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".