New Smyrna Beach Plein Air Paint Out
October 20-24, 2026
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Paint Out Countdown
About the Event
It’s beautiful!
Immerse yourself in the captivating process of “en plein air” painting as acclaimed artists bring New Smyrna Beach’s stunning landscapes to life, from bustling downtown vistas to tranquil coastal havens.
This multi-day festival culminates in breathtaking exhibitions and sales, offering a unique chance to witness art in the making and acquire original masterpieces.
It’s a fundraiser!
More than just an art show, this iconic event serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the Artists’ Workshop of New Smyrna Beach. Your support directly empowers our original mission from 1958 to provide essential art education, exhibition, and appreciation community.
Get Involved
Curious about how you can champion the arts in New Smyrna Beach? Discover the profound impact of becoming a Patron, Sponsor, or volunteer. Additional questions? Contact our office at (386) 424-9254.
Merch Available
Visit the Artists’ Workshop Gallery on Magnolia (207 Magnolia St.) Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to browse and purchase official event merchandise. All proceeds directly support Artists’ Workshop community programming and daily operational needs.
Featured Artwork: Sun Drenched Fun by Jeanette Herron, Niceville, Florida
Schedule of Events
The NSB Paint Out Gallery is FREE and open to the public daily. All art is for sale as soon as it hits the artists’ panels. Note: Art Demonstrations are FREE and open to the public. Look for signs leading to each event. Audience is encouraged to ask questions. Bring a chair!
Schedule is subject to change and will be updated as details are finalized.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
2pm – 5pm | Wet Gallery Open to the Public
@ AW Studios (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)2pm – 4pm | Community Art Demo
Catherine Hillis “Value is Everything”
@ AW Main Campus (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
9am – 3pm | Wet Gallery Open to the Public
@ AW Studios (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)10am – 12pm | Community Art Demo
Preston King “Plein Air in Pastels”
@ Nejma’s Boutique (319 Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)1pm – 3pm | Community Art Demo
Elisabeth Ferber “Historical Buildings”
@ Gallery on Magnolia (207 Magnolia Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168)5pm – 8pm | Collectors’ Reception & Live Auction
@ AW Studio Pavilion (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169) – Sign up to be a Patron!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
9am – 5pm | Wet Gallery Open to the Public
@ AW Studios (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)10am – 1:30pm | Kids Paint Too!
@ AW Studio Pavilion (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)10am – 12pm | Community Art Demo
Dana Enders
@ JB’s Fish Camp (859 Pompano Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)2pm – 4pm | Community Art Demo
Robin Popp “3 Keys to Create Distance”
@ AW Studio Pavilion (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)5:30pm – Dusk | Evening Paint
@ Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille (200 Boatyard St, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
9am – 5pm | Wet Gallery Open to the Public
@ AW Studios (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)10am – 12pm | Community Art Demo
Charles Dickinson “Keeping it Fresh”
@ AW Studio Pavilion (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)2pm – 4pm | Community Art Demo
Ruth Squitieri
@ CNSB Christmas Park (Corner of Canal St and Live Oak St, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
9am – 3pm | Wet Gallery Open to the Public
@ AW Studios (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)10am – 1pm | Barracuda & Blue Skies: Artists Live Paint
@ AW Studio Pavilion (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169)5pm – 8pm | Grand Finale & Final Art Sales
@ AW Studio Pavilion (540 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169) – Sign up to be a Patron!Special events are complimentary for Sponsors and Patrons; however, individual tickets are now available for $75 each online or at the event.
What is Plein Air Painting?
“En plein air,” a French term meaning “in the open air,” describes the practice of painting outdoors, directly observing the subject in its natural environment. This technique emphasizes capturing the immediate effects of natural light, color, and movement, allowing artists to convey the true spirit and essence of a landscape or scene.
While artists have a history of working outdoors, the mid-19th century marked a turning point with the invention of paints in tubes and portable box easels, making plein air painting a more practical and accessible approach.
The plein air movement reached its zenith with Impressionism, a period that saw masters like Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Cézanne, and Van Gogh embrace outdoor painting to revolutionize art. This dedication to capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere directly from nature continues to resonate with artists today.
