count me in! Hugs Rowena
    craftypagan@gmail.com

  18. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:10 pmJingle

    This is truly amazing! I can’t believe that you can achieve such wonderful detail on such a tiny surface! Wow! Impressive! Thanks for offering a really great giveaway! I hope you will enter mine, too! I’m #222

  19. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:13 pmSabine Busch

    Please give me a chance to win!

  20. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:18 pmAngela Friend

    Wow, your paintings are fantastic! I would love a chance to win!
    Thanks,
    Angela #64

  21. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:28 pmTurid aka Knerten

    What an awesome giveaway; please count me in !
    Best regards from OWOH no 451/Norway

  22. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:29 pmSharon A. Kyser

    It is so exciting to find such lovely blogs like yours on this Magic Carpet Ride! Please enter my name in your drawing then stop by for a chance to win my beaded bracelet giveaway!
    Have a great Ride. Now I want to see more of your posts,
    Sharon (#52)

    http://SharDonExclusives.blogspot.com

  23. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:33 pmAstrid

    This is stunning! What a great giveaway, please count me in!

    If you have time and have not yet done so, please come and visit mine (154 on the magic carpet).

    Greetings from bonny Scotland and enjoy the ride!

  24. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:34 pmDonna

    Thanks for offering this great giveaway and Thanks so much for a chance to win!

  25. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:48 pmSusan

    Thank you for a wonderful stop on the magic carpet ride. Your art is gorgeous, really unique! I truly enjoyed reading your blog and visiting your website. Warmest regards, Susan OWOH #775

  26. on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:56 pmJulie

    So beautiful. I wish I had the talent to paint.
    Julie

  27. on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:00 pmLauren

    Hello, nice to meet you and visit your blog! Please enter me in your giveaway, Please visit my blog to enter #865!

  28. on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:19 pmmagpie

    as you will be able to tell from my nom de web, i do love the birds. Yours is, honestly, one of very few offerings i find beautiful and desirable. lovely work.

  29. on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:34 pmbecky

    Oh I love anything with birds.Count me in please!~~Becky

  30. on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:35 pmSusan

    A very beautiful acrylic painting :)
    Please enter me in your wonderful giveaway and come and visit my blog and enter my giveaway as well!
    Kind regards
    Susan, nr 821

  31. on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:03 pmLyndy Ward

    Greetings & Salutations,
    Enchanting Painting OWOH Giveaway!
    Lovely Work & Blog.

    For a little Glitter & Magic fly by my blog
    #242 On The List @:
    http://todaysgold.com

    Cosmic Blessings´¨)
    ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•´Lyndy Ward

  32. on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:08 pmMarie

    Thank you for the opportunity to win this great gift! Please stop by and sign up for mine, I am #387 on the carpet ride!

  33. on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:08 pmrachel small

    Wow thats Beautiful! Very interesting! Please count me in. Feel free also to pop by my blog to check out my giveaway!
    Thanks, Much Love, Rachel

  34. on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:29 pmGera Scott Chandler

    simply gorgeous! Please add me to the draw and check my blog- #375

  35. on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:35 pmsherry goodloe

    Lovely artwork! Please enter my name to your OWOH giveaway list *smiles*

    And do take a moment to stop by my blog and enter my OWOH giveaway as WELL.

    Nice meeting you!

  36. on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:46 pmSherry

    Thanks for the chance of your fantastic wood block painting giveaway, I hope you can come see mine here (if you haven’t already!)

    Sherry from England, UK (ticket #251)

  37. on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:09 pmPeggy Gorman

    Beautiful and charming blog! So magical!!
    A beautiful and stunning treasure !
    I am traveling on my magic carpet ,my first year with OWOH flying from Connecticut.
    My blog #937
    Thanks
    matternu@gmail.com

  38. on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:28 pmGina Luna

    *•: -:¦:-**•: -:¦:-**•: -:¦:-*

    How Marvelous!

    Please count me in!

    Hugs,

    Gina Luna

    Please visit My World for a chance to win one of seven Art Dolls!

    http://inginasworld.blogspot.com/

    *•: -:¦:-**•: -:¦:-**•: -:¦:-*

  39. on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:38 pmsuzanne

    Wondeful give-away, exciting blog adventure, like your banner!
    Hope you’ll visit my blog too!
    Suzanne in Ct
    #1012 in this adventure

  40. on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:43 pmMaron

    Lovely! Count me in and please stop by #220 for a visit!

