In the Beginning

Creating is the thing that challenges me the most and what I enjoy doing more than anything else, at this stage of my life. But getting from where I started to where I am today, has been a path filled with trials and difficulty. I began my art career early, coming from an art family (the daughter of Oleg Stavrowsky). I painted a variety of subjects, what I call “Americana”. It was a good start, and I built a lot of “must have” skills to become a decent artist. I had a successful career, winning awards, being represented by a few heavy-hitter galleries, and gaining a following. I truly enjoyed the artist’s life, interacting with fellow artists and collectors. At the time, this worked quite well with my other love, being a mother here in Washington. 

Changes

I was living in a small town in the 90’s and after a divorce, struggled with the relative isolation of my career, as a single parent. I gradually stopped painting, sending work to my last show in 1996, and eventually started school to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Though I don’t consider it my vocation, my career as a “speech-teacher” was one of my life dreams, and I found this to be rich, fulfilling work...and I got paid for correcting people’s grammar! 

Over the years, former collectors, my father, and my husband would periodically ask if I was ever going to paint again. In 2015, once well settled in my new career, I did start to paint. Focusing mostly on wildlife and using acrylics, I put work in Mountain Trails Gallery in Santa Fe, won “Best of Show in Acrylics” in the Heart of the West show in Coeur d’Alene that year, and resumed selling paintings to private collectors here and there. I painted on a very part time basis but was starting to think of myself as an artist again and planning to increase my output.

In 2017-2018 I was involved in a series of automobile accidents that virtually shut down both my painting and my SLP work. Unable to walk stably, talk or comprehend clearly, I struggled to recover and spent the better part of a year in rehabilitation, not returning to my SLP work until 2019, with many resulting deficits taking years to heal. Just when I was getting back on my feet, COVID came along and threw another monkey wrench into the works. These things all had a profound unhappy effect. I eventually retired as a “speech-teacher” in 2023 (Though I may still correct your grammar!) It was work I loved, but something told me it was time to move on.

What’s influencing me now.

I took a few years to rest and regroup, completely remodeled a duplex I own, and turned the units into mid-term rentals. Luckily, I was able to utilize my artistic drive in that project, “The Art House”, incorporating wall art, furniture, and faux finishing into the mix. I am now embarking on a new chapter of my artistic life. Some of my subject matter is similar, but the mediums I use and my style have evolved considerably. The physical, mental, and emotional trials I’ve experienced in the past decade are, no doubt, influencing my work. I am much more aware of the fragility of life. The hyper-speed changes in communication and imagery, and the environmental calamity of the natural world play alongside my delight in laughing, and the recognition of peace and beauty at the core of life.  My family, friends, and pets are all wonderful influences on my art. Don’t be surprised to find a bit of dog hair in my paintings. It’s not technique, they’re just so often in my studio…

Where I was formerly focused primarily on “representational” painting, my style has expanded. I am now more fascinated by the mysterious, ineffable qualities and unique expression of my inner landscape, than a correctly executed piece that looks “just like the subject”, though that can certainly still appear in my work. Story-telling has always been an important part of my work and I believe the basic skills of good drawing, design, and color are vital to producing a good work of art, but I’m letting more of the indefinable come out; letting more of the spiritual come in. I often don’t know what’s going to happen with a painting, and I like it that way.

I’m entering the art world anew, in a way, kind of a bare-bottomed baby with graying hair. I’m humbled by, and grateful to the friends and family who encourage me. I’m excited about what I’m producing, and look forward to interacting with fellow artists and collectors. 

Holy mackerel! I get to be an artist again! Life is sweet.

Oil and acrylic painting, previously represented by:

Trailside Americana—Carmel, CA

Mountain Trails Gallery—Santa Fe, NM

Bergdorf Gallery—Leavenworth, WA

Silver Sprectrum Gallery—Seattle, WA

Gallery at Shoal Creek—Austin, TX

Awards:

Best of Show, Acrylics—Heart of the West Art Show and Auction-2015

Catalogue Cover Artist—Ellensburg Western Art Show and Auction-1996

Judge’s Award—National Western Art Show and Auction-1995

Catalogue Insert Artist—Ellensburg Western Art Show and Auction1988

Limited Edition print Artist for Arts in the Parks (Point of Interest)—1989

Rodeo Poster Award—Ellensburg Rodeo-1991

Previously advertised in Southwest Art

Toppenish Mural Society Murals: Ruth Parton Story and The Pix Theatre