A studio view -- Ruth Koh, Tennessee landscape artist

New paintings for ArtXtravaganza

2012-01-30T08:10:00.003-05:00

I am very pleased to be participating in ArtXtravaganza at Webb School of Knoxville. The fine art show and sale is scheduled for March 9, 10 & 11, 2012. For more information, call 865.291.3846 or go to www.artxtravaganza.com.

I will be bringing paintings from my new Cloud Serenade Series. They are small, "gallery wrap" paintings, 6x6 inches and 8x8 inches, oil on canvas. Other new paintings continue with an emphasis on clouds...I've been doing a lot of cloud gazing lately!

The above painting, Up, Up and Away, is 30x48 inches, oil on canvas.

Here's a detail of one more cloud painting...it is Drifting Clouds, 36x48 inches, oil on canvas.

These are just a few of my newest works I will have at the show. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Hope to see you there!

Introducing Drifting Clouds--my newest work

2012-01-19T15:59:00.001-05:00

Here's my newest painting, Drifting Clouds, 36x48" oil on canvas.

This painting has a lot of the same feeling as Renewal, an earlier work that recently sold at River Gallery. I love the drama of the mist and clouds with the water. I can almost feel the lingering fog. I've been thinking about going fishing on Cherokee Lake--a friend of mine told me that he caught the most during this kind of mid-winter weather. At least I wouldn't have to chop through ice--it's been too warm for that.

An update on fall and winter art shows

2012-01-17T08:50:00.010-05:00

It's hard to believe my last post was November 21, 2011 and a lot has happened. After my show at River Gallery in Chattanooga in October, there was Artsclamation! in Knoxville and the show at Brentwood Academy in December in Nashville.

The show at River Gallery with Scott Hill was a great experience...He and his wife were so nice and the River Gallery staff and owner, Mary Portera were fantastic. At a book signing/show in late October, I met Saul Raisin, a young author who wrote

about his recovery from a cycling injury. Later in December, I had the pleasure of meeting Brett who purchased two paintings: Renewal and Shimmering Lights which are featured above.

At the Brentwood Academy Show I thoroughly enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones, like Pascal Bouterin, a young talented Frenchman, who was especially charming. His paintings were awesome!

Now I am staring at Spring and looking forward to ArtXtravangza at Webb School of Knoxville scheduled for the first weekend in March and the Harding Academy Show in in Nashville in May.

Oh yes, and during the holidays my husband helped me revamp and expand my studio space. Lots of work, and not quite finished. No excuses for procrastinating, though. I just finished a large painting and have begun work on others.

Whew. This is a long post. More later.

Upcoming show: Fine Art in Brentwood

2011-11-21T13:22:00.006-05:00

The Brentwood Academy Fine Art Show & Sale is fast approaching. In fact, it is less than two weeks away; it is scheduled the weekend of December 2-4th in Brentwood, Tennessee.

I have enjoyed working on cloud and landscape studies--they are great for hanging in small spaces and often provide inspiration for my larger paintings.

Heading out for Artsclamation! at Sacred Heart School on Northshore

2011-11-04T08:09:00.000-04:00

It's raining this morning. I sure am glad I packed my car yesterday afternoon. The preview party is tonight, from 6-9 p.m. Tomorrow the show is open to the public and runs from 9-5 p.m.

I'll have some new work from my "head's in the clouds series." I know that sounds lame, but I've been marveling over clouds. Cloud watching is like witnessing a painting being developed...they just fascinate me.

Paintings delivered to River Gallery for Upcoming Show

2011-09-26T08:33:00.001-04:00

I just delivered my paintings for the upcoming October show, Looking Up with Scott Hill at River Gallery in Chattanooga. The gallery is in the Bluff View Art District of Chattanooga at 400 East Second Street.

The drive over through East Tennessee provided some stunning views of clouds and fog draped over pastures and hillsides. Images of my paintings came to mind, because here lately, I've been focusing on clouds and fog.

My paintings are now posted on River Gallery's website www.river-gallery.com The painting above is Sweet Dreams, oil on canvas, 12x16in.

The show's opening reception is Friday, October 7 from 6:30-8pm. The show runs through October 31.

