Following My Path - Ruth Andre

"Following My Path"

6"x6" Painted Papers, Glass Bead, Linen on Panel

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

There are times I look back on my life and think I might have, should have done more to follow my own dreams, my path. Maybe I did and just don't remember events as they were. At the time did I put things on hold?  The passage of time has a way of sheltering our desires and making us think we could have done more. Could I have worked harder? Could I have made more time for just me and what I thought was important? Maybe there were too many important things happening to think just about myself and my own personal goals. I tell myself, now is the time to do all that I can be by being who I want to be and doing what I want to do no matter what people say. It seems there is always someone giving advice filled with suggestions. My advice is to find time for yourself by carving out time to do what gives what is needed to make your life whole. The collage work is very addictive and the process takes time to gather the papers and paint them and then cut them and place them in a pleasing composition but the work is stimulating. 

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Valley Sage - Ruth Andre

"Valley Sage"

8"x8" Painted Papers, Rock, Linen Collage on Panel

by Ruth Andre

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This piece uses purple and pink hand painted papers and a rock found underfoot in the horse pasture. The linen thread wraps and runs free and that is how I feel about living here in the valley. I can wrap my arms around the valley's beauty and still run free on my own land. Observing the land and thinking about its history gives reverence to my daily life. 

Please forgive the wonky photo but it was taken quickly at Jim Ginney's farming studio to share with you before the glass was added. The shadow box frame and matting has given a new dimension to the collage work and given the piece its own space. I left a few more collage works with Jim and is extraordinary assistant, Sarah Murray, for future framing. 

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Heart of the Valley - Ruth Andre

"Heart of the Valley"

8"x7.75" Painted Papers, Rock, Linen on Board

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

I live outside a Gold Rush town called Sutter Creek. The valley was the home for many miners mining for gold. The remnants of the old gold mines still exist as you pass through the country side. In the past Gold was the heart of the valley and then I believe it went back to rivers and creeks that criss cross valley and mountain towns. I like to think the Rancehria Creek that passes through our small ranch is now the heart of my valley. I am a collector of rocks. The rocks don't have to be especially beautiful to catch my eye. Sometimes it is not the color of the rocks but the shapes that I find as I walk with the horses in the pasture. I always need a pocket to tuck away a small treasure. The heart rock in this painting is one found underfoot while brushing the horses. I hope you

 are enjoying these new collage works. 

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Bear Hunter - Ruth Andre

"Bear Hunter"

5"x7" Handprinted Japanese Papers on Board

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

"Bear Hunter"- Bear Fetish

One day our neighbor, Peggy, came to the house and she said she had just seen a bear cross her property following a path next to her home. She first thought it was a man hunched over and then she realized it was indeed a bear. She let it pass but had a good look at the big guy through a window. I have thought of Peggy's story am hopeful if this or another bear pass through I will see him before he sees me. This collage is embellished with an ebony bear fetish that was found on  a trip to Santa Fe. The bead shops in Santa Fe and Taos are quite lovely and once you step in the door there is no leaving without a purchase. I won't say how many beads I brought home but I am happy to report a few of them are finding homes in these new collage pieces. 

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Loose Ends - Ruth Andre

"Loose Ends"

7"x5" Handprinted Japanese Papers - Linen on Panel

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

The "Loose Ends" painting is my favorite collage so far. I feel it is strong and with a sweet softness. The linen pieces are held tight but still venture out into the painting. By painting these papers I feel a connection that makes the collage my own experience to share. If you too are interested in collage you might like visiting the National Collage Society's website. You will be able to see several artist's work and the diversity that represents collage. It has been, "A Painting Day". 

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Moonlight - Ruth Andre

"Moonlight"

7"x5" Japanese Papers and Paint on Board

by Ruth Andre

$150 Mounted on Paper  

I can see layering papers to form an art collage can become a true passion. I have had some paper work that needed doing but I could hear the studio calling. Finally after a day away I ventured into my studio and set myself to work. Working with these lovely handmade and painted papers takes me into another zone. I am looking forward to painting some new papers and and exploring new compositions. Enjoy, it has been, "A Painting Day".

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Fish Basket - Ruth Andre

"Fish Basket"

5"x7" Handprinted Handmade Papers on Board

by Ruth Andre

On Hold

Now that I am back to my own studio I have started some new collage pieces feeling very peaceful in the making of them. Setting down and cutting shapes and working with color and the papers is so restful but also exhilarating. I liken the work to be a lot of happy accidents making it a serendipitous art form. I do have a plan of sorts when I start but then I let go and let the papers guide me to find my way. The painting is what I see here at home during mid summer the creek starts to recede and small fish are sometimes spotted in the shallow waters. When I look over to watch the fish they scatter to a sheltered hiding place. I am not sure how many collage pieces I will make or for how long I will be making them but for now they  feel like an extension of my oil and cold wax works. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Mindful - Ruth Andre

"Mindful"

6"x6" Japanese Papers and Paint on Arches Paper

by Ruth Andre

$150 - Mounted on Paper

The painting, "Mindful" is a reminder to me to slow down and be mindful of what is important in my life. What can I do to fill it with good deeds and good thoughts. There is such simplicity of making a meal that nourishes and gives pleasure. A simple meal is a way of giving. I have been accused of liking to cook. I wonder how that happened since I never thought of myself as a kitchen diva. In some ways it is true. There are so many ways to give and I need to remember just saying thank-you for the simplest task is usually appreciated. The new works may need their own blog site. I am thinking about adding another site for these Art Collage pieces. I have been thinking about what they mean to me and how my past has played a part in making them. It is as if the quilts my grandmother, aunts and mother made are resurfacing themselves with the collage medium. Being mindful can bring surprises. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A New Path - Ruth Andre

"Paths"

5.75"x5.75" Japanese Papers - Paint on Arches Paper

by Ruth Andre

$150 - Mounted on Paper

This past week-end my husband and I drove to Mendocino. California for a workshop with Donna Watson. The workshop was just two days and was titled, "Wabi Sabi and the Spirit of Collage". I know you are most likely saying, WHAT? Collage has interested me for quite some time and  when I found Donna Watson's work on her blog and the information for the coming workshop my path was sealed. I really wanted to go the workshop and learn about collage art.

"Wabi-Wabi represents Japanese aesthetics and a Japanese world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is 'imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".

The workshop was an unique experience. Handmade Japanese papers were painted on day one of the workshop and then assembled on day two. Donna spoke of her experiences and travels within the Japanese culture. I found the workshop educational and inspiring. The collage above, "Paths" was the first work painted and assembled. I loved working with the Japanese papers and found painting them intriguing. Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day"

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Three Reds - Ruth Andre

"Red I, II and II"

Each Painting is 4.5"x4.5" Oil on Paper 

(4.5"x 13.5")

$250 

$375 Matted

The July 4th Week-End is here signaling to me that we are in the full swing of the summer season. It is  such a happy time to embrace family and make memories. I remember so many wonderful summers visiting relatives in the Mid-West and enjoying a different lifestyle from my West-Coast life. The car trips and the sights to be seen in each state were filled with so many happy times. The paintings above, "Red I, II and III" represent the vitality of life and the love of color and art in my life.  I hope you are enjoying these special days. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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