Bakersfield Museum of Art & Segil Gallery

This has been a good day. I got word that three of my paintings will be showing in two coming shows. Kicking off the summer at the Barkersfield Museum of Art with the" Visual Art Festival" invitational exhibit. The show will run June 14 to August 21, 2012, with the reception being Thursday evening, June 14th. I am planning to to go to the reception so hope to have some photos to share in a later post.

The second showing will be at the Segil Fine Art Gallery in Old Town Monrovia, California June 23 to August 18, 2012. The exhibit is, "The Farmer's Market from Field to Farm, Market to Table". Long title and I am sure it will be a fun show. The reception is June 23, 2012 - 5 to 7.

It is always such a reward to show what has made, "A Painting Day".

"Moke Hill" 

"Canyon Oak"

"Flower Farm"

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Sorrel Sky - Ruth Andre

The painting today is a study for a larger painting. I was mainly interested in the horses and using a looser painting style. Where ever you travel around Sutter Creek, you will find horses in the fields. Taking the road to town made for, "A Painting Day".

"Sorrel Sky" 8x10 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Impending Storm

I believe this is a time of transition for me and my painting. Abstract art is a true love of mine and in years past my art was done with paint and a squeegee making serigraph prints. I loved the printing process and the fine papers, inks and making multiples print runs. I left printing behind and have explored many aspects of art in the past years. The last few paintings maybe bringing my love of the landscape and abstract painting together? Not sure where this will lead but I am willing to follow.

Yesterday I sat out on the back porch with my husband sharing stores of the day. We looked out onto the pasture and the trees running along the creek. The wind was blowing through the trees and the air changed from warm to cold. We realized an impending storm was on its way. We hurried into the house but the feeling of the storm stayed with me, making for, "A Painting Day".

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

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Lupine

There is a story about this painting. I started out painting from a photo I had taken years ago in Southern California The lupine was in full bloom on the mountain sides and it was a delight to travel the main highway and enjoy such beauty. I have a real love for lupine. It is not fancy but has the aged beauty that makes it spectacular to see in bloom. With that said the painting changed as I moved the palette knife and once again I have a very contemporary painting. This maybe the beginning of a new series? Enjoying the quiet week-end made for, "A Painting Day".

"Lupine" 6x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre SOLD

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Beyond the Forest - Ruth Andre

When I finished this painting I thought it said more than paint on canvas. I am posting it today for Memorial Day, a time to remember those that gave in service for our country. I also think of Memorial Day as a time to remember lost loved ones. While living in the Mid-West Memorial Day was a time for family gatherings. We would be together and share pot luck dinners and family stories. It was the best of times and I miss these outings very much. My trek to Southern Illinois to walk where my father and grandfathers walked and to think of my grandmother and her small egg business gave me a feeling of belonging. Once you have worked the land there is a deep appreciation for the cycle of life. This has been, "A Painting Day".

"Beyond the Forest" 5x7 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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This is a special old oak tree, one that was a haven on our farm in Missouri. It was a strong tree and survived the farmer's ax. Trees are not welcome most times in the middle of a growing field but this one was spared. I used to stand under this tree and watch my horses as they grazed in the pasture. It was a place to listen to the rustling grass and singing birds. The memories flood my mind as I remember the many trips to the pasture to bring in the horses for the night. All four horses would hang out at the back of the pasture and once I arrived they would race to the front gate. It was a game and I always enjoyed seeing their unleashed freedom and willingness to run. Taking a step back to remember, made for, "A Painting Day".

"Solitary Oak" 5x7 inches, oil on canvas bye Ruth Andre

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The Land of the Clouds - Ruth Andre

The Quest, my Quest is to continue to grow as an artists as I stretch my wings and try new things with the paint. I have been wanting to paint a larger palette knife painting so today I went at it. The canvas is only 14x14 inches square but compared to a small 6x6 inch square canvas it took a lot more energy and I might add,  a lot more paint. This is the beginning of what I hope is a series of sky paintings. We shall see how things proceed? Taking on the challenge, made for, "A Painting Day".

"The Land of the Clouds" 14x14 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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I had an art show in Texas a few years ago and traveled the back country roads of the Hill Country area. The terrain had its own beauty and the vistas were  unique and on going. The spring grasses were just beautiful as they blew in the wind. Texas is an amazing state and I love Texans and they love Texas! Being on the back roads of Hill Country made for, "A Painting Day".

