A Painting Day

Sunday, February 18, 2018

"Mountain Side"

4"x4" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 10"x10"

$250

This is a small painting full of energy and strength. I am enjoying being back in Sutter Creek but the visit to Joshua Tree has given me new painting energy.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Two Doors Down - Ruth Andre

"Two Doors Down"

5"x4" Acrylic On Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

$300

I think the title, "Two Doors Down" really makes this painting. The title may make the viewer take a second look and ponder about what is going on. While in the desert we saw lots of white sand and in different neighborhoods homes painted in bright and unusual colors. There is a free spirit that prevails in the desert. It is hard to describe but it is there. Joshua Tree, California is becoming an art outpost and enticing many artists to the area. It is also close to Palm Springs if one needs a bit of city in their life.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

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".

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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",

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Nest - One - Ruth Andre

"Nest One"

Acrylic on 9"x12" Paper

by Ruth Andre

While out walking my husband and I spotted a small mound of sticks and leaves by the creek. I fished it out and was surprised to find a beautiful bird nest that must have fallen from a tree limb overhead. The nest's lining was woven with hair from our dog, Sadie. I also saw baling string that holds the horse hay. Small twigs were all set in place with a few leaves still attached woven with long hair from out horses mane. I wonder how these nests are made. They are a wonder in themselves. Seeing the bird nest was so inspiring that I think the painting above is the beginning of a new series called, "Nest". I have been truly influences by the bird nest and its unrestricted beauty. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Saturday, January 20, 2018

WHODUNNIT - Ruth Andre

"Jackson Pass"

6"x6" Acrylic on Canvas

WHODUNNIT - 2018

by Ruth Andre

This painting, "Jackson Pass" will be shipped out next week to a wonderful showing called, WHODUNNIT. Each year the ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON puts on a wonderful fund raising show called, WHODUNNIT. Each artist submits a piece of art and only signs the back of the piece so it is anonymously shown. The WHODUNNIT show is quite popular and I wold imagine it is also a lot of fun for patrons viewing the many entries of art to purchase and take home. The art association facility is a beautiful and welcoming facility with many teaching programs.

For more information for WHODUNNIT check here

Since I am still convalescing from my holiday FALL I have set up a work station on the dining table. I have made a mess of things but the lighting is wonderful and I can stir the soup on the stove or throw in a wash between adding layers of paint. I kind of like my new space.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Country House - Ruth Andre

"The Country House"

4.5"x8.25 Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I enjoy following architectural websites showing beautiful contemporary homes with many being in the forest wilds or on top of a mountains. It makes me wonder how remote these homes must be and what the roads are like to track them down. Living in a remote area myself people often ask how my husband and I found our property thinking we live pretty close to being off-grid. We are just over an hour away from a major airport but when you are here in the valley the area does seem far from civilization.

It has been, "A Painting Day"

Contact Ruth

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Falling In Place I and II - Ruth Andre

"Falling In Place I"

5"x5" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

"Falling In Place II"

5"x5" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

My online course, Studio Journey, is taking me into new painting territory. I am doing my best to work with acrylic paint and try different palette colors. The acrylic paint colors are so different from oil paints that it is a challenge. I mix a color and when I put it down it takes on a different look and also has a transparent quality. The class suggests to challenge yourself by working in a different way. As mentioned in the last post the class is working on paintings within a series. I started three paintings yesterday and when I started painting today the third one took a totally new direction, I decided to let it go and stayed the course with the, "Falling In Place" paintings above. I will be posting the third painting shortly. I am enjoying being in the online Studio Journey class.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Studio Journey

- Contact-

Friday, October 6, 2017

Indian Summer - Ruth Andre

"Indian Summer"

10"x10"x1.5" Oil-Wax on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

After a hot summer the fall weather sets in and sometimes the temperatures are quite cold. The sweatshirts and parkas are much needed for morning walks. In years past after the rush of cold comes a week of warm weather and windy days that send the drying tree leaves on their way. This time is called, Indian Summer, and a time that I love. The seasonal change seems to bring a new energy to be enjoyed. I hope you like this painting. This particular panel has been painted and finished three times. After completion the painting has been hung in the studio and after a few weeks I have decided it was not quite right so the new painting begins. I think, "Indian Summer" will stay to be enjoyed.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The Journey - Ruth Adnre

"The Journey"

4"x10" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$400

I decided to give acrylic paint another try today. I have to say acrylic paints totally humble me. I am not in love with painting with acrylics but I like the outcome. Maybe it is the added tears that bring it all together. A good friend, Theresa Paden, paints animal portraiture using acrylics. She paints large canvases and she makes painting with acrylics look easy. I sent Theresa an email to let her know I am in awe of her painting skills. I know I am making more of this than necessary but the whole acrylic process astonishes me. The paints are very liquid in body and then once down on the paper they turn to glue. No kidding!!! The word practice comes to mind so I may try a few more works and see how they go. It has been, "A Painting Day".

