A Painting Day

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Just Passing Through - Ruth Andre

"Just Passing Through"

8"x6" Oil on Canvas Panel

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

Today's painting was painted on an outing just five miles from my home in Drytown, California. Drytown is a wide spot in the road with a couple of antique shops and an old diner called the Old Well. In its day Drytown flourished with over 60 saloons and amenities for the gold rush miners. I met my friend, Bruce Hancock for the morning paint out. We picked our shade spots and went to work. When I paint plein air the memories for the day stay with me. The rush of traffic buzzing by and then the complete silence with cars coming and going. The weather was over 100 degrees but

we had a good paintings session and headed for home before either one of us melted.

On a personal note my back has become a real problem and I may be having surgery in the next few months. I miss my studio time more than I can say. I will keep you posted!

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Amador Oak - Ruth Andre

"Amador Oak"

8"x6" Oil on Canvas Panel

by Ruth Andre

$95.00

What did I say just a few days ago that I would not be painting plein air since I had so much studio painting to do. Things have a way of changing and last Saturday I met the Sacramento Plein Air Painters in Amador City. Amador City is one of my favorite small towns to visit and it is just a few miles from my house so I had to go. The artists met at the Andre Bakery, (no relation to myself) and then we headed out to set up our easels throughout the town. I found a shady spot with a lovely view and went to work. It seemed that most of the painters were watercolorists so my thick palette knife painting was quite different. I paint plein air for the joy of it. The paint is a miracle in the works. Seeing color from life and then mixing paint to reflect the landscape is an amazing task. I do love the challenge very much. It was, "A Painting Day".

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Thursday, June 16, 2016

"Wakamatsu Oak"

8"x8" Oil on Canvas

by Ruth Andre

$125

I drove to a beautiful area outside of Placerville, CA yesterday to meet up with a group of painters. We met at the Wakamatsu Ranch. The ranch is rich in history and is being preserved. You can read about the ranch Here. The old oak in the painting was hovering above a small pond. Its tree limbs went all the way to the ground giving shelter for wildlife in the area. It was a beautiful cool day with gusts of wind that sent my hat flying a few times.

I just received an assignment for 40 small paintings on paper that are due as soon as possible so I will be in the studio working. The landscape will be there to see but not painted for a few weeks.

It was, "A Painting Day".

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Saturday, January 3, 2015

A Painting Day - Summer Day - Ruth Andre

"Summer Day"

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

by Ruth Andre

The new year is here and new goals are in the works as well as quiet chatter as to what to do. What do I leave behind and where will I settle in to make my time as an artist count? It is exciting to see new possibilities. Sometimes I feel making changes with my art is like moving from one house to the next. What needs to be taken and what needs to be left behind? Why is is so hard to pick up and go? I do know I have to have my own convictions and belief in myself. So many people are complacent wanting the artist to stay put and not change and even at times wanting them to go back to what was comfortable for them. They do not seem to understand that making art is not just making art. There is growth for the artist that must be tended. There is no standing still when making more is your goal.

It has been, "A Painting Day'.

Blo g

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Old Oak - Ruth Andre

"Old Oak"

6"x6" oil on canvas

by Ruth Andre

This painting is another old oak tree that lies west of my home in the fence line. The old fence posts are standing this way and that. They are old and are made by hand cut wood. At this time of year the oaks are dark against the golden hills that surround the valley. The colors are softened but still bold grey-blues and dark purples. I love the contrast between the dark trees and the sunlit land. It has been,

"A Painting Day".

Blo g

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Just Down the Road - Ruth Andre

"Just Down the Road"

6"x8"oil on canvas panel

by Ruth Andre
Sold

I am posting another front porch plein air painting today. My camera went wild on me so I do not have a good photo of the Russian easel as promised but I will get a photo and share it soon. I love just walking out my front door to paint. The location for this painting is just down the road heading east to our neighbor's ranch. Our neighbor raises cattle so we see her cows everyday. I love watching the herd as they move from pasture to pasture. I have at least one or two more front porch paintings to paint and am looking forward to getting out the door tomorrow morning. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Blo g

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"

Blo g

Monday, October 14, 2013

High on the Bluff - Ruth Andre

"High on the Bluff"

6"x6" oil on canvas

by Ruth Andre

I was out painting at the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California and the wind was fierce. The gusts of wind came in so hard that my hand would sail across the canvas to the point that I had to scrap two paintings. I was ready to call it a day when I saw this cluster of trees high on the bluff as I looked out from the harbor. They looked as if they were greeting the boats as they made their way into the harbor. The painting day is what makes memories for plein air painters. I was not just painting I was feeling all that surrounded me and it was truly, "A Painting Day".

