Thursday, February 28, 2013

Nightfall - Ruth Andre


"Nightfall"
12x12x1.5 inches, oil-wax on panel
by Ruth Andre

I spent the day in the studio and after finishing my evening chores I sat with my husband to watch the day fall away into the night. The peaceful quiet of the valley was there to enjoy. 
It has been, "A Painting Day".

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Winter Thaw - Ruth Andre



"Winter Thaw"
12x4 inches, oil-wax on canvas panel
by Ruth Andre

The frosty shore of the creek reminds me that winter has a few more precious weeks to unfold before the spring thaw. Looking into the creek is like viewing layers and layers of color as the water moves through the valley. Gold was once mined from this very creek and at times there will be a glint of light that reminds me of the miners that roamed this valley in search for gold. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Monday, February 25, 2013

Rock Creek - Ruth Andre



"Rock Creek"
12x4 inches, oil-wax on canvas panel
by Ruth Andre
Today I worked on two small studies for color and composition. They may become larger works in the future. I continue to paint images of water. The creek is always changing and seemingly the same. I am finding the ways of the creek mirror my own life with its quick torrent rush to its quiet lingering. The day is quiet except for the rustling sounds of rushing water. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Bantering Creek - Ruth Andre


"Bantering Creek I, II, II & IV"
7x20 inches, oil-wax on panel - polyptych - four 7x5 inch panels
by Ruth Andre


Panel #4


Panel #3


Panel #2


Panel #1

It looks like spring today as I look out to the pasture and the surrounding mountains. There is a breeze that makes you want to wrap up but the sun is shining and it feels so good. Today's painting, "Bantering Creek" is a nod to spring and the changing season. It will be here soon. Thinking of spring has made for, "A Painting Day".

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Under the Oaks - Ruth Andre


The mornings are still very cold with the ground covered with frost. The horse's water troughs have a layer of ice that needs to be broken each morning. We seem to live in the valley's cold spot since we are so close to the creek and have shade from a high mountain. The creek water is icy but shows its colors as the light shines through the leafless oak branches.  As the water rushes through the valley, it has been, 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Under the Willows - Ruth Andre


"Under the Willows"
8x8x1.5 inches, oil-wax on panel
by Ruth Andre

Today was so beautiful that it made me think spring is really going to show up in a few weeks. I could hear the neighbors up on the hill puttering around and could see the neighbor to the east driving  her tractor in the cow pasture. Life just felt good today. The day also reminded me of the willowy tree branches hanging down making shady reflections on the creek.  It has been, 

Friday, February 15, 2013

"Pink Cloud Reflections" - Ruth Andre


I had wanted to paint something light and almost whimsical for Valentine's Day so here it is, just a day late. As I look out to the east coming in at the end of the day, the sky is sometimes the most beautiful pink. It is a cotton candy ceiling overhead. The light is quiet and warm. Thinking of love has made for, 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Sandy Shore - Ruth Andre


"Sandy Shore"
16x16 inches, oil-wax on panel
by Ruth Andre

There is dark and there is light in this life and as time goes on some of the dark times get harder to understand. There has been a tragedy in my family. To quiet my sadness I looked to the  solace of painting. Late in the day I made my way to the studio. Knowing and understanding does not always answer the deeper questions of why things happen? Thankfully I have been able to hide away for
 "A Painting Day".

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

WaterWorks - Ruth Andre


I have a new book on the way. It is a collection of my water paintings. The copy below is the preface for the book. The creek that runs through the land is the heart of the valley and it represents many things to me. It gives solace, sustenance, and beauty to all who watch its yearly cycle. Book making has given me memories to share, "A Painting Day".

