Salt in My Paint Water

A new chapter is coming…

To be honest, bigger canvases have always made me a little uneasy in the past. But larger pieces tend to make more of a statement and have a stronger effect on one’s emotion - both in the making and the beholding. So it’s an avoidance that I’ve always wanted to conquer to the point of creative playfulness - and the first step is always to simply start.

I’m finding one of my most significant values when it comes to what I share online is always to strive for authenticity…and that means sometimes I won’t have any ground-shaking end results, as though the journey happened overnight.

But that doesn’t keep me from posting anymore. There is value in showing the raw, the vulnerable, the mundane, the in-between…and all of a sudden my work as an artist becomes that much more human. This is the kind of content I wished I would have seen from others when I first started out.

After all, if the process can’t be down-to-earth and relatable to the point of being an encouragement to other people, then why am I doing this in the first place?

So if you follow me (and I hope you do!), be prepared for not only the final pieces, but also all the initial steps thereof. It’s a journey. Not an arrival.

Because, even if my practice were to take off and become a major success - whatever that means - if I ever think I’ve “arrived,” I’m lying to myself.

Enjoy the journey.

#artistlife #bigart #doitfortheprocess #enjoythejourney #artinprocess #wipartwork

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1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Salt in My Paint Water

How the envelope came together… 🩵🌊

The Shell Collector’s Mail is for my fellow dreamers and adventurers at heart, finding the balance between wanderlust and stillness...

This snail mail club reflects my growth as an artist, and filled with growth-centered encouragement and stories from the sea that inspire reflection and tranquility.

This not only supports my work as an artist, but a portion of every letter goes toward environmental and sustainable solutions for world hunger and community development, and sends hope around the world.

For my ocean lovers, the curious, the daring and adventurous who long for these immersive moments of stillness every month - I made this for you 🩵

Sign up on my website or on Patreon!

www.ruthscego.art

Patreon handle: @ SaltInMyPaintWater

Link in bio!

#mailclub #stationarylove #snailmail #mailart #oceanvibes #oceanlifeart #handwrittenletters

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4 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Salt in My Paint Water

This is just the best. Today is the last day to sign up to receive a letter in December!

I believe restorative art should create restoration. So here are some of organizations I partner with in these letters:

- Destiny Rescue: rescuing individuals from human trafficking around the world and equipping them to stay free, opening up a whole new life filled with hope.

- EchoNet: combating world hunger through sustainable, locally-relevant and eco-friendly farming practices that brings new life to a community while renewing the natural landscape

What’s in the letter:

- Art from my studio!
- a letter with encouragements and stories behind the art
- creative nature challenges to get outside and try something new refreshing to the soul
- a journaling prompt to get the creative juices flowing (so many people ask me about what I fill my many journals with!)
- stickers and other surprises!

Packaged with love for an immersive opening experience that I pray brings my people joy. I hope you can be a part of it! Share this with someone you know would enjoy this 🎨

Sign up: www.ruthscego.art/print-club

#artprint #printclub #mailart #artistswork #dowhatyoulove #experiencenewthings

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1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Salt in My Paint Water

To celebrate the amazing growth of my newsletter on Kit, I’m giving away a free art print — or even better, a free month of Shell Collector’s Mail (a mini art print + creative extras delivered to your mailbox). The winner gets to choose!

How to enter:1️⃣ Subscribe to my newsletter on Kit using the link below (you might want to save this post so you can come back).2️⃣ Like AND share this post.3️⃣ Comment “Entered!” when you’re done.

www.ruthscego.art/newsletter

💌 For a bonus entry: Subscribe to my page!

Winner will be announced November 20th — Thank you so much to all of you who have supported my growth as an artist 🩵

#artgiveaway #artistgiveaway #artprint #artistgrowth #oceanart #whaleshark #supportartists #sealife

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Salt in My Paint Water

Leading up to Christmas time, I am offering a limited number of openings for art commissions!

As I continue to work on expanding my portfolio for next year’s show, it’s often a bit difficult to juggle multiple projects. But several people have expressed interest in commissioning gifts for their loved ones, and I definitely what to extend that opportunity - especially leading up to the end of the year!

I wish I could be everywhere all at once and serve as many people as possible! But because I’m human, I have to limit the availability on a first come first serve basis.

Let me create a work of art for you to gift to your loved ones! Reach out via email or submission form on my website. Learn more about my process here:

www.ruthscego.art/commissions

#artcommissions #custompainting #christmasgift #artist #holidaygift #nauticalart #maritimeart #contemporaryartist

2 months ago | [YT] | 2

Salt in My Paint Water

The last one is the piece that started it all 🍂

These pieces are by far the artworks nearest to my heart that I have ever created (as well as the most time consuming). If they ever find a new home, I will have a very hard time sending them away 💔

There are several of these in progress and many more to come.

For a reflection on this “creative state of play” that allows for creating outside the box, visit the Artist Diaries:

www.ruthscego.art/diary

(Yes, it’s my blog - but that word makes me want to throw up in my mouth for some reason…So I call it a diary 🤙🏼
…So visit my newest diary entry, I wrote something for you, dadgummit!)

#marinelifeart #oceanlife #pyrographyart #bold #ruthscego #closetomyheart #artistprocess #mixedmedia #artistdiary

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2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Salt in My Paint Water

I used to think becoming a better artist meant painting more hours in a day…

lol…if that’s the case, watch me fail at this as much as I am taken away from the studio these days. It’s a real struggle.

Jokes aside, what I’ve been learning lately is that the experiences one lives in life has equal weight in the quality of their work. For me, depth is more than the 3D effects of shadow and lighting. I could know and master all the techniques in the book, but if it’s not backed by the sincerity and empathy of first-hand experience, then it comes out flat.

It can be discouraging sometimes when my time is taken away from the easel, especially when I feel the weight of inspiration from prayer and being on the water. But I’m learning those experiences have just as much effectiveness in creating a well-rounded artist as they do a well-rounded person.

What a blessing it is to be exhausted from a life I’ve dreamed of living! I thank God for that. And that’s enough motivation to learn to work through said exhaustion

#artistlifestyle #multipassionate #oceanartwork #sealife

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2 months ago | [YT] | 3