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Thanks so much for your visit!

I’d like to share some of the things I love about the light in autumn and images that remind me of them:

• Energy
• Color
• Passion
• Excitement
• Harvest

And some of the things and images that thrill me about the ever increasing darkness:

• Mystery
• Interior Warmth
• Gatherings
• Rest
• Glittering Stars, Shimmering Lights

As you can tell, I’m really getting excited about the holidays. I even started my Christmas shopping at last weekend’s Open Studio.  I’ve been marking lots of favorites for my shopping list on Etsy. One of the nice results is that my artwork has been featured in this wonderful treasury! Check out all the creative gift giving and decorating ideas! You can click on any of the images to go to the etsy site directly!

‘We’ll dance till Sunrise…’ by WhiteRabbit7

Truly, Madly, Deeply – … rutharmitage $19.00	Vamp Moxiedoll $32.00	The TEMPTRESS converti… dominiqueansar… $89.98
Raven Leather Mask SundriesAndPlu… $45.00	Fabric Flower Shoe Clip… No144 $28.00	SALE – Vintage Mercedes… 8milecreekdesi… $35.00
Redwood Glossy Lip Tint… FlourishBathBo… $6.00	Headband Red Wool Felt … sewZinski $12.00	Photo Lamp – Love jerseymaids $45.00
Cookies and Cream Bodac… LollipopsSugar… $6.00	Pretty, red, detailed p… cloudninecreat… $18.00	14 karat white gold vi… ValerieKStudio $525.00
1950′s black laurel… Thrush $84.00	Dorothy – 8×10 Original… ellemoss $30.00	My Circus Train Pulls T… juliebcreative $200.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

I’ve been making a few treasuries myself: I have a few of these items checked for people on my shopping list

‘Soft and Sweet a Treasury Challenge’ by rutharmitage

This is a Team Discovery challenge treasury made up of undiscovered shops (less than 20 sales) and team members. Anyone can join in this challenge. http://etsyteamdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/10/monday-treasury-challenge-vintage.html

Snowy Owl Felt Pin junebugsinjuly $15.00	Softie Monkey MeeMonkey $46.00	very grey shine brooch xxxRedStitcHxx… $18.00
Colorful Cotton Cap – H… ShirleyKnits $22.00	I Dream in Tangerine – … ReaganJuel $40.00	vintage cotton thread o… thefoxparade $3.50
Lavender Silk Shawl Nat… materialconcer… $50.00	Palest Citrine Briolett… LisaRaspino $15.00	Colosseum Sketch OhThePlaces $25.00
DiBA DoG .. Sterling Si… DiBAdog $35.00	Original watercolor and… tahliaday $150.00	Ivory Moonstone Oxidize… jenniferdarezz… $70.00
Parisian VintageTravel … ScrapHappyLyre… $15.00	Bendable white mustache… TheTangledWeb $5.00	Casablanca TrenchCoat WhiteRabbit7 $28.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

And here is another!

‘Everyone wishes for Silver and Gold’ by rutharmitage

Enjoy! This is a non team challenge, find out more at http://treasurychallengenonteam.blogspot.com/2010/10/nonteam-treasury-challenge-1.htm

Vintage French Stock Ce… pinkcrowstudio $800.00	Leather Writing Journal… AwakenJournali… $45.00	Unconditional Love Alte… GatheringStars $18.00
Elegant Pirolette turnyourhead $149.95	Bad hair day in the avi… concentric $25.00	Sasha corset in brocade… Espalore $449.00
Vintage Sheffield Silve… birdie1 $24.00	Honeycomb Necklace, Jew… EternalEden $32.00	Freya the Feather-taile… Blubies $43.00
Little Ochre Pitcher fo… meadowpoint $12.00	Rustic Sunshine Silver … OriginalHardwa… $44.00	We Heart Fall-Goldtone … toniandtree $25.00
5mm hand forged hammere… RavensRefuge $585.00	Fabulous Antique Vintag… birdie1 $119.00	Trinket Keepsake box funwallart $25.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Have a GREAT weekend! Get out & see some art

Enjoy the day! I’m off to enjoy a cool morning in the garden, then a long afternoon in the studio!

‘floating’ by PaulaArt

in the mood for lightness

8×12 – One Day I Slowly Floa… lightleaks $38.00	Magreb, a goatskin cuff by L… LaTouchables $55.00	PINK FLOYD’S LEARNING TO… BeeKai $16.00
FOR HIM – Handknited Cowl Silvia66 $53.00	Original large Watercolor – … rutharmitage $195.00	Blue Bird and Red Mittens ConstantDreame… $20.00
6 oz flask, japanese floral … wickedpen $18.00	Success is 1 step at a time … dragonhouseofy… $4.00	The feather (5/50) movezerb $25.00
Winter bottles Jo2SF $100.00	Boja 06 – Fine art photograp… JKphotography $25.00	Beech Nut Warmers InnerWild $58.00
Found Object Assemblage Ikeb… LuneRouge $65.00	Two Trees ArtGoods $10.00	Garden Goddess Shoe Mudgoddess $120.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

     1. Open Studios of Beavercreek, October 8, 9, & 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I will be number 9 on the map. I hope you can join me, as I’m getting lots of fun things together…. New work, prints, cards, treats… I’m even getting the ceiling in the studio painting (by hook or by crook if I have to stay up til midnight to do it!) and track lights put up. (I hope!) I have to mail out & distribute cards, clean, and basically get it all together for this one. Check the website (link above)for a map to the studio.

