A Painting Day

Sunday, February 18, 2018

"Mountain Side"

4"x4" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 10"x10"

$250

This is a small painting full of energy and strength. I am enjoying being back in Sutter Creek but the visit to Joshua Tree has given me new painting energy.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Friday, October 6, 2017

Indian Summer - Ruth Andre

"Indian Summer"

10"x10"x1.5" Oil-Wax on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

After a hot summer the fall weather sets in and sometimes the temperatures are quite cold. The sweatshirts and parkas are much needed for morning walks. In years past after the rush of cold comes a week of warm weather and windy days that send the drying tree leaves on their way. This time is called, Indian Summer, and a time that I love. The seasonal change seems to bring a new energy to be enjoyed. I hope you like this painting. This particular panel has been painted and finished three times. After completion the painting has been hung in the studio and after a few weeks I have decided it was not quite right so the new painting begins. I think, "Indian Summer" will stay to be enjoyed.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Drift - Ruth Andre

"Drift"

4"x14" Oil-Wax on Canvas

by Ruth Andre

The breeze came from the west while walking this morning. The change of seasons is here. The trees are turning golden and losing their leaves. It is thrilling to feel the coolness of autumn in the air. I had started this painting, "Drift", a few days ago. It is painted on flat primed canvas. I think I will have it matted and framed showing the lovely canvas rather than having it stretched on wooden bars. I love the look of the canvas peeking around the painting. Life felt very mellow today with no appointments to run. It was a day to drift and enjoy. It was also, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, August 20, 2017

The Back Door - Ruth Andre

"The Back Door"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Every summer when my kids were growing up we would take a summer vacation to Falling Leaf Lake in Tahoe, California. The old summer cottages were quite rustic. The kitchen had an old vintage stove, a small refrigerator and a table covered with a plastic floral cloth. There was a patio and a back door with a screen that would slam shut with a bang when the kids went in and out of the cabin. The old door had seen many visitors and it had been painted several times. There were a few chipped areas to let you know it was not always a green door or a yellow door but was also a red door at one time. These were happy and relaxed days away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The painting today, "The Back Door" is a strong and graphic painting with big areas of direct color. I like the strength of this piece very much. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Friday, August 18, 2017

Well Red - Ruth Andre

"Well Red"

6.5"x6.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When we think of Minimal Art we usually think it is white, grey or black. The painting today, "Well Red" is painted in a minimal style and is definitely red and yet minimal. The color really sings and it feels warm and inviting. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Shelter II - Ruth Andre

"Shelter II"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted & Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

The series continues with, "Shelter II". Thanks go out to those that sent comments regarding,

"Shelter III". I was asked what I thought of the color red. As with all colors red has its moods and moments. Seeing red on a Merry-Go-Round painted horse flying by is exciting and fun. Seeing a red STOP sign is a serious matter. Red is the color of passion and I believe most artists have passion for the work that they do. No one is forcing an artist to paint or sculpt. We do what we do because we enjoy art and it is a part of us to share with the world.

Enjoy, it has been, "A Painting Day".

Friday, July 14, 2017

The Red Car - Ruth

"The Red Car"

14"x20" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

My painting today, "The Red Car" was influenced while visiting relatives in Colville, Washington I was impressed with the logging industry that took place in and around this small town. The town made me feel like it took strong and strong minded men to run the mills. Everything was big. There were big trees, big working sites, big trucks and big men. When we drove up to visit my nephew and his wife I saw the cutest red convertible car in the drive way. It not only stood out because of the color but because it was totally incongruous to the area. It was a sporty model car that looked like fun. It looked like sunny days and fast drives through the forested roads.

