iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Painted at a vineyard yesterday. Gotta squeeze more sessions in while the weather is nice! #artyear #pleinair #winecountry #painting

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Brought my painting stuff to the Oregon coast this week. I wanted to paint on the beach Wednesday morning, but Mother Nature had other plans so I found a spot higher up until the tsunami advisory passed. #artyear #outside #coastal #painting

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Wrapping up this painting I started last week. While I still paint lots of tiny creatures, plein air painting is quickly becoming a favorite creative practice, and I’m eager to get some more sessions in before the summer is done. #pnw #scape #artyear

A plein air painting in progress featuring a tree in a rural scene with dappled shadows in the foreground

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Happiness: spending a whole morning painting and learning on Sauvie Island. #pleinair #scape #artyear #pnw

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Today I’m working on some paintings that are a little outside the norm for me, but in the meantime here is a damselfly painting! “Damsel in Delight” Oil on canvas #art #artyear #bugs #pnw #forest #painting

A painting of a blue damselfly resting on a cedar branch against a vivid backdrop of greens, blues, and pinks

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I sold a #painting! Excited for this piece to adorn its new home. 🩷 #artyear #roses #pnw #smartist

A painting of Red and pink roses in a blue clay pitcher, with a pair of garden shears laying nearby.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

It’s heavy and chaotic right now, but I gotta keep going. Crawling, cursing, inch by inch. And along the way, in spite of how they want me to feel, I will still look for that which is beautiful and kind and true.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

I’m not sure what kind of luck a painting of a ladybug on the internet might bestow, but I hope it brightens your day a bit. “Lady(bug) of the Redwoods” Oil on canvas #ladybug #JuliArty #sweet #artyear #painting

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

My art journey is a work in progress. I have a vision of the kind of art I want to make, and each time I paint that vision gets closer to reality. Keep on going. “Not a Bumblebee” Oil on canvas #bee #painting #artyear #keepgoing

A painting of a honey bee flying above tiny blue and white blossoms.

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Reposted by T. Ruth Westfern

womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Iconic anti-war poster, originally by US printmaker Lorraine Schneider, 1966 #ReframingWomenPrintmakers

Yellow poster featuring a stylised sun flower to the left and black text tobthe right

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Trying #pleinair this summer and absolutely loving it. I mean, look at this view! #painting #artyear #scape #fiveminfri #wip

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

You know the feeling of seeing something unexpected & beautiful during something routine like eating lunch? This is a Western White Butterfly floating between wildflowers, from a trip to the Bitterroots a few years back. “Lunch Break Buddy” Oil on canvas #artyear #butterfly #painting #wildflowers

A painting of a western white butterfly resting momentarily on a magenta and yellow flower, among a wildflower patch swaying in the breezy.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Painting studies of Stonecrop on Lopez Island, WA Stonecrop thrives in rocky places. So too, does hope. Oil on canvas paper #oilpainting #pnw #art #artyear

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Putting the finishing touches on this painting of a bumblebee I saw a few summers back in Tacoma, WA. “Errand Run” Oil on canvas #vibrant #blueskyartshow #artyear #bumblebee #pnw

A painting of a bumblebee resting on a purple flower with many petals.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

This painting is displayed at the Oregon Society of Artists as part of their Rose Festival Exhibition now through June! “Garden’s First Roses” Oil on panel #oilpainting #pnw #floralfriday

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Study of the day: Busy Bee #bumblebees are a favorite subject of mine, so it was a fun challenge to see if I could paint one in a single sitting. 5”x7” Oil on canvas paper #blueskyartshow #oilpainting #artyear #pnw

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Study of the day: #daisy Inspired by one of my first macro photos. Years ago I was gifted a small macro lens and started photographing things really close up: flowers, bugs, and whatever I could discover on dog walks and camping trips. 5x7” #oilpainting #nature #blueskyartshow #bloomscrolling

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

I took a painting class and have been practicing painting loose. Here’s yesterday’s plein air study, where I discovered that I frickin love painting outside. Oil on canvas paper #pleinair #oilpainting #pnw #blueskyartshow

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

It’s #worldbeeday! Spending some time today reading up on our pollinators friends- the Xerces Society has some great information xerces.org/pollinator-c... This #bumblebee painting captures a favorite memory exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains. “Powell Meadow Bumble” Oil on canvas

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Reposted by T. Ruth Westfern

European Commission @ec.europa.eu · 20/05/2025

Today, over 20,000 bee species are buzzing for #WorldBeeDay 🐝 Bees & other pollinators keep 80% of crop and wild flowering plants alive. Yet, 1 in 10 bee, hoverfly, and butterfly species are now at risk of extinction in the EU.

