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. 

Nest-Three - Ruth Andre

"Nest-Three"

Acrylic on 9"x12" Paper

by Ruth Andre

This is "Nest-Three" in the series. I have been enjoying the freedom of working with acrylics on heavy water color paper. The palette of colors is quite different compared  with the oil paints that are my usual choice.  I am a little frustrated at times but also find it interesting. I have been learning a whole new color palette for mixing my favorite hues. 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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The Heat of the Day - Ruth Andre

"The Heat of the Day"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

It is officially summer and the daily temperatures have been very high. Let's hope it cools down a little bit so we can all stop acting like zombies when we go outside. The red paint palette was the color of choice today. Red warms things up no matter the weather. Enjoy!

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Covered In Green - Ruth Andre

"Covered In Green"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When things go wrong and then go right,  you then know you are having a special experience. While traveling through Washington we had a flat tire. We were pretty much in, what looked like, the middle of no where. We stopped at a farm and took a look at the tire and then started to call for service. As we looked around we realized we had stopped at an alfalfa farm and we were surrounded by acres of very green alfalfa fields. It was a gorgeous sight and one I will never forget. The young farmer that owned the property said he had 3,000 acres all planted in alfalfa. Whew! This fellow also went to work changing  our tire and would not take payment of any kind, no money, no dinner, nothing. He said he just wanted to help. It took a couple of days to get the right tires ordered but we ended up enjoying the area and may have missed seeing this beautiful spot without the tire mishap. 

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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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".

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Wishing for a Rain Cloud - Summer Sale - Ruth Andre

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"Wishing for a Rain Cloud"

4"x4" Painted Handmade Papers, Bead, Wire on Panel

by Ruth Andre

As you know I live in the foothills of northern California. The summers are hot and dry with no or very little rain. This summer we have  not  had a single drop of rain and the fields are heavy with dried almost white grasses. I found myself feeling jealous as I spoke on the phone with a favorite aunt in Kentucky. She said the sky is grey and a big storm is coming. I remember living in the mid-west and feeling the hot temperatures drop when a storm came through. The rain was a blessed event and oh how lovely it was to see the earth soak up the falling water. I found myself wishing for a storm cloud.

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Castaway - Ruth Andre

"Castaway"

7"x7" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I am painting for  a group in Paris. I sent four paintings out for review and now I wait to see if they will accept my work. The waiting on any showing is always a challenge  I know Paris really sounds exciting but I am trying to just paint and not think about it. Ha, Ha, Ha! I say that and here I am writing about it. I have decided that keeping my head down and painting is the best way to go no matter what the final decision may be. I have also been asked this week to participate in a very nice site and once my work is made available I will sing out and let you know the weblink. I have to say being invited to this site was very nice and also a surprise. You may be thinking what does this blog post have to do with the "Castaway" painting above and I guess it is my feeling of being out to sea. Maybe  it is just having what seems to be a lot going on with my art right now. The good stuff sometimes happens when we are in unknown waters. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Grasses - Ruth Andre

"Grasses"

7"x7" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$189

My painting today is a reminder of the season's change. The summer heat and wind has dried the grasses in the valley a pale yellow. The grass heads have tasseled and as they flutter in the breeze seeds are released into the air. I wonder what the untamed land must have been like years ago.  

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Above the Clouds - Ruth Andre

"Above the Clouds"

5"x5" Oil on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$98

Matted - $125

It was hammock weather today. The sun was warm and the soft breeze kept the air cool It was one of those dreamy days that made me want to just relax and enjoy. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Lasting Memories - Ruth Andre

"Lasting Memories"

5"x5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$98

Matted - $125

There are memories that haunt and enliven but they are both lasting and seemingly make themselves known. I wonder why with so much in one's life there are those memories that create themselves over and over again. Maybe they are there to remind us of the good in our lives to be thankful and appreciative and then the haunting memories might remind us what we need to atone for in this life. A good friend of mine has said, she would not change one thing in her life. I was so shocked by this statement and amazed with what must be her happiness or her endurance. She has not had a life without challenges. I know I have had many lessons in this life and try to understand the why of it all. The Lasting Memories are there for the duration. There is  no replay button or going back. Take care, it has been, "A Painting Day".

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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Back and Forth

"Back and Forth"

5"x5" Mixed Media on Paper

$98 - No Mat / $125 Matted

by Ruth Andre

There is always change and with change comes the back and forth of what if this happens and our questions of what will happen. Life is quite mysterious. We never really know what time we have and we do our best to think about what is best for the future and then there are always more questions and more back and forth decisions. I tried something new lately and that is instead of giving my full like or dislike for a situation I said, to a friend, you will know what to do. It is interesting that my input was not really needed but I must have been a good sounding board to their ideas because positive things have gone on and the outcome has been good. Letting go is one of the hardest things to do in life. Letting go to move on when we are young, letting go of our children and remembering they are adults and can find their way. Letting go enough to let life move us in the right direction. Letting go long enough to listen to our inner selves. Letting go to hear those special people in our lives. Letting go to bask in the light of our own triumphant and the triumphant of others. Letting go to give guidance when asked. My goal in life has been to give when I can and accept what others give graciously. It is interesting how life evolves and letting go is all part of the big picture. Take care - 

It has been,"A Painting Day".

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Through the Rain - Ruth Andre

"Through the Rain"

5"x5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

Without Mat $98

With Mat- $125

by Ruth Andre

Looking out the studio window I can see rain clouds in the distance. Then the rush of wind buffets its way through the valley and finally the rain comes pelting down on the studio's metal roof. The landscape with the lush spring colors seem to slide down the glass as the rain showers the land. 

It has been, "A Painting Day". 

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Red Light - Ruth Andre

"Red Light"

5"x5" Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$98 (no Mat)

$125 Matted

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Primarily Blue - Ruth Andre

"Primarily Blue"

6"x16" Mixed Media on Paper

Professionally Matted with Sleeve

by Ruth Andre

$400.00

I have been away from the studio for a few days and it felt so good to get back to painting this past week. I am totally enjoying painting on paper panels. I am showing these pieces horizontally but they could be shown vertically as well. The painting above is the third painting in the "Primarily" series. "Primarily Yellow" and "Primarily Red" were posted in previous posts and below. Museum quality mats will be ordered for each painting. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

"Primarily Yellow, Primarily Red and Primarily Blue"

Each 6"x16" Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

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Landing Gear - Ruth Andre

"Landing Gear"

8"x8" Mixed Media on Handmade Paper

Mat Available

by Ruth Andre

The act of flying and enjoying the freedom of flight is a passion, a choice, a love. I can only relate with my own passion and that is the act of painting. There is something within us that can be nurtured and brought to life to bring a sense of weightlessness and freedom. Coming down from a soaring happy time of discovery is allowing the landing gear to slow us down and enjoy the moment of discovery.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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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".

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Night Sky - Ruth Andre

"Night Sky"

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

12"x12" Mat

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

A favorite time comes when the day is gone and the sky lights up to show its spectacular beauty. The sun slides behind the mountains and the sky is almost dark except for a burst of bright colors of the setting sun. All is quiet with the fall of night. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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