Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Saying Good Bye - 2013


"Creekside Daffodils" 
16"x16"x1.5" oil & mixed medium on board
by Ruth Andre

Saying, good-bye is one of the hardest things for me to do. It takes considerable effort to leave a favorite person or place and move on and letting go. The year 2013 has been filled with many events, struggles and victories. I feel as if I have grown as a painter and as a person. For the past three months I have been traveling and getting things settled in our old home in Sikeston, Missouri. The time spent with friends, soaking up the mid-west lifestyle and walking the fertile farm ground has been such a delight. I laugh at myself sometimes as I remember the good times my husband and I spent on our farm. We had horses and dogs and cats. We farmed and we experimented with new crops. We made a life in a new land and made friends with those that thought people from California were a little different. I sometimes ask, why did we leave? I am still asking the same question as we get ready for the final move. I have learned how important my friends really are and how easy it is to laugh and cry with those you love. It is winter here in Sikeston and we have had a tornado, snow and heavy rains during our visit. I know spring is not far off and the daffodils will find their way to peak through from their dormant winter sleep both here in Sikeston and our new home in Sutter Creek, California. The painting above, "Creekside" is a nod to both my lost home and my new home. May your New Year be filled with all that you enjoy and may your dreams fill your heart. I am looking forward to getting back to my studio and enjoying many, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Sky Walking - Ruth Andre


"Sky Walking"
Digital Painting by Ruth Andre

This post is more to check in and wish you all a wonderful holiday. I have been traveling since October 16th and have a few more weeks to go before heading back home to California. I have been in the Mid-West and have been enjoying visiting the farm community of Sikeston, MO. My husband and I lived here for several years and farmed. We loved living here and we loved the people and we totally loved the farming life. It has been good to be back and we have enjoyed seeing old friends. With the weather being so cold and with much to accomplish, my traditional painting has been put on hold. The painting today is a digital image created on my iPad using a sensu brush.  If you have not painted digitally you have missed out on a lot of fun. It won't be long and I will be back in the studio for, "A Painting Day".
Have a wonderful love filled holiday!




Monday, October 28, 2013

Mountain Shadows - Ruth Andre


"Mountain Shadows"
6"x6" oil on canvas
by Ruth Andre

We are visiting Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation and there are no words to describe its beauty. The self guided 17 mile tour was our first outing and what a trip it was. The road was rough and rougher as we made our way through the valley. I took photos along the way as we stopped to enjoy the beauty of the amazing monuments and the wide valley vistas. The painting today was painted at our campsite as the morning shadows fell away with the coming sun. There was way too much to take in so I decided to breathe the air and fill my eyes with the valley and its majestic beauty. The valley visit will make for fabulous memories and "A Painting Day".



Thursday, October 24, 2013

Mountain View - Ruth Andre




"Mountain View"
5"x7" oil on canvas
by Ruth Andre

I spent a few days in Joshua Tree, California with my husband and dog, Sadie. I love the desert but find it almost alien and a landscape that one needs to spend time with to feel at home. I had several things to do while in Joshua Tree and started this plein air painting late in the afternoon. The colors of the surrounding mountains just glowed in the late afternoon light. We are taking a trip with our small RV trailer. It is cozy to say the least but tons of fun. The cactus photo below represents one of the reasons I love the desert. The colors found in the desert are amazingly subtle. It has been a great day and "A Painting Day".




On the Trail in Joshua Tree 


Desert Color - Yum

Monday, October 14, 2013

High on the Bluff - Ruth Andre


"High on the Bluff"
6"x6" oil on canvas
by Ruth Andre

I was out painting at the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California and the wind was fierce. The gusts of wind came in so hard that my hand would sail across the canvas to the point that I had to scrap two paintings. I was ready to call it a day when I  saw this cluster of trees high on the bluff as I looked out from the harbor. They looked as if they were greeting the boats as they made their way into the harbor. The painting day is what makes memories for plein air painters. I was not just painting I was feeling all that surrounded me and it was truly, "A Painting Day".


Saturday, October 12, 2013

Grassy Bluff - Ruth Andre


"Grassy Bluff"
6"x8" oil on canvas
by Ruth Andre

This is another painting from my time in Fort Bragg, California. The beautiful ocean was just over this grassy bluff. I loved the quiet peaceful feeling of the meadow. It called to me as the paint went down making for, "A Painting Day".

Note: I will be posting paintings from Fort Bragg for a few days and then I will be posting paintings as I travel across the country to the Mid-West. It should be a fun trip and one that I have been looking forward to making for a long time. 