WaterWorks
There is a creek that runs through the land I call home. It has a life powerful and strong and then it whispers and finally sleeps. As I watch the creek in winter the water pushes forward with its powerful momentum. The water is high and purges what ever is in its path until it is drowned or thrown to the side. Nothing is left untouched. Tall trees are sometimes toppled after years of enduring the creek's relentless force. Then as quickly as the creek has become the harlot of the land it softens and quiets and makes love to the sun.There is just a quiet rippling of light and shadow. The creek is alive and must find its path to be all it can be. Then it slows and finally the last bit of moisture is swallowed by the sands of the creek bed. To view the creek through all seasons and to see the creek move with the impetus of nature, it is hard to believe it will slow and disappear into the earth. The ebb and flow of the creek is what I have painted. 
"WaterWorks" Book
8x6 inches - Softcover - 20 pages 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

"River In Shadow & Sun I, II & 3"





"River In Shadow & Sun I, II, & III"
6x18x1.5 inches, oil-wax on panel

Today is what one would call perfect or almost so since it is still a little cool. The sun is making a grand show giving color and shadow to the creek with the oak tress by its side. It is quiet and blissful making for, " A Painting Day".









Friday, February 8, 2013

Branch Creek - Ruth Andre


"Branch Creek"
18x12x1.5 inches oil-wax on panels
by Ruth Andre

When I was a girl my family would visit my mother's family. We would go to my grandparents two room log cabin back in a Kentucky holler. The best way to describe the holler is to say it was down a long dirt road and far from the main road to town. The house had no electricity and food was kept in a root cellar or in a bucket deep in the well to stay cool. Needless to say it was an experience to visit the wilds of Kentucky after living in California my entire life. That summer was hot and humid and we all took a walk down the red dirt road to the creek to swim. As I was resting on the shore enjoying all of the activity a Water Moccasin snake swam by. I decided right then it was just too wild for me.This painting, "Branch Creek" reminds me of that hot summer day and the all so foreign life I had stepped into for a few summer days. Memories have made for, 
"A Painting Day".



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Earth-Water-Sky - by Ruth Andre



"Earth-Water-Sky"
18x12x1/5 inches, oil-wax on panel
by Ruth Andre - sold

My mind has been working on images to paint for a commission. I have made my way to the studio with an image in mind. With each painting session an entirely different painting appears. Today I decided not to push it back to my original vision but to let it go its own merry way. It is such a feeling of freedom to let go and let the paint takes its own course. Flying with painted wings has made for, 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Beyond the Shallows - Ruth Andre


"Beyond the Shallows"
18x12x1.5 inches - Diptych, oil-wax
by Ruth Andre

I am exploring working on multiple panels with one theme in mind. Today I wanted to feel the warm sand of the shore and look out beyond the shallow water and enjoy the myriad of subtle colors. It has been, "A Painting Day".









Monday, February 4, 2013

Moonlight Reflections Revisited - Ruth Andre


"Moonlight Reflections"
8x8x1.5 inches, oil-wax on panel
by Ruth Andre

The studio work continues getting panels ready to paint and as I was taking a break a small study called out for a change. The painting was subtle but as I spent time with it in the studio it seemed to need more. I felt a need for a more complex structure. I wanted the painting to feel of drifting water on a moonlight night. As the water drifts by it has been, "A Painting Day".



Sunday, February 3, 2013

Dockside - Ruth Andre


"Dockside" 
12x18x1.5 inches, oil-wax on panels
by Ruth Andre

Have you just sat on a lake dock and dangled your toes in the water? It is as if the whole world is tucked away and you have the moment all to yourself. My day was a peaceful and

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Cave Dwelling - Ruth Andre


"Cave Dwelling"
6x6 inches, oil-wax on canvas
by Ruth Andre

Today's painting is a study for a larger painting. I doubt the larger work will look anything like this one but I wanted to feel my way around depicting a cliff dwelling wall in the abstract form. There was no templet to follow, just memories of the southwestern cliffs and the dwellings seemingly cut into the mountain side. Do you hear the beat of the drums as I study for, "A Painting Day".

Friday, February 1, 2013

Red Cloud Reflections I & II - Ruth Andre




"Red Cloud Reflections I & II"


"Red Cloud Reflections I" 8x8 inches, oil-wax on panel
 by Ruth Andre


"Red Cloud Reflections II" 8x8 inches, oil-wax on panel
 by Ruth Andre

There is an endless visual as I watch the creek and the passing clouds overhead. The sky's reflections are held by the rushing creek waters. The colors change with the passing clouds and the hour of the day. Watching has made for, "A Painting Day".