Scarlet I, II - Ruth Andre

"Scarlet I and II"

Each Painting - 4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Each Painting Matted and Framed $300

The two "Scarlet" paintings are bold and have done their best to make a statement. It is amazing what a force a small painting can make. I am working on a few larger paintings. While they dry between layers of applied paint I like to paint small paintings to keep the energy going. The buzz is on and fun.  Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Nest-Two - Ruth Andre

"Nest-Two"

Acrylic on 9"x12" Paper

by Ruth Andre

The "Nest paintings are a step away from my previous paintings. I am enjoying the feeling of letting go and painting outside the lines. It has been, "A Painting Day",

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Falling In Place I and II - Ruth Andre

"Falling In Place I"

5"x5" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

"Falling In Place II"

5"x5" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

My online course, Studio Journey, is taking me into new painting territory. I am doing my best to work with acrylic paint and try different palette colors. The acrylic paint colors are so different from oil paints that it is a challenge. I mix a color and when I put it down it takes on a different look and also has a transparent quality. The class suggests to challenge yourself by working in a different way. As mentioned in the last post the class is working on paintings within a series. I started three paintings yesterday and when I started painting today the third one took a totally new direction, I decided to let it go and stayed the course with the, "Falling In Place" paintings above. I will be posting the third painting shortly. I am enjoying being in the online Studio Journey class.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Studio Journey

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

The Mountain Speaks - Ruth Andre

"The Mountain Speaks"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

The change in seasons has brought new energy to the studio along with a few new ideas to pursue. I am working on a few projects just for me and it feels so good. The first rain for the year came down last night and today the air was crisp and the trees seem to sparkle. My morning walk with Sadie was a bundled up affair. The valley is surrounded by mountains and the biggest mountain is directly in front of our home. There is no moving mountains but they do give shelter from the winds and shade from the sun. Our neighbors that live on top of this mountain drive eight miles past our house and up, up, up to get to their homes. I often wonder how they do it. The reward must be the view from on top since they can see for miles. I love the valley floor and the flat land with the creek's life force coming and going with the seasons. At times the mountain makes me feel as if it is alive with many stories to tell. It is good to be working in the studio on these cool Fall days. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Xanadu Gallery Catalogue - Ruth Andre

Xanadu Art Catalogue

Paige 10 - Paintings by Ruth Andre

 Xandu Gallery promotes artists in their monthly art catalogue. I chose to show the paintings, "Land I and Land II". The catalog of artist's works make for an enjoyable way to shop from your own home. Check out Page 10 for my two paintings available for an online purchase.

I want to say, thank-you for the many comments I received regarding acrylic paints. I fear I am not alone with my understanding of the medium but it seems we are all willing to give acrylics a try.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

The Journey - Ruth Adnre

"The Journey"

4"x10" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$400

I decided to give acrylic paint another try today. I have to say acrylic paints totally humble me. I am not in love with painting with acrylics but I like the outcome. Maybe it is the added tears that bring it all together. A good friend, Theresa Paden, paints animal portraiture using acrylics. She paints large canvases and she makes painting with acrylics look easy. I sent Theresa an email to let her know I am in awe of her painting skills. I know I am making more of this than necessary but the whole acrylic process astonishes me. The paints are very liquid in body and then once down on the paper they turn to glue. No kidding!!! The word practice comes to mind so I may try a few more works and see how they go. It has been, "A Painting Day". 

PS: I will try not to complain.

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Finding My Way

"Finding My Way"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

sold

I painted this piece and then scrapped it off and started again and again. I saw paintings come and go and though they might not have been bad they were not what I wanted. They did not have the spark that makes a painting. I find if I am willing to let a painting free itself from the first structure of an idea, the real painting is given space to form. It is wonderful and frustrating but when I find the painting, it is rewarding and I can let it go.  It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Changing Seasons - Ruth Andre

"Changing Seasons"

12"x12" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The painting today is to celebrate the October rains and the change in seasons. It is a beautiful time of year. I feel as if our home has been transported to a new location. The valley has had several rain storms lately. The dry white grasses are now green and the creek is filling with water. My view has changed with a new palette of fall colors. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Grasses - Ruth Andre

"Grasses"

7"x7" Acrylic on Arches Paper

by Ruth Andre

Todays painting came after the valley was washed with rain and cooler temperatures this past week-end. It was so good to feel and smell the rain. Yesterday I took a walk down by the creek and saw new grasses sprouting under the  under the oaks and in the open pasture. The dry tall grasses still stood but will soon be replaced with new growth  New life has been released after a long dry summer. It has been "A Painting Day".

Hillside - Quartz Mountain Road

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Back Gate

"Back Gate"

4"x12" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

With fall comes cooler temperatures and the big oak trees start to drop acorns. The wild life find them, eat them and store them for winter. The horses like them too and can become sick with colic eating them so they have to be removed from the pasture. My husband and I have made harvesting acorns a  daily competition. We each have a bucket and pick our way through the wild grass and dropped oak limbs to find the pesky acorns. Actually getting out to the pasture and enjoying the cool fall breezes and the warm sunshine makes for a wonderful outing as silly as it may sound. 

