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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Tall Grasses - Ruth Andre

"Tall Grasses"

8"x8"x1" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

$500

The day is not complete without a walk up the hill behind our property. My dog, Sadie, and I walk the fence line, cross the creek and then up a steep hill passing beautiful pastures with views of the distance mountains. Today I noticed the grass was very high obscuring the pasture fence posts. With the record rainfall this winter came tall grass that needs to be mowed. The  grass cutting has been my husband's task and daily goal. From the looks of things he has more grass to conquer. As Sadie and I traveled up the hill I saw our neighbor's vineyard looks a lot like our fence row. We are all up to our necks, literally, in weeds. The painting today shows my interpretation of white dried grass hiding ,along the fence row. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Tall Grasses

Creek Crossing - Rancheria Creek

The Land I & II - Ruth Andre

"The Land I and II"

Each Painting 16"x16"x2" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

While in Jackson, Wyoming my husband and I had an opportunity to tour a beautiful contemporary home. We both loved the design of both the exterior and interior of the house. Approaching this lovely home was softened by lush fescue grasses and natural metal fencing. The house was a relaxed mixture of textures and color. A handwoven textile and colorful paintings adorned the walls. The furniture colors and cabinetry were subdued but represented the surrounding landscape giving a feeling of sun and shadow. The home tour was a true highlight of our trip that we totally enjoyed. The two paintings above have been in progress for a few days and as they submerged from their painted form the colors of a day in Jackson came forward. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Prairie Shadows I & II - Ruth Andre

"Prairie Shadows I"

10"x10"x1.5" 

Oil-Wax on Wood Panel

by Ruth Andre

"Prairie Shadows II"

10"x10"x1.5"

Oil-Wax on Wood Panel

by Ruth Andre

I have been away for three weeks taking a road tour with my husband. We left California and spent the first night in Oregon and then we went on to Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. We saw the most beautiful valleys, mountains and water ways with unimaginable colors that just made me want to paint and paint some more. The trip was fabulous. While in Wyoming I was able to meet an online artist friend, Lee Riddell. Lee paints the most beautiful landscapes in oil and watercolor. Lee's painting style and palette are understated and just plain gorgeous. It was so much fun to finally meet Lee while visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She is a very talented and fun lady.

We are home now and the adrenaline is still rushing through me with so many ideas that are filtering through from the trip. When we left our property was green with fresh spring grass and on our return we see the dried grasses waving in the breeze with shadows of a few hearty green weeds. With summer coming all needs to be mowed and weeded and more. 

Wishing your well. It has been "A Painting Day."

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The Grass Is Greener - Ruth Andre

"The Grass Is Greener"

6"x8" Oil on Canvas

by Ruth Andre

The grass is greener this year or at least it is staying greener due to the amazing amount of rain fall we have had. I love the blustery winds and cool weather and the cloud filled sky. It is an invigorating time to be outside enjoying the spring landscape. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Springtime Oak - Ruth Andre

"Springtime Oak"

6"x8" Oil on Canvas Panel

by Ruth Andre

$125

Winter has brought over 40 inches of rain to the valley and with the rain came a bit of flooding and a road that was impassable but luckily all is well. Since injuring my back badly I have not been able to paint and am just now trying to paint some small plein air pieces. The weather is just too nice to stay indoors. My front yard has a few old oaks so I stepped out onto my porch to paint "Springtime Oak". I am taking things slowly but hope to continue the painting quest. It has been, 

"A Painting Day".

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Solo Showing - Gallery 10 - Ruth Andre

Solo Show - Ruth Andre - Gallery 10

The New Year is here and speeding away in time. I have been busy getting paintings ready to present at Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek, California. The gallery asked that I show my animal and landscape paintings. With the reception being just a few days away I am starting to feel the excitement of seeing a gathered group of friends and meeting new patrons of the arts. I hope to have some fun photos to share while at the reception in my next post. Stay tuned as they say.

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This Too Shall Pass - Ruth Andre

"This Too Shall Pass"

8"x8" Acrylic on Handmade Paper

by Ruth Andre

This is the week we in America celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and I would like to wish everyone a very special Day of Thanks. Be thankful for the people and  things in your life that really matter. I plan to stop for a moment to take a deep breath, relax and of course be thankful.

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Changing Seasons - Ruth Andre

"Changing Seasons"

12"x12" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The painting today is to celebrate the October rains and the change in seasons. It is a beautiful time of year. I feel as if our home has been transported to a new location. The valley has had several rain storms lately. The dry white grasses are now green and the creek is filling with water. My view has changed with a new palette of fall colors. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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