  41. on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:25 pmAlwaysInspired

    I love the colors and composition of this! Please enter my name into the draw.
    Please come and join in my magic carpet ride too!http://inspiringadventuresofalwaysinspired.blogspot.com/

  42. on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:29 pmdeb

    blog celebration & great giveaway, count me in!

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Nourish and Sustain

My 100 Artists Piece 2010

OK everybody! This is it! It will be a big week for art openings for me. Wednesday from 5-8 pm the 100 Artists Show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem has its artist’s recpetion. The first chance to bid on pieces though is tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. when they open. There is usually a big line of people who want the first shot, and the phone is ringing off the hook with bidders. You can preview the show online now at www.zeekgallery.com Mary Lou has put together a beautiful new site, so check it out. Even if you’re not in Oregon, you can bid on pieces by phone and help put a stop to hunger. All proceeds benefit the Marion-Polk foodshare!
Then Thursday night our Splash! show on The Whistling Season opens at Graham’s Stationary in Lake Oswego. I hope to see some of you there! It sounds like it will be a great show.
I got together & picked new books for our book group for the next few months. I’m looking forward to some good reads! We chose The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

The River Midnight by Lilian Nattel

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (which I’ve already read & is excellent)

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpha Lahiri

Thanks to Loretta and her readers at http://artjournaler.typepad.com/pomegranatesandpaper/ for some great recommendations! I always enjoy her blog!

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5 Responses to “Nourish and Sustain”

  1. on 01 Feb 2010 at 6:33 pmDonna Watson

    a very creative can above to feed the hungry– the Mary Lou Zeek show is so creative– congrats on being a part of it— and looks like some good reads on the horizon for you

  2. on 02 Feb 2010 at 10:36 pmPeggy Stermer-Cox

    Hi Ruth! Very festive “can” piece. Best of luck with your show openings and congratulations too! Interesting listing of books; my Aunt, who’s a avid reader, keeps talking about the Elegance of the Hedgehog! Looks like fun!

  3. on 03 Feb 2010 at 9:16 amruth

    Thanks Peggy & Donna,
    After being alone in the studio so much, it is nice to have fun events to go to in the evenings and mix & mingle with other artists & collectors!

  4. on 05 Feb 2010 at 12:26 pmBlenda Tyvoll

    What an imaginative piece you have created for your fund raiser. Does it actually light up? I see an electric cord attached.
    Hope you raised a big pile of cash on Wednesday for Marion-Polk Foodshare.

  5. on 05 Feb 2010 at 2:02 pmruth

    Thanks Blenda!
    Yes, it lights up to reveal her ribcage showing through the dress. When it is not lit, the dress just looks white. I wish I could have gotten the bulb on top to light too :)

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The Whistling Season

I’ve been getting lots of comments on my last post, many of them questions about the show based on Ivan Doig’s The Whistling Season. I forgot to put the information about the show into my post! Here is the press release regarding Lake Oswego Reads 2010!

Hear the Author
Tickets Available Saturday, January 30 at 11 A.M.

Ivan Doig, author of The Whistling Season, will be speaking at Lake Oswego High School about “Passion, Precision, and Whistling a Work Song.”  This event is for high school age and older.  Admission is free but a ticket is required for this event.  Tickets will be available at the Lake Oswego Public Library starting at 11 A.M. on Saturday, January 30. There will be a two ticket per person limit and a Lake Oswego Library Card is required. Note: the tickets will be valid until 15 minutes before the event begins on February 17.  Seating is first come, first served.  Wednesday, February 17, Lake Oswego High School Auditorium, 2501 Country Club Rd., 7 P.M. Free but tickets are required.

Art Show 

Opening Art Show Reception:  February 4 at 6:00 P.M.

Imagine! How do you capture the essence of 345 pages in a single piece of art?  That’s what faced the 18 artists listed below from the Splash! group.  In their 4th year of meeting this challenge, their visions will be unveiled for the first time at Graham’s at the reception.  From Lakeridge High School, art teacher, Shannon McBride and 14 art students read The Whistling Season and have prepared 15 pieces of art interpreting what they read.  From Lake Oswego High School, art teacher Katie Brink and Artist -in-Residence Michael Orwick had 14 art students work in oil to re-create the scenery from the book.

