Friday, October 30, 2015


"Morning Frost I and II"
Each Painting is 4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper
Challenge Paintings Eighty-Nine and Ninety
by Ruth Andre
Each Painting is $125


"Morning Frost I"
by Ruth Andre


"Morning Frost II"
by Ruth Andre

The temperatures are cooling. The mornings are already crisp and a warm jacket and a good pair of gloves is needed to stay warm. The horses are settling inside their shelter and peak out as I walk to the pasture to feed in the morning. Fall is a special time of year where the land makes ready for winter and a time for rest. It has been, "A Painting Day".  

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

A Painting Day - Blue Mist - Ruth Andre


"Blue Mist"
36"x36"x2" Oil and Mixed Media on Panel
by Ruth Andre

I must still be thinking about my recent visit to Fort Bragg. The fog rolling over the dark harbor waters was my early morning view from my balcony perch. A fog horn could be heard in the distance and the sea gulls were alert and ready for the day. The painting has a feeling of quiet that draws me in and lets me think while the mist finds its way. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

A Painting Day - River Grass - Ruth Andre


"River Grass"
Triptych
24"x18"x2" Oil and Mixed Media on Panel
by Ruth Andre




I recently started reading the book, "Claude and Camille" by Stephanie Cowell. There was a quote by Claude Monet in the forward of the book that made me think about painting and how some things are just so elusive when trying to paint them and still an artist tries. 

“I have so much fire in me and so many plans.  I always want the impossible.  Take clear water with grass waving at the bottom,  It’s wonderful to look at, but to try to paint it is enough to make one insane.”  Claude Monet

It has been, "A Painting Day".





Monday, October 26, 2015

A Painting Day - Red Moon Series - Ruth Andre


"Red Moon" 
Series of Ten Paintings
Each Painting 12"x12" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper
Available Matted
by Ruth Andre

The "Red Moon" series is an exciting series. I enjoyed painting each piece using the same palette of reds, yellow-green and black. The series was also a test of sorts gathering ten works together that were made as separate works but can be seen as one painting. It has been, "A Painting Day".



Friday, October 23, 2015

A Painting Day - Mountainside - Ruth Andre


"Mountainside"
3"x11" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper
by Ruth Andre

Today I wanted to start a series and was one less panel than needed so while I wait for my mail art order I took on a small study. The painting is called, "Mountainside" and the palette is that of the surrounding mountains here in the valley. We had a recent rain and tuffs of green grass are starting to shoot up so it won't be long before the mountains are green once again. Of course that totally depends on Mother Nature and whether we continue to get rain. As you may know California needs rain badly. It is Friday and I hope your week-end is a happy one. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

A Painting Day - Fort Bragg and Mendocino Paintings - Ruth Andre


For the past few years I have been traveling to Fort Bragg - Mendocino area to paint with friends. We have always had warm sunny days in the past but this trip the weather was quite foggy and cool. I have to say it was still great to be outside painting the beautiful landscape. The paintings below represent the different areas we painted. The first painting, "Call of the Sea" was painted at Mac Kerricher State Park just north of Fort Bragg. The second painting, "Harbor Watch" was painted at the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. It was especially cold and windy and the fog was quite thick. I knew I needed to paint and as I looked out I saw mostly grey and then I spied these lovely old cypress trees and set them to canvas. The third and fourth paintings, "The Bluff" and "Always Watching", were painted in Mendocino just across from the little village of shops and restaurants. All and all it was a great trip and a much needed get away. As you can see it has been, "A Painting Day".


"Call of the Sea"
MacKerricher State Park
8"x10" Oil on Panel
by Ruth Andre
Sold


"Harbor Watch"
Noyo Harbor
8"x6" Oil on Panel
by Ruth Andre
$175.00
Sold


"The Bluff"
Mendocino
5"x7" Oil on Panel
by Ruth Andre
$150.00


"Always Watching"
Mendocino
6"x6" Oil on Panel
by Ruth Andre
$150

Friday, October 9, 2015

A Painting Day - Listen To the Rain - Ruth Andre


"Listen To the Rain"
4.5"x4.5" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper
Challenge Painting Eighty-Nine
12"x12" Mat
by Ruth Andre
$125.00

Last week we had a lovely rain. I was in the barn listening to the rain hit the metal roof. The sound was luscious. I am just getting this Challenge Painting posted due to a lot going on lately. I leave for Fort Bragg, California on Tuesday for a week of plein air painting with friends. Packing art supplies and clothes for weather that could be warm or cool or cold is always an adventure. I choose to take layers and make them as light as possible. It will be good to be painting the sea coast with old friends.  If I catch a good painting or two I will be posting them here. Plein air painting stretches the art self and it is always a challenge. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

A Painting Day - Fall - Ruth Andre


"Fall"
4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper
12"x12" Mat
Challenge Painting Eighty-Eight
by Ruth Andre
$125.00
Does everything speed up during Spring and Fall? Fall is here and making for cooler days and giving us a new palette of color to enjoy. I have company coming, paintings that need to be shipped, paintings to be made, a trip to Fort Bragg to plein air paint and two birthdays to celebrate, one being mine. I am hanging on since everything seems to be moving very fast lately. It is after 9:00 pm and I am baking cookies for the coming guests. The painting today really felt good as I put the paint down. I love the colors and the feeling it gives of the 'fall' season. It has been, "A Painting Day".


Sunday, October 4, 2015

A Painting Day - Heading Home - Ruth Andre





"Heading Home I and II"
Each Painting 4.5"x4.5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper
12"x12" Mat Available for Each Painting
Challenge Paintings Eighty-Four and Eighty-Five
by Ruth Andre
$250.00

There is a story that goes along with these paintings but it is not what I normally talk about. Yesterday my husband was up early and headed off for a tractor show and to meet up with some friends. He only stayed at the show for about an hour and he called to say, I am heading home. Then I got a call saying something was wrong with the car and AAA had been called. A few hours later I received another call saying that the tow truck had not arrived and he had made several calls to AAA saying he was still on the side of the road and needed a tow. Another hour passed and I received another call saying the car was loaded and he would be heading home. The next call was to say the tow truck had broken down and they were waiting for help with the repair. The following call was to let me know the repair was completed and he was heading home and I was given directions on where and when to meet up to get him home. My husband said he had a great one hour visit with friends and then it took eight hours to get home that was not so fun. The whole deal was quite an ordeal and we find out tomorrow what is wrong with the car. Oh happy day and, "A Painting Day".