PS: I will try not to complain.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

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".

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Crossed Paths - Ruth Andre

"Crossed Paths"

6"x24"x2" Oil-Wax on Panel

by Ruth Andre

Painting on paper has become my go to backing but today I am showing a painting on a nice deep 2 inch cradled panel. The panel depth gives the painting strength and the look is really nice. This painting is hanging in the studio but it may need to come into the house. It is a quiet restful painting and it would be good to see it given a special setting. Maybe it needs to be seen in its forever home environment.

Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day".

Friday, September 15, 2017

First Blush - Ruth Andre

"First Blush"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Loose Canvas

Matted and Framed 10"x15"

by Ruth Andre

The cooler weather is giving my new work a lighter feel. I had planned this painting to be quite graphic and dark. It is good to let go and let the painting find its way. The medium is a mix of oil, wax and oil paint sticks. Does anyone else love paint-sticks like I do?

The farrier was here this morning, I mean all morning. He is a good guy and is good with our mare, Hopi. I thought you might like to see the sweet girl and how the valley grasses have turned a deep golden color.

It was, "A Painting Day".

Hopi

I need to take another photo. Poor Hopi looks like she has a rather wide behind. She really is a gorgeous mare. Hopi came to us wild and only 7 months old. I spent a lot of time with her in her stall so she would learn to trust humans. She was also placed in the stall next to our head mare, Angel. Angel must have taught her the ropes because it was not long before Hopi was walking on the lead. I loved living in Missouri Farm Country.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Sideward Glance - Ruth Andre

"Sideward Glance"

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

by Ruth Andre

My escape to the studio was a two part adventure today. I was able to paint this morning and then again late afternoon. It works well when I give the paintings time to rest before adding more layers of paint. I also get to see the painting with a fresh eye or in this case a sideward glance. If there are two eyes here in these paintings it is truly abstracted but the name came to me as I finished the two works so I am going to go with it. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

The Sun Is Out - Ruth Andre

"The Sun Is Out"

6.5"x6.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

This painting was once white and blue with a hint of yellow. I thought it looked nice but it did not jolt any strong feelings so I let it sit for a few days. Today after feeding our sweet mare, Hopi, I went to the studio to see what could be changed for a stronger painting. It had been a safe painting and now it is a painting that makes me know it is alive. It has a pulse. I am laughing at myself a little but it is true. While living in Encinitas, California the ocean was out my front door. Every morning I would walk to the front windows and look out to see the ocean. The fog was often my sad reward but then as the morning went on I would call to my husband and say, The Sun Is Out. It was a glorious time living by the sea but short lived. We left sunny California to farm in the Mid-West for several years. My morning view changed from ocean blues and greens to green and yellow wheat fields as the season changed. I must admit it was a cultural shock but one I soon grew to love.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, August 20, 2017

The Back Door - Ruth Andre

"The Back Door"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Every summer when my kids were growing up we would take a summer vacation to Falling Leaf Lake in Tahoe, California. The old summer cottages were quite rustic. The kitchen had an old vintage stove, a small refrigerator and a table covered with a plastic floral cloth. There was a patio and a back door with a screen that would slam shut with a bang when the kids went in and out of the cabin. The old door had seen many visitors and it had been painted several times. There were a few chipped areas to let you know it was not always a green door or a yellow door but was also a red door at one time. These were happy and relaxed days away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The painting today, "The Back Door" is a strong and graphic painting with big areas of direct color. I like the strength of this piece very much. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Stop Ahead - Ruth Andre

"Stop Ahead"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I was thinking about snow once again while painting, "Stop Ahead". The painting makes me think of snow covered walk ways and the swishing sound of cars streaming by. It could be a small one-stop-sign-town or a busy city street. No matter the location there is a feeling of quiet isolation.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

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".