Throughout February, the adult art will be displayed at Graham’s Book and Stationery and the high school art will be displayed at Chrisman Picture Frame & Gallery.  Opening Art Show Reception, Thurs., February 4, 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., Graham’s Book and Stationery, 460 Second St. and Chrisman Picture Frame & Gallery, 480 2nd St.

Thirteen artists from the talented Splash! group and five invited artists have created images that came to them as they read The Whistling Season.  Their interpretations are imaginative and amazing.  Artists include:

1.  Ruth Armitage
2.  Kara Pilcher
3.  Susie Cowan
4.  Dave Haslett
5.  Mary Ellen Otten
6.  Anna Mastellos
7.  Dyanne Locati
8.  Janet Otten
9.  Lee Baughman
10. Patricia Schmidt
11. Jan Rimerman
12. Kathy Bethurum
13. Lois Larsen 

Guests

1.  Bill Baily
2.  Barbara Vance
3   Barbara Wagner
4.  Linda Terhark
5.  Deborah Marble

I also received a beautiful photograph from my cousin of my Great-Aunt Lois & Uncle Harry’s farm in Redstone, Montana which should get you excited to read this book! Thank you Carol!

Lonely Montana Farm - Carol Skiles

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4 Responses to “The Whistling Season”

  1. on 23 Jan 2010 at 10:50 amAnnette

    Love the landscape you painted. Maybe you should plan on doing more of them. Glad to see you are able to get into your new studio and begin using it.
    It sure seems like a nice open place to work.

  2. on 24 Jan 2010 at 1:11 pmruth

    Thanks Annette! I’m really enjoying it. I need to install new lighting, but otherwise it is great!

  3. on 28 Jan 2010 at 2:06 amLinda

    Ruth,
    Your landscape for the Whistling Season Show has a wonderful sense of space and distance.
    Thanks for your recommendation to check out Jessica’s blog! I like her submission for the upcoming show at the Mary Lou Zeek gallery.

  4. on 28 Jan 2010 at 9:24 amruth

    Thanks Linda! I’m looking forward to seeing your piece in the Cascade Aids Auction!

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Yesterday was a good full day in the studio. My first project to tackle was a painting for our Splash Critique Group show next month. Each artist will interpret the Lake Oswego Reads book The Whistling Season
by Ivan Doig. I didn’t want to miss doing this exhibit because I absolutely loved that book. I’m looking forward to meeting the author in a few weeks! You can read an interview with the author here: 

http://www.harcourtbooks.com/WhistlingSeason/interview.asp

 It was a challenge for me to decide whether to focus my painting on the characters or the setting of rural Montana. There were so many wonderful characters in this book that I had a hard time choosing, and finally decided that the landscape was the one common factor to their experience.  Doig has a great gift and I must borrow words to help me explain how this book made me feel:

Before me lies the edge of the world. I am on my way there running. – from a Papago song

I rarely do landscape, so this was both a challenge and a joy. Montana is a place that I love to visit. I have family there, and my impressions of its vastness are filled with nostalgia as well as the simple, natural beauty that emptiness and space can inspire. I hope my interpretation holds some of that emotion, through my exaggeration of color and my choice to leave any trace of human touch on the landscape out of the painting. Let me know what you think!

Smooth Buttered Plain 12x12"

While I was working in the studio for the first time in a long while, I got a call from the RiverSea Gallery in Astoria. They want to do a solo show of my work in March! (Of this year!) Oh My! That is coming right up, and I will have to work my tail off to get enough quality work completed. Yikes. I guess I needed a deadline.

Finally, I wanted to share some more links of artwork for the 100 Artists show at Mary Lou Zeek. Mary Lou has posted some more on her blog, and here are some other blogs of artists! Check them out! 

http://www.thesteelfork.com/wordpress/100-artists-show-the-honeybee/

http://www.jenworden.com/2010/01/06/january-means/

http://idolatrieartist.xanga.com/719573915/beans/

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8 Responses to “The Whistling Season, A new exhibit scheduled, and more 100 Artists Links”

  1. on 20 Jan 2010 at 12:35 pmDonna Watson

    nice landscape painting… and love the blog connections… and congrats on the upcoming one man show in the gallery– now get to work! :-)
    donna

  2. on 20 Jan 2010 at 9:32 pmCyndie Glazer

    Thanks for writing this and for the link to the interview with Mr. Doig. I am giving a speech tomorrow about Lake Oswego Reads The Whistling Season and I will share your comments about having a hard time deciding what to paint. I look forward to seeing you and your art on Feb. 4th at Graham’s Book Store!

