Casey's Barn - Ruth Andre

Inspiration can come from many sources and when painting "Casey's Barn" it came from a blog post by, The Colorist, Casey Klahn - Casey's Barn. I fell in love with this old barn and could see the renovation needed to make it a spectacular studio. 

Though it is a barn it has a very spiritual appeal and I can feel how entering this space could quiet the outer world and be a place of work and meditation. Enjoying Casey's world has made for, 

"A Painting Day"

"Casey's Barn" 6x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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The Mix - Ruth Andre

We have now officially entered into the Holiday Season. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and shared quality time with family and friends. 

During my out of town visit over the holiday my son said he was looking at my website and mentioned how he had no concept as to how big or small my paintings were unless he checked the size and even then it was hard to imagine a 30x40 inch painting from the cropped photos. Today I decided to show two paintings in an interior environment. The paintings are abstract works but you will see how well they work in a traditional interior. I loved photographing the paintings in their new setting. 

"Listen To the Quiet"

30x40 inches

The morning sun was lazily entering the dining area and the light was so lovely.

"Creekside"

 8x48 inches

When I painted, "Creekside" I thought the painting would look right at home over a bed or on a hallway wall but then the easels came to mind and the painting blended together with the lovely mirror and iron collectibles. I loved the look!

"Creekside"

8x48 inches

One more view of "Creekside" as it greets you at the home's entry.

Thinking about mixing my abstract paintings with a traditional interior and alternative display style has made for, 

"A Painting Day". 

"Listen To the Quiet" 30x40 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

"Creekside" 8x48 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Red Sky - Ruth Andre

Driving home the other evening I could see the brilliant sun setting on the horizon. It was so intense, the color was seemingly unreal. Nature's beauty is endless and amazing. The day's end made for, 

"A Painting Day".

"Red Sky" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Aqua del Rio Chama - Ruth Andre

The painting today is titled "Aqua del Rio Chama" translated Water of the Chama River. Just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico is a wonderful retreat called, Ghost Ranch. I have been lucky enough to visit the Ranch a few times for painting workshops. Ghost Ranch is surrounded by red hills and the Chama waterway that meanders through the valley. There is a peacefulness and calm that you feel as you walk the ancient lands of Ghost Ranch. Thinking of Santa Fe, the Chama river and the red hills has made for, 

"A Painting Day".

"Aqua del Rio Chama" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Agua Azul - Ruth Andre

I must confess that deep water puts terror into my heart. With that said do not even ask me how I ended up on a fishing boat in Baja California, Mexico with no life jacket in sight. There I was with a bunch of fishermen trying my best to enjoy the sun and blue waters of Cabo San Lucas on a boat that seemed to get smaller with each rolling wave. THEN sharks were spotted and when they started circling the boat was when my day ended being fun. Saying I was sick for the next four hours does not quite cover how badly I felt. There was no mercy, only fishing lines being sent out to sea to catch a prize fish. No prizes were won that day and once on land heading for my hotel was one of the best times of my life. I vowed to never venture out to sea again. I decided the water looked just great from shore. Memories of Baja California made for, "A Painting Day".

"Aqua Azul" - Blue Water - 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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The Passing Sun - Ruth Andre

As the season changes the days are getting shorter and shorter. The horses are waiting by the pasture gate earlier and earlier. When they see a glimpse of me, I hear their nickers to be fed. Hay now please. The mountains that surround the valley bear the last color of the sun as it descends. There is only light at the top of the mountain and then the sun's glow slips away. Living in the valley has made for, 

"A Painting Day".

"The Passing Sun" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Sweetgrass - Ruth Andre

The land has been transformed from drylands to grasslands this past week. We had a good soaking rain. The grasses are peeking through and will soon need to be mowed so not to take over and look like a jungle. The creek ferns will be in abundance along with the creek water flowing at full speed. Seeing the change of season's bounty has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Sweetgrass" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre


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Night Trapper - Ruth Andre

I have had to be outside after dark lately to work with one of my mares. I know I am alone but I feel the wild eyes of those animals that roam the area at night. I see quick darting movements and hear rustling sounds as the animals pass through the pasture to the creek. Coyotes abound in the area as well as deer and occasionally a mountain lion is spotted near the creek or roadway. The night is another world of activity and one I usually visit with a very big flashlight. Thinking about what goes bump in the night has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Night Trapper" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Town Just Ahead - Ruth Andre

I had a trip planned to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico and I was traveling on my own. After landing in Albuquerque I learned my suitcase had not made the flight. Then the next flight came in and again the suitcase was no where in site. On the third flight after my arrival my suitcase finally arrived and I headed for my rental car and a somewhat desolate drive to Santa Fe. It was my first trip to "The City Different" so when I saw the city lights in the distance it was such a good feeling to know I would be arriving soon and finding my hotel. Santa Fe was alive with lights and the shops were open. Whew, what fun! I have been back to Santa Fe several times and each trip is a brand new experience and always welcoming. Thinking of Santa Fe has made for,

 "A Painting Day".

If you love Santa Fe and would like to enjoy the sights, you may want to check out this fabulous blog, Chasing Santa Fe

"Town Just Ahead" 8x8 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Trade Blanket - Night Ride -Ruth Andre

 "A Painting Day"

"Trade Blanket - Night Ride" 6x12x1.5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Flower Fields - Ruth Andre

At one time I was involved with a wholesale flower business. The company grew acres and acres of flowers for market that extended across the country and around the world. It was a very fast paced business with flowers being grown, cut, processed and shipped as quickly and with as much care as possible. The business took many hands. It started with planting the flower seeds that would grow and be harvested in time for seasonal holidays. You always wanted rain but not too much. You worried for the cold and the heat. The flowers were then processed and packed and shipped by truck, bus, train and planes. Each shipper had its own schedule and timing was everything. Growing and selling flowers is a beautifully challenging business and has made for, "A Painting Day". 

"Flower Fields" 6x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Kachina Trail - Ruth Andre

"Kachina Trail #1"

"Kachina Trail #2"

"Kachina Trail #3"

Triptych - View

"Kachina Trail #1, #2 & #3"

After a short hiatus I got back to the studio today and started working on a few studies. The three "Kachina Trail" paintings work well individually and also grouped together. They are small works full of energy. Enjoying the studio made for, "A Painting Day".

"Kachina Trail #1" 4x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

"Kachina Trail #2" 4x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

"Kachina Trail #3" 4x6 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth andre

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Trade Blanket - The Red Lady

The day had come to an end, horses were brushed and fed. I just had time to clean my painting palette and head for the house to make dinner. There was a pile of red paint on the palette that just could not be left to dry. I told myself I would just start a painting by adding a thin layer of background color. Right! One more color of paint went on and then another until "Trade Blanket - The Red Lady" appeared. This painting was totally spontaneous and came from the energy from the colorful palette. I love those moments in the studio when total freedom of the moment leads me on to make, "A Painting Day". Dinner ended up being omelets and toast!

"Trade Blanket - The Red Lady" 6x12x1.5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre


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