The painting today is an abstract view of the acorn hunt. I read a blog post recently by Nancy Hillis about making "starts" when you paint and not to worry about the finished painting. It is a very freeing way to paint when you say, I will just make a start. The concept is simple but things happen when you try it. Nancy has a wonderful website and blog and offers workshops. She is an artist with many talents. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Desert Sands - Ruth Andre

"Desert Sands"

16"x46" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Today's painting is a diptych and each piece will be framed separately but I wanted to show the two pieces side by side for this post. I would like to get away to the desert for a few days  but for now painting will be my only refuge. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Snow Days II - Ruth Andre

"Snow Days II"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

12"x12" Mat Included

Challenge Painting

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

The cold front has arrived and it was just 18-degrees here this morning. I know that is not cold for a lot of you out there but I was raised in southern California and anything below 30-degrees is still cold to me. The down jacket and padded cover pants are now ready for wear.

My paintings, "Snow Days I and II" are my interruption of the valley covered in morning frost. Winter is here.  I hope your Thanksgiving Day was a special time filled with good friends and good food. 

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A Painting Day - Valley Snow - Ruth Andre

"Valley Snow"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

12"x12" Mat Included

Challenge Painting Ninety-Six

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

We are promised a snow storm in the coming week. The news made me think of the holidays and how festive the valley will look when it is white with snow. Fall is passing to winter with each morning bringing frost and colder temperatures. There is so much to be thankful for and I am especially thankful to be living in this very beautiful Sutter Creek Valley. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Blue Mist - Ruth Andre

"Blue Mist"

36"x36"x2" Oil and Mixed Media on Panel

by Ruth Andre

I must still be thinking about my recent visit to Fort Bragg. The fog rolling over the dark harbor waters was my early morning view from my balcony perch. A fog horn could be heard in the distance and the sea gulls were alert and ready for the day. The painting has a feeling of quiet that draws me in and lets me think while the mist finds its way. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - River Grass - Ruth Andre

"River Grass"

Triptych

24"x18"x2" Oil and Mixed Media on Panel

by Ruth Andre

I recently started reading the book, "Claude and Camille" by Stephanie Cowell. There was a quote by Claude Monet in the forward of the book that made me think about painting and how some things are just so elusive when trying to paint them and still an artist tries. 

“I have so much fire in me and so many plans.  I always want the impossible.  Take clear water with grass waving at the bottom,  It’s wonderful to look at, but to try to paint it is enough to make one insane.”  Claude Monet

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Mountainside - Ruth Andre

"Mountainside"

3"x11" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Today I wanted to start a series and was one less panel than needed so while I wait for my mail art order I took on a small study. The painting is called, "Mountainside" and the palette is that of the surrounding mountains here in the valley. We had a recent rain and tuffs of green grass are starting to shoot up so it won't be long before the mountains are green once again. Of course that totally depends on Mother Nature and whether we continue to get rain. As you may know California needs rain badly. It is Friday and I hope your week-end is a happy one. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Listen To the Rain - Ruth Andre

"Listen To the Rain"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper

Challenge Painting Eighty-Nine

12"x12" Mat

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

Last week we had a lovely rain. I was in the barn listening to the rain hit the metal roof. The sound was luscious. I am just getting this Challenge Painting posted due to a lot going on lately. I leave for Fort Bragg, California on Tuesday for a week of plein air painting with friends. Packing art supplies and clothes for weather that could be warm or cool or cold is always an adventure. I choose to take layers and make them as light as possible. It will be good to be painting the sea coast with old friends.  If I catch a good painting or two I will be posting them here. Plein air painting stretches the art self and it is always a challenge. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Vintage and Words - Ruth Andre

"Vintage"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

12"x12" Mat Available

Challenge Painting Eighty-Three

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

This painting makes me happy. Do we all have a special blanket or throw that is vintage and warn just right to be comfy and cozy? The colors in this painting, "Vintage" make me think of the old cotton flannel blankets from the 1940's. The fabric for these old blankets show the signs of time. Their color has become muted and the fabric thin but they are still so warm and welcoming. Since we are heading into the week-end I have a question for all the creative types out there. Do you have a special place to work? Do you have the respect of others if  you are in this special place? Are you a solo painter or enjoy the company of others while you work? I have never mastered keeping people out of my studio and I am truly a solo painter. Maybe that is why the small Challenge Paintings have been so fun for me. I can sneak into the studio and work like a wild woman for a few hours for a couple of days and have a painting. I am interested in any and all of your comments. We can think of this as a support blog post of sorts. Enjoy the week-end. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Fleeting Dreams - Ruth Andre

"Fleeting Dreams"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

Challenge Painting Eighty-One

12"x12" Mat Available

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

There are times when my goals seem like fleeting dreams but I do my best to keep going. A friend once said that the object of life is to keep the ball moving and keep the game going. Can you hear that inner voice ask, why do you care? I advise moving as fast as you can if you hear this voice. It is not going to make good on anything. Keep dreaming! It has been, "A Painting Day". 

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A Painting Day - Red III - Ruth Andre

"Red III"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper

12"x12" Mat

Challenge Painting Sixty-Seven

by Ruth Andre

This is the third "Red" painting in the series and it is also my favorite of the three works. The bold color red in all three paintings feels good and I would like to see them matted as one unit of three. They would be gorgeous together. It is fun to work in a series even with just three paintings. Exploration takes place and makes for, "A Painting Day".

"Red I, II and III" by Ruth Andre

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