Afternoon Breeze - Ruth Andre

Last Tuesday I drove to Murphys, California to meet up with a group of artists at the Ironstone Vineyards & Winery-Sierra Foothills. It was a first time visit to the winery and it was just a perfect day. The winery grounds cover many acres and as you walked along the path ways there are gardens and quiet places to sit and relax. It is a painter's haven and it will be fun to go back again some day. There was a nice breeze as I set  up my easel under the oaks and I could hear the creek water rushing by just a few feet away. I did paint the creek and may post that painting tomorrow? Traveling old Hwy 49 to Murphys made for, "A Painting Day".

"Afternoon Breeze" 8x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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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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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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Meanderings - Ruth Andre

I have had the desert on my mind lately and find myself wanting to spend some time just painting the wildness of the untamed land. The natural vegetation and the spectacular sky during the morning sunrise and sunset are so inspiring. Today's painting is a nod to the ever changing colors of the desert. There is a quietness to the desert that gives reverence to the land. Thoughts of the desert have made for, "A Painting Day".

"Meanderings" 4x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Puesta de Sol - Ruth Andre

The studio took on a life of its own today as I laid out my paints. I thought of the sun setting when the valley has started to cool. It is a favorite time of day, the transition from day to night. The muse of the setting sun made for, "A Painting Day".

"Puesta de Sol" ("Setting Sun") - 18x24 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold

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Shallow Waters - Ruth Andre

I was out the door this morning to complete a series of errands. The painting "Ellis" was delivered and greeted with good words all around. Whew! I am always so happy when a commission is accepted. The challenge is always to make the painting, the animal being painted and recognizable to the owner.

I also took several paintings to my framer and friend, Jim Ginney in Placerville. The painting today was one to find the perfect frame. "Shallow Waters" was painted in the afternoon last Friday at Silver Lake. The water was so beautifully clear and the colors shown from delegate greens to the bluest of blues. There was a gusty wind that made everything feel totally alive and made for "A Painting Day".

"Shallow Waters" 6x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Ellis - Ruth Andre

Just when you thought I had abandoned the animal kingdom I am here to show you the latest commission to come my way. This is Ellis. She is Harlequin Great Dane meaning she is black and white in color and a big girl. This painting is going to be a wife's gift to her husband for his birthday. Talk about stress! "Ellis" is being delivered tomorrow and lets hope the painting is approved. Taking on a commission painting challenge made for, "A Painting Day".

"Ellis" 8x8", oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold


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Thunder Mountain - Ruth Andre

"Thunder Mountain"

8x8", oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

Friday morning I met my painting friend, Bruce Hancock, in Amador City and we drove up Highway- 88 to meet a few painting friends to paint in the Sierras. We met at Silver Lake just about an hour away. My first impression of the area was filled with being overwhelmed with the beauty of the area. The grandeur of the mountains and of course the lake itself was so beautiful and full of color. We all found a shady spot and went to work painting in our different locations. The mountain range that surrounds the lake was just so amazing. As I painted the mountain the light changed and I realized I could stay in the same spot all day and create many paintings all very different than the next. Photos below of the painters.

Julie Trail took this photo - Ruth Andre, Howard Rees, Vickie Chew & Bruce Hancock

Julie Trail Taking the Painting Challenge

photo by Bruce Hancock

I loved getting out with friends and it made for, "A Painting day".

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Impending Storm Changes - Ruth Andre

I was waiting for the farrier to come and trim two of our mares and decided to duck into the studio for a second look at the painting, "Impending Storm". I made one change and then another and finally made several changes. The photo does not show the nuances of color in the dark purples near the bottom of the painting but they are there. I am much happier with the painting and felt more confident moving the oil paint with the palette knife around this large canvas. A revisit to "Impending Storm" made for, "A Painting Day".

"Impending Storm" 36x36 in, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Forest Interlude - Ruth Andre

Today as I was searching the Internet I found a site showing paintings by Forrest Moses. I instantly fell in love with his paintings and prints.They are representational but full of mystery and subtle color. This little painting, "Forest Interlude" is my interruption of one of Forrest's prints. I used oil washes followed by thicker oil paint. Finding Moses made for, "A Painting Day".

"Forest Interlude" 8x6 in, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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