Two From the Desert - Ruth Andre

"Desert Grasses"

Image - Acrylic on Paper 5.5"x7.5"

Matted - 14"x14"

by Ruth Andre

"Wind Currents"

Image - Acrylic on Paper 5.5"x7.5"

Matted - 14"x14"

by Ruth Andre

After returning from Joshua Tree desert I painted these two paintings. The paintings are minimal in color but so very much like the desert land. The desert feels ancient with its desolate solitude. The torn bottom of the painting edge gives the feeling of the desert's roughness. It reminds one to be strong and diligent.  It is amazing to see the plants and animals that thrive in the desert with little water. My framer, Jim Ginney, made these lovely heavy bottom mats. I think he did a fabulous job and it is fun to see my paintings accented so well. Thank-you, Jim.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Desert at Dusk - Ruth Andre

"Desert At Dusk I and II"

Vertical and Horizontal Views

Each Painting: 3"x10" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I have procrastenated long enough and need to move from the house back to my painting studio. I do love having my paints ready at any hour of the day or night without making the pilgrimage to the barn studio. I have gotten spoiled it appears. This diptych, "Desert At Dusk" was inspired while visiting Joshua Tree, California, the dessert community near Palm Springs. I had a chance to watch the changing sky and the shadows on the surrounding mountains. The desert colors are subtle and bold all in one. It has been, "A Painting Day".

 Lily is only a freshman, so there are a few years yet before she is at that point. 

"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".

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Two Doors Down - Ruth Andre

"Two Doors Down"

5"x4" Acrylic On Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

$300

I think the title, "Two Doors Down" really makes this painting. The title may make the viewer take a second look and ponder about what is going on. While in the desert we saw lots of  white sand and in different neighborhoods homes painted in bright and unusual colors. There is a free spirit that prevails in the desert. It is hard to describe but it is there. Joshua Tree, California is becoming an art outpost and enticing many artists to the area. It is also close to Palm Springs if one needs a bit of city in their life. 

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Happy Valentine's Day - Ruth Andre

Heart Rock - Joshua Tree Desert-2018

Heart Rock Collection - Sutter Creek

Ruth Andre

The post today is about hearts, love and remembrance. I hope you all have a wonderful loved-filled Valentine's Day. My husband and I went to Joshua Tree, California this past weekend to visit property purchased by my late father many years ago. Joshua Tree was a very sleepy little desert community that has now grown in population ten times over. Luckily my father's land is still in a quiet area allowing the desert's serenity to remain. As we walked the property and checked boundary lines my thoughts were filled with my father's love for this country. It was an emotional visit and as I walked along I found a heart-rock and then another and another as shown in the first heart-rock photos above. I have been collecting rocks all of my life and lately rock-hearts have fallen to my prey. I question what to do with this raw land and wondering if my father is still telling me to keep it in some mystical way. It has been, "A Rock Hunting Day".

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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

Desert Spring - Ruth Andre

Can you feel the warm breeze and drifting sweet smell of new grasses and sage as the desert season turns to spring? The painting today, "Desert Spring" is a quiet moment of time when the desert comes alive with new life in spring. It has been a lovely, "A Painting Day".

"Desert Spring" 12x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Desert Blue - Ruth Andre

The palette of the desert landscape is subtle and meditative. When I walk the sandy land

 it is calming and gives me a feeling of peace. Enjoying the long view to the mountains has made for,

 "A Painting Day". 

"Desert Blue" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Cradled by the Day - Ruth Andre

Whispers from the desert continue to come my way. The quiet drama of the desert sky feeds one's soul. A small sunset has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Cradled by the Day" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Meanderings - Ruth Andre

I have had the desert on my mind lately and find myself wanting to spend some time just painting the wildness of the untamed land. The natural vegetation and the spectacular sky during the morning sunrise and sunset are so inspiring. Today's painting is a nod to the ever changing colors of the desert. There is a quietness to the desert that gives reverence to the land. Thoughts of the desert have made for, "A Painting Day".

"Meanderings" 4x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Just A Whisper - Ruth Andre

This is a quiet painting and one that might take you in and let your mind wander. I have been working on small studies that may work for larger paintings. I truly just want to paint what I want and if I go here there or everywhere it is going to be fine with me. Quiet thoughts made for, "A Painting Day".

"Just A Whisper" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Dry Creek - Ruth Andre

Just a few months ago I was in Joshua Tree to look at property my father bought several years ago. It was a perfect day, warm not hot and the view went on for ever. The land was completely untouched except for the property markers showing where one lot stopped and another started. The land was covered with desert shrubs and I noticed what appeared to be a dry creek meandering its way across the property. I am sure in winter after a rain storm the dry bed is filled with rushing water. There is a a quiet solitude in the desert that speaks to me with no apologies. It is what it is and you take it and like it or you don't. My father loved visiting what he called his "Sand Hill" and walking the land made me remember him and how much he loved the land. Visiting Joshua Tree made for, "A Painting Day".

"Dry Creek" 6x9 inches, oil/ canvas by Ruth Andre

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