Pins and Needles - Ruth Andre

"Pins and Needles"

6.5"x6.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

-by Ruth Andre

There are times when we just have to be patient and hope for the best. It is what I call being on "Pins and Needles". I am wishing for the best and planning for the worst. I read a long time ago that when things seem to be falling apart they are actually falling together. Those words have carried me through some rough times. I remind myself change is inevitable. 

Have a great week-end. Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day".

PS: The painting above will be on display at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d'Alene, ID along with several of my other paintings being represented by the gallery.

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The Wall - Ruth Andre

"The Wall"

2.25"x4" Acrylic - Oil on Handmade Japanese Paper

Matted and Framed 10"x10"

by Ruth Andre

$150.00

I love words and what they mean. When I titled this painting, "The Wall" I thought it was funny since the painting is quite small. How could a small wall be a threat or a deterrent and then I thought of emotional walls that we carry with us each and every day. My son and I were talking and he said he had forgiven everyone in his life and he felt free in a new way. He said we should all forgive and let the old walls crumble away. Letting go of barriers would allow new things to come into my life. The process sounds easy almost like jumping into a cold lake. There is a real yes and no that goes on and I am wondering why. Am I comfortable with the old, the unhappy parts of my life? Let me know your thoughts. I am most interested in your experiences with your own wall. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Passing Storm - Ruth Andre

"Passing Storm"

6.5"x6.5" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Spring is moving past us at a break neck speed with temperatures in the 90's. We were so lucky to have an unexpected storm bringing one more drink of water to the almost dried grasses. We also have two beautiful calves in the far pasture. A neighbor brought them by to graze for a month or so. I love seeing these beautiful heifers enjoying themselves as they wander through the high grass. I hope your spring has been especially nice with the promised cycle of new found life. 

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

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Memories - Ruth Andre

"Memories"

7"x7" Acrylic-Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

This has been another busy week. The days are flying by. I just want to sit out on the back porch and enjoy the view. I did get to the studio yesterday and it felt so good to try a new painting approach. I started by using a graphite pencil and then filling in with large color acrylic shapes. The veiling of white oil and wax was the final layer. I like the contrast of the pale white and strong color shapes.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Detached - Ruth Andre

"Detached"

4"x6.5" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Painting on Paper $100

Matting and Framing also Available

I usually name my paintings after an event or something I have seen but today I named this painting and then the event appeared. A tall beautiful black mare came prancing down our road totally free of halter or lead. She was a tall horse and looked to be young.I was not sure if she would let me catch her but with a little coaxing and a bucket of oats she came right to me and allowed me to put a halter on her and lead her down the road and into a safe stall next to our horse, Hopi. She is definitely detached and the word is out to find her owner. She is a beautiful mare and I will add a photo tomorrow to share with you.  Hopefully her owner will be here soon.

I also want to say, I have been away for a few weeks and am just getting back to the studio to paint. My husband and I traveled to the mid-west to search for land and a possible new home. I am not sure what we will do but it was a great adventure. It was a driving trip so we got to see many miles of untamed and beautiful landscape. I kept seeing paintings as we passed through the long valleys and mountain passes. It has been an exciting Painting Day.

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Garden Party - Ruth Andre

"Garden Party"

16"x3" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 22"x6"

-by Ruth Andre

Garden Photos

Ruth - 1996

Garden Photos - Ruth and Bailey 1996

This time of year the seed catalogs arrive and dreams start forming for a garden of vegetables and flowers. It is a dreamers dream thinking about the warm sunny days of spring planting a variety of seeds. One year I mentioned to my husband that I thought I needed therapy. I had recently lost my sister and I was overwhelmed with her loss. My husband told me to wait a minute and he would be back to talk to me. When he came back to the house he handed me a seed catalog that carried seeds of course but also carried plug plants. He then explained that he had disced an acre of land for my garden. 7,000 plants were planted that year. It sounds like a lot and it IS! The ground was ready and I planted. I then watered and trimmed and cut flowers and harvested vegetables and more and more. The weeds were a constant battle so I was out in my garden everyday that summer. At the end of summer after the garden was complete and the ground was cleaned I told my husband,  I have had therapy. Everyday I worked and thought about my sister and let the tears flow and then started remembering all of the good times we had shared together and how lucky I was to have had such a beautiful sister in my life. The painting today is titled, "Garden Party" in remembrance of the love for my sister and the love for the land. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Black and White Four - Ruth Andre

"Black and White Series - Four"

Each Painting - 3"x3" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted & Framed $150

by Ruth Andre

"Black and White I"

"Black and White II"

"Black and White III"

"Black and White IV"

These paintings were done for an online class I am taking with Nancy Hillis. Our assignment was to paint high contrast value paintings. It was suggested we paint small works and a lot of them. The "Black and White" paintings were painted with black and transparent white oil mixed with wax. The two layers merged making a lovely blue cast. I will be adding more small value paintings in the next few weeks. They are way too much fun to stop painting them. 

 "A Painting Day".

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Letting Go - Ruth Andre

"Letting Go"

Oil-Wax on 30"x22" Paper

Available Matted and Framed

by Ruth Andre

This painting is a larger work using oil and wax. I have moved back to the studio and put my best efforts into clearing away enough space so I can work on larger paintings. This is no easy task. It seems before moving anything the new space storage space needs to be cleared and gone through so you end up having two jobs instead of one. A larger studio is a dream at the present time but how lovely it would be to have 5 or 6 paintings in the works at one time. 