"Hill Country" 4x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Summer Flowers

It was a busy day with farm things and business things but I saved a few hours for painting. I painted this little 5x5 inch landscape and worked on another and had to scrape it off. I read that you are not a knitter if you cannot rip out stitches that have gone awry. So I am think the same must be true for painting. You are not a painter unless you are willing to scrape a painting and make a new start.

The painting today is to celebrate the wild flowers here in the valley. Each year we get an array of wild flowers that cover the hillsides and peek out from the rocky road sides. The flowers won't last long but are so glorious to see at this special time of year. Celebrating the valley's beauty made for "A Painting Day".

"Summer Flowers" 5x5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold

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Cattle Country - Ruth Andre

It is a quiet Sunday here in the valley. The neighbors are few and I did not hear any grass cutting going on today. I say it is either cold, hot or grass cutting here in the valley. I am spoiled to the quiet peacefulness. The painting today is called, "Cattle Country". I live in cattle country and my closest neighbors are black Angus cows. Talk about peaceful. These big Angus ladies seem so content as they saunter the fields grazing as they go. At this time of year the calves have been separated from the momma cows and they are on their own for a few months to just be part of the herd. Enjoying a peaceful Sunday made for, "A Painting Day".

"Cattle Country" 4x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Rugged Coastline - Ruth Andre

My husband and I farmed in Baja California. We had one hundred acres and we grew cut flowers. The seeds and plugs would be planted with variety and color in mind for the coming holidays. It was a big operation and labor intensive.

Once the flowers were mature, cut and bundled they were then trucked up to our warehouse in Encinitas, California by our driver to be sold wholesale across the country. The wholesale sales side was also a big operation and I was in charge of Big Box sales. Big Box are words used for large grocery chains.

We had several sales people and timing was everything. Once the flowers were cut they had to be moved quickly from field to truck to processing and boxing for shipment. Then the flowers would travel by truck, train, plane and sometimes bus, to their destination. I kind of get warn out thinking about the fast pace of the flower industry. We did enjoy Baja California. Our ranch was just a few minutes from the coast with its beautiful rugged coastline. Thinking about the growing fields in Baja California made for, "A Painting Day".

"Rugged Coastline" 6x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Three Oaks - Ruth Andre

Today I am in my own backyard painting the oak trees that surround my property here in the foothills. I love to see a cluster of oaks standing together. As I look out my studio window I can see a line of oaks at the creek's edge that have surely been growing there for over one hundred years. They are part of the land's history and have weathered many a sunny day and raging storm.  Taking cover under the old oaks has made for "A Painting Day"

"Three Oaks" 6x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Wood Haven

Today I decided to revisit the painting I finished yesterday. I changed to a smaller canvas and mixed up a variety of paints that, at least to me to have more energy. The colors are stronger and have more feeling. Working with color made for, "A Painting Day".

"Farmlands II" 6x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Farmlands - Ruth Andre

The painting today is called, "Farmlands" and while I painted, I started thinking about my good friend, Judy. Judy was one of the first people I met in Missouri, where my husband and I farmed I still remember meeting Judy for the first time. She struck me as a real life Southern Bell. When ever I was with Judy it was a bit like being with a movie star. She is someone that attracts attention with her enthusiastic manner, her love of life and the best of looks. Remembering good times with Judy, while in Farm Country, made for, "A Painting Day".

"Farmlands" 10x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre Sold

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The emerald green that makes a grand show in the foothills during late winter and spring has already started to fade. The hills will be golden in a few weeks. I love the almost unreal beauty of the lush green grasses on mountains but I also love the golden grasses that seem to highlight the old oaks. The painting today is of a stand of oaks on a one lane road just outside Sutter Creek. There are endless views to capture and my mind is full of awe just driving along the old country roads. Enjoy the view that made for, "A Painting Day".

"Oaks" 5x5 inches, oil on panel by Ruth Andre

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Happy Mother's Day & Summer House

I want to wish all the Mothers a Happy Day! It is a special day and it so good we take the day to celebrate the love we feel for the Mother's in our life.

Every spring and summer my neighbor's home is surrounded by blooming color. Their home reminds me of the old plantations homes in the grand south. I have spent many wonderful times on the terrace sharing good food and fun with good people. Remembering good times made for "A Painting Day".

"Summer House" 4x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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The painting today is of a grand old oak that sits just a mile or so from my home. It found its spot at the top of a shallow canyon. Oak trees abound on the hillsides and the valley floor here in the foothills of Northern California. These old giants have witnessed years of history and the changing of times. I wonder at their resilience and longevity. Painting a hillside oak made for, "A Painting Day".

"Canyon Oak" 10x10 inches, oil on canvas

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