Sunday, July 31, 2011

Patron Painting Photo


It is Sunday and a day to enjoy so I thought I would share a photo I received from a painting collector, Sarah.  Sarah not only collects paintings, but Converse shoes better known to some as Chucks.  She has quite a collection of the real thing and now has started a collection of Converse Shoe paintings.  The painting shown above is a painting I did a few months ago, "Converse Reds".  Sarah says work dress codes keep her from wearing her Chucks to work but she can at least look at them painted as she gets ready for work.  I love the idea of collecting art of something you truly enjoy.  I want to thank Sarah for making my day and sharing this photo with me.  Sarah brought back memories of "A Painting Day'.

"Converse Reds" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

Friday, July 29, 2011

Funny Face


This little painting has been in the On Hold file for awhile.  It needed more attention and yesterday was the day this little guy went back to the easel.  I met Funny Face at a ranch in the mid-west.  His momma is a Texas Longhorn and his daddy is Angus.  Momma was big and daddy was bigger and I got to see daddy up close when he nudged my back sending me in quiet retreat to the nearest pasture gate.  Meeting Funny Face made for, "A Painting Day".

"Funny Face" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Charlie I Completed & Work In Progress Charlie II


Maybe it is the same for you but this has been the oddest summers for time in the studio.  I am usually up and out the door and heading for the studio but this summer it seems there have been other things on the to do list.  I am not so good when I am not painting.  It is one of my loves and tonics to keep me going.  This morning I finally got the finishing touches completed for the painting, "Charlie I" and I am pleased and happy to send it on its way to the owner of this lovely horse.  The owner has seen the work in progress photo and said it was Charlie.  It is always good news to receive approval for a commissioned painting.  I also started a second painting of Charlie in a different pose.  This one will most likely stay with me so I am more relaxed and having some fun with the painting.  Painting Charlie has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Charlie" 12x12-inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©

In this photo you can see the beginning stages when the first layer of paint goes on the canvas.  It is at this time I always question if I can paint or what made me think I could paint?  This little battle goes on with most artists, always questioning themselves.  If I am lucky this painting will do what I call, "Turn the Corner" and it will start looking like the horse it self.

"Charlie II" 12x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©  Work In Progress

Friday, July 22, 2011

Moon Shadow


This is a revisit to a photo image that I have previously painted as a full portrait.  I wanted to see this gorgeous Mustang in a more contemporary cropped pose.  This is a small study but I am considering painting it in a larger format,  Not sure quite yet?  I will  let it sit  and see what would be fun to do?  Taking on a new look for this Mustang has made for "A Painting Day".

"Moon Shadow" 6x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hill Side Oaks



This is a story that may amuse you and inspire you as well.  When I first moved to California from Missouri I set up my painting gear in the barn.  We were in the process of getting plans together to build a house so the barn was fine for painting until the cold days of winter set in.  I was desperate to paint but where was the question?  Then I saw the horse trailer and thought it might work out as a warm dry spot to paint and moved in.  Yes,  a horse trailer became my studio and it was a super studio while I waited for a real studio to be built.  So if you ever complain about not having a place to paint think of me in a two horse slant horse trailer.  I look back and think of it as a fun time and painting in a horse trailer made for many, "A Painting Day".

"Hillside Oaks" 9x12-inches, framed, oil on canvas ©








Monday, July 18, 2011

Charlie-Work In Progress


Commissioned paintings are a true honor to paint.  They are also a challenge that makes me look at the particular animal being painted.  If it is a horse named, Charlie, like the one in this painting, it has to look like Charlie.  It is a fabulous challenge.  I have more to do to make Charlie come alive on the canvas but the painting is nearing completion.  I just sent the photo to Charlie's owner so we will see what she thinks of the portrait of her very special horse friend.  Painting Charlie made for "A Painting Day".

"Charlie" 12x12-inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Memory Painting of Ginger


When I first saw this little filly on the Horse Pals Chat group I was taken with her.  She just seemed to have all you would ever want in a filly.  I did not have the chance to meet Ginger in person but I looked forward to the weekly photo posts from Don and Marijanne, her people family.  While I was away this little one had a  serious accident and had to be put down.  It was and is sad news.  To work through my own sadness I decided to paint Ginger working the brush and paints as a way of saying good-bye.  The painting will be gifted to Marijanne and Don this coming Sunday and I hope it will bring fond memories for them in the years to come.  Meeting Ginger made for, "A Painting Day".

"Ginger" 6x6-inches oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©
Private Collection


A few words from Ginger's owners are shown below.



Today we buried a piece of our biggest dream, one that held many hopes and desires... Ginger was like a child, a furry one of course but one who represented an esteemed part of an old breeding that is almost lost. She was everything I ever hoped and dreamed for in fact, she was more than that, when she finally arrived and not on just any day, but on my birthday...


Every breeder dreams of perfection, looks forward to seeing that dream come true and Ginger most certainly exceeded all those expectations. She had a personality that was hard to beat... always ready with a super friendly sweetness for a loving scritching on her butt or her neck. She would put her nuzzle on my cheek when I told her kiss-kiss... during her first trim she fell asleep with her head on Don's shoulder. I could lead her around with just a loose line in any direction away from her dam... not only was she a breeders dream but her disposition was A+++


All of us were very attached to her, we all helped and welcomed her into the world and my grandaughter named her. Last night was one of the hardest I can think of... My oldest granddaughter created a poster for her on facebook and my daughters, Chris and Leanne came out to help me through some tough stuff and grieving/ After they left our tears flowed quite often as we thought about how much that little filly had brought into our lives and how much enjoyment we gleaned from watching her develop and grow. We won't see her into her adult life due to a freak accident but we do know that in the short time she was with us, we were able to touch greatness and the visualization of a dream come true.


Today as Don and Daryl dug the deep hole that her body would rest in, was a hard one for Don especially... many times he would go out in the middle of the night to "check" on her and often during the day as he went about the chores on the ranch he would walk back to where Ginger was with some cookies softened in water for her. When the hole was finished with Ginger in it, we placed some moistened cookies by her side... it was even more heartwrenching that as we covered her little body with the first scoops of dirt, Caje her dam came over to the fence beside her open grave and sent some deep, lonely whinnies into the skies... We will all miss her...

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Rainbow Valley


I have taken a breath of air and am feeling so happy to be back home.  I painted on a commission work all day  yesterday and will share it with you in a few days.  While in southern California I visited my mother and the small ranch were I was raised.  My mom is 89 and is fighting a bone disease with all she can muster.  She is a fighter and an inspiration to see her love of life.  Looking out from the back porch patio I painted the mountains that surround my old home in Rainbow Valley north of San Diego.  It is a beautiful area.  These majestic mountains were my view each day growing up and I with my horse, Mittens, along with many friends rode up into the hills to explore.  The roads were dirt back then and there were very few homes on the hillsides. My painting time was filled with happiness of such good memories and sadness for the changes and thinking of my mother and her condition.  Being reflective made for, "A Painting Day".

"Rainbow Valley" 6x6-inches © oil on canvas panel, by Ruth Andre




Friday, July 15, 2011

Just Thinking About You & Moses Botkin Challenge


This month Diana Moses Botkin of the Moses Botkin Challenge Group chose for each artist in the challenge to paint a human eye or eyes.  I must say there are some very nice paintings in this challenge.  There are paintings that go way beyond the singular eye and they are so lovely.  As you know I have been away from the studio and it is so good to be back painting.  My painting, "Just Thinking of You",  is a study for a larger work if I ever get the courage to tackle the human form in the future.  The Challenge made for "A Painting Day".

"Just Thinking of You" © 4x4-inches, oil on canvas board by Ruth Andre

"My Daughter's Eyes" 5x7-inches ©

"Eye of the Storm" 3x3.5-inches ©                  
Diana Moses Botkin                                          



"Helen's Eyes" 12x12-inches ©


                                                          
 "Brothers" 8x10-inches © (2 works)
                                                                     Vicki Ross 

                                                    "Lashing Out" 5x5-inches ©
                                                             Sharman Owings