Fresh Embrace was inspired by a trip in February to Flinders Island, in Bass Strait Tasmania.
It is a mountainous island, along with fabulous beaches graced with granite rocks, splashed wth orange lichen.
The highest point is Mount Strezlecki, at 750 metres.
Three-quarters of the way up the overgrown path to the summit, I came upon two pademelons that hopped away smartly,
and there I viewed the mossy rocks and outstretched branches.
When I later returned to my studio, I transformed it into a large oil painting on canvas.
The complimentary colours of green and purple lent themselves to this landscape.
Vibrance 2021
Paintings by Ruth Law
The Artist’s Studio
37 Georgina Street
Newtown NSW 2042
0405 665 496
Wednesday 3 – 21 November 2021
11.00am – 6.00pm
Daily
Email: ruth@ruthlaw.net
www.ruthlaw.net
The exhibition Vibrance manifests the pure essence of native flowers in a simple vase, an ink line, floating in an eloquence of space.
Each painting dances with the energy of enthusiasm.
Two paintings of eucalyptus leaves emanate oriental sensibilities of space and elegance.
In an autumn break between lockdowns, carpe diem! I took a trip to Mayfield Gardens, where I was inspired by the stand of birch trees and, in a painterly mood, I transformed them into a diptych, Last Light on the Birch Trees.
A selection of paintings shown in situ – in the hall, the living and dining rooms, and the studio, there’s no better place to display my artwork.
Afternoon Light 2019
Opening: Sunday 13 October 3.00 - 5.00pm
Exhibition: 8 - 25 October 2019
The Palm House - Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Mrs Macquaries Road (Woolloomooloo Gate)
Open daily 10.00am - 4.00pm
Telephone: 0405 665 496
Email: ruth@ruthlaw.net
www.ruthlaw.net
Afternoon Light
Paintings by Ruth Law
Afternoon Light on Bottles 2019
Shows just that – the light dancing on each blue or green old bottle.
Their form, size and particular colour resonate from a time long past.
They sit on the marble mantle with a sense of belonging.
The water jar sits in contrast as a necessary element for dipping the brush.
The pattern in the background is borrowed from a Danish plate.
Ruth’s studio has a marvellous array of beautiful objects calling to be painted.
The sun shines in through the French doors, bathing the mantelpiece with light, creating a perfect place for ‘assembly’.
Gouache, ink, gold pigment on handmade rice paper
The Orange Eucalypt Blossoms 2019
sing with vibrancy as they sit like an umbrella between the teapots and the ”Book of Tea”. Stamen have fallen, creating another pattern and space in front. The blossom theme is repeated on the teapot, the book, and the painting on the wall.
Gouache, ink on handmade rice paper
Gouache, ink on handmade rice paper
The ebony bowl sits with strength, displaying the peaches. Both paintings of peaches are a cornucopia of taste, texture and colour.
Details from the paintings, where texture and colour capture the interest.
The birds have flown from their original home of the marble washstand, where they reside on tiles, taking on a new form as background, to the ripeness of the peaches
Gouache, ink, gold pigment on handmade rice paperpaper
Bottle Brush with Monarch Butterfly 2019
This iconic image of The Bottle Brush vibrates with colour - attracting the Monarch to the pollen. Gold pigment abounds, creating perfect highlights to the painting.
Gouache, ink, gold pigment on handmade rice paper
69 w x 98 cm
Blue
Paintings by Ruth Law
Opening: Sunday 21 October 3.00 - 5.00pm
16 October - 2 November 2018
The Palm House
Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Mrs Macquaries Road, (Woolloomooloo Gate)
Open daily 10.00am - 4.00pm
Telephone: 0405 665 496
Email: ruth@ruthlaw.net
www.ruthlaw.net
My forthcoming Exhibition: “Blue” consists of paintings with the thread of blue that binds them. The invitation image – ‘Autumn Breeze’ - is a still life of an iron urn, filled with vibrant pink Eucalypt blossoms. Gold pigment gives an attractive light to the pollen. A warm breeze billows through the curtain suggesting movement and an ethereal presence in the room.
Another still life is in the style of Morandi in which the vessels sit on an old French cupboard. A broad, corked, bottle stands out from its companion pieces, conforming to the exhibition’s theme – Blue.
In 'Still life at Cabriere’s-d’Avignon', France, soft window light pings from two directions, creating beautiful reflections on each of the pieces. The vessels are from the 1970’s, as if sitting on a stage, with 70’s style wallpaper in the background.
“A Balanced View”
The Downing Centre, Display Windows
Liverpool Street ,Sydney
1 - 28 February 2018
An exhibition of landscape, seascape, and still life paintings, showing in the display windows of the Downing Centre.
This unique building was formerly known as Mark Foys Department Store, built in 1909.
It was modelled on the Parisian Bon Marche department store. It’s piazza, chandeliers, marble and sumptuous ballroom made it a Sydney
institution and one of Australia’s foremost fashion stores. It ceased trading in 1980.
The City Piazza building is now used as a complex of state courthouses known as the Downing Centre.
It’s former role is preserved in the ornate tile work on
the facade and surroundings.
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- Display Windows of The Downing Centre
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- Display windows of The Downing Centre
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- Elizabeth Street display windows of The Downing Centre
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- Gary in the display window of the Downing Centre
OBJECT OF DESIRE
Paintings by Ruth Law
Opening: Sunday 15 October 3.00 - 5.00pm
11 - 23 October 2017
The Palm House
Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Mrs Macquaries Road, (Woolloomooloo Gate)
Open daily 10.00am - 4.00pm
Telephone: 0405 665 496
Email: ruth@ruthlaw.net
www.ruthlaw.net
Chemin des Fileuses - ProvenceGouache, ink on handmade rice paper
99 w x 145 cm
The Olive Grove 2017
In early March this year, I had the good fortune of visiting Cabrieres-d’Avignon, Provence-Alpes, a 300 year old
village in the South of France. Good fortune, not just because of where it was, but because of when — it was
Spring. The colours and the soft light of the French countryside brought memories of the paintings I love, by French and other European Impressionists.
Along an ancient walking path I found an olive grove near Chemin des Fileuses. There was a stone wall and a small wooden bench, shaded from the sun by masses of olive leaves. It was a place of serenity and total calm. A sanctuary where I returned three more times, sat on the bench, meditated and soaked in the friendly sunlight. I absorbed everything visible, stretched, sketched and to aid my memory took just one photo.
Returning to my studio in Sydney, I drew the image several times, then layered the paint on to one of my favourite mediums, handmade rice paper. As the paper was too large for my table, I painted on the floor, using the chalkiness of gouache combined with the luminosity of French inks.
Gouache, ink on handmade rice paper
58 w x 102 cm
The Olive Grove 2 2017
While painting I continued to have the essence of ‘being there’, in that beautiful grove. My senses had memorised the essence with the fragrance of the trees and the feel and sound of the zephyrs tickling the leaves. This is the feeling I want to imbue when looking at my painting which I so much enjoyed doing. Back at our villa we ate the olives from those very same trees.
Using a softer dreamier palette I did another painting of The Olive Grove in a narrow format.
Gouache, ink on handmade rice paper
View through the French Window 2017
“View Through the French Window”
This view to the courtyard, was from my bedroom window of our villa in Cabrieres-d’Avignon. Each morning to bring in the fresh crisp air, I opened the French windows with sunshine spilling onto the sill.
“The Bentwood”
When we arrived in this lovely home there was a bunch of ‘Mimosa’ in a jug on the hall table. Painting with primary yellow along with a green that gave the abundance of life I was able to breathe new life into the fading flowers.
The green bowl is characteristic of the pottery of Provence. It was filled with fresh tomatoes, but my choice was to change the tomatoes to persimmons creating a beautiful colour palette. The Bentwood chair is my portrayal of a still life in Provence.
Exhibition: Object of Desire
Paintings by Ruth Law
The Palm House – Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Opening: Sunday 15 October 3.00 – 5.00pm
11 – 23 October 2017
Open daily 10.00-4.00pm