     2. Watercolor Society of Oregon’s  Fall Transparent Exhibition, and our convention October 1, 2, & 3 in Salem. I will be presenting a “Mock Jury” for one session where participants look at artwork & act as jurors, then compare notes. Then 10 mins. after that session I will be moderating a panel discussion with a group of gallery representatives on “Choosing the Best Venue for your Art”.  It will be a jam-packed weekend… critiques, social hours, the awards banquet, and most of all, seeing friends from all over the state & their artwork.

     3. I’m really trying to stir up some enthusiasm for my “Focus on Color” six week class that will start Wednesday, October 13. For readers of the blog & their friends, I’m offering the first class free… just mention this post! I’m trying to be as flexible as possible with this, as I know everyone is busy. You can sign up for just one session, or the whole series. Just leave me a comment when you sign up here on my Teachstreet listing!

     4. I’m really working hard on getting a new website designed that will integrate with my blog & provide a more professional presentation. Many hours here at my desk are going into this. I’m hoping it won’t take all winter!

     5. I still have things to plant in the garden: perrenials, bulbs and groundcovers. Plus, this weekend is the Fall Plant Sale sponsored by the Hardy Plant Society. Do you think I might be able to find more plants that I can’t live without? Will I be able to afford it? Should I just wait until next year, and spend my time gleaning starts from my Mom & my excellent gardening neighbor? Tune in later for updates in the continuing saga.

Two important things… I probably shouldn’t have left them till last:

"Gathering" 22"x22" Watercolor on Yupo Copyright Ruth Armitage 2010

I WON an award! I just got notice Wednesday that my painting “Gathering” was awarded the Swede Johnson Memorial Award in the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition. Juror Judy Morris is someone that I respect and admire, which makes it even sweeter. The show runs through October 31, so if you are anywhere near Golden, CO… stop in!

And finally: I am preparing to do a blog post about different settings for my artwork. If you have a painting or a print of mine, you can help me out! Here is the deal: Send me a jpeg of my artwork hanging in your home, and I will send you a signed, limited edition print of the “Naughty Aunties”. Already have that one? You can choose one from my Etsy shop! By submitting your image, you agree to allow me to use it for blogging and marketing purposes. If I get lots of them, I may even choose a Grand Prize Winner!

I hope you have a great weekend!

"Contented Solitude" Watercolor & Gouache, 11x15 copyright Ruth Armitage 2010

As an artist, I often hear the comment “I love your colors!” This is something I’ve been thinking about quite a bit, as I consider how my new website should look, what my ‘brand’ or ‘image’ should look like, etc. When I’m in the painting mode, the colors that are ‘in vogue’ or the colors of my home or anyone’s home really are the furthest thing from my mind. I’m more likely to be feeling the emotion of the painting, and not thinking at all… just trying to get the color relationships right.

At my gallery opening at RiverSea in March, I took a chance & engaged a viewer… when they said “I love your Colors” I asked why or what they loved about the color. Their response: “It makes me feel comfortable.” I thought that was a very good answer, and it is something I look for as I paint. The color may not feel comfortable for everyone, but it feels good to me.

I have a couple of questions for those who would like to enter the dialog:

1) How do you choose colors for your home? By how they feel together, With a set Palette in mind? Etc.

2) How would you describe the color in my work?

3) Do you have experience working with a reasonably priced web designer?

I’d love to start some more discussion here, so leave me a comment

Ruth & Marc, August 20, 2010

This past weekend, my husband & I celebrated 24 years of marriage! We were so lucky to be invited to share an evening of wine tasting and a winemaker’s dinner by chef Philippe Boulot - winner of the James Beard Award of Excellence  Best Chef of the Pacific Northwest. The setting was The Grand Cru Estates in the Yamhill-Carlton area. I want to share just a few of the moments of that special evening with friends.

The Grand Cru Estates Winery

After an informative talk on Bio-dynamic Viticulture, and a few barrel tastings from each vineyard, we flew off on our own private helicopter tour of the various properties. The views were spectacular and inspiring. I could get used to this mode of travel!

Vineyards over Yamhill-Carlton

After landing, we were back in the cellar, concocting our own blends, which was a real kick. Then up to the dining room, where this spectacular table awaited us. We were a party of about 20, with some familiar & some unfamiliar faces, which made for fun conversations.

The dinner was beyond the pale… sumptuous courses, each paired with delectable wines… I was so busy enjoying myself that I didn’t get pictures of each course… The first was a Cauliflower Vichyssoise with a Halibut Ceviche. We also enjoyed a de-constructed  Nicoise Salad. Here are just a few images of some of the other courses.

