Ruth Armitage

Artist's Statement:
My current work is based on memories of the Oregon farm where I was raised. I paint abstracted aerial views of the fields and forests with an emphasis on color, shape and mark making. Rich, vibrant color embellished by narrative and symbolic pencil and brush marks tells the stories of my connection to the land that has been home to my family.

While my earlier work explored family relationships, this series focuses on relationships with the natural world. I am interested in linking the ideas of nature and farming to heredity, inheritance, history and birthright. As a fourth generation Oregonian, the character of the land and its seasons and changes over generations is of particular importance. Stewardship is not just a word, but a daily practice for farmers.

I work in watercolor, acrylic and oil mixed with cold wax, but viewers often have difficulty telling them apart. Use of strong, saturated color has become my hallmark. My strongest artistic influences have been Bonnard, for his translations of domestic scenes into shimmering kaleidoscopes of color, and Milton Avery, whose quirky shapes were drawn from his family and surroundings.

Ruth Armitage is a signature member of the National Watercolor Soci...

Mostly self-taught with master classes from Katherine Chang-Liu and Skip Lawrence.

2017
National Watercolor Society Open Exhibition, San Pedro, CA

San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition, San Diego, CA

Signature American Watermedia Exhibition, Fallbrook, CA – The Beverly Sinclair Thordarson Memorial Award

California Watercolor Association National Exhibition – Pleasanton, California

Western Federation of Watercolor Societies 42nd Annual Exhibition, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, Oregon - Merit Award

Watercolor Society of Oregon Spring Exhibition, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, Oregon

2016
American Watercolor Society’s 149th International Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY

Georgia Watercolor Society, Dawsonville, Georgia – Honorable Mention Award

Watercolor Society of Oregon Spring Exhibition – Silverton, Oregon – Sixth Place Award

Northwest Watercolor Society International Exhibition, Mercer Island, WA

“Portland 5” – Invitational Exhibition, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

2015

National Watercolor Society International Annual Open, San Pedro, California

Rocky Mountain National Watermedia, Golden, Colorado

Watercolor Society of Oregon, Spring Aqueous Exhibition, Newport, Oregon - Award of Distinction

Louisiana Watercolor S...