Thursday, January 22, 2015

A Painting Day - Eye Catcher - Ruth Andre


"Eye Catcher"
12"x12" Oil on Canvas 
by Ruth Andre

There is always more to do. I painted this little colt thinking I would take it with me to the coming Cattlemen's Western Art Show & Sale. The show is in March so just weeks away. Then I thought, no, I should send it to the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum's Invitational Show coming up this month in Canyon, Texas. There is always a question of what paintings to send where and then if someone just falls in love with a painting and wants to purchase a painting then there it goes. No problem there, right? So I really need to paint another horse or cow or landscape to make an easy decision on what to send. 
When I lived on our farm in Missouri we witnessed the birth of a new filly and watched her daily. One day I noticed the hair around her eyes had turned dark and the hair on her face was shedding. I had never had a baby horse to tend to and was concerned. Then I realized this is a natural way with new colts to shed their baby hair and first color. Watching Cayenne grow into a mature horse was never dull mostly because she was such a wild thing and a  real eye catcher. It has been, "A Painting Day".



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A Painting Day - Home - Ruth Andre

I have been blogging for a few years and am constantly mentioning the valley where I live. The valley is just a few miles long but oh so beautiful no matter the season. Each day my husband and I walk up into the hills and cross the Rancheria Creek that goes through our property. It is a beautiful setting and has been the inspiration for many of my paintings. The "Water Works" series of abstract works were brought to the canvas truly inspired by the creek and how it changes throughout the seasons.  I have added two photos of the landscape and three "WaterWorks" paintings plus words that express what the creek means to me and my work.



 Rancheria Creek



Turkey Crossing

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 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. 


"Deer Crossing"
12"x12"x1.5" Oil on Cradled Panel
by Ruth Andre


"Grass Creek"
12"x12"x1.5" Oil on Cradled Panel
by Ruth Andre


"Cresting Creek"
16"x16"x1.5" Oil on Cradled Panel
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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

A Painting Day - Cinnamon - Ruth Andre


"Cinnamon"
8"x8" Oil on Canvas
by Ruth Andre
SOLD

I am always amazed with beautiful photos of horses with their heads up looking majestic and regal. If you  know horses you know their favorite thing to do is graze in an  open pasture. Horses have their heads down most of any given day eating away. They may show interest in something for a short moment  when there is activity in the pasture but it does not take long for their heads to move straight down again into the grass and continue eating. My hat goes off to the truly talented equine photographers. It has been, "A painting day".

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Saturday, January 17, 2015

A Painting Day - A Grey Night - Ruth Andre


"A Grey Night"
6"x8" Oil on Canvas Panel
by Ruth Andre

I have been painting for the coming shows and the painting today seemed appropriate to post. I have hurt my right hand, my painting hand so things seem little grey today. I am sure the hand needs to rest but if by Monday it is still in pain a doctor's visit will be made. I have a few deadlines looming so I need to be all good and ready to go soon. I am not really complaining, just letting you all know what is going on here in the little valley studio. It was, "A Painting Day".



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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

A Painting Day - How Now - Ruth Andre


"How Now"
8"x10" Oil on Canvas Panel
by Ruth Andre

I have two shows coming up that need traditional paintings. I am doing my best to stay traditional but the wild strokes of the brush are making their way to the canvas. I have decided to let the work find its way. It has been, "A Painting Day".


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Saturday, January 3, 2015

A Painting Day - Summer Day - Ruth Andre


"Summer Day"
6"x6" oil on canvas panel
by Ruth Andre

The new year is here and new goals are in the works as well as quiet chatter as to what to do. What do I leave behind and where will I settle in to make my time as an artist count? It is exciting to see new possibilities. Sometimes I feel making changes with my art is like moving from one house to the next. What needs to be taken and what needs to be left behind? Why is is so hard to pick up and go? I do know I have to have my own convictions and belief in myself. So many people are complacent wanting the artist to stay put and not change and even at times wanting them to go back to what was comfortable for them. They do not seem to understand that making art is not just making art. There is growth for the artist that must be tended. There is no standing still when making more is your goal.
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