Welcome to the Fraidy Cat Studio Blog

Happenings, inspiration and musings from the life of Ruth Yuhas

Introducing… You’ve Been Sketched

It is with great anticipation and excitement that I embark on this next chapter of my artistic journey. I’ve been painting now for over 20 years, but 3 years ago I decided to go back to basics and took a sketching class through www.sketchbookskool.com. One class turned into 3 classes and before I knew it I was sketching more than I was painting. I began carrying a sketchbook, pens and micro-watercolor set with me everywhere I went. Sketching is my new art love. And I’ve created a new project and space to share this love with you. I would love for you to check it out and let me know what you think. Visit my new art love: www.youvebeensketched.com.    ...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you have the most wonderfulist and deliciousist Thanksgiving ever with lots of family, friends, food and fun!...

Deconstructed Flower Painting

Surprising to me, the most popular theme chosen during my 5x5x5=125 Challenge was FLOWER POWER. On the last day of flower paintings I did for the challenge, I decided to take photos of one of the paintings as it developed. Here is how it went…     To close, I want to let you know of the Annual Holiday Fair at the Cottage Gallery on Los Rios Street this weekend, November 15 & 16 from 10 am – 4 pm, with live music on Sunday.  If you’re thinking about starting your holiday shopping this weekend, this could be a goldmine for you with beautiful paintings and prints, jewelry, glasswork, and other expertly made crafts at price points that fit almost any gift-giving budget. (Wow, I should write commercials!) Anyway, details can be found by clicking HERE. Have a great weekend!...

Taking a Break From My Regularly Scheduled Content…

… to let you know I will be joining eleven award-winning artists at the Mission Viejo Country Club this Wednesday evening for a one-night-only art event from 5-9 PM. It’s open to the public, so that means you’re invited. 🙂 In contrast to the small works of the 5x5x5=125 Challenge, I’ll be showing some of my larger paintings, and of course I would love to see you there! Happy Monday from Fraidy Cat Studios!      ...

THE END…?

First of all, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came to celebrate with me at the reception yesterday and to everyone who supported me and cheered me on during the last 5 weeks! I was exhausted and stretched to my max but having you all there, experiencing your support and appreciation of my work in person was uplifting and energizing. Thank you! I can honestly say painting 125 paintings that I felt good about in 25 days was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. I hope you’ll stay tuned for a wrap-up post about what I learned from this experience. Also, I have some ideas cookin’ that will be rolled out over the next month so I hope to continue to keep you inspired, entertained and amused on the Fraidy Cat Studio blog. Thank you again for showing up for me during my journey and yesterday! While I’m still nursing a painting-hangover, I’m excited for more inspired projects and events to come. Ruth    ...

5x5x5=ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE!!!!!!!!!

DAY TWENTY FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! “What one does is what counts,” said Picasso, “not what one had the intention of doing.” “The day has come and I am done,” said Ruth Yuhas, “in more ways than one.”   These paintings are sold. If you’d like to own paintings like them, please contact me using the form below. Thank you! Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your Message...

5x5x5=120

Day 24!!! I can’t believe tomorrow is the last day! Today’s paintings were totally off the program. A friend of mine saw this challenge I’ve been doing as a chance to experiment with different styles of painting (like I need more of a challenge in this challenge!) Anyway, she suggested the animal paintings I did on Day 15, and these were inspired from those. Do I need to mention that I’m very happy tomorrow is the last day of this challenge? Well, I’m very happy tomorrow is the last day of this challenge! 😉   These paintings are sold. You can see all five in this series at the 5x5x5=125 Challenge Celebration & Art Reception between 1 and 3 PM on Sunday, November 2nd. For more information, contact me using the form below. Thank you!   Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your Message...

5x5x5=115

DAY 23 At the start of this challenge, I had no idea which theme would be the most popular. This morning I began painting what started out as unsold paintings. I thought I would paint one of each theme so the sponsors would have more choices to trade with if that’s what they chose to do at the reception this Sunday.  So I started with a flower painting and just when I was about to finish it, the phone rang. “Ruth here.” “Hi Ruth, I’m a friend of your friend M. I saw the remarkable paintings you’ve done on your blog.” (Oh cool, someone’s looking at my blog!) “I’m hoping you have a day left that I could sponsor.” I looked down at my almost finished painting on the table. “Any chance you want a flower painting in your mix?” I asked. “Oh yes! In fact, I was hoping for a day of Flower Power.” “I think I can do that.” Timing is everything.  And it turns out FLOWER POWER is the most popular theme.  😉   Today’s paintings are sold. If you would like to own paintings like these, please contact me using the form below. Thank you!   Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your...

5x5x5=110

Day 22 Things cooled down a bit for the theme chosen by today’s sponsor: ABSTRACT in COOL colors. Here’s all five of today’s paintings.   These paintings are sold. If you’d like to own paintings like these, please contact me using the form below. Thank you!   Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your...

5x5x5=105

Day 21 Today kicked off the last week of my challenge. (Whew, that feels good to say!) The wall of paintings from this challenge in Fraidy Cat Studio is growing and I’m excited for you to see them and party with me next Sunday! If you didn’t receive an evite, contact me via the form below and I’ll make sure you get the details because everyone is invited!                         These paintings are sold. If you’d like to own paintings like these, please contact me using the form below. Thank you!   Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your Message        ...

5x5x5=ONE HUNDRED!

DAY 20 IT’S HAPPY HOUR… with a TWIST and a TURN!   So I was painting along this morning… first some red wine, then a little white, a quick shot and then I started feeling a little tipsy. “Hmmm,” I thought to myself, “I’m really starting to feel these drinks.” And then the grim realization hit: OH NO, IT’S VERTIGO! Couldn’t let a little vertigo interrupt the challenge, so if the paintings appear to be leaning slightly, they probably are. TGIF!!!           I hope you have a GREAT weekend!  (one week to go and then we get to party!)   These paintings are available. If you’d like to own them, contact me using the form below. Thank you!   Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your...

5x5x5=95

Day 19 Today’s paintings just came out of nowhere. There are two more in the series that you’ll be able to see at the party on Nov. 2nd.     These paintings are available. If you are interested in purchasing them please contact me using the form below. And any paintings that have not been “claimed” before the post-challenge party are available for trading for all those who sponsored a day of my challenge and already own paintings. Tomorrow = 100 paintings.   Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your...