I am not sure why but the image stayed with me and came to the surface again while painting

in my studio. Inspiration for paintings is sometimes totally unexpected but it is there just waiting to make itself known. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Save the Day - Ruth Andre

"Save the Day"

12"x12" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

This painting got into the studio save box but not the blog so here it is a few weeks since it was completed. We had a rash of very hot days and finally a few clouds passed over the valley. The overcast sky was a gift giving some relief from the last hot days of summer. There was hope in seeing the clouds that rain might follow. It was a, "Save the Day" painting for sure.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Summer Lost - Ruth Andre

Summer Lost

12"x12" Acrylic on Arches Paper

by Ruth Andre

NFS

It was a busy day yesterday. First my husband and I drove about 4 hours getting materials to fix the horse shelter. Of course there was cooking and the normal chores that needed to be done. A lady neighbor helped my husband get the new shelter roof in place and I did my best to sneak in some painting. I worked on the painting above and decided to take a break. My mistake was going back to the studio and was seemingly on a mission to make a change to the painting. One thing moved on to more changes until the painting was lost. Darn is a nice way of saying SHOOT, DADGUM-IT and all the rest. Sometimes it is best to let something be than to hover over it and try and change it. Is that so true of so many things in life. I am sharing "Summer Lost" with you because I like the painting and it reveals the end of summer. The cloud like images might be the clouds that were forming outside announcing the coming rain. The painting is gone but the day is remembered. It has been,

"A Painting Day".

Thursday, September 17, 2015

A Painting Day - Spirit Walk - Ruth Andre

"Spirit Walk"

12"x12"x2" Oil and Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

Not Available

The painting, "Spirit Walk" may say a lot about this past week and the fire that was so close to us. I am not sure what to say about this painting's meaning is to me other than there must be more to this life than what we see. I feel the presents of spirits as I walk to the creek and stand under the old oak trees. The old times and the life the people lived years ago is remembered. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, September 13, 2015

A Painting Day - Starting Point - Ruth Andre

"Starting Over"

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

Available with 12"x12" Mat

Challenge Painting Seventy-Eight

Ruth Andre

$125.00

Sold - Thank-You

The fire that was so close is moving away but it is still far from being contained. Over 65,000 acres and over two hundred homes and outbuildings have been lost. Animals have died or have been displaced. There are so many people that will be starting over, turning to a new page in their lives. It is times like this that we realize that nothing stays the same and life is always changing. I am filled with sadness but am hopeful that there will be new beginnings and positive life changes in time. The sky was dark and filled with smoke and ash but no fire in the valley today. The grey sky was a constant reminder of the struggle that was going on for others. I painted today. Painting is a way for me to work through the feelings harboring inside my mind. Then a small but powerful miracle came with a sprinkling of rain that I hope cooled the fire area, giving moisture to the air. Take care.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

A Painting Day - Mountain Shadow - Ruth Andre

"Mountain Shadow"

4.5"x4.5" oil & cold wax on paper

by Ruth Andre

Challenge Painting Eight

The view from my front windows is of a very tall mountain. The oak trees line the base of the mountain and then the evergreen pines cover the mountain side leaving the valley to what is called "up country". The mountain shadow is sometimes cooling and at other times it is very cold depending upon the season. I miss the long hours of sun in winter. The mountain is strong and an old friend that I meet as I make my way through the day. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Thursday, March 12, 2015

A Painting Day - Border Crossing - Ruth Andre

"Border Crossing"

36"x36"x2" Oil & Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

$3,500.00

Today I unwrapped a painting that was painted sometime ago and it was like meeting an old friend. I decided not to leave it tucked away in the studio. The palette of rust, gold, yellow and blue sang out a special greeting. The vignette photos below show the hidden but lively colors. There is also a full-size photo of the total painting. Enjoy the show.

A Request was sent via email to talk about "Border Crossing" and what the painting means to me. The obvious within my own experiences would be the act of crossing from the US border into Mexico and then back again. The moment the crossing is made all is different in big and small ways. The language of course changes but how business is done and how people move and communicate are all different. My husband and I had a wholesale flower growing farm of over 100 acres in Baja California and we crossed the border almost weekly. The drive between our two ranches took almost five hours. We would arrive very early and sometimes very late and it was dark but there was always someone there to greet us upon arrival. How did the people know we were there? Why was it important to them that we we received messages at those hours? It always amazed me that the communication in such a remote area could be swifter than email at times. There was only one telephone in town and we waited in line to use it and the conversation was heard by many. Cell phones were not the norm at this time. There are also Borders we cross daily and I call it, staying in the game of life. If we can just keep the ball moving and the game going and the excitement for life full we will have so much more in the time spent on earth. What borders we cross day to day make us who we are. Thank-you, Ann M for your request. You are very thoughtful and I thank-you. Ruth