Split-image with the text “TO BEE or NOT TO BEE.” The left side shows a vibrant wildflower meadow with a bee on a daisy, symbolising biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. The right side shows a dry, barren landscape with dead trees and no visible wildlife, representing environmental degradation. An EU flag appears in the bottom right corner.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

I painted a #pollinator and no, it wasn’t a bee or butterfly! This is a Flower Longhorn Beetle I saw on an evening walk last summer in the Mt. Hood National Forest “Flower Longhorn Beetle’s Sunset Stroll” Oil on canvas #forestfriday #floralfriday #pnw #painting

A painting of a flower longhorn beetle pollinating yarrow in the forests of the Pacific Northwest

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

A recent study of today’s theme: #iris . This variety was found on a hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest a few years back. #smArtist #painting #artyear #wildflower

A painted study of purple iris petals with dew drops based on a macro photo taken near Silver Star Mountain.

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Reposted by T. Ruth Westfern

Seth Abramson @sethabramson.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

The world needs more of this and less of most other things

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

There were butterflies, dragonflies, huckleberries and beetles on #MtHood this summer. Painting them was like revisiting the mountain in my mind. “Butterfly in the Moment” Oil on canvas #painting #pnw #artyear #butterfly

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

When this painting was half done I asked for guesses on what insect was going to be added. When someone guessed bumblebee I told them they were right. Except I painted a honeybee. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyway enjoy this painting. “Not a Bumblebee” Oil on Canvas #painting #beeart #artsky #gardenart

An oil painting of a honeybee in blue flowers with white flowers in the background

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Challenge: paint over a painting in 1 day. I’m learning how to paint more “loose,” so this challenge had me feeling more and thinking less through the process. The result is neither my most or least favorite, and that’s OK because the point was to try. #painting #flowerart #artprocess #artist

An oil painting of a purple iris with dewdrops. This version is more detailed and took many days to complete.

This oil painting was painted over the previous one in a day. Still a purple iris, this piece is less detailed but has bolder colors and brush strokes.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Fact: this painting of a blueberry is only 10”x10”, but it’s still much bigger than an actual blueberry. “Wild Blueberry 50/50” Oil on canvas Available on my website (link in bio) #blueberry #artsky #painting #pnw

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Something small that I look forward to is when the lavender bloom and the bumblebees visit. The bumblebees are heavier than the lavender stems so they sway and bounce as the bees land and take off. It’s like a peaceful little dance. #gardenart #bumblebee #artsky #painting

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

#WIPWednesday Getting ready to add an insect to this painting. Any guesses what it will be?

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Happy #EarthDay! Brb- going to touch some grass. Or hug a tree. Or high five a branch. #pnw #trees #madrona #artsky

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Reposted by T. Ruth Westfern

womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Louise V Durham, stained glass and driftwood sculpture, Shoreham by Sea, UK #womensart

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

A tour of my tiny but mighty #artstudio, in one photo. The pieces on the wall are #wip, ready for another layer of paint. I feel lucky to create here- it’s peaceful on purpose. Any other creators here with tiny but mighty creative spaces? #studiotour #artsky

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Reposted by T. Ruth Westfern

Shellymäk @shellymak.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

I'd like to rename this the Harvard Dahalia in honor of their strength and courage to stand up for what is right. Black Fire Dahlia An intense and fiery dahlia with dramatic black petals tipped in vibrant red, creating a stunning contrast and a bold statement in any garden. #bloomscrollingharvard

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Happy #worldartday all! This year’s theme: “A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art.”

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Reposted by T. Ruth Westfern

The Nature Conservancy @nature.org · 11/04/2025

I would like to take part in a scheme. Not a bad one. Just one that involves making my own native seed balls and throwing and growing them everywhere (with permission, of course!). And sunshine. And in the end, the planet is protected. 🌻

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

I photographed this #dragonfly on #MtHood last summer and then painted it a few months later. It’s a pretty rad feeling to paint a summer memory in the middle of winter. #macrophotofriday #artsky #oilpainter #pnwart #pnwartist #natureisrad

A macro photo of a dragonfly in a forest pausing on a branch looking at a smaller bug (lunch maybe?)

A painting of the same dragonfly, interpreted with bold greens and yellows.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

What a beautiful use of recycled materials. Can you imagine the morning light streaming through these colors and textures? Dang.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

This one was in time out for several weeks b/c it wasn’t going great and I was super frustrated. Eventually it went back on the easel to be completed, and even though it didn’t turn out as I imagined, I learned a ton and count that as a win. “Temporary Time Out” #pnwartist #artsky #bumblebeeart

A moody blend of indigo and lavender paint is in the background. Many small, bright yellow wildflowers stack along the left side of the painting. Some of the wildflowers are in focus and some are blurred and out of focus. Near the middle, perched on a flower is a fuzzy bumblebee.

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

I love watching bumblebees fly around the garden with full pollen baskets. So here’s my painting “Poppy Pollen Pants” Oil on canvas #pnwart #artsky #bumblebee #gardenart

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Literally waiting for (oil) paint to dry. I’m rushing to finish my works in progress because I took a bunch of new reference photos and can’t wait to paint them. #pnwartist #bananaslug #redwoods #iwanttopaint

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T. Ruth Westfern @truthwestfern.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Good Morning from the PNW. Here is a damselfly in the Mt. Hood National Forest for #macrophotofriday, and a recently finished painting based on the photo. #babysfirstblueskypost #pnwartist #amateurpainter

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