Sky - Ruth Andre

"Sky"

6"x6" oil on canvas

by Ruth Andre

Just when you thought all the horses had been put out to pasture another one appears. I have been invited for the 8th time to the Cattlemen's Western Art Show Sale in Paso Robles, California. The Cattlemen's show has invited 50 Western Artists to show the week-end, April 4th-April 6th. The turnout is always lively with patrons from the Paso Robles area and with folks that visit from different parts of the country to see the show. It is always fun seeing the art of the other artists and catching up with them as the week-end gallops along. You are welcome so set the date for, "A Painting Day".

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I Haven't Heard - I Heard!

After the recent flurry of paintings were shipped out to the GAC gallery and the Texana Gallery I took some time for a little celebrating, Then I got back to the studio to work on a commissioned portrait of a beautiful Warmblood mare, Grace.  Grace is indeed a beauty and has a very fine way about her.  Her big soft eyes speak volumes about her sweet disposition.  A photo image was sent out yesterday to her owner for approval.  I am patiently waiting to hear what Grace's owner thinks about the portrait?  Painting is one thing, waiting for approval is another, so wish me luck.  Painting Grace has made for, "A Painting Day".

The client contacted me regarding the commission painting of Grace and she said she loved the painting. It is her Grace!

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A Painter's Cloth

End of the Line

I know this is far from what you were expecting to see on today's post but "End of the Line" is a memory painting for more than one reason.  The cow skull reminds me of a time I was with my sister, Karen, riding in Nevada from a ranch we were visiting to the closest neighbor's ranch five miles away.  Instead of following the road we headed out through the mesquite.  We were on good working Quarter horses and they were feeling frisky and eager to go.  On the way we found a cow skull and I got down out of the saddle and scooped it up to take home in my suitcase.  Can you imagine what the TSA would think of that today?  My sister and I were both in horse heaven that day and painting this old cow skull has brought back memories and made for "A Painting Day".

"End of the LIne" 9x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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The Good Art Company Gallery

Today I am packing paintings and will ship them off to The Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas.  The gallery is located in the hill country of Fredericksburg, Texas.  Fredericksburg is a must visit location, just an hour from Austin. It is filled with great galleries, shops and wonderful restaurants.  I am very proud to have my work represented in this lovely gallery.  If you are traveling to or through Texas make  Fredericksburg a must see destination.  You will have fun.  Getting paintings ready to ship made for, "A Painting Day".

The Good Art Company
218 West Main Street
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
8390997-1111

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Wild No More

Do you follow what is going on with the Wild Horses in America?  I know there are very strong views on both sides and I am sure there is some good for what is being said on both sides.  My heart aches when I see the round up photos and see mares stressed and foals lost and killed.  Stallions removed from being leaders of their herds and brought into holding areas for future auctions.  The wild horse, the Mustang, is a symbol of the American west and has run free for centuries.  When I saw this mare I felt I needed to paint her for she and what she represents is very dear to my heart.  Following the wild Mustangs has made for, "A Painting Day",

"Free No More" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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A Painter's Cloth

New Moon

After my last post I headed back to the studio and made a grand dash to the finish for "New Moon".  Sometimes painting is not thoughtful and slow but just letting the paint and brush move across the canvas.  I decided to let go and let it be.  I am truly enjoying this new series of Moon Titled paintings.  This may sound strange but I am a great fan of austerity where my subject is painted with no distractions from backgrounds.  The "Being There as One" makes it interesting for me.  Now that you know I have a weird streak please enjoy the new "Moon" series as they come off the canvas.  Painting this little Paint filly made for, A Painting Day".

"New Moon" 30x30 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre 2011 ©

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Work In Progress - New Moon

I thought I had better check in today ready or not.  I was hoping to finish this painting but that is to be seen?  The Titanium White paint is setting up on this very warm summer day and I may have to settle on finishing this little filly painting in a couple of days.  The background just has the first paint wash and needs work too so this is just a peek at what is on the easel, working its way to being ready for the finish.  This is also a larger canvas, 30x30 inches so I am having fun with the big brushes and gobs of paint.  Painting this little filly has made for, "A Painting Day".