"Border Crossing" - Vignette I

"Border Crossing" Vignette II

"Border Crossing"

36"x36"x2" Oil & Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

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Thursday, January 22, 2015

A Painting Day - Home - Ruth Andre

I have been blogging for a few years and am constantly mentioning the valley where I live. The valley is just a few miles long but oh so beautiful no matter the season. Each day my husband and I walk up into the hills and cross the Rancheria Creek that goes through our property. It is a beautiful setting and has been the inspiration for many of my paintings. The "Water Works" series of abstract works were brought to the canvas truly inspired by the creek and how it changes throughout the seasons. I have added two photos of the landscape and three "WaterWorks" paintings plus words that express what the creek means to me and my work.

Rancheria Creek

Turkey Crossing

WaterWorks

There is a creek that runs through the land I call home. It has a life

powerful and strong and then it whispers and finally sleeps. As I watch

the creek in winter the water pushes forward with its powerful momentum. The water is high and purges what ever is in its path until it drowned or thrown to the side. Nothing is left untouched. Tall trees are sometimes toppled after years of enduring the creek's relentless force. Then as quickly as the creek has become the harlot of the land it softens and quiets and makes love to the sun. There is just a quiet rippling of light and shadow. The creek is alive and must find its path to be all it can be. Then it slows and finally the last bit of moisture is swallowed by the sands of the creek bed. To view the creek through all seasons and to see the creek move with the impetus of nature it is hard to believe it will slow and disappear into the earth. The ebb and flow of the creek is what I have painted.

"Deer Crossing"

12"x12"x1.5" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

"Grass Creek"

12"x12"x1.5" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

"Cresting Creek"

16"x16"x1.5" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

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Saturday, August 30, 2014

Oak on Quartz Mountain Road

"Oak On Quartz Mountain"

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

Today I decided to step out onto my front porch with my new Russian Easel and paint plein air. I will post a photo of the easel in the next post. I purchased the easel years ago and am just now getting it out to use. This is the first painting using the easel. This oak stands tall and marks our property corner to the southwest. It was nice to have a scene to paint right here at home. I plan to continue painting and circle the house and stay in the shade of the porches since it is still very hot here in the valley.
Staying home has made for,

"A Painting Day"

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Friday, June 27, 2014

Walk This Way - Ruth Andre

"Walk This Way"

10"x10"x1.5" Oil & Mixed Media on Cradled Birch Panel

by Ruth Andre

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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Spring Grasses - Ruth Andre

"Spring Grasses"

36"x36"x2" Oil & Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

The painting, "Spring Grasses", is the essence of the landscape that surrounds my home and studio. I really like this painting. It is calm with soothing colors and textures that seem to fill the air with gentleness. Spring has brought with it, "A Painting Day".

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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Dry Creek-Study - Ruth Andre

"Dry Creek-Study"

6"x6" Oil on Canvas Panel

by Ruth Andre

This painting is a prelude to our creek in summer. The creek is slowly flowing through the valley but the water will soon pool and then disappear into the sands of the creek bed. The lush greens of spring will fade to the subtle colors of sand and rock. The colors are quiet and restful and have made for,

A Painting Day".

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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Rain Spirits - Ruth Andre

The windows are wide open in the studio today. The weather is really too beautiful to ignore with the sun warming the earth. We have had a few rain showers that have made the valley come alive with green grasses. It feels like home once again. At least for now all is well. The painting today is in celebration of the spring rains and the rain spirits that bring us such beauty. Lately I have been caught up with the beauty of the valley. Winter has been harsher than most this year and spring is more meaningful than usual. The image above has been taken from my website since I could NOT get the image to load showing its true color. Maybe the spirits have found, "A Painting Day".

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