The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed a significant resurgence of interest in plein air painting, particularly in the United States, leading to the formation of “Paint Outs” – gatherings where artists come together to paint in specific locations, sharing their skills and passion with the public and each other.
Let's take it outside! Ways to support NSB Paint Out
Sponsors, patrons, and guests enjoy access to a variety of ticketed special events during the NSB Paint Out such as…
Collector’s Reception & Live Auction
This evening event held at Artists’ Workshop will showcase 20 unique pieces of art that are only available during this evening’s live auction. Join us for champagne, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and music while you mix and mingle with this year’s artists.
- 100% of the proceeds from the sale of art during this event will support our Artists’ Workshop educational workshops and classes, summer camp, our creative outreach programs.
Individual tickets will be available in October or be a Patron & secure your spot now!
Grand Finale & Final Art Sales
This wonderful evening, held at Artists’ Workshop, will be filled with beautiful art, music, food, refreshments, and most importantly . . . the last opportunity to purchase the beautiful art created throughout the week in & around New Smyrna Beach.
Individual tickets will be available in October or be a Patron & secure your spot now!
Patrons Information
As the NSB Paint Out continues to draw hundreds of people to explore our beautiful coastal community, we are reminded to celebrate the unique beauty around us here. With its incredible diverse landscapes of breaches, dunes, marshes, sea-life, shorelines, and lagoons, the Paint Out brings attention to the importance for our natural assets to remain healthy and pristine for the future.
As our non-profits’ largest Fundraiser your support will help the Artists’ Workshop continue to bring quality Arts Education to adults and youth in our community.
Sponsorship Information
Showcase your brand to artists and art lovers and support the longest running art-charted group in New Smyrna, the Artists’ Workshop, by sponsoring the 15th annual NSB Plein Air Paint Out, gaining visibility and connecting with a passionate audience.
Artists’ Workshop offers a range of sponsorship levels to align with your business goals, providing opportunities for brand visibility, community engagement, and direct connection with artists and art enthusiasts.
Meet the Artists!
Cathy Berse
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Ninety-nine percent of my oil paintings are done on site, “alla Prima”. I feel that allows me to capture the light that caught my eye as well as the true colors of nature. I love what I do and it is my goal to pass that love along in my work. If a viewer can step into the scene I have just painted and get as much pleasure from it as I did painting it, I consider it a successful painting.
Cathy Berse is a long time resident of Florida. Cathy attended the University of Wisconsin, University of Tennessee and Milwaukee Area Technical College. In years past she has worked as a graphic designer, teacher and muralist. Cathy’s murals ranged from small to the largest at 4, 800 sq. feet. Cathy taught art for Daytona Beach Community College, Artists’ Workshop, Inc. and Atlantic Center for the Arts. She is now an avid Plein Air Artist and her work can be found in private homes as well as public places including The White House, New Smyrna Beach’s City Hall, the Historical Museum and AdventHealth.
Christopher Leeper
Canfield, Ohio
Christopher Leeper is a realist painter and workshop instructor painting in all mediums. His award-winning work has been shown in solo and juried exhibitions throughout the country. He has illustrated four children’s books and has written and illustrated the book Realism in Watermedia, (North Light). His work has also been featured in The Artist’s Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Watercolor Magic and Ohio Magazine and in the book Splash 14 (North Light). In 2021, he was a finalist in the Plein Air Magazine Salon and was featured in the Aug./Sept. 2021 issue of the magazine.
He has participated in national exhibitions with the American Watercolor Society, American Impressionists Society, Oil Painters of America and National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. He also participates in national juried and invitational plein air events such as Easton, Door County, and Cape Ann. In 2026, he was selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Ohio Watercolor Society. He graduated from Youngstown State University in 1988 with a BFA degree in graphic design. He is past president of the Ohio Watercolor Society and is a signature member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society and Oil Painters of America. He is on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Plein Air Society and the Cliffside Artists Collaborative, Hinckley, OH. Since 2000, he has painted and taught full- time from his studio in Canfield, Ohio.
