Ruth Downes
Painting (acrylic and oil); Bookbinding
I've been painting in watercolor, oils and acrylics for some time, while also pursuing printmaking, bookbinding, and other media. In recent years, I have become focused on making miniature books and paintings.
My earliest memories are of drawing, and I’ve never really stopped! Over the years I earned a BFA and MFA in printmaking, spent years working in an unrelated field, returned to etching, discovered letterpress printing, revisited woodcut and linocut printing, made jewelry, printed books, and devoted myself to watercolor, oil painting, and acrylic painting. Recently I began making miniature books using texts primarily from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, combining my passions for books, history, mystery, miniatures, and antiquity. My current favorite medium for painting is water-based acrylic, though I still love the capabilities of oil and watercolor. In painting I am attracted to images with an interesting interplay of form and light, and in my miniature books I’m seeking a sense of magic. I’m happy if a piece of my art or a tiny book can take the beholder to a place of pleasure or wonder.
Directions to Studio #17 at 346 Screech Owl, The Sea Ranch. From Hwy 1, turn east (inland) on Halcyon (at the north end of Sea Ranch). At the 4-way-stop, turn left on Deer Trail, then left onto Screech Owl. We're halfway down the street on the left. We will be on the deck in back of the house.
Studio Tour Hours:
August 24-25 & Aug. 31-Sept 2
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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no public restrooms,
no pets please