  3. on 21 Jan 2010 at 8:44 amruth

    Thanks Donna and Cyndie! After I posted this I realized I’d forgotten to give the time and place for the exhibit! Oops. I will look forward to seeing you there :)

  4. on 21 Jan 2010 at 9:01 amMargaret

    Hi Ruth,
    So good to see your work again. I think you did a phenomenal job of creating the vastness of the plains. Congrats on the show. You will be sweating it out to be ready by March!

  5. on 21 Jan 2010 at 11:48 amPeggy Stermer-Cox

    Hi Ruth, Congratulations on the show in Astoria! That is a wonderful gallery. Your landscape fits the title!

  6. on 23 Jan 2010 at 10:35 pmDayna

    I love Riversea Gallery! How exciting you’ll have your own show there. My parents are moving from Astoria next month, but we’re going to do a Garage Sale, most likely in March so I’ll have an opportunity to run into the gallery and see your body of work!!

  7. on 25 Jan 2010 at 11:16 amLisa Dumas

    I love this painting, Ruth. Simply beautiful!

  8. on 25 Jan 2010 at 2:49 pmruth

    Thanks guys! I’m excited for all three upcoming shows. I’m hoping to see lots of folks at the artists receptions.

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Instant Art Critique

F79DTVSD6V8C I’ve been visiting blogs this morning and followed a link from Mary Lou Zeek’s blog to one of the artists participating in the 100 Artists show: Jessica Burke. She is an Art  professor at Western Oregon State University and does some fabulous work!  Check out her blog! Also, Mary Lou has posted some of the very creative products of the 100 Artists project… so fun to see what everyone comes up with to help this great cause. Dayna Collins has posted her creation on her blog here, and I love what Katherine Dunn did with her can… see it here.

Jessica  included a link in one post that is so funny…. the instant art critique. Put in any five numbers and it generates a phrase that will make you sound pithy, smart or at least over-educated when talking about an art piece.  My numbers generated this lucious bit of art-speak:

“It should be added that the optical suggestions of the sexual signifier makes resonant the essentially transitional quality.” 

It would be fun to look at a random painting and a random critique together and try to make sense of the two!

OK… enough procrastinating! Off to the studio :)

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5 Responses to “Instant Art Critique”

  1. on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:36 pmmrswoodin

    The Instant Art Critique was fun! Thanks for posting!

  2. on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:57 pmDonna Watson

    enjoyed this post– seeing all the fabulous CANS and accompanying blogs. and the Instant art critique is fun too.

  3. on 20 Jan 2010 at 9:46 amJessica Burke

    Thanks for visiting my blog and posting about it. I am glad you liked what you saw. That critique generator post has been a popular one.

  4. on 20 Jan 2010 at 9:58 amruth

    Thanks Jessica… I’ve gotten lots of comments about that critique generator too!

  5. on 23 Jan 2010 at 10:39 pmDayna

    Thanks for mentioning me in your blog post (and including a link)! So kind of you — hopefully I will see you at the First Wednesday opening.

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100 Artists 2010

No, I didn’t forget about the blog :) I’ve just been busy unpacking from our move, celebrating the holidays with family and entertaining friends and fellow artists. Our new home was ‘party central’ for a month or so, with kids home from college and their friends (old & new), family here for the holidays, book club, critique group, everyone curious to see our new place.

I’ve been cooking, cleaning, unpacking to beat the band and it finally feels like things are getting back to ‘normal’. Even though my studio is still a wreck, I’ve started back working, which feels great! I’m going to love having all the new space to roll around in… Still need to install better lighting and get rid of boxes & clutter. But one of the greatest pleasures of moving has been finding new display areas for some of my favorite art pieces. I felt so lucky when I saw all the things piled in one room during the move. And just putting them in different places helps me to notice them more and others to see them often for the first time!

Vicki Hammond's Beautiful Assemblage

This piece by Vicki Hammond, which used to give me great inspiration in my studio, now provides a great mood on my bathroom vanity. If you haven’t moved your artwork around lately, try it! A fresh look for the New Year!