Work In Progress - "New Moon" 30x30 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre 2011 ©

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Desert Moon

This painting is still wet and may need a little more work but I will take a look at it in the morning and make the necessary changes.  I am on a quest to gather together several "Moon" paintings.  Actually paintings titled using the word, moon.  You have seen "Moon Shadow, Moonlight on the Plains and The Honey Moon.  This will be moon painting #4 with New Moon in the wings.  I used a black and white reference photograph leaving it up to me to make my color choices.  It was a fun experiment.  Painting

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The Honey Moon

I just took a photo of this painting and realized I am not a photographer and do not have the right lens to photograph a painting this wide.  Since it is six feet wide I am somewhat hampered getting a good image until I take it to my good friend and great photographer, Jim Ginney in Placerville.  The painting might also need a tweak or two but I wanted to share my days labor with you.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing the paint go on this canvas and seeing it through what paintings do as they move through the process.  It is a wild ride but a fun one for sure.  Painting with these two wild horses has made for, "A Painting day".

"The Honey Moon" 24x72-inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre 201l ©

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Work In Progress Continues - The Honey Moon

This is my second post for my painting journey with this larger 6 foot canvas.  I have spent a full day getting the color paint-wash on the two horses and adding paint to the background.  Next a thicker paint will be added and hopefully we will be seeing a finished painting soon.  I am enjoying working on this larger canvas with big brushes and large quantities of paint.  The next step will show the true likeness of the horses.  This has definitely been, "A Painting Day".

Work In Progress, "The Honey Moon" by Ruth Andre 2011 ©

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Work In Progress - The Honey Moon

The art store is a dangerous place.  You see supplies and can touch everything.  It is not like an art catalog where you can just turn the page and move on.  I mean some things just call out to you.  I saw this large six foot canvas and just went a bit wild.  Matter of fact I bought TWO of these big beauties.  Then I submerged myself in ideas of what to paint?  The first photo below shows the first drawing block in using an oil wash of paint for a painting of two horses.  The next photos show how I start the painting by painting the eye of the horse.  It may not be the finished eye but it gives me the feeling of life with the animal I am painting and that gives me a connection to the animals I am painting.  I am not alone; we are all in the studio together.  I will post more photos as the work comes together.  It will go through different stages, some not so pretty but each step brings the work closer to completion.  Painting BIG made for, "A Painting Day".

Work In Progress - "The Honey Moon" by Ruth Andre 2011 ©

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Just Working & Moses Botkin Challenge for August

The August Moses Botkin Challenge was a true Challenge for me this month.  We were asked to paint something inside or outside of our car.  I do have a car but my true affection goes to our work horse F250 Diesel Ford Truck.  This baby has gotten my husband and me to and from our home in Missouri to California several times.  It has also pulled heavy horses, hay and equipment.  Before owning a diesel truck we had an almost very bad situation pulling a horse trailer with two very heavy horses.  We had just picked up our two mares from a wonderful horse farm, Valley Springs Foxtrotters , in Black, MO and were headed home and started up a steep grade and about 3/4 of the way up the hill the truck started to sputter and complain about the load.  At one point we thought we would be headed back down the mountain backwards and who knows at what speed?  It was a scary situation and right then and there we decided we had to have more pulling power and a diesel truck.  We did make it  home okay that day but adventures like that one I did not want to do again.  So this little Ford is a working girl and we love her.  Thinking about our Missouri adventure made for "A Painting Day".  Scroll down and take a look at the other artist entries for August Challenge.

"Just Working" 6x8 inches, oil on canvas 2011 © By Ruth Andre

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"Rocket Girl"

7x5 on hard board © 2011
Diana Moses Botkin

http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com

"Aereodynamics"

5x7 oil on panel ©

Robin Cheers

http://robincheers.blogspot.com

"Old Mobile"

6x6 oil on board ©

Sharmon Owings

http://sharmonowingspaintings.blogspot.com

"Cherry"

5x5 oil on panel ©
Vicki Ross

http://vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com

Charlie II - A Commission

A few posts back I posted "Charlie I" and today I am posting "Charlie II", the second painting of Charlie. The two images have been emailed to the client to see which painting she and her daughter favor the most?  I fell in love with this horse.  He has a sweet way about him and it shows through in his photos.  He is also a very good jumper and is headed to the Junior Hunter finals in San Juan Capistrano.  He and his owner surely will do well and have a lot of fun along the way.  So which painting will they choose?  Painting Charlie has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Charlie II" 12x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre ©

"Charlie I" 12x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre © Sold

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