Small Squares, Big Sprints: Painting for the Sherman Art Dash

Written By Ruth Williamson

Ravens an Horizons 5” x 5” inch gallery canvas gouache paintings for the 2026 Art Dash.

There is a unique kind of adrenaline that comes from knowing your artwork will eventually be the finish line of a literal race.

I’ve recently been at my drafting table working on a bird-themed prompt for an upcoming event that is very close to my heart: the Art Dash. This isn't your typical gallery opening where patrons sip wine and contemplate brushwork in hushed tones. The Art Dash is a high-energy fundraiser for the Sherman Cultural District where participants buy a ticket that grants them a meal and a "dash."

When the signal goes off, "Dashers" race across the room to claim the piece they’ve had their eye on from an array of 5" x 5" canvases. Having participated as both an artist and a Dasher every year, I can tell you—the stakes feel surprisingly high when you’re eyeing a favorite painting from across the room!

The Laboratory: My Art Sketchbook Journal

Before these Ravens ever touched the final canvas, they lived in the pages of my Art Sketchbook Journal. This journal is my sanctuary for experimentation—a place where I can invite chaos, seek out destruction, and eventually find renewal in a new concept.

For this project, I used my sketchbook to solve the "puzzle" of the ravens' iridescent feathers. I tested how different watercolor washes reacted to the gouache layers on top, exploring how much of that neon magenta I could let "peek through" the indigo shadows. My journal allows me to fail safely and develop the muscle memory needed for the final piece. It’s where I decide if a composition is strong enough to survive a sprint across the room.

The Subjects: Ravens and Horizons

For this call, I prepared two distinct pieces in gouache on canvas. Working on such a small scale (5 imes 5 inches) requires a balance of precision and punchy visual impact.

The Ravens: I wanted to capture the intelligence and "vocal" nature of these birds. Instead of a literal black, I leaned into my Fauvist and Impressionist influences, layering indigos, violets, and electric blues. By setting them against a vibrant, pulsing magenta sky, I hoped to create a sense of iridescence that feels alive.

Horizons: As a counterpart to the birds, I created a tiny, glowing horizon. My work is often inspired by the sacred cycles of creation and renewal, and there is no better symbol for that than the transition of light at dawn or dusk.

A Study in Hue and Value

Technically, these pieces were a journey from soft watercolor washes to the opaque authority of gouache.

In the Ravens, the composition is intimate and "monumental" despite the size. I focused on pushing the values—ensuring the deep shadows under the beaks and between the feathers provided enough structure to "pop" against the warm background. In the Landscape, the challenge was atmospheric perspective; using high-contrast silhouettes in the foreground to give a five-inch square the feeling of miles of depth.

Why We Dash

Beyond the fun of the sprint, the objective is the growth of our local creative community. Supporting the Sherman Cultural District ensures that our corner of Texas remains a place where art is accessible, celebrated, and—occasionally—sprinted for.

As an artist, there is a profound joy in watching someone value your work enough to run for it. It reminds me that art isn't just a solitary practice of putting paint to canvas; it’s a communal event that brings us together to celebrate the beauty in the small squares of our lives.

Ruth Williamson

🎨 Artist Statement and Bio: Ruth Williamson

Ruth Williamson is a contemporary landscape artist whose evocative work in gouache and watercolor on wood panels or paper captures the serene yet powerful essence of natural vistas. Deeply rooted in the dynamic spirit of Fauvism, Expressionism, Impressionism, and Surrealism, her style is a unique synthesis that explores the emotional and inherent beauty of both rugged and expansive landscapes.

The Vision: Cosmic Cycles, Equity, and Renewal

Williamson draws inspiration from the rich and varied terrains of the United States and the British Isles, with a particular focus on the American West, the vibrancy of the skies, and the fluid grace of flowing streams and waterfalls. Her aesthetic is defined by a bold, distinctive approach to color and light, one that often blends hues not typically found in nature. She views color as the heartbeat of her art, using it to create a tapestry of familiarity and imagination.

At the core of her artistic vision is a deep reflection on the sacred cycles of creation, destruction, and renewal—the eternal rhythm of birth, death, and potential rebirth that pervades the Cosmos and the natural world. Her work seeks to capture this possibility of regeneration amidst decay, offering a lens through which to view hope and resilience.

While landscapes are her primary subject, Williamson also explores figurative work, animal studies, and still life's. Her foundational art practice emphasized an intensive study of complementary, analogous, and contrasting hues, allowing her to continually refine her craft.

Extending the Canvas: Wearable Art and Resistance

In an exciting evolution of her creative vision, Williamson partners with Le Galeriste to transform her vibrant artworks into high-end wearable fashion and home accessories. This Wearable Art initiative ethically adapts her expressive paintings to soft, high-quality fabrics, allowing collectors to experience the life and energy of her original compositions on casual clothing.

Her art is conceived as an act of resistance against authoritarianism and the existential threat to liberty, championing a message of equity, liberty, and justice. By focusing on the foundational ethics of inclusion, her work aims to inspire conscious appreciation and active participation in moving toward a more harmonious, equitable world.

The Practice: Minimalism and Reflection

In all her work, Williamson's approach is direct and minimalist, aiming to distill the essence of the subjects she portrays. She aspires to create a reflective space where viewers can find a momentary escape, experiencing the peace and serenity of the natural world she depicts. Her art offers a window into a serene and harmonious world, underscoring her belief in the essential societal role of art to enrich lives.

Today, her creative practice extends beyond visual art to include writing essays and sharing her thoughts on Substack, embracing her role as an artist and writer who is continually producing new pieces for sale and personal reflection.

https://practicing-art.com
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