Friday, October 11, 2013

Sea Bluff - Ruth Andre


"Sea Bluff"
6"x8" oil on canvas
by Ruth Andre

This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Fort Bragg, California. I met up with a group of artists and painted the beautiful vistas available along the sea coast. The weather was just about perfect except for a couple of days with high wind that buffeted our easels and made for some interesting brush work at times. This painting, "Sea Bluff" was painted in Mendocino right across from the old town shops. Mendocino was bustling with tourists visiting the shops and strolling down to the bluff's edge to see the coastal waters as the waves pounded the rocky coast. It felt so good to paint plein air and enjoy the sounds of the sea. The day made me grateful for, "A Painting Day".

Sold 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Bold Expressions 2013 & Award - Ruth Andre


"Into the Night - Heading Home"
12"x12"x1.5" oil & mixed media on canvas
by Ruth Andre


Today I received a call saying my painting, "Into the Night - Heading Home" was accepted into the NCA Bold Expressions 2013 exhibit. I was happy to hear the news but things got better when I was also told the painting has won a "Bold Award". The coming reception is October 12th at 5:30-8:30 pm in Sacramento, CA. It will be a fun evening and will remind me of, "A Painting Day".



Friday, August 23, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Kick The Can - Ruth Andre


"Wish You Were Here - Kick The Can"
6.5"x4.25" oil & mixed media on archival paper
by Ruth Andre

My last post was "Wish You Were Here - Red Light - Green Light". I wrote about summer fun playing games while visiting family on summer holidays. An artist friend, Bruce Hancock, left a comment on the blog post stating that when he was young they all played, "Kick the Can" and challenged me to paint his summer memory. I took the challenge with today's painting, "Kick the Can". The can still has its silver glow and the paper label is hanging on for dear life. We all have memories of times gone by that can make for, "A Painting Day".


Thursday, August 15, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Red Light - Green Light - Ruth Andre

"Wish You Were Here - Red Light - Green Light"
6.25"x4.50" oil & mixed media on paper
by Ruth Andre

For the first time in several years I have had to step away from the studio to get some business attended to and it hard going I must say. I miss going to the studio and I miss painting. Today I ducked out and took the afternoon to paint this little Post Card painting on paper. Summer brings many memories and sending post cards while vacationing is one of them. Playing Red Light - Green Light with my cousins as a kid is another. I hope you are having a fabulous summer. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Prairie Grass - Ruth Andre


"Prairie Grass"
11"x14"x2" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

As I look out my studio window I can see the neighbor's cows grazing in the pasture. The grass is golden with tuffs of dried weeds that are pale and dry. The ground is hard with a layer of dust that moves through the air as an errant breeze finds its way through the valley. Summer is here. Feeling the heat of the day has made for, "A Painting Day".

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Morning On The Mesa - Ruth Andre


"Morning On The Mesa"
16"x16"x2" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

There is a cross country trip being planned and my mind is buzzing with images of the landscape in the southwest and the plains. Today's painting, "Morning On The Mesa" must be these thoughts coming to life. I plan to take my paints but am not sure how productive I will be? Just getting away will be refreshing and I am sure  new ideas will spawn. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Friday, August 2, 2013

Moonlight - Ruth Andre

"Moonlight I"
10"x10"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

"Moonlight II"
10"x10"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre


"Moonlight I & II"
10"x20"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

These two paintings remind me of seeing the valley landscape at night in the light of the moon. and when all the house lights are turned out I can look out and see shadows of the trees and sometimes a passing deer in the garden. I tell myself the deer were here first. They continue to cross the same paths as they did before we arrived and seem to enjoy bedding down with our horses. It has been, 
"A Painting Day".











Thursday, August 1, 2013

Cresting Moon - Ruth Andre


"Cresting Moon"
10"x10"x1.5" Oil & Mixed Media on Panel
by Ruth Andre

Have you become addicted to Pinterest? I reluctantly headed over to Pinterest and now it is a daily venture. There are so many photos to see and enjoy. I love the interiors and the lovely colors and have found myself falling in love with the color grey mixed with dark brown and cream. I guess you can see the influence in today's painting, "Cresting Moon". The colors seeped through and found their way to the canvas. My inspiration photo below. You can also follow the LINK to see my inspiration for this painting at this site House & Home .