KMA Artscapes opens September 20 with silent auction

2011-09-01T07:42:00.001-04:00

Last Friday I delivered one of my paintings that was selected for the Knoxville Museum of Art's Artscapes auction. Organized by the Guild of the Knoxville Museum of Art, the 13th annual auction is one of the Museum's major fundraisers that features 75 works of local, regional and national artists. You can see all of the works chosen for the auction at www.knoxart.org previous to the event. Co-chairs for this year's auction are Marga and Jay McBride and Mary Morris.

My painting, Our Neighbor's Barn 30x24", is oil on canvas and represents a fairly common site here in our rural Jefferson County area. Most of my work concentrates on natural scenery with an occasional distant view of barns or farmhouses which represent the vanishing landscapes that I love. Here's a detail of the painting.

New paintings at Lagerquist Gallery

2011-08-20T12:09:00.000-04:00

My husband and I took a road trip to Atlanta last weekend to deliver four new paintings to Lagerquist Gallery. The weather cooperated nicely...started to rain just as we left the gallery. Here is Once Upon a Morning Drive, one of the paintings we dropped off at the gallery.

Before we left Atlanta, we had a great visit with our nephew, Richard Koh. Richard urged us to take the scenic route through the mountains of North Carolina. I'm glad we took his advice. The views were breathtaking as we watched the sunlight fade into evening shadows.

Upcoming show at Brentwood Academy

2011-07-25T09:30:00.000-04:00

I am so pleased to have received an invitation to participate in the Fine Art in Brentwood Show and Sale to be held December 2-4 at Brentwood Academy near Nashville, TN. Here is an image of Summer Clouds, one of the paintings I submitted.

Weather brings dramatic cloud formations

2011-05-30T18:00:00.001-04:00

We have had more than our share of beautiful, dramatic clouds. That's the upside. The downside is that tornado warnings and hail storms are becoming the new normal here in Tennessee.

This photo shows our barn framed by huge clouds. My new painting, Dancing Clouds, 24x36" reflects the energy in these fast-moving clouds.

The art of archiving fine art--a Jim Wells specialty

2011-03-20T03:43:00.005-04:00

Thanks to Jim Wells, a Knoxville photographer who specializes in archiving fine art, I now have some great images of my work. Jim has an artist's eye with his camera and has the technical expertise and equipment to ensure color accuracy. To see his work (and mine) go to http://www.jimwellsproductions.com/ruthkohart/.

Many of my paintings have very subtle variations--clouds, water, mist and fog usually do--but Jim captured details and nuances!

New paintings for ArtXtravaganza vs. getting my garden ready

2011-02-15T06:57:00.007-05:00

After a few hours in the studio it feels wonderful to go outside--especially since we finally have some warmer weather. I already have a few tomato and pepper seedlings under a lamp, just waiting for spring. (I know, it is a bit early.)

Although Webb School's ArtXtravagana is just around the corner, it's hard to stay in the studio with my garden calling me.

ArtXtravaganza--it's almost here! I'll be there with many new paintings

2011-01-28T06:31:00.007-05:00

This is a great art show featuring over seventy artists!

Open to the public, Artxtravaganza is hosted by Webb School of Knoxville. Held on Webb's campus, the show hours are Friday, March 4 from 2-8 p.m.(reception from 6-8 p.m.), Saturday, March 5 from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 from 12-5 p.m.

I will be exhibiting a wide selection of paintings, including many new works being shown for the first time. I hope to see you there. If you have any questions about the work I will be bringing, feel free to contact me!

From Roberta Smith at The New York Times: why paintings are essential

2010-12-31T17:30:00.005-05:00

This morning, I came across an article in the New York Times published on December 30, 2010 entitled, Landscapes and Still Lifes of New Territories, written by Roberta Smith. The entire article discussing five favorite paintings is well worth reading, but what struck me the most was the following paragraph:

Paintings, like poetry or music, are essential nutritents that help people sustain healthy lives. They're not recreational pleasures, or sidelines. They are the tools that help us grasp the diversity of the world and its history, and explore the emotional capacities with which we navigate the world. They illuminate, they humble, they nurture, they inspire. They teach us to use our eyes and to know ourselves by knowing others.

As a landscape painter, I am both humbled and inspired by her words. "Paintings, like poetry and music, are essential nutrients..."

What else can be said about paintings when Ms. Smith said it so beautifully?

