Passing Storm - Ruth Andre

"Passing Storm"

7.5"x9" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I have been away from the studio for a few days. A group of artist friends rented a house in Fort Bragg, California and spent four days on the coast. Need I say it was a fabulous time away and a much enjoyed gathering of friends. I will post a few of my plein air works here in a day or two. 

Today I got back to the studio to work on a new project. I decided to work in acrylics to test for color and painting technique. Acrylic paints are challenging at best. The colors are so different than oil paints. They dry a different color and the dry time and workability is quite different than oils. I guess what I am saying is I love oil paint and I really love working with Oil and Wax medium.  The nice thing about my acrylic painting is my painting will be dry in a few hours. It was a learning day and, 

"A Painting Day".

Talk To Me - Contact

See More Work - Website

Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

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".

Talk To Me - Contact

See More Work - Website

Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

The Band Played On I and II - Ruth Andre

"The Band Played On I and II"

Each Painting 4"x14" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When life happens whether it be good or bad the news is shared and thought about and then it seems life moves on.  There may be follow up words of care but mostly, The Band Played On. We each have to make our own way and it is lonely at times as we press on. 

Wishing everyone a good long week-end for Labor Day. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Talk To Me - Contact

See More Work - Website

Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Shelter I - Ruth Andre

"Shelter I"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

The, "Shelter" paintings went to the framer today. It is always a treat to see my paintings enclosed within a frame. Once framed the paintings are then complete. I love the red in the "Shelter" series. The paintings exude warmth and energy. It has been, "A Painting Day". 

Contact

Website

The Red Sled - Ruth Andre

"The Red Sled"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The title of this painting makes me happy. I love seeing kids sledding and tobogganing down snowy slopes. They speed by with fearless wonder full of untamed energy. I know it is summer but snow is on my mind. Enjoy a bit of cool with the "The Red Sled" painting.

Contact

Website

Dream Landing II - Ruth Andre

"Dream Landing II"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

There are times in life when each day feels like a Saturday and then other times each day feels like a Monday. Lately I  have been waking to Saturdays and enjoying each day immensely. With the week-end and July 4th holiday coming soon there are festive times ahead. Painting in the studio is my plan for the next few days with no distractions. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Dream Landing I - Ruth Andre

"Dream Landing I"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I tried something a little different today and painted without painting in the formatted square but let the paint stroke stop before meeting the edge showing a loose finish. I also wanted to paint with a very quiet palette. I had moved a table to an open area in the barn to feel the cool breezes flowing through from outside. Our wild cat, Mommay Kitty, kept me company as she watched from her high perch. Take care and enjoy, it has been "A Painting Day".

PS: Dreams do come true.

Contact

Website

It Came From the North - Ruth Andre

"It Came From the North"

30"x22.5" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Vignettes for, "It Came From the North"

Summer is here but I am still thinking about the northern states we visited just a few weeks ago. Montana, Wyoming and Idaho were all so beautiful. I was constantly being reminded that we were visiting during the warm days of summer and I was told it does get very cold in winter. I have tried to imagine six months of wintery days with lots of snow after living in California most of my life.  There would definitely be a few challenges.

Even in our isolated northern California valley we do occasionally get a wild storm and we always check to see if the storm is coming from the west or the east. The eastern storms seem to have stronger winds.

The painting today is painted on Stonehenge paper using acrylic paints. For the life of me I cannot get a true color image of the entire paintings so that is why you see three small vignettes of the painting that are truer to the  cooler palette.  I may try photographing the painting again tomorrow in the morning light. I just looked at the vignettes once again and I like the  #3 cropped view. It may become its own painting some day. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

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".

Contact

Website

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".

Website

Contact

Sand Creek - Ruth Andre

"Sand Creek"

8"x10" Oil on Stretched Canvas

by Ruth Andre

$375

Today's painting is one I did sometime ago but it remains one of my favorite paintings. It is oil on stretched canvas. The painting is all about the creek that flows through our small ranch and with the heat of summer the creek slows and is finally swallowed by the sun and sandy creek bed. Mossy leaves and grasses still line the dry creak. I have  had to be away from the studio due to hurting my back. I miss painting and am using my iPhone apps for some fun digital painting as I recuperate. I may show a few of the digital works in the next posts if I am not better soon.  Stay well and have many, "A Painting Day'.

Contact

Website

Ready - Ruth Andre

"Ready"

7"x7" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I have had some challenges lately and it seems working in the studio is my salvation. My mind enjoys the moment and allows me to submerge myself in the paint. The painting above, "Ready" is full of energy. The color red cannot be dismissed. It is bold full of life.  

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Passing Clouds - Ruth Andre

"Passing Clouds"

10"x10" Mixed Media on Paper

$320.00

by Ruth Andre

This has been a spectacular spring. The sky has been showing off with clouds that are just dreamy with a blue sky as a backdrop. I am often amazed that I have the privilege to live in this beautiful valley. There is so much to enjoy everyday. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Random Thought - Ruth Andre

"Random Thought"

4"x12" Mixed Media on Canvas Panel

by Ruth Andre

$250.00

A lot of things have been going on lately and life seems to take over at times. I am working on a calf portrait for the Cattlemen's Western Art Show and Sale and when I can I sneak in working on a few small abstract pieces. I am switching gears so to speak moving from a more realistic subject and then to works that have no templet. I hope you enjoy the, "Random Thought" painting. It may be a study for a larger painting. I want to work on a few more smaller works and then pick one for a painting much larger. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Sun and Clouds - Ruth Andre

"Sun and Clouds"

30"x30" Diptych Mixed Media on Canvas

by Ruth Andre

$2,800

"Sun and Clouds" Interior Photo

We have had spring like weather today after days or rain with lots of clouds. As I look out the studio watching the sky the clouds open up and the sun comes streaming through. Everything is alive with sunlight. Living in the valley gives me time to anticipate the weather seeing the clouds forming or the clouds breaking showing slivers of sunlight. The valley is always beautiful no matter the season. It has been, 

"A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

A Painting Day - Dry Creek - Ruth Andre

"Dry Creek"

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

12"x12" Hand Cut Mat

Challenge Painting Fifty- Four

by Ruth Andre

The creek is a bed of sand and rocks with grasses and ferns growing in its sandy bed. This is the season the creek is hidden away underground. I am looking forward to the first fall rains and the creek's renewal. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website