Pinterest Photo - House & Home

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Landfall - Ruth Andre


"Landfall"
10"x10"x1.5" Oil & Mixed Media on Panel
by Ruth Andre

I remember one summer day mowing the yard on our farm in Missouri. I looked out on the horizon and saw a wall of water coming my way. It was all I could do to race for the barn and pull in just missing getting soaked from the rain. Oh the rain smelled so good and the metal roof intensified the sound of the rain making it seem wildly exciting. Simple things have made for, "A Painting Day".

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Prairie Sun - Ruth Andre


"Prairie Sun"
12"x12"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

The sun's greeting is always appreciated. I love cloudy days but too many of them make me sad. The sunny days are always welcome. While visiting a ranch in Nevada I loved the big sky and watching the clouds and the sun play at making shadows on the prairie lands. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Monday, July 29, 2013

Prairie Clouds - Ruth Andre


"Prairie Clouds"
12"x12"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel - diptych
by Ruth Andre

The painting today is another subtle piece that I hope evokes calm. I have realized lately how much outside influences can take our minds far from our center and from the good thoughts that let us grow. I plan to take time to watch the clouds pass by. There are times like these that ideas flow and energy is reborn. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Sunday, July 28, 2013

Red Rock - Ruth Andre


"Red Rock"
12"x12"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel - diptych
by Ruth Andre

I miss seeing the sunset and can only capture the sun's brilliant sun rays as they start to fall behind the mountains. I just get a peak at the brilliant colors that make me just stop and stare. The beauty of nature is never ending. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Saturday, July 27, 2013

Pink Clouds - Ruth andre


"Pink Clouds"
10"x10"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

I have been working on a few commissions the last couple of weeks. I may come up for air soon if all goes well. The painting today was my 'break' painting started a few days ago.

"A Painting Day"


Monday, July 22, 2013

Yellow Sky - Ruth Andre


"Yellow Sky"
10"x10"x1.5" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

After a few days painting commissioned landscape paintings for a patron in southern California I took my time today to paint just for me. The title, "Yellow Sky" came to me when I started thinking how we take the natural landscape colors for what they are. My thought was to ask, what if the sky were yellow? How different it all would be. So good to be back in the studio for, "A Painting Day".


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Paintings on Paper - Ruth Andre

Today I met with my framer, Jim Ginney, and he had a few of my Paintings on Paper matted and framed. I love them. They seem quite happy in their stylish new frames. The smaller postcard paintings are framed 11"x14" and the larger works are framed 20"x16". Each painting looks so very special. I was so happy to have had, "A Painting Day".


"Wish You Were Here - Shanghai" 
Framed 11"x14", Oil & Mixed Media on Paper


"The Cabin"
Framed 11"x14" Oil & Mixed Media on Paper


"Crestfallen"
20"x16" Oil & Mixed Media on Paper


"Summer Breeze"
20"x16" Oil & Mixed Media on Paper


"The Old Adobe"
Framed 20"x16
" Oil & Mixed Media on Paper


"Frozen In Time"
Framed 20"x16" Oil & Mixed Media on Paper


"Golden Light"
Framed 20"x16" Oil & Mixed Media on Paper
sold




Sunday, July 14, 2013

Canyon Clouds - Ruth Andre


"Canyon Clouds"
16"x16"x2" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

I have been working on a small commission and while I was waiting for client approval I dove into the paint to work on the painting above, "Canyon Clouds". I must have been feeling dreamy as the day slipped away and the quiet palette appeared. My goal for decorating my home has always been to create a quiet-peacefulness that is felt when you enter the front door. Now that I live in the back country in Northern California there is day to day peace that surrounds the house as well. Enjoy!
It has been, "A Painting Day".


Thursday, July 11, 2013

AskART - The Artist's Bluebook - Ruth Andre


I just got some amazing news. My work is now listed on AskART- The Artist's Bluebook. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this news to have my art recognized and posted on such a prestigious list. The painting shown on the AskART site is, "Ghost Cliffs". It has been chosen for Ken Ratner's collected works show, "A Feeling of Humanity" in 2014 at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in New York. I will have show dates available at a future time.





Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Falling Water - Ruth Andre


"Falling Water"
10"x10"x2" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

I love New Mexico and its rich red earth. The shear canyon areas are beyond amazing. Visiting Ghost Ranch and the surrounding area has brought many images to mind. Today's painting. "Falling Water", lets us breathe in the fresh mountain air and feel the cool waters. It has been, "A Painting Day".



Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Under the Falls - Ruth Andre


"Under the Falls"
10"x10"x2" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

This painting made me think about the cool mountain air and the water falls tucked in between the sheer rocky cliffs. The water flows down with a thunderous roar and the mist cools the air. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Monday, July 8, 2013

Canyon Waters - Ruth Andre


"Canyon Waters"
10"x10"x2" oil & mixed media on panel
by Ruth Andre

The pallet for this painting is a swoon palette. At least it makes me take a deep breath and relax. I like the quiet energy in this painting. I feel as if I am looking down into the canyon and the water caught between the rocks is looking back at me. I can feel the cool and the heat of the day in the canyon. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Sunday, July 7, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Artifact - Postcard

"Wish You Were Here - Artifact - Postcard"
6.25"x4.50" oil & mixed media on paper
by Ruth Andre

I have a fascination for petrified wood. I love seeing the fields of fallen petrified trees. The whole idea of it amazes me. During a recent trip across country my husband and I stopped at a curio shop in Arizona mainly just to check out the petrified wood. I had to have just one little bit of it to take home. I think shopping across the country is one of the fun things in life. Reading the signs as the miles pass by and you just know that milk shake just over the next hill is the best in the world and needs to be tested. My traveling memories have made for, "A Painting Day".

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Desert Highway - Postcard - Ruth Andre


"Wish You Were Here - Desert Highway"
4.50"x 6.25" oil & mixed media on paper postcard
by Ruth Andre

I was just two weeks old when I went on my first road trip across country. The vacation was planned and that was that. Each year after that my family would pile into the car and head to the mid-west for a few weeks to visit with my mother and father's families. I loved the trips. I loved seeing each state and especially loved the southwest and cowboy towns. Route 66 was the main road back then and it ran through every town with lots of stops along the way. The car had no air conditioning so the windows were down and the cooler of cold drinks was at the ready. It was indeed hot but there was so much to see that I did not care and just enjoyed the view. Vacation memories have made for, "A Painting Day".

Friday, July 5, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Heatwave - Postcard


"Wish You Were Here - Heatwave - Postcard"
4.50"x6.25" oil & mixed media on paper
by Ruth Andre

We are having a heat wave here in the foothills. With the holiday most folks are heading to upcountry to enjoy camp life around one of the many lakes in the area.  I am enjoying the real feeling of summer and the heatwave. The air-conditioning for the house went out this morning but luckily a repairman arrived on his white horse and took on the task of making all well again. Whew! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday week-end. 

I am taking the new paperworks to my framer this coming week. Mats will be made for these new works and a frame or two for those that have sold. It will be fun to see the paper works all dressed up ready to go. Enjoy! I am off for more of, "A Painting Day".

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Soda Creek - Ruth Andre


"Soda Creek"
9"x9" oil & mixed media on paper - matted
by Ruth Andre

Summer is a good time to explore. Everything seems casual and at the ready for adventure. I think that is why I decided to paint on paper and let the paint find its way. Enjoying the sweet warm days of summer have made for, "A Painting Day". 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Katherine - Postcard - Ruth Andre

"Wish You Were Here - Katherine -Postcard"
4.50"x6.25" oil & mixed media on archival paper
by Ruth Andre

I cannot resist these little postcards. They need to be painted. If you  have traveled to State and National Parks there are usually a few photos on display taken at an earlier time of people enjoying the sights.  I love these old sepia toned photos. The ladies and gentlemen are dressed in lovely tailored attire. This painting is titled "Katherine" since it made me think of the lacy high neck blouses warn by the ladies of that time. Postcard painting has made, "A Painting Day".

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Wish You Were Here - Shanghai - Postcard - Ruth Andre

"Wish You Were Here - Shanghai"
4.5"x6" oil & mixed media on handmade paper
by Ruth Andre

This postcard is one for the world traveler. I have not been to China but I have friends that visit China at least once a year. From what I understand they always have an amazing visit. The sights and sounds of the cities and the beauty of the countryside and of course the people and the colors red and gold abound. I love these little postcards. They say so much in just a few inches of space. Thinking of China has made for, "A Painting Day".

Monday, July 1, 2013

Into the Night - The Last Forty Miles - Ruth Andre


"Into the Night - The Last Forty Miles"
4"x36"x1.5" oil on canvas
by Ruth Andre


"Into the Night - The Last Forty Miles I"


"Into the Night - The Last Forty Miles II"


"Into the Night - The Last Forty Miles III"

This is the second painting in the new series, "Into the Night". I had originally planned to stack the paintings either vertically or horizontally to make a 12"x12" triptych. Then I thought how fun it would be to show them side by side. It is a sliver of a painting but one I see in a quiet meditative setting. The title brought back memories of those road trips where you are thinking home is just over the hill and just  forty more miles. It has been, "A Painting Day".