New paintings delayed by cold weather

2010-12-14T13:14:00.007-05:00

The snow is beautiful, but the temperatures have gotten ugly. Hard to stay warm in my studio. Chickens aren't too happy either.

Detail images of new paintings

2010-12-11T15:14:00.007-05:00

Since I haven't painted in a few days, I'm posting some details of paintings.

I have been busy trying to track down eggs the hens are laying somewhere in the yard, gathering kindling (a winter storm is heading our way), and figuring out how to add features to this blog. Wish I had listened when someone told me to invest in Microscoft...that shows my age, and explains my difficulty with all things technical.

The final painting--Our Neighbor's Barn (a distant view in rural East Tennessee)

2010-12-10T09:04:00.004-05:00

Here's my finished work. Since we live so far away from our neighbors, distant views like this are very familiar scenes. This painting of our neighbor's barn is 30x24 inches, oil on canvas.

When is a painting finished?

2010-12-08T16:02:00.004-05:00

The first step is the hardest. Make the commitment. Squeeze out some oil paint. Begin to paint. Paint.
Finish the painting--that's the stage I am in right now.
Knowing when to stop is the most important step.

New paintings...clouds, water and fog

2010-12-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

Once I had fired up two wood stoves and fed and watered our chickens, I used the last few days of cold weather to complete two new paintings. Both paintings are 24x20 inches. They are titled Early Morning Clouds and Lifting Fog.

Painting sold at Knoxville's Ossoli Circle silent auction

2010-11-30T15:52:00.001-05:00

I had the honor to attend Knoxville's Ossoli Circle's 125th anniversary last Monday, November 22. Yes, it's a women's club, but oh, what a club! It was an honor because I was totally impressed by the mission and the dedication of so many women, both of those present and the previous leaders and presidents. I met women who quietly make a real difference in the lives of so many. I spoke to a recipient of their grants who told me of their generous and sustained efforts to improve lives in our community. I attended because I know Ann Durall, a former president. As part of their fundraising, I donated a painting, Windy March Day, that sold in a silent auction. I appreciated the interest in my work and greatly appreciated the purchase. Thanks Ann for a wonderful experience!

Paintings in Atlanta Gallery

2010-11-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

Bobby's Barns and Water's Edge are now in Atlanta, thanks to my son Matt and his wife, Laurel, who took them there over Thanksgiving weekend. The paintings are being exhibited at Lagerquist Gallery in the Buckhead area at 3235 Paces Ferry Place, NW.

A plug for Davis Studio

2010-11-21T16:37:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for reasonable framing, go see Shannon Davis at Davis Studio. She's got great prices and a great attitude...no kidding! She's the owner and does everything herself, with a smile. She is also an artist, and here's her self portrait to prove it. Her shop is located in the Bearden area across from Bearden Antique Mall. Her phone # is 865.584.1219. Her website is www.davisstudioart.com

More new paintings: Water's Edge, Mud Flats, and Shadows at Dusk (on our back pasture)

2010-11-18T16:26:00.000-05:00

Racing Clouds, Distant Pasture, Rainy Day Mist and Sky Dreams

2010-11-11T07:57:00.000-05:00

Recent work: Renewal, Quiet Reflection and Change in the Weather

2010-11-04T07:09:00.000-04:00

Cloud gazing while pumping gas

2010-10-03T18:45:00.000-04:00

I took this shot right after I pumped gas at Food City on Asheville Hwy. Amazing beauty.

Art Showing at the Tea Gallery in the Shops at Western Plaza

2010-10-02T19:09:00.000-04:00

On Friday, October 8, Tea at the Gallery in the Shops at Western Plaza is having an open house and artists' reception from 5-7 p.m. I have a few pieces exhibited. Stop by and say hello.

Artscapes 2010

2010-09-30T09:27:00.000-04:00

I was so very pleased to learn that Heading Back to the Barn was purchased last Friday night at Artscapes 2010, a benefit auction for the Knoxville Museum of Art.

2009-11-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

I recently said good bye to Big Old Moon over a Tennessee Farm--it was purchased in October at Artscapes, a benefit auction for the Knoxville Museum of Art. Another new painting, "Rising Fog" was purchased at Artsclamation.

Our rainy weather provided lots of atmospheric, misty scenes. Not fun to slosh around in soggy grass, but the weather was great for painting.