Charles Dickinson
St. Augustine, Florida
The landscape offers endless inspiration. With its colors, shifting shadows, and luminous skies I feel a warm connection to nature that I try to capture in my paintings. I always hope that viewers of my work will feel that connection too.
Charles Dickinson’s paintings have a life and energy that illuminate his work. His brushstrokes are purposeful and painterly. He feels fortunate to have been a plein air artist since he first discovered painting on location in 1978.
For many years Charles considered the outdoors his studio and studied the art of creating works alla prima (in one sitting) as well as returning to a chosen scene over several days or weeks to complete a more complex work. For the most part his work was a solitary endeavor but over the last two decades Charles has been fortunate to participate in invitational and juried plein air painting events. He is inspired by the challenges of painting new landscapes with limited time and the opportunity to paint alongside his peers. He also enjoys the opportunity to bring awareness and contribute what he can to the environmental and cultural cause that these events often benefit.
Charles is an award-winning artist who is collected internationally. He says he is challenged and inspired to create quality and lasting beauty in his work that reflects his love of nature and his love of exploring art and nature.
Dana Enders
My intention as an artist is to capture life’s moments through the use of light and color. I accomplish this through plein air painting. I will always choose to paint on location opposed to in the studio. When painting outdoors, I experience light and color in a very unique way using all of my senses. I strive to paint only what I feel are the essential elements needed to capture the essence of a scene or moment in time. I find that summarizing the experience allows the person viewing the painting to complete the picture in their mind, bringing forth detail and life to the scene, as if they were actually there. That is where my passion for painting in plein air ignites! Giving life to a painting so that the viewer feels the sand beneath their toes, the warmth of the sun, and the smell of the warm gulf breeze!
Elisabeth Ferber
Mt. Dora, Florida
My artwork can best be described as “classical representational”. I do not seek to change what is, but to paint it and present it as I perceived it at the time. I strive to create a painting that shows the beauty and character of wildlife and/or landscapes.
Although I do paint a little of everything, wildlife and their landscapes are my favorite. My landscapes are painted from life whenever possible and the wildlife is studied and photographed by myself. My goal is to capture scenes in the hope that others will see and appreciate the land that we have today.
Elisabeth Ferber was born in Belleville, Illinois but spent most of her adult life in Central Florida. Born of artistic parents and having spent much of her childhood in Europe, Elisabeth was exposed to a very classical art background which in turn influenced her current style.
Elisabeth is a member of Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Florida and Central Florida Plein Air Artists.
Martha Ferguson
St. Augustine, Florida
Martha Ferguson is a national, award winning artist from St Augustine, FL. Painting primarily in oil, she considers herself a contemporary impressionist and avid plein air painter. Martha is best known for her street scenes and loves old gritty towns. After college, Martha started her professional art career at the Jersey shore where she lived for over 30 years. Moving on to St Augustine in 2014, she joined local plein air groups that met regularly. Quickly learning the benefits of painting on location, she spends many days painting in the open air. Martha has participated in several distinguished, invitational paint outs and juried art shows. You can find her award winning paintings at the prestigious, Grand Bohemian Art Gallery in St Augustine, FL.
Millie Gosch
Millie Gosch is a highly accomplished and collectible artist. As a Plein Air painter she gets inspiration leaving the four walls of her studio to work in a natural setting. Millie prefers painting from life outdoors, and when not possible a still-life set up in the studio provides the inspiration.
While some artists work from a photograph or memory, plein air artist’s work from direct observation to paint in nature, capturing their subject matter in real time. For Millie, this way of working is both her passion and her calling. The studies she paints from life are then used as references to paint a much larger format in the studio. Her goal is to invite viewers into her painting to have their own experience. Her work is known for its vibrant use of color and texture.
The beauty and quality of Millie’s work reflects her lifelong appreciation of nature and the outdoors. Growing up in a small Georgia town, Millie developed a deep love for nature in general and particularly the South. As an artist her favorite subjects are Lowcountry and pastoral scenes.