I wish I had photos to post of my newest artwork, but I was working on it until the last minute before I delivered it! Deadlines are a powerful motivator!!!! My most recent piece was for the 100 Artists show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem. This year’s show is called “Nourish & Sustain” and will benefit the Marion-Polk Food Share. If you’ve seen these shows in the past, you’ll know what an honor it is to be invited to participate. Artists from all over the country (and places even farther) work together to accomplish good things in our community. It is always amazing how different the art pieces are, each artist beginning with the same challenge: an item sent through the mail.

This year the item was a tin can, pictured below.

The show runs February 2-27 at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, 335 State Street, Salem, Oregon. If you are out of state, you can usually view the work online. Bids on the artwork begin at $50 and go up in $5 increments. The competition can be fierce!  The artist’s reception on February 3 promises to be thrilling! Hope to see you there!

Mary Lou has posted one great example of William Skripps’ piece on her blog: http://marylouzeekgallery.blogspot.com/2010/01/100-artists-show.html Check it out!

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7 Responses to “100 Artists 2010”

  1. on 14 Jan 2010 at 4:30 pmBruce

    What a great home and new studio you have. Glad you are getting settled in and have time to keep us updated.

  2. on 14 Jan 2010 at 11:09 pmLinda

    Congratulations! Ruth! You go girlfriend…just the place for you…they should rewrite the song for you
    so that it goes like this..”How ya gonna keep up away from the farm, when they have so many great memories”. Glad you are in your spacious space.

  3. on 15 Jan 2010 at 7:33 amPeggy Stermer-Cox

    Hi Ruth, Congratulations on being invited to the show in Salem. Nice to hear you’re settling in to your new environment!

  4. on 15 Jan 2010 at 8:55 amruth

    Thanks You Guys !

  5. on 15 Jan 2010 at 10:40 amJodi Dann

    Nice to hear you are getting settled into your new home, always a challenge but rewarding and fun. I will try and see the show at ML Zeek Gallery in February. Should be interesting art produced!

  6. on 18 Jan 2010 at 10:13 amLinera

    Lovely blog. I’ve added you to my blogroll under Blogs o’ Pals.

  7. on 18 Jan 2010 at 12:37 pmruth

    Thanks Linera!

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I finally dug out the charger for my camera and was able to upload some photos from the past couple of months! Exciting photos to share: First from my trip to Seattle with art-buddy Mary Keefer. The slide show below is from our meet-up in Seattle… the Olympic Sculpture Park is a must-see if you’ve not been yet! Also included is a photo of Mary accepting the top award for the Northwest Watercolor Society’s Waterworks Exhibit, and a grand piano painted by local art hero Dale Chihuly.

I’ll also include here a sweet picture of the newest member of our flock: Bobbie :)

Ready to pounce out at the dogs!

Ready to pounce out at the dogs!

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5 Responses to “Olympic Sculpture Park, Chihuly and Bobbie”

  1. on 13 Dec 2009 at 11:28 pmDonna Watson

    great slide show– how you do that is way beyond me..
    I can barely do a post with images. I am embarrassed to admit that I live up here and have not been to the sculpture park yet– but will wait for warmer weather now. and cute kitty…

  2. on 15 Dec 2009 at 7:54 amPeggy Stermer-Cox

    Fun photos Ruth. OK, I’m partial to kitties and this one is definitely CUTE. Cool piano.

  3. on 30 Dec 2009 at 7:12 amMary Keefer

    Wow Ruth–I love the slide show of our trip to Seattle and the NWWS Exhibit. For those of you who haven’t visited the sculpture park I suggest you take time to visit it the next time you’re in Seattle. The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is nearby and Ruth and I enjoyed it thoroughly. We had a memorable lunch in the museum restaurant too.
    Is your kitty getting used to his/her new surroundings?

  4. on 07 Jan 2010 at 4:51 pmtangie

    Bobby is sooo cute! You know I’m jealous. I’m anxious for critique at your new house. See you then.

  5. on 08 Jan 2010 at 8:56 amruth

    Thanks Peggy, Mary & Tangie… She is starting to find her place, but is sad that we took down the Christmas tree yesterday :)

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Wow… I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I posted here! It has been incredibly busy and I guess I just got out of the habit. Since last I wrote, I’ve attended the opening of the NWWS Waterworks show, spent the day at the Seattle Art Museum with my friend Mary, closed on our new home, sold our old home, met numerous contractors at the two homes, arranged for movers, packed, rented a Pod,  gone to my daughter’s concert at Willamette and heard her fabulous solos, attended book club, rooted for the Beavers, shipped a painting to the Netherlands, written my Christmas letter (don’t want to miss of those cards and need to get my change of address out!), packed some more, made countless trips to the new house and much more.

