Watercolors by Ruth Seeley

“I grew up loving color, drawing and all sorts of art. I am also a birthright Friend from England. Although art was never discouraged in our house, and I studied it to advanced level general certificate of education, I absorbed a subliminal Quaker sense that art was . . . not useful, that time would be better spent helping others, and the old adage, I wouldn’t be able to earn a living painting.”

“I traveled, worked in Africa, moved to the US in the late 1960s, and joined the non-profit world. When I found myself retired a couple of years early, I rushed out to sign up for a water color class and bought paper and paint. What a revelation! I learned not only from my teacher, but also from my fellow students.”

“I work primarily from my own photographs and have a partiality for landscapes and earthy colors. I’m constantly trying to loosen up – to use detail only as a special focus. Each painting is an adventure that starts off in my head but ends up affected by color, line, and experimental changes. I can’t imagine ever stopping learning and being excited by the infinite ways in which water color can be put on paper. I hope the viewer will enjoy living with a painting as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it.”

Travel directions to Pendle Hill.