Looking back on my life as an artist, there is a continuation of style.  I think that moving from one media to another you never really change the direction of your work. I have moved from painting to printmaking, and then to many years as a ceramic artist and then to a fiber artist. My old computer died. I have been looking through  the files and deciding what I want to save to the new one.  I am finding a surprise in each file.  Looking back is giving me a new perspective on the direction I want to move in the future.

Here is an example of a design that I created in clay in the 1990's.  I had forgotten this plate until a friend posted it on line. I have been really lazy about documenting my work. It is important to do this.  It so resembles a traditional quilt pattern with the grids and repetition of pattern.  It was done years before I started working with fiber and designing wall pieces.  I don't have many photos of older work. Below is an example of what I was working on a few years ago.

It's just interesting, that's all.  I think if you look at any artist that has been working for many decades in the art field you will see a pattern in their lives.  Betty Woodman comes to mind right away.  Judith Trager also.  An artist's brain never shuts down. I find that I am always thinking in color, pattern, composition even while I am asleep.  I don't like to give advice to other artists because I have no idea what is in their heads.  When I taught art in elementary  school my advice was for each student to look into the world that they lived in and come up with an idea and follow it through.  I had tables of various materials for them to work with. I said, go to the material you want to work on. I have no one at my home studio to tell me what to make.  The best work will come from your own ideas.  As far as all the "rules" of art....I feel that there aren't any.  Create with your guts.  Who knows where that RED should go or what color the sky should be.  Working in a series will train yourself better that anything I know of. I feel you cannot get one idea down in one piece. It may take 10 or 100. Keep pushing the boundaries. Good work will come.

JOY

 2021........It's been a very long time since I posted on this blog.  Old computer. Lack of interest about writing about myself, having too many fabric projects in the works to sit down and write, and then the pandemic took a tole on my creativity.  Lots of my friends have thrived on the isolation and alone time. I guess you can't go back to something that is not there again.  My art work has taken a new direction.  It is really hard to make a living as an artist, but doubly hard when the art venues are virtual.  I have not entered in any shows this whole stay at home order.  My place to sell bit the dust like many art galleries around the country.  I am working again and not caring who sees it or if I can sell.  I could back up to the  period before I quit posting, but really you can not go back.  Forward is the direction. The piece below is the latest thing that I have done. I call it JOY because after a very long dry period this is what came out.  Due to circumstances beyond my control I had my joy stolen.  Hence the title.  I am hoping that the Art Galleries that survived the pandemic are able to continue to show and sell art work.  Artists have really had to scramble to stay afloat. I will try to do better. Cheers to all that made it trough!

Creativity as it relates to WHY

I am thinking about changing the name of my Blog.  "Why" means a lot to me but I am afraid that it does not mean much to my readers, all 3 of them.  My real purpose is to try to explain what makes us question things and then try to use creativity to change and rearrange matter, our environment, etc.  Recently someone changed an old road sign that has been up here in Coal Creek Canyon for eons.  It was a pretty funny inaccurate directional map that was very Folk Art.  Someone painted over it, graffiti style with gold and black paint and it now says.,"I am beautiful".  Why?  There is such an uproar over it.  How dare someone paint over the bad, faded directions to their house?  I laughed...the merry pranksters are alive in CCC.  But, then the question of "Why" reemerged.  Was some one getting over an illness, maybe mental or physical or was it  for some reason that only the spray painter knew.  Maybe it was the same reason a person gets a tattoo, a tragedy or a celebration.  Could we have a new gang up here in the mountains called "Beauty".   Or maybe there is no reason at all.  Someone took it on their own to rearrange reality.....very creatively I might add.  Today I will photo it and post so  you can decide.  That is if it is still there......ha.  Someone added American flags and balloons two days ago. I can't wait to see what has been added today.  Go out and make something........

Footnote:  I packed my camera and tried to photo the "Beauty" board, but alas, someone had white washed it.....Now I am thinking of getting up in the middle of the night to try my hand at creating a new sign.......but again, why whitewash the sign?  It really offended someone.  But, lots of art offends, not that this was art...maybe with a small a.  (This sign was only about 3' by 4.5')

Why Rears It's Head Again

Why do some people like myself feel that there is always a urge to make things:  paint, quilt, draw sculpt, throw pots, or just stick things together in an order that makes no sense to anyone and then it becomes art?  And...then there are the people who are not artists walk through a museum and are knocked over by a painting.  The images stay with them a life time.  I'm not really talking about patrons or sponsors.  Just ordinary people with no art background.  I love to see this.  It is when the artist is communicating with one particular individual.  There is an electricity that can not be documented.  Some children's art effects me this way.   Just wondering......This is the reason this blog is called WHY.  

Security Blanket #7

It's May again.....a long time since I have published anything in my blog....I guess I have been busy making art.  What can I say.....bad Ruth.  Writing is so important to the creative process.  Putting down your thoughts on paper (Blog) clarifies thoughts and desires.  And...then leads to more creative ideas and producing art work.  I keep a notebook, drawing book, but have neglected my blog.  I was surprised that it was still in the ozone or is it the internet ether?

My life has expanded so much in the last year.  The latest:  Art work juried into three shows that are very important to me.  1)  The online exhibit with Front Range Creative Quilters of which I am a member.  This organization pretty much defines who I am.  There are so many creative fiber arts in this group.  As always I say, "Just get up in the morning and make something everyday. Do it. Do it. Do it."  2)  The Denver National Quilt Show came and went....I had a piece in it too.  That show is a strange one, but I enjoy it.   3)  Currently I have piece in the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in a show called Past, Present and Future.  It is called Security Blanket # 4, and can be seen in this  blog if you look back far enough.

This is the latest piece that I have done:  Security Blanket #7

  and here is a detail of it:

This was inspired by a trip to Arizona to my sister-in-law's house.  The sun was reflected on the windows.  There were so many reflections.  It was fractured and I just loved it.  Here is the pic that I took the images from:

If you just look around you while you are going about your day there is just so much you can see to make art from.  Inspiration is everywhere.  Just get going.......I will be back with more.....Love all of you!  

Security Blanket # 6

                                 SECURITY BLANKET #6

This is the latest work and another in the series of Security Blankets.  I am working larger than the others in the series....due to a critique of my work by Jane Dunnewold, for #3,  She said, "Take size seriously. I am not recommending that each of us work upwards of six feet square. But smaller pieces (under 24" in both directions, generally speaking) are too often studies, as opposed to realized, complete works.  You've got to challenge everything about what you're doing in the studio.  If you are working small, be ready to defend it. OR take the plunge and go bigger and commit to a longer engaged creative act.  It is worth it."

This made me think back over my history as a potter and ceramic artist..  There were many pieces that were just OK, but if I had made them ten times as large they would have been great.  So,  WORK BIGGER.

Her critique of Security Blanket # 3:  "Good for you. A re-purposed piece that doesn't shout recycling.  Soft color, appropriate for the theme.  The four squares add something-rhythm? Pathos? I like having to think about it, which makes good art in my book."

Also another point that Jane made was on binding...that it is no longer appropriate as a finishing technique.  It keeps the viewer from seeing the message of the piece.

 #3 was selected for what I am calling a virtual reality web gallery on line at Front Range Creative Quilter's website.http://www.artquilters.org/

                      SECURITY BLANKET #3

In the piece above, #6, I have tried to take all of what she said to heart and move on. Here is a detail of the quilt:

                               DETAIL #6

Ruth's Fiber Art on Facebook

I hung a new show at the Boulder Arts and Crafts Co-op in Boulder, Colorado.  It has taken me about four years to get a body of work that I could hang a show.  I am very excited and have hopes that this will launch my career as a fiber artist.  Part of the show was teaching the clerks and managers of the  co-op what it is that I do.  I presented the fiber pieces with their  own bags, with titles, and explained that if things sold the bags needed to go with the piece.  I had 480" wall that I wanted the pieces to be about 20" apart. Pricilla displayed them magnificently on an orange wall.  I had my doubts about the wall, but it looks good.

 I need to explain to my old pottery friends and customers what it is that I do and I hope that they come to the opening of the show.  I made pottery for 38 years and they are confused.  This is exciting, a new direction for me.