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Summer Oaks - Ruth Andre

With August coming to an end in a few days I thought I would show a small study of three oaks seemingly resting on the hillside. Finding a bit of shade on these hot, hot days is so welcome. Enjoying summer has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Summer Oaks" 5x5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Aspen Holiday - Ruth Andre

As I set in my office looking out on the horses and the tree line following the creek I can see two deer moving quickly to the horse corral and scooting in with my oldest mare, Mystery. The deer seem to be accepted by the horses. None of them seem to care that two wild deer are sharing their dinner. I am sure the deer were watching my every move and were just waiting for me to leave the corral and walk to the house. It makes me wonder what else is just out of sight, hidden by the canopy of wild blackberries and old oaks. The painting today is a small forest of Aspen trees and they remind me of where I would like to visit sometime soon. Thinking of an Aspen Holiday has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Aspen Holiday" 8x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Monday, July 16, 2012

Silent Quest - Ruth Andre

This sunset painting is a little more dramatic than the one from yesterday. The force of the setting sun is at its peak. The painting title is, "Silent Quest" and painting sunsets maybe a quest of my own as I plan to explore a few more sunset studies. The day is slipping away to dusk and has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Silent Quest" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold

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Sunday, July 15, 2012

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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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Land of the Clouds - Ruth Andre

The Quest, my Quest is to continue to grow as an artists as I stretch my wings and try new things with the paint. I have been wanting to paint a larger palette knife painting so today I went at it. The canvas is only 14x14 inches square but compared to a small 6x6 inch square canvas it took a lot more energy and I might add, a lot more paint. This is the beginning of what I hope is a series of sky paintings. We shall see how things proceed? Taking on the challenge, made for, "A Painting Day".

"The Land of the Clouds" 14x14 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Farmlands - Ruth Andre

The painting today is called, "Farmlands" and while I painted, I started thinking about my good friend, Judy. Judy was one of the first people I met in Missouri, where my husband and I farmed I still remember meeting Judy for the first time. She struck me as a real life Southern Bell. When ever I was with Judy it was a bit like being with a movie star. She is someone that attracts attention with her enthusiastic manner, her love of life and the best of looks. Remembering good times with Judy, while in Farm Country, made for, "A Painting Day".

"Farmlands" 10x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Trail-Side

I was out painting and it was cold with the morning frost just starting to melt on the ground. The bluff was still in shade while the hillside in the background was alive with sunshine. The colors of the old oak and the brushy trees along the trail side were varied shades of dark reds and grey greens. It was a special time and it made for, "A Painting Day".

"Trail-Side" 6x6-inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

A Painter's Cloth

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Oak Breeze

Last week I sent 7 paintings off to a new gallery in Park City, Utah. I will give you the scoop on that in a few days. Hopefully I will have some photos to share. Today's painting was also painted while in Sutter Creek last week. The sun kept hiding behind the clouds so this one gives you the feeling of an almost rainy day, while the other, "Down by the Creek" is filled with sunshine. The tree leaves and the grasses were all turning from their summer green to varied color of fall. It was a nice day to be painting plein air and made for, "A Painting Day".

"Oak Breeze" 5x5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

A Painter's Cloth

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Quiet Sentinels

The last day in Fort Bragg our painting group headed down to the harbor. A few artists wanted to paint boats and others wanted to head out to the harbor inlet but I decided to find a spot shielded from the wind by a bridge piling. I took a look around and saw a cypress grove standing majestically on a bluff over the harbor. The sun was still hiding behind the clouds and the scene was just beautiful. Once again I chose to use the palette knife. The colors were very subtle but vibrant all in one. Being in Fort Bragg made for, "A Painting Day".

A Painter's Cloth

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Summer Days

I am in Malibu right now but thought you would like to see one more plein air painting from the Bishop, California trip. The old oaks around the little lake were just so serene. I was tucked away in a shady spot when I painted these old souls. Feeling the summer heat and westerly breezes made for, "A Painting Day".

If you want to see more photos of the Bishop trip my friend, Bruce Hancock, has a nice blog post covering his side of things for the workshop. Bruce's Link.

"Summer Days" 6x6-inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold

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Sale Day Paintings

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Break in the Clouds

Today was "A Painting Day" for the Moses Botkin Challenge and the painting needs to stay on hold and be posted this coming Sunday. So I have to keep it hidden away until the whole group posts their paintings. Please check back in for the new challenge post. I took a look back at a few of my plein air paintings painted in Volcano, California. Volcano is a small town and you can see from one end to the other with out getting on your tip toes. I mean it is a small old Gold Rush town full of old buildings and character. I was painting at one end of main street under the eaves of an old hotel. It was a lovely day and what you would say, perfect. Then I heard a thunderous sound and saw a group of motorcyclists coming up the road, parking just a few feet from where I was painting. It was quite a group to see in their black leathers. They were in for lunch at one of the restaurants on the boulevard. It was, "A Painting Day".

"Break in the Clouds" 8x10-inches, oil on canvas Sold