Blog
Three different types of watercolor painting in "The Many Faces of Watercolor" Exhibit
For this special exhibit by eight artists from Waterloo Watercolor Group in Austin, Texas, I chose to submit three different types of watercolor paintings to show you some of “The Many Faces of Watercolor”. At the Reception this Saturday, Sept 15, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Lost Pines Art Center’s Main Gallery, 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop, Texas 78602, I will be demonstrating painting transparent watercolor on gesso-coated paper as shown in my third entry below. This show runs August 3 – Sept 30, 2018.
Exhibited in this show is Red Within Yellow No. 2 is an example of the combination of transparent watercolor with opaque watercolor gouache painted on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper. This still life painting is an award winner of mine that shows my enjoyment of the combination of patterned fabric with transparent glass. $950.00, Image 21 3/4” H x 29” W, Framed 30” H x 38” W
My second entry Wine Time is also an award winning example of transparent watercolor on YUPO synthetic paper. This slick, slippery surface makes for wonderfully flowing pigments. When painting on this surface, one is always surprised with the outcome! $400, Image 23”H x 16”W, Frame 29”H x 22”W
My third painting in this exhibit, Sunlight on Pears is an example of transparent watercolor on gesso-coated 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper. This technique offers more subdued colors and allows the artist to lift color easily to achieve interesting lighting effects. $250, Image 10”H x 13” W, Frame 16”H x 20” W.
Juried and Win again in the Texas Watercolor Society!
I am pleased to be juried and win an award for a second year in a row in the Texas Watercolor Society's 67th Annual National Exhibit! My 2014 trip to India was so visually inspirational. This year's winner, Bangalore Street Scene, illustrates the congested city street near the KL Market. Color sparks through the neutrals in this painting capturing the hazy atmosphere. This painting won the Waterloo Watercolor Award, juror Frank Francese. This show runs April 1 - May 25, 2016 at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, 239 W. San Antonio St, New Braunfels, Texas.
2015 Texas Watercolor Society's 66th Annual National Exhibit
I am honored to have my watercolor painting Bangalore Bus Ride juried into this exhibit with artists from 22 states represented! Internationally renowned artist and instructor Steve Rogers was the juror and I was awarded the Dick Blick Award! This painting was inspired on my trip to India in 2014. April 13 - May 29, 2015 at The Radius Center, 106 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, Texas.
Bangalore Bus Ride, watercolor, Image 16”H x 29”W, Frame 24”H x 36”H
Commissioned Painting for Horizon Bank Lobby
December 2013. Stop in to view my newest painting! Framed and installed in the lobby of the Horizon Bank in downtown Austin, Texas on the northwest corner of Congress Ave. and 6th Street is a commissioned 30"H x 44"W watercolor painting. The theme is the Capitol of Texas, located in Austin, surrounded by some of Austin's classic live music venues: Stubb's Bar-B-Q, The Continental Club, Scoot Inn, Donn's Depot, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Armadillo World Headquarters, Carousel Lounge, and Ranch 616. The bank is located at 600 Congress Ave G-260, Austin, TX 78701.
Martha's painting in North Hills Gallery's Permanent Collection
My watercolor painting Guadalajara Mariachis was purchased as an award by the North Hills Gallery in Austin, Texas in 2007. See this painting and the exhibit which includes the seven Artists of the Permanent Collection Aug. 1 through Sept. 2, 2013.
Wine Time Wins First Place
My watercolor painting Wine Time wins First Place in Austin's Waterloo Watercolor Group’s 35th Annual Spring Show! This exhibit runs April 22 - June 20, 2013. You are invited to the Reception Sunday, April 29, 2013 from 2:00 - 4:00. Please visit the Exhibits page for more information on this exhibit and location. Inspired by a photo of my son Andrew Ruth and a friend, I chose to tilt the couple even more to the left and painted in extra wine bottles and half empty wine glasses not pictured in the photo. Jurer Frank Eber wrote, "This is a strong piece which feels realistic but isn’t. (No one has green hair or hair that yellow.) It is an excellent figurative work; the people look alive. The woman leaning toward the man works well. The bottles point to them. The color repetition of the green hair and green bottle is strong and the color contrasts are good. There is lots of art here." I have so much fun painting on Yupo synthetic paper! The pigments and water mix and puddle for a very loose effect.
San Antonio, Texas Painting Trip
Welcome to my newly re-built Web Site and Blog! A huge thank you to my daughter Kate for building it and teaching me how to use it and get it launched! April 10 - 12, 2013 I enjoyed an inspirational painting trip with three art friends to San Antonio, Texas to paint the four historic missions and scenic, touristy RiverWalk on location. Below is a photo of me painting Mission Espada and four of my paintings from the trip!
Mission Espada, Acrylic on location, Image 8”H x 10”W Rear View of Mission Conception, Acrylic on location, Image & Frame 9”H x 12”W Bridge over the RiverWalk, San Antonio, Texas, Watercolor on location, Image 6”H x 9”W Umbrellas on the RiverWalk, San Antonio, Texas, Watercolor on location, Image 5 3/4”H x 9”W
Martha painting Mission Espada on location
Mission Espada
Rear View of Mission Conception
Bridge over RiverWalk San Antonio, Texas
Umbrellas at RiverWalk, San Antonio, Texas
Painting at Spike Hill on Bedford Ave in Brooklyn
Spike Hill Bar paintings
April 3, 2013 I spent a fun day with my son Andrew painting the bottles, patrons and bartender at Spike Hill Bar on the trendy Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
Newspaper article about Martha
November 2011 an article was written in the Austin, Texas Community Impact newspaper about me and my paintings.
Martha demonstrates and teaches painting glassware on YUPO
In September 2011 I demonstrated painting glassware on Yupo synthetic paper for Waterloo Watercolor Group members in Austin, Texas.