Whew! I’m thankful that the end is in sight. We have professional movers scheduled for this Saturday to come haul the heavy stuff over to the new house. I’m so excited to be moving in! We feel very lucky to have sold ourold  home so quickly, and I’m sure  the new owners will be a good fit for the neighborhood and will love raising their family here. They have a 10 yr. old, a 2 yr. old and a 2 month old. Nineteen years ago this December, we moved into this house with a 2 yr. old and 9 mo. old twins. There is still a small mountain of clutter in the garage, but I’m feeling pretty good about the state of the house. I took all the artwork down yesterday and it looks so bare! Just a subtle hint that you need more original art in your home!

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving! We are full of thanks for all the bounty and looking forward to sharing with family and friends.

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11 Responses to “Catching up – a quick summary”

  1. on 24 Nov 2009 at 9:39 amLucy

    Busy times at the Armitage house(s). It will be so fun to put of art at your new place.

  2. on 24 Nov 2009 at 10:01 amruth

    Thanks Lucy :) I hope you’re enjoying your new part-time schedule! I’ve been enjoying your blog posts and sharing the geo ones with Tim.

  3. on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:41 amMargaret

    What a month you’ve had, Ruth. I’m so happy that you have this new, beautiful house (soon to be home) and that your move is almost over. Happy Thanksgiving!

  4. on 25 Nov 2009 at 11:05 amBruce

    Ruth,
    you make the rest of us look like slackers.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Looking forward to seeing your new home.

  5. on 25 Nov 2009 at 11:09 amruth

    Thanks Margaret & Bruce :)

  6. on 25 Nov 2009 at 2:44 pmPeggy Stermer-Cox

    Hi Ruth, I saw your painting yesterday up at Kaeywin Gallery. It’s a wonderful painting. Good luck with your upcoming move!

  7. on 25 Nov 2009 at 2:56 pmruth

    Thanks Peggy!

  8. on 27 Nov 2009 at 10:19 amDonna Watson

    Can’t wait to come down and see the great BIG BEAUTIFUL GIGANTIC WONDERFUL new home for you and yours, — donna

  9. on 30 Nov 2009 at 12:55 amCarrie

    This will be a great Christmas… in a NEW house!!!

  10. on 02 Dec 2009 at 9:16 amMary

    Take a deep breath then take another one and be sure to take some time out for yourself even if it’s a 30 minute walk. As artists we know that we can handle chaos (our creative process!) but it is very demanding and tiring. Of course there are rewards too. Good thing we move so seldom.

  11. on 07 Dec 2009 at 4:52 pmtangie

    Hey Ruth, Thanks for the tour of your new home. Wow! A beautiful house, a stunning view, a huge studio, its a grand place for all. Your determination and patience certainly paid off. Your new surroundings suit you completely and feel warm and welcoming, open and light. (I am a little jealous about your new kitten, Bobby) Enjoy the entire process, there is nothing like a new home for inspiration. xo Tangie

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Getting Organized

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. (20th century abstract expressionist painter Hans Hoffman)

Getting ready to move is an exercise in getting organized, and I need it badly! People often look at the volunteer activities, teaching, parenting and art that I do and assume that I am organized. I assure them that I am not. I just work hard. Really. I’m not joking. I-am-not-organized. My house assumes the illusion of being organized, but beneath the surface there is a jumble. Everything in its place? nope. Everything is someplace though, and I do mean everything. It is amazing what a house can hold in its dim dark recesses.

Yesterday I woke up, took a peek at the comments on my blog, and suddenly realized…. horror of horrors…. I had framed and sent the wrong painting for the NWWS show! As I was framing the painting in a rush on Monday, I thought to myself that it didn’t seem as good as I remembered it. The figure’s arm and hand looked wonky… the background was too simple…. it didn’t stand a chance to win an award.

As I glanced through the blog yesterday morning after already delivering the painting it hit me… I had framed the first version of “Explorer” not the second, much finer version. I ran upstairs and quickly shuffled through the paintings in the flat file…. no Explorer. Where was it?