Throughout her life-long artistic journey Millie has drawn inspiration from not only her surroundings but also from the artist’s whose work she admires. Granville Redmond, Edgar Payne, George Ennis, and Winslow Homer are some of her favorite American painters. Contemporary favorites include Rodger Dale Brown, Ray Roberts, Ken DeWaard, and Anne Blair Brown.
Stephanie Amato
Milton, Georgia
Stephanie Amato is an oil painter based in Milton, GA.. Originally from Long Island,, she began working as a computer programmer before pursuing a career in art. She studied at Parsons School of Design and continued her training at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, The Art Students League of New York, and the New York Academy of Art. Her background in graphic design continues to influence her work, particularly in composition and structure.
Stephanie has exhibited in both regional and national shows, earning numerous awards for her work. She is a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society and the Pastel Society of New Jersey, a Resident Member of the Salmagundi Club, an Associate Member of the Oil Painters of America, and previously served as President of the New Jersey Society of En Plein Air Painters.
Working both in the studio and outdoors, Stephanie creates landscapes, florals, and figurative work that emphasize expression over the subject itself. She focuses on light, composition, and color, working in an impressionistic style. Her work can be found in galleries and exhibitions along the East Coast.
“I work in the alla prima style painting impressionistic landscapes, seascapes and floral compositions. My reaction to the scene is what creates the energy and movement I express in the piece.”
Jeanette Herron
Niceville, Florida
In an era where life pulls and drives us for more and more, art allows us a meditated pause – an image that lets us remember and stay ever connected to what we love.
Jeanette was born into a family of professional artists and honed her art skills under the expertise of her mother and grandfather. Through those influences and through years of intense daily discipline, Jeanette developed her voice as an artist. Jeanette lived and studied in Italy where she was an invited and awarded participant in numerous plein air competitions, including the extempores “Tema Cima da Conegliana,” and “Nel Borgo di Valvasone,” as well as painting at the bi-annual Castelli Apertiat Castello di Strassoldo. Jeanette returned to the United States in early 2020, and now lives permanently on Florida’s Emerald Coast. She is represented by Kyo Gallery in Washington DC, Riverside Gallery in Apalachicola, Florida, and Dauphin Island Gallery, Dauphin Island, Alabama. In addition, she is a regular exhibitor and teacher at Artful Things in her hometown of Niceville, Florida.
Scott Hiestand
Ormond Beach, Florida
Scott Hiestand is an award-winning plein air painter and sculptor based in Ormond Beach, Florida. A graduate of the Hussian School of Art, Scott began his career creating wildlife artwork for Hallmark Cards before spending 35 years as a newspaper graphic artist and illustrator.
Working solely in acrylics, Scott’s landscape paintings capture the fleeting light and unique moods of the Florida outdoors. His work has achieved national recognition—including wins in the PleinAir Magazine Salon Contest and the Indiana Upland Bird Stamp—and is included in prominent collections such as the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. Beyond painting and wire sculpting, Scott is an avid falconer who finds constant inspiration in the wild.
Catherine Hillis
Locust Grove, Virginia
I can’t imagine a day not painting. I consider it an honor to interpret the landscape around us and I hope that, through my art, I can record scenes for future generations.
Catherine Hillis defines herself as an artist, teacher, writer, and juror. Working primarily in watercolors, the artist loves the transparency and immediacy of the fluid mark. She finds herself drawn to scenes that are often forgotten and seeks out the intrinsic beauty in the most neglected of places. Trained in theatre and painting, the artist merges these disciplines in her fine art paintings with a narrative that is uniquely her own. She travels extensively to paint in national juried plein air events and invitationals and to teach workshops. Her work is found in corporate and private collections around the world.
Hillis has won hundreds of awards in national and international competitions. She’s earned signature membership in eight national arts organizations as well as the Laguna Plein Air Painters and the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. A regular contributor to the American Watercolor Weekly Newsletter, her work has been featured in Watercolor Magazine, American Watercolor Weekly, Fine Art Connoisseur, PleinAir Magazine, the Washington Post and the Splash series.
Hillis maintains a home studio in Locust Grove, VA and at Sophia Street Studios in Fredericksburg, VA.
