Oil Painting
Ruth Rawle
When Ruth paints she often feels the sensation of ‘drawing in paint’. This is very important for her practice as she feels this approach helps to stay loose and to work with clear intent.rn
Artist Profile
When Ruth paints she often feels the sensation of ‘drawing in paint’. This is very important for her practice as she feels this approach helps to stay loose and to work with clear intent.
“I aim to connect to the quality we all have in us as children, that being non fearful mark makers. I have this mindset whilst working. This is what keeps me continuing to create.”
Ruth’s drawings and paintings are inspired by the ability one can choose to tap into; being spontaneous, staying loose in mark making, not thinking too much, just responding to the inspiration felt initially from a place or person. This process is what Ruth is very interested in. Her aim is to connect to this intention. Ruth’s children whilst very young, inspired this creative outlook. She primarily works in oil paints and also uses oil sticks, charcoal, graphite pencil, pastels and acrylic paint. Ruth is drawn to the genres of landscape and portrait paintings/drawings and also loves documentary photography.
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I like oils, I used to be intimidated by them, then realised there was no need to be. I also like a good old pencil, charcoal, or a pastel to throw in a bit of colour when I'm life drawing.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
A lot of time and time management and working with a clear mindset. This all sounds so cliche! However it is true. When in a flow state, works can feel finished quite quickly. On the other hand sometimes the works that feel the most resolved or 'finished' I have struggled with and pushed through after thinking the work was sub-par… I like to sit on a painting (not physically) and look at it, put it away, bring it out again, turn it upside down if needed. I try and stay not too precious with the course it's on. When I'm happy with it, I'll then decide if it's worthy for other eyes.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
I'm fortunate that I have a space I can walk into literally and leave it as I find it. I don't have to unpack/pack up after I've been working. My paint brushes usually suffer from this mentality, however, I love my studio/sanctuary and am grateful for this space. I have only realised in the last few years how important music is to me in my life, on a daily level. I always work with music on in my studio, I have a painting playlist I add to when I discover more music that captures my attention. My playlist has Debussy to Gregory Alan Isakov and everything in between. One of my fav's ever is Mother's Love by The Vernon Spring. I seem to enjoy less lyrics these days whilst working.
Career Highlights
- Selling paintings last year to strangers through Instagram
- Being selected as a finalist in the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, Sydney in 2023
- Co-curating a group exhibition in October 2022 in Murwillumbah, NSW and selling five paintings