Oh no, did I accidentally sell it? No, I wouldn’t have done that… I knew it was a competition worthy painting. Did I take it to the gallery? No, I hadn’t framed it yet. Did I accidentally leave it at critique? No, someone would have called me. Did my private student accidentally pack it home in her portfolio? I called her… nope! Panic was setting in now. I started saying the rosary passionately. I dug out the St. Anthony (patron saint of missing items) key chain.  I called the woman who is transporting the paintings to Seattle, explaining my dilemma. She said I had until late evening to find the painting and switch it.

OK… it must be here somewhere. I tore apart the flat files and moved them to see if it had fallen behind the huge pieces of furniture. Nope. As I was doing that, I meticulously sorted through each drawer, looking for that darned painting on each side of paper, beneath mat board, collage papers, sketches from life drawing…. etc. I searched both portfolio cases, behind the paintings I had done in that same month that were already matted & shrink-wrapped, thinking maybe I had done it on the back of one of those. My friend arrived to paint the utility room. We moved the dryer and found the masking tape & paint roller. I wondered if I was losing my mind.

I contemplated fabricating a story about how someone had broken into my house and stolen just that piece of artwork as I explained why my painting could not be exhibited. I reminded myself of the plans I had just made to attend the opening with my friend Mary from Montana. I imagined greeting the juror and explaining why my painting didn’t arrive at the show, and the look of derision on his face.

Finally the only place left to look was the back of the image I had already framed. I wouldn’t have been so stupid as to miss framing the correct painting just because I had the wrong side of the paper would I? I called my friend. She opened the frame. There was the elusive “Explorer”. I had framed it wrong side up. I guess that will teach me to try to be thrifty by painting on the other side of my rejects. I’m just so thankful that I realized my mistake before the painting actually travelled to Seattle!

Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up. (A.A. Milne, English author and creator of Winnie-the-Pooh)

 

 

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14 Responses to “Getting Organized”

  1. on 21 Oct 2009 at 10:05 amMargaret

    Wow, Ruth,
    What a great story! How amazing you sorted out that one–but it all worked out. Whew!

  2. on 21 Oct 2009 at 1:56 pmLiz Walker

    Ruth, your story is worth telling and could happen to anyone! With all the hoops we have to jump through in order to get into a show, it’s a wonder any of us BOTHER to submit, eh? But tenacity is key, and despite all the other stuff you have going on, you GOT it done! I have a good feeling about your (correct) painting—I think it might just win an award. Now it stands a VERY good chance of doing so!

  3. on 21 Oct 2009 at 4:21 pmruth

    Thanks Liz, and thanks for all your help with getting it done! You were so patient :)

  4. on 22 Oct 2009 at 7:37 amDayna

    Oh my goodness! As I read your post, I felt the panic rising in ME!! I’ve searched high and low for something I thought I had lost and I know how helpless and hopeless it feels. I’m so happy you figured out and solved the mystery just in time.

  5. on 22 Oct 2009 at 11:11 amMary Keefer

    I just keep saying “Oh no, Oh no, Oh no…” This is Mary commenting–I’m the friend who is meeting Ruth in Washington for the NWWS show. Ruth’s description took me through an emotional tour of full blown panic, dismay, anxiety, frustration, etc. I could literally feel all those emotions and worries (both real and imagined). Thank God for the happy ending to this tale–I don’t know that I would have thought of the solution though!

  6. on 22 Oct 2009 at 11:20 amruth

    I know it is a scary story! Thanks for commenting Mary & Dayna :)

  7. on 23 Oct 2009 at 8:55 pmJill Lewis

    Oh Ruth! My goodness what a horrible experience to go through. Moving is a nightmare in itself. What you went through sounds more like hell. I am so glad you figured out where the painting was. I do know the feeling of having “mis-placed” something and the trauma you go through before discovering just where it has hidden. I wish you good luck and blue ribbons and gold stars and of course $$$$$. I will be telling your story.
    Jill

  8. on 27 Oct 2009 at 7:34 pmLeslie Miller

    Oh, my! I would have been panicked too! I haven’t decided the best way to keep works on paper organized. If you develop a system will you let me know Ruth? Good detective work to figure out where it was!

  9. on 01 Nov 2009 at 1:21 pmLucy

    Oh goodness! What a story. So glad you found the painting. After all that, I think winning karma is in that painting.