Preston King
Homerville, Georgia
My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret what my visual senses experience and express them in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to both the viewer and me. Through the years, I have come to understand that this is an ongoing dynamic process, with my artistic sensitivities continually morphing, with little cognitive effort. Each painting is an extension of my past and a glimpse into my future. If a viewer stops for just a moment to view and reflect on a work I have created, then I have succeeded.
Preston King, an award-winning artist, was born in Clinch County, Georgia. He began studying painting at age 13, starting in pastels, and then received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Valdosta State University. Later, he returned to school to earn his Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree, also from Valdosta State University. “I am one of the most fortunate people I know. Being able to pursue both a career as a healthcare professional and an artist, is a luxury not afforded all. The combination of both created in me a sense of balance.”.
Having retired from healthcare as a Healthcare Compliance Officer, Preston now devotes full time to working exclusively in pastels, with the majority of his efforts devoted to “en plein air” painting.
Stewart Jones
Stewart Jones is a Florida-based fine artist whose paintings reflect a deep exploration of the natural world. Raised amidst the vast farmlands of Ohio, Stewart’s early connection to open spaces became a lifelong driving force in his art. He later studied commercial art at Ferris State University before returning to his native Florida.
Working both in studio and en plein air, Stewart creates works ranging from vibrant landscape studies to modern abstracts, all defined by lyrical expression and striking color. His artwork is held in private and corporate collections globally. Stewart maintains a studio at Gallery on First in Sanford, Florida, and regularly exhibits at Ocean Art Gallery in Ormond Beach and The Artistic Hand in Oviedo.
Barbara Ortiz
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
My love of the outdoors and plein air painting are perfect partners. In my paintings, I am trying to capture the essence and spirit of the landscape and at times individual subjects. Plein air painting allows for the direct observation of color, light and movement. When I am painting in plein air, I am involving all five senses. I can see the glowing light and soft shadows. My skin is feeling the warm breeze as I smell the fresh flowers. The paintbrush or pastel stick is gliding across the canvas and I can hear the birds chattering. I am fully engaged and could not be happier. This is the difference between plein air painting and painting in the studio.
I am fortunate to live in Florida where the atmospheric conditions create gorgeous light. We have exquisite beaches, turquoise springs and dense, rich forests. Hopefully my work will inspire their protection and preservation.
I took life drawing classes in the North Jersey Art Center while in high school. In college I studied fine art at Monmouth College and Fairleigh Dickenson University. In 1984, I moved to Cancun, Mexico where I resided until 1994. During that time, I owned and operated an interior decorating business. Upon returning to the United States, my husband and I along with our two children, settled in Florida.
Once my children were in high school I resumed studying oil painting and pastel. Pursuing plein air painting was a natural progression. I participate in juried and invitational events as well as competitions in both oils and pastels and have won a number of awards in both mediums.
Robin Popp
Trenton, Florida
As humans, we are made of earth. I love exploring this connection with nature. Working en plein air, I have the opportunity to be immersed in the sounds and sights of the environment, and I try to capture those details for the viewer.
Oil paint is chosen for its luminosity as well as for the enduring, earthly elements that compose the paint itself. The more I paint, the more it draws me in to discovery. This is the joy I want to express in my work.
A native of Florida, Robin attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, and received a certificate as a cabinetmaker from Ptec in Clearwater, FL. She started plein air painting in early 2000 and has been at it ever since. She and her husband run a small working farm in north central Florida, and much of the surrounding rural area has ended up on canvas. Robin has two studios on her farm where she does both painting and woodworking. She also loves teaching and travels throughout the southeast with her workshops.
Patrick Rausch
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
I have been painting and drawing most of my life and continue to get a thrill every time I paint. In addition, I get a great deal of satisfaction sharing with others what others have shared with me. Painting and drawing are very teachable and in time, creativity will follow and flow.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Patrick grew up with tropical and ocean surroundings. Numerous visits since childhood to the Florida Keys and years of diving and sailing along with having a home in the Ocala National Forest for a number of years has had a strong and lasting influence on the subjects Patrick chooses to paint.