Heirloom Tomatoes - Fresh Northwest Produce at its Best

Lamb Chops with Grilled Onion, Polenta and Berries

Grilled Peaches & Raspberry Sauce with Lavender Ice Cream

Wines, Glorious Wines!

The Cooling Evening Sunset over the Vineyard

Amelia, our Designated Driver and big sister Erin

I wish I’d gotten a good picture of our hosts, such wonderful friends! We topped off the evening with a stay at the beautiful Allison Inn & Spa. This luxury resort is so tastefully appointed, with original art from local artists gracing every room and public space. Our room was ready with champagne and a fire when we arrived. Bliss! I took advantage of the Spa on Saturday and my pampering was complete. I’m feeling so lucky to live in such a beautiful area, with a wonderful man, blessed by great kids and very special friends to share our joy.

The first is the California Watercolor Association’s 41st National Exhbition. The show will run July 14 through September 19 at Gallery Concord, 1765 Galindo Ave., Concord, CA 94520, phone (925) 691-6140 for hours. If you’re in the Bay Area, check it out!

Here is the press release for the second… The Rocky Mountain National Exhibition in Golden, CO.

"Gathering" 22"x22" Watercolor on Yupo Copyright Ruth Armitage 2010

An Aerial view of the project

We had a lot of feverish activity in the garden over this long weekend. Our forcast calls for extreme heat this week, and the weekend was long and cool, perfect for working on the hillside in progress. I wanted to set in all my new plant purchases before the heat sets in and the sprinkler tune-up on Wednesday. Lots of hand watering, digging, rock hauling etc. Our backs are really feeling the consequences, but the hillside is taking shape! We had some help from one of my daughter’s college buddies and our sturdy tractor. The bunting above the fence was crafted by Amelia in a move to keep the deer from jumping the fence. It looks higher and adds some fun color to the garden. Hard to tell in the picture, but the triangles are made from bandannas. A friend had suggested Tibetan prayer flags, but this seemed more appropriate for the country feel of our house for now. We will see how they weather, and whether they fool the deer.

This weekend brought another excitement… our first glimpse of a new fawn in our yard, just below this project on the lawn early Saturday morning. She was so sweet, if shy. Sorry, no time for a photo… she was too fast.

“Oregon Dawn” 18″x15″

As promised, I’m sharing a few images that I did a couple of weeks ago in Santa Barbara. I was pretty happy with some of these paintings. It makes such a difference to be able to focus only on painting  for a whole week!

"Morning Light" 15"x22"

Try as I might, I can’t seem to get a good photograph of this painting. The colors don’t really come through. I guess I’ll need to get it professionally photographed. Trust me when I say that this is a subtle painting, but there is richer color than the photo shows.

"Evening Vista" 16"x15"

It was a busy weekend here on the farm… Our new babies are finally weaned and arrived on Saturday after we spent all morning fixing the fence. We are now the proud owners of three young kids…. Larry, Moe & Curly! Sunday was devoted to my mom… her birthday as well as Mother’s Day. We sat in the sun and ate brunch while all the kids and husbands waited on us It was a beautiful day. 

'Curly'

Larry looks like  Curly, except his ears are brown, and Moe is black with brown markings. They are so cute… and useful! Their first bites in the pasture were none other than the prolific, insidious, invasive and pervasive Himalayan blackberry! I’m so excited to get this place rid of all the noxious weeds

On Friday my sister & I took a trip up to Woodland Washington to see the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden. It was a kind of showery day, but the lilacs were gorgeous. I bought a large one and two smaller ones, one of which went to my friend Sue, who raised our goat kids.

"Glory" one of my favorite Lilacs

This particular variety has huge, softball sized flower clusters and the individual blossoms are very large and richly fragrant! I’m just sorry I couldn’t bring one of these babies home There is a waiting list for the plants! If you plan to attend next year’s lilac festival, I would recommend going early in the season when they have the most variety of plants available. I was a little disappointed that they were out of a few of my favorite types.

This year we also took time to tour the house, which is restored to period detail, just as Hulda Klager would have lived. It was a great way to escape the showers

Life here on the farm has been busy and full: fixing the fence, planting and weeding in the garden, enjoying the wildlife from our kitchen window. We’ve had abundant deer, rabbits, coyote, hummingbirds, goldfinches and this guy came strutting out one night just as we sat down to dinner.

I’m getting ready for my daughter to move home this week. She’s the first one done with classes so she’ll get a jump on the job market and get to bond with the livestock here Also, I’m excited to be traveling to Salt Lake City on Thursday for the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies’ Annual Exhibition. I’m looking forward to seeing the show, which will include paintings from each of the eleven different watercolor groups that comprise the Federation. It’s also a great opportunity to network between the groups, sharing ideas and brainstorming about how the societies are organized and function. While I’m there I’ll get to visit my cousin Lucy & her husband Drew, and do a little research on my family tree! It’s getting harder and harder to leave home though, as the weather gets nicer & nicer!

"Spring Song" 15"x11"