  10. on 03 Nov 2009 at 8:15 ambonnie taylor talbot

    Ruth: What is your “regular” email address? I LOVE your new home. The fireplace and columns are out of this world. When can I come see?
    And, what process did we talk about with the transfer last time you were in my studio. Must have for project I am attempting today.
    Will call at appropriate time too.
    Hugs
    Bonnie

  11. on 03 Nov 2009 at 8:19 ambonnie taylor talbot

    Oh, and by the way…you will probably experience the “lost” painting syndrome much more often when you have more space in your studio…something to look forward too.
    You rock!
    Bonnie

  12. on 11 Nov 2009 at 10:22 amDonna Watson

    you are just too busy right now– rightly so — you will be able to glue your head back on when you are finally in your big beautiful new home.

  13. on 19 Nov 2009 at 5:38 pmSusan Tuttle

    phew — so glad it all worked out in the end:)

  14. on 23 Nov 2009 at 11:52 amPeggy Stermer-Cox

    Wow! Too much excitement; I’m glad you figured out where you put your painting! Now it’s almost time to pick it up. I hope things are going well with your upcoming move!

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I haven’t posted about our upcoming move, since everything has been in turmoil, and I felt strange saying anything until I was sure what would happen. On October 1st we backed out on our offer on the house I mentioned in this post. We had been trying to resolve the many issues with the property for three months, and kept running into problem after problem. We were starting to doubt that the bank would satisfy our needs with resolving the access to the property, so we started to look at other homes.

The last property that we looked at was my dream house! It had more acreage, more studio space, more space for the kids and a bigger kitchen, pantry, living area. It has a barn, beautiful pastures and all kinds of other neat stuff. We made an offer the same day we backed out of the other offer. Today we finally found out that our offer was accepted! I am so excited, and we are scheduled to close on November 30. All that remains to be done are the inspections and the packing! Here are some photos of the new place!

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New Studio!

New Studio!

Who knows… we might actually be settled by Christmas!   In other news, I finished the painting below yesterday and will be framing it and taking it to Salem next week to Mary Lou Zeek.

"Possibility" Watercolor on Yupo 20x28"

"Possibility" Watercolor on Yupo 20x28"

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12 Responses to “Moving Along on Getting Moved”

  1. on 17 Oct 2009 at 9:26 amCatharine

    I am so excited for you. Your new place looks idyllic! I think “Possibility” is beautiful too!

  2. on 17 Oct 2009 at 10:38 amruth

    Thanks Catharine!

  3. on 17 Oct 2009 at 11:06 amMargaret

    Ruth,
    Your new home is beautiful. You SO deserve to have your own space for art!
    “Possibilities” on yupo is amazing. You created so much detail–I know it’s challenging paper.
    Best of luck on your move et al.

  4. on 17 Oct 2009 at 2:13 pmruth

    Thanks Margaret! It is a challenging paper, but leaves everything loose & adjustable for a long time, which I like.

  5. on 19 Oct 2009 at 9:21 amJodi Dann

    Hi Ruth,
    Your future home is beautiful, and so much space and land to move around. Can’t wait until you are settled and may have an open studio tour. I Like your painting “Possibility”. Makes me think about you and your husband walking up the drive to your new home!

  6. on 20 Oct 2009 at 2:20 pmKarine Swenson

    Hi Ruth! Thank you so much for coming over to visit my blog! Your new home looks AMAZING!!! Congratulations! I have never used yupo before, but I like what you have done with it.

  7. on 20 Oct 2009 at 10:10 pmpamela

    Spectacular Ruth! What a glorious new home and space for your new art studio.
    Can’t wait to see pics once your moved in.
    Cheers and salute!
    Pamela

  8. on 21 Oct 2009 at 8:16 amruth

    Thanks Karine & Pamela :)

  9. on 22 Oct 2009 at 9:12 pmBlenda

    Oh wow, Ruth, what a beautiful home! Here’s to many happy years ahead in your new place. Can’t wait to see it for real.
    P.S. What a great looking painting, too.

  10. on 23 Oct 2009 at 7:20 amruth

    Thanks Blenda :) I’m looking forward to our new neighborhood and more studio space!

  11. on 01 Nov 2009 at 1:20 pmLucy

    The new place looks absolutely fabulous, and I really love the Possibility painting. Great work.

  12. on 03 Nov 2009 at 3:53 pmAmy

    yay cant wait to pack with you and get a real look. how are color choices coming along??

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