First Friday: Experience the Art of Nature

The downtown gallery Art First will feature two well-known local artists in June who use acrylics and watercolors as a medium.

Ruth Ann Loving and Robyn Ryan come together to create a natural show called, “Water and Woods, Real and Imagined.” Their acrylics and watercolors represent how they see nature, either in their imagination or the real world. 

Loving, who has been a member of Art First since its inception, took on the challenge of painting the ocean for this exhibit. She has attended painting workshops in Myrtle Beach to be close to the water to work. 

“I feel inspired by the ocean,” she says. “It’s so calming and very rewarding to paint.” 

Loving also has work from around Virginia that will be in the show. She has painted from her porch and in Westmoreland State Park, capturing the blooming wildflowers. 

“Color is my favorite aspect of art,” she says. 

The nature theme was an easy choice for Loving, as she’s lived in the country her entire life. “I want people to understand how valuable nature is through my work. It’s quickly disappearing, and we should take time to enjoy the natural world.” 

Ryan’s work fits closely with Loving’s, and is focused on the animals found in nature. 

“I wanted to capture those glimpses of wildlife,” Ryan says. “It’s like a secret other world, and the painting gives you a window into it.” 

A lot of Ryan’s paintings depict scenes from her own property, and many involve the evidence from the animal, instead of the actual creature. 

“It’s just a privilege to catch that glimpse of nature, because we get to see so little of it,” she says. 

In addition to her watercolors and acrylics, Ryan will also display two bronze sculptures. These tabletop equine pieces take multiple days to make, with a lengthy casting and molding process to create the finished product. 

“I want to continue to work with bronze sculptures,” Ryan says, “and continue my animal work. My art teacher used to have to bribe me for every third painting to be a non animal.” 

Ryan’s work is very fun and active, capturing moments in nature that we would otherwise miss. “I want people to look close and dwell with the piece. I want the viewer’s eye stay within it. I want them to really stop and enjoy the art.” 

Both artists want to continue their work and try new things. 

Loving says the more she paints, the more inspiration she gets, which leads to a multitude of new ideas. Ryan wants to continue in the sculpture medium, perhaps experimenting in found objects and seeing where it leads her. 

Regardless of where their future leads them, their nature work will grace the walls of Art First gallery throughout June, where it can be enjoyed and taken in by those looking to spend a little time with the outdoors. 

The opening reception for the exhibit will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday at .