Scarlet I, II - Ruth Andre

"Scarlet I and II"

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

by Ruth Andre

Each Painting Matted and Framed $300

The two "Scarlet" paintings are bold and have done their best to make a statement. It is amazing what a force a small painting can make. I am working on a few larger paintings. While they dry between layers of applied paint I like to paint small paintings to keep the energy going. The buzz is on and fun.  Enjoy! It has been, "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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The Possibility is There - Ruth Andre

"The Possibility Is There"

8"x4" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I have been painting for a coming Small Works show at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. As you know I love working on small paintings. The small works give me time to explore and the pressure to make a good painting is much less than on a larger painting. I have been contemplating a venture that is rather costly but one that I seem destine to try. I am checking off the possibilities to see if I want to say, yes, or no. I will keep you updated if my answer is yes.

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Sojourn II - Ruth Andre

"Sojourn II"

12"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The Sojourn series has begun and continues with, "Sojourn II". The painting from yesterday's post and this one today are a little different in style. It is a new direction and one I have decided to explore. The paint is layered and scrapped to reveal layers below. Maybe this is a  letting go of sorts so the paints  can go their own way. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Finding My Way

"Finding My Way"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

sold

I painted this piece and then scrapped it off and started again and again. I saw paintings come and go and though they might not have been bad they were not what I wanted. They did not have the spark that makes a painting. I find if I am willing to let a painting free itself from the first structure of an idea, the real painting is given space to form. It is wonderful and frustrating but when I find the painting, it is rewarding and I can let it go.  It has been, "A Painting Day".

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The Curtain - Ruth Adnre

"The Curtain"

8.5"x8.5"Acrylic-Oil-Wax on Stonehenge Paper

by Ruth Andre

Today I did some experimenting with paper and mixed media. On this piece I mixed acrylic base  colors and once they were dry I added a mixture of oil and wax. The painting, "The Curtain" is somewhat influenced by how the creek is slowing for the season. The water is like a curtain closing over the bridge and the creek water is folding inward. There is just a trickle of water passing from one side of the bridge to the other. It won't be long and the lush green grasses and ferns along the creekside will be dormant until fall when the rains come again. Have a wonderful holiday. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Snow Bank - Ruth Andre

"Snow Pack"

6"x10" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Today felt like a snow day compared to last week's weather. We had cooler temperatures and it felt so good to be outside. There was no snow but this painting was influenced by my online property search for real estate in the north west. The photos are always beautiful and filled with green grass but a few photos show deep snow. I love looking at different areas for land and the homes that are offered for sale. Sometimes it makes me feel lucky to live right here in the valley.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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"Moonlight"

4"x4" acrylic on paper

matted and framed 11"x11"

by Ruth Andre

This was painted after a full moon made the valley as light as day. Looking out the kitchen door I could see  Hopi, our Paint mare, in the pasture resting in the moonlight. It has been, 

"A Painting Day".

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Creek At Night - Ruth Andre

"Creek At Night"

3.5"x4" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 11"x11"

by Ruth Andre

The temperatures have been high and with the creek still running it brings  the thirsty wildlife down from the mountains for a drink. At dusk a few days ago my dog, Sadie, and I walked to the creek to enjoy the running water and the shade from the old oaks. When I got home a neighbor called to say she saw me at the creek and when I left a mountain lion also climbed up from the creek to cross our property. I must admit I felt a chill and wondered if the mountain lion was watching Sadie and me from one of the old oak tree branches. This occurrence also made me wonder what goes on at the creek at night when all is quiet and cool. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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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".

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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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Time Travel - Ruth Andre

"Time Travel"

6"x6" Found Papers, Painted Papers, Wire, Bottle Cap and Gold Leaf

by Ruth Andre

$150

This collage may be an entry for a coming Altered Art Show. I have never tried using found objects in a collage so it was interesting working with box paper and an old bottle cap that I found years ago and saved. I would like to compete a couple more altered works to see what finds its way to the finished work. I am enjoying the collage process very much. 

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Bear Hunter - Ruth Andre

"Bear Hunter"

5"x7" Handprinted Japanese Papers on Board

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

"Bear Hunter"- Bear Fetish

One day our neighbor, Peggy, came to the house and she said she had just seen a bear cross her property following a path next to her home. She first thought it was a man hunched over and then she realized it was indeed a bear. She let it pass but had a good look at the big guy through a window. I have thought of Peggy's story am hopeful if this or another bear pass through I will see him before he sees me. This collage is embellished with an ebony bear fetish that was found on  a trip to Santa Fe. The bead shops in Santa Fe and Taos are quite lovely and once you step in the door there is no leaving without a purchase. I won't say how many beads I brought home but I am happy to report a few of them are finding homes in these new collage pieces. 

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Loose Ends - Ruth Andre

"Loose Ends"

7"x5" Handprinted Japanese Papers - Linen on Panel

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

The "Loose Ends" painting is my favorite collage so far. I feel it is strong and with a sweet softness. The linen pieces are held tight but still venture out into the painting. By painting these papers I feel a connection that makes the collage my own experience to share. If you too are interested in collage you might like visiting the National Collage Society's website. You will be able to see several artist's work and the diversity that represents collage. It has been, "A Painting Day". 

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Moonlight - Ruth Andre

"Moonlight"

7"x5" Japanese Papers and Paint on Board

by Ruth Andre

$150 Mounted on Paper  

I can see layering papers to form an art collage can become a true passion. I have had some paper work that needed doing but I could hear the studio calling. Finally after a day away I ventured into my studio and set myself to work. Working with these lovely handmade and painted papers takes me into another zone. I am looking forward to painting some new papers and and exploring new compositions. Enjoy, it has been, "A Painting Day".

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