From beautiful cloud formations at sunset, to a quaint cottage in the Keys, to tranquil back country landscapes, to soothing seascapes, he finds and captures a feeling that relates to the beauty around us.
Patrick has been sharing and teaching others to paint for over 10 years and currently teaches classes at The Artists’ Workshop in New Smyrna Beach.
Craig Reynolds
Gadsden, Alabama
Coming from a family of artists, I have been associated with painting and the art business for many years. My dad was a well-known water colorist in our area and taught me how to draw and paint at an early age. As years went by and his health declined I would take him on long countryside drives where we would stop and paint or take photos of the old barns and landscapes that he loved so much.
Craig Reynolds, driven by a youthful reverence for nature, discovered a profound appreciation for the outdoors, aged farms, and history-laden harbors. Craig’s technique, rooted in painting from life, breathes atmosphere into his work, creating dynamic scenes that embody the essence of each location. His belief in capturing the scene’s DNA is realized through on-location painting, a process that imparts a timeless quality to his art, echoing the well-worn scars and narratives of the landscapes he passionately portrays.
Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Craig honed his artistic skills under his father’s guidance, mastering the craft of drawing and painting. Balancing a career in the steel industry, he pursued art part-time until his 2005 retirement marked the inception of his full-time art business. While crediting his father and college professor, Reynolds largely became self-taught, immersing himself in the works of masters like the Wyeths, Sargent, and Gruppe. His lifelong journey of learning reflects a passion for art, blending traditional techniques with personal evolution, resulting in a unique and inspired body of work that showcases his diverse influences and artistic growth.
Tom Sadler
Orlando, Florida
Observing nature with the intention of creating a painting sparks a keener awareness and appreciation of the inherent beauty in all that we see. Many times it is the sense of light that interests me the most and can become the dominant subject of my painting. The color and atmosphere also play a role as they vie for attention and interpretation. To successfully communicate I feel that the painting should in some sense “come to life” in my mind’s eye and then hopefully for the viewer.
Since moving to Orlando in 1983, Tom Sadler has dedicated his efforts toward capturing the light, color, and mood of the Central Florida landscape. The intense light, combined with the natural beauty of the many lakes, rivers and parks of the area provide a never-ending source of inspiration. His paintings come to life as a celebration of this beauty found in nature, sometimes exuberant, at other times more subtle.
Tom received his BFA at Auburn University. Sadler’s education included the study of oil painting with instructor Jack Dempsey at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, which Tom considers of utmost value. He also attended the School of Visual Arts in New York. Since that time he has studied the work of a variety of artists, each having different influences on his work. Sadler feels a pressing desire and necessity to paint each day. He feels that the door is just opening to the world of revealing all that is possible for him through his artwork.
Ruth Squitieri
Port Orange, Florida
Ruth Squitieri was born and raised in a small town in Germany, before settling in Florida in her early 20s. She always had art in her life. While her family was very musical, she was the only one who always had a pencil or brush in her hand. After painting a lot in watercolor and acrylics, she discovered oils about 20 years ago. In 2008 she took her first plein air workshop and has been hooked to on-site painting ever since. Ruth currently includes quick pen and ink sketches in her repertoire, especially when traveling. She is now focusing on urban sketching with pen and ink washed over with fun splashes of watercolor.
Ruth loves to share her talent and knowledge and has been doing demos at artists’ groups as well as during paintout/plein air festivals in the Central Florida area for many years. She is a sought-after instructor at the Artists Workshop in New Smyrna Beach, teaching principles of Composition and Perspective along with an intensive immersion into art for beginners, head and figure drawing, and pen and ink sketching.
Artist Statement
Ruth believes that working from life allows you to put the most truthful statement onto paper, and also the most interesting. “The camera doesn’t capture all the light and details in the shadows, but puts everything in focus. That is not how we see the world.” To this point she studies the scene that’s in front of her and puts down what nature presents her with, carefully repositioning certain elements, eliminating others, but always focusing on the quality of light (when painting in oils) or fun details (when doing urban sketching).
386-451-6857
