It's not easy being green, 2018

Watercolor on graph paper

8.5" x 11"

Image Description:

Since Blackson was 7 years old, she always wanted to make things - an urge to make a mark on a piece of paper, picking up a piece of yarn and stitching (taught by my grandmother) or painting colors on a page. Fast forward 36 years and those same yearnings are present. Like her 7 year old self she tends to be a 'rule follower', the graph paper artworks that she has made over the years began as a logical system. However, she is only human and often she loses control of the piece and they become something different from her initial intention. When she revisits the work it is often the 'failure' in the system she has created for herself that makes the work more interesting, tangible, relatable and beautiful.

Artist Bio:

Ruth Scott Blackson has been a practicing artist for over 20 years. In 2015 her work was selected for the exhibition series at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, while in the latter part of 2013 she had her first solo show in Old City, Philadelphia. Most recently she showed a selection of paper weavings at 'The Art Grind' in Danville, PA, while in 2021 she was an Artist in Residence at the Fitler Club in Philadelphia as part of Collection 2.0, and her work was selected for 'Of the Grid' group exhibition at the Leonard Pearlstein gallery at Drexel University. While not in her art studio and running around after her two kids, Ruth can be found at The Book Restorer, her book restoration and binding company.