The title represents the many passages life presents to each of us as we take on our journey. A big part of life I have learned is, "Letting Go". Each of us need to continue to look forward and give ourselves space by letting go of what is not needed. The letting go is often difficult but once done our life can move forward.

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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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Nest - Five and Six - Ruth Andre

"Nest- Five and Six"

Acrylic on 9"x12"Paper

Each painting can be matted and framed together or separately

The "Nest" paintings are growing in numbers and each one has its own story. You will see in these two painting the Blue lines traveling through the paintings. The found nest had blue baling twine woven in and around the oak branches. I could not resist adding the vibrant blue color in these two nest paintings. 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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Nest - One - Ruth Andre

"Nest One"

Acrylic on 9"x12" Paper

by Ruth Andre

While  out walking my husband and I spotted a small mound of sticks and leaves by the creek. I fished it out and was surprised to find a beautiful bird nest that must have fallen from a tree limb overhead. The nest's lining was woven with hair from our dog, Sadie. I also saw baling string that holds the horse hay. Small twigs were all set in place with a few leaves still attached woven with long hair from out horses mane. I wonder how these nests are made. They are a wonder in themselves. Seeing the bird nest was so inspiring that I think the painting above is the beginning of a new series called, "Nest". I have been  truly influences by the bird nest and its unrestricted beauty. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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WHODUNNIT - Ruth Andre

"Jackson Pass"

6"x6" Acrylic on Canvas

WHODUNNIT - 2018

by Ruth Andre

This painting, "Jackson Pass" will be shipped out next week to a wonderful showing called, WHODUNNIT. Each year the ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON puts on a wonderful fund raising show called, WHODUNNIT. Each artist submits a piece of art and only signs the back of the piece so it is anonymously shown. The WHODUNNIT show is quite popular and I wold imagine it is also a lot of fun for patrons viewing the many entries of art to purchase and take home. The art association facility is a beautiful and welcoming facility with many teaching programs.

For more information for WHODUNNIT check here

Since I am still convalescing from my holiday FALL I have set up a work station on the dining table. I have made a mess of things but the lighting is wonderful and I can stir the soup on the stove or throw in a wash between adding layers of paint. I kind of like my new space. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Plate Series - Gold Plated - Ruth Andre

"Plate Series - Gold Plated"

11"x11" Acrylic on Torn Paper

Matted and Framed 18"x18"

by Ruth Andre

$450

This is the third and last plate painted for this series. I hope you have enjoyed the whimsical plate paintings. Each painting brings with it thoughts of sharing and giving. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Plate Series - Blue Plate Special - Ruth Andre

"Plate Series - Blue Plate Special"

11"x11" Acrylic on Torn Paper

Painting Matted and Framed 18"x18"

by Ruth Andre

$450

I  have had a couple of inquiries about yesterday's posted plate painting. The Plate Series of paintings were painted on heavy watercolor paper that was sealed with gesso before adding the acrylic paint. The backing is not a paper plate. I appreciate the inquires. The holiday activities are often centered around food and beautiful place settings. The Plate Series reminds me of fun and happy times with family and friends.

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

19th Annual Small Works Invitational - Ruth Andre

"Stormy Weather"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

My husband, Tom, and I are in Coeur d"Alene, Idaho for the 19th Annual Small Works Show at The Art Spirit Gallery. If  you are unable to attend the show in person here is a LINK. There are 30 artists showing paintings, sculptures and clay works. Needless to say I am more than happy to be represented by the gallery and having my work shown in the holiday exhibit. 

We may have rain on our visit to this beautiful city, Coeur d'Alene, but so far no snow is predicted. I hope the weather stays as predicted. Driving in snow and ice has never been a favored activity. 

Come along and enjoy the show. It has been a traveling journey for many, "A Painting Day".

PS: Meanwhile our mare, Hopi is being boarded at a neighbor's barn. She is happy to have Whiskey, a gelding, in the next paddock. We have good neighbors, Donna and Ron.

PS:

Hopi-Photo by - Designs by Donalyn

Totem - Star Light - Ruth Andre

Totem - "Star Light"

1.25"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper
Painting Matted and Framed 5"x16"

by Ruth Andre

This is another painting to celebrate the coming holiday season, "Totem-Start Light". I really like this painting and "Totem-Star Bright" in the last post. They give me a feeling of true joy. The lively saturated colors entertain many memories. It h as been, "A Painting Day".

PURCHASE

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

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

Happy Halloween - Phantom I and II - Ruth Andre

"Phantom I and II"

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

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Totem - Red Sky - Ruth Andre

"Totem - Red Sky"

1.25"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 5"x16"

by Ruth Andre

Totems Available Here

I just put a link up for the Totem Series. I will be adding to this collection prior to the Holidays. Each Totem painting is available Matted and Framed. Enjoy! Take a look around.

The studio was rocking today. The Totem painting above, "Totem - Red Sky" was completed and another larger piece finally made it to the photo-finish table. I have lots to say about the evasive painting and will share my trials and tribulations in the next blog post. I love painting the Totem paintings and if  you knew how long they take to paint you might be surprised. The paintings decide what they are going to be and I get dragged along until they say, done. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery