Ruth Soller, Denver area oil painter of fine art portraits and architecture joins over 500 artists from around the world in creating her self-portrait for the Self Portrait Project at Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Opening Reception will be April 23, 2010. A video filmed during the painting of this portrait was part of a worship message entitled "Identity: How we become unique" presented by Pastor Thomas Cross at Broomfield United Methodist Church in Colorado on February 21st, 2010. You may view the video by clicking on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJY8L6LElCs. An exhibit of several of my original oil portrait paintings was on display during the service. This portrait will be exhibited and published in an Art House Book along with over 500 self portraits by artists from around the world submitted for the Brooklyn, New York exhibition at Brooklyn Art Library, 201 Richards St. #16, Brooklyn, NY 11231. http://www.arthousecoop.com/selfportrait/

Broomfield United Methodist Church pastors have decided to incorporate visual art into some worship experiences to coincide with a series of messages about Identity: How we become unique. Ruth Soller, Broomfield oil painter of fine art portraits and architecture has agreed to have a three to five minute video filmed in her studio showing how she begins a self portrait and then showing how she finishes the painting. This video will become part of the worship experience and will tie in with the message on Sunday, February 21, 2010. Soller’s original oil portrait paintings including her Portrait of Rosa Parks will be on display during this event. Three worship services on February 21st will include the video and paintings, 8:30 am and 9:45 am are contemporary services with guitar, piano, and drums accompanying contemporary songs and 11:05 am is a traditional service with organ and hymns. Location is Broomfield United Methodist Church, 545 West 10th Avenue, Broomfield, CO 80020. 303-466-1719

Identity: How we become unique
Broomfield United Methodist Church 303-466-1719
545 West 10th Avene, Broomfield, CO 80020

Ruth@SollerOriginals.com
http://www.SollerOriginals.com
http://www.SollerNews.blogspot.com

   
I'm pleased to announce my latest art sales to a faithful collector. Arabian Sunset is an original oil on canvas painting of a black and a white Arabian horse along with Bandit, a half Arabian and half Pinto retired show horse which I used to ride in riding lessons. King of the Mountain is an acrylic on canvas original painting of a collared lizard which I saw and photographed on a hike along the rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado.

My next exhibitions will be the Invitational Western Show & Sale at Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, opening reception Saturday, February 27, 6-8 pm, and the Western Spirit Exhibition & Sale at Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming, opening reception Saturday, March 6, 6-9 pm, tickets available at 307-778-7289, view works online at http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/western_spirit.asp.

I hope to see you if you are able to attend one of these events.

1.   I selected this candid photo which I took in a caffe. I found this scene compelling because of the warm colors surrounding the girl contrasted with the light and cool colors surrounding the man. I have desired to paint a cafe scene for quite some time.



2.   Next I drew a rectangle in my sketchbook in the same proportions as my canvas and gridded the rectangle into thirds vertically and horizontally. This helps in placement of the figures and making sure that the focal point is in a visually appealing location. I skethed the scene in pen and ink in order to eliminate any unnecessary details and to translate the image into three main values--dark, middle tones, and light. You may use pencil or charcoal for the sketch and you need not include as much detail as I used.


3.   You may notice that I moved the teapot and sugar bowl in order to create a small still llife in the foreground and to add ambiance to the scene. I moved the figures closer together for more implied intimacy. I decided to include more of the paintings on the wall behind the girl and in the mirror because I thought the images were interesting and the colors related well in my composition. Notice how the diagonals of the tables lead the eye into the scene. I used the same gridding technique with watercolor pencils on my canvas to help with the transfer of the drawing onto the canvas. With all major decisions made before I picked up my paintbrush, the painting proceded smoothly. Here is the final oil painting.


Tavola per la colazione, oil on linen, 9x12, $500, Gallery East

I encourage you to begin to turn your favorite memories into attractive paintings by following these three steps.

Ruth Soller's oil on linen painting Horno de Pan Taos Pueblo won a Merit Award at the Louisville Art Association Members Show. Juror Dennis Pendleton said about this work,"This artist took a scene that is almost a cliche, and reinterpreted it into something fresh and new, in her own unique way. All the elements of the cliche are there, but the artist has inserted more--what she was thinking and feeling about them. This work is stylized to reflect the artist's mindset, and her strong point of view."

Ruth Soller's oil on linen painting Loveland Feed & Grain Mill won First Place in painting in the Lafayette Art Center Show. Juror Susan Lion said of this work,"Loveland Feed & Grain Mill shows a wonderful play of color, experimenting with the power of the secondary palette. Blue shadows compliment the hot tracks, rusty roof, and orange earth and its styllized clouds reflect the wavy shapes following the line of the railroad track--both an interesting turn from the tendency to make things "accurate". A strong, positive look at history without romanticizing the subject."

Ruth Soller's oil on linen painting Independence Day won the Best of Theme "Spirit of the Wind" in the Frederick Art Show juried by Pat Dall and Nancy Wylie and hosted by the Frederick Arts Commission at the Bella Rosa Clubhouse.

1. Piazzale Michelangelo. From this hillside you have splendid views overlooking the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and all the beautiful golden toned, red tile roofed architecture of Renaissance Florence. You may also view the expansive villas built by the nobles of Florence.

2. Galleria dell’ Accademia: Michelangelo’s David. This is the most beautiful and moving statue I have ever experienced. Michelangelo chose to carve David poised in expectation, focus and concentration immediately before David felled the giant Goliath with only a strap and five smooth stones. David fully trusted that God was on his side and that He would prevail.

3. Duomo. Each city’s largest church is called its Duomo or Cathedral. Florence architect Filippo Brunelleschi made it his life’s work to build the world’s largest dome to cover the cathedral. The work was completed after 16 years of construction in 1436. The Battistero or baptistery has three sets of bronze doors designed by Andrea Pisano and Ghiberti.

4. Galleria degli Uffizi. This museum contains superb Renaissance sculptures and paintings from the 15th Century to 17th and 18th century European artists including Rubens, Canaletto, Van Dyke, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. I was particularly amazed by the rich, pure colors of Doni Tondo (c1505) by Michelangelo, a circular portrayal of the Holy Family.

5. Piazza della Signoria. Florence’s most famous square contains the Neptune statue with bronze water nymphs adorning the fountain.

6. Ponte Vecchio. This 1593 bridge crowded with forty silver and gold jewelry shops is one of Florence’s most famous landmarks.

7. Piazza Santa Croce. The Franciscan Gothic church of Santa Croce contains the tombs of Michelangelo, philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, composer Gioacchino Antonio Rossini, and scolar and humanist Leonardo Bruni. You may visit the monastery leatherworking school which provides students training to produce the fine leather goods renowned in Florence.

8. Santa Maria Novella. This church was established by Dominican friars in 1221 as a small chapel Santa Maria delle Vigne. Architect Leon Battista Alberti blended existing Gothic elements with new Renaissance features when he completed the intricate marble façade in 1458.

9. Museo Nazionale de Bargello. This fortress-like structure was built in 1255 as the government headquarters and later in 1865 became a National Museum of Italy.

10. Il Porcellino. The city emblem is a bronze statue of a wild boar. It is believed that if you rub the nose of the boar it will bring you good luck and ensure a return visit to Florence.</div>

 

1. Select foods purposefully. You can improve health and energy by planning food choices in advance. Rather than trying to drastically change your eating patterns or going on a restricted diet, try replacing the least nutritious food you normally eat with healthier choices. Being a visual artist I was thrilled to learn that fresh fruits and vegetables with the most intense natural colors—reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples-- also contain the most vitamins and nutrients. They are also great subjects for still life paintings. I am also gratified that recent studies find numerous health benefits from coffee, dark chocolate, and red wine ( in moderation). Nuts including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios contain protein and healthier fats. Whole grain cereals and breads are great sources of fiber and B vitamins. Salmon and tuna are rich in Omega-3 which can also be taken in fish oil capsules.
2. Restful sleep is restorative. If you find it difficult to get restful sleep, it is definitely worth a doctor’s visit and some detective work to discover why and to correct the problem. If your schedule or your boss allows, a twenty to thirty minute power nap in the afternoon will improve focus, concentration, and mood. Productivity will improve with your alertness.
3. Add activity to your daily life. An exercise program may sound intimidating and may fall by the wayside. Adding one active pursuit that you will enjoy in place of one sedentary habit can make a huge difference over time. Do you truly enjoy watching the evening news? Would you enjoy a brisk walk outdoors more? If you have arthritis or joint issues water aerobics is a low impact way to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Yoga, stability ball exercises, swimming, bicycling or horseback riding will each improve core strength while reducing anxiety or depression. Select any activity that fits your schedule, current fitness level, and budget and you will reap abundant benefits.
4. Nutritional supplements. You may find vitamins and supplements in endless variety and price ranges. My experience is that less expensive off-the-shelf vitamins are helpful. Currently, I take a one-a-day multiple vitamin, calcium + vitamin D supplement, vitamin C, and Omega-3 fish oil soft-gel capsule daily. I seldom get colds or flu since taking these supplements. I have been experimenting with rose hip tea which is said to build resistance to the flu as well as provide numerous vitamins.
5. Meet with your creator. Prayer has been an important daily part of my life for many years. One of my only attempts at multi-tasking is prayer walking each morning. I spend time in praise, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication during these walks. This practice results in centering my mind for the new day and getting me started on a positive note. I also communicate with God during the day and evening. Meditation would have the same benefits as well as listening to inspirational or praise music.
6. Build relationships. I confess to being an introvert; so I must make extra effort to achieve friendships. I think that although I am quiet and reserved, I am a faithful and loyal friend. Building a wide support network of family, friends, and acquaintances in a variety of settings is a key to managing anxiety and depression. Choose positive activities in which you have mutual interests such as church small groups, sports teams, hobby or professional clubs, continuing education classes or civic organizations. Set a goal to meet and converse with one new person each meeting.
7. Nature heals. Discover ways to spend time enjoying nature and the outdoors. Gardening is a productive and healing activity. I love to visit Denver Botanic Gardens to photograph the variety of flowers during various seasons. Colorado is a spectacular state for so many outdoor pursuits such as camping, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing, swimming, rafting, spelunking, hang gliding… Oops, I am getting carried away!
8. Be kind to animals. Did you know that people who own pets have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol? Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is a great way to save an animal’s life and to improve your quality of life. I promise that a dog will be a faithful companion and a constant motivator on your daily walks. I find grooming and riding a horse to be both calming and exhilarating. Here is my little stress buster Mindy whom we adopted over ten years ago.

9. Learn a new skill. You are never too old to learn new tricks, as long as you are willing to practice regularly in order to retain what you are learning. I have taken workshops or classes in figure drawing, watercolor techniques, oil portraiture, ballroom dancing, and even horseback riding. No matter what your interest, there is likely to be a class or at least a DVD to teach you more. Vocal or instrumental music works wonders for relaxation and stress reduction. I find that listening to classical music while driving keeps me calm in traffic and in a more positive frame of mind.
10. Read actual books. What better way to escape from your worries or problems than immersing yourself in a novel or mystery? Surely I would like to learn and understand more about plenty of subjects. Lately, I find myself spending far too much screen time. I think I can become a more interesting person by exchanging TV and internet time for book reading time. How about you? Let me know how you beat stress in you daily life.