Bows and Arrows

"Bows and Arrows"

12"x12" Acrylic on Arches Paper

by Ruth Andre

Give and Take can sometimes go to ruin and become Bows and Arrows. It is a wild time.

It is also, "A Painting Day".

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Looking Out - Ruth Andre

"Looking Out"

7"x7" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When I went to title this painting the literal part of me thought of the night and light that that comes from the house looking outside to the dark. All that is with us during the day is still there at night but it is hidden away. The other part of me thought  about how we can be seeing out from our own thoughts and seeing the dark side rather than the light. Moving past the dark can sometimes be overwhelming. I have been facing a major change in my life and am working hard to move forward but nothing feels the same. The way I think of my life has changed. I read a book years ago called, "Passages" and I most likely need to review the book since it talked about the many passages a person moves through in life's journey. 

My studio time is limited but I am enjoying painting with acrylic paint on paper. For this painting I loved the fluid paint and how it seems to cheer on spontaneity and working with an abandoned enthusiasm. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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White Grasses - Ruth Andre

"White Grasses"

12"x12" Acrylic on Arches Paper

by Ruth Andre

The hills surrounding our valley are covered in white grasses. The view is spectacular and I love the almost white grasses. Today's painting is the first time I have used acrylic sine the 1980s. I started using oils back then and never went back to acrylics until now. The paint is wet and loose and the application is so very different but oh so spontaneous as the paint flows onto the canvas or in this case Arches Paper. Photos below show the landscape view as I drive back into the valley. The hills are low and cattle graze year around. The road continues passing through the valley along the Rancheria Creek and the hills turn into tall mountains covered in pines. 

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New Chicago Road - Sutter Creek

White Grasses Along New Chicago Road

Manzanita - Ruth Andre

"Manzanita"

6"x6" Oil on Canvas Panel

by Ruth Andre

$95

I live in the back country and the native manzanita bushes line the mountainside as we travel the back road to upcountry. Occasionally I see truckloads of cut manzanita being hauled away. It must be going to a wholesaler that may sell to craft outlets or florists. The red bark is beautiful and and the leaf colors are the palette of old California, muted and desert like. Manzanita seems to be quite tolerant of granite and rocky soils  and can survive with little water. The deer leave it alone and that is really saying something since they want to eat everything they can on our small ranch. Last night a momma deer and her twin fawns found the hay wagon and took on loosening the tarp and having a feast. Hay is close to $20 a bale and each of our horses eats one bale a week. When we lived on our farm in Missouri we had a 20 acre fescue pasture just for the horses. Our hay bill was quite low but here in California with only five acres and just two horses the expense shines each year on the tax form. Our accountant reminds of the animal care costs. We do love our horses.

 It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Moon - Summer Sale - Ruth Andre

"Moon"

4"x4" Hand Painted Papers, Wire, Bead on Panel

by Ruth Andre

$75

The other night after all the house lights had been turned off I walked through the house and the full moon was shining through the back French doors. I could look out to the pasture and see the dark shapes of the horses. The night reminded me of other nights being out with the horses when one was sick and needed to be watched. I did not need a flashlight and could be with the horses without being a total intrusion. The moon collage above is a reminder of these beautiful moon filled nights.

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Feathers - Summer Sale - Ruth Andre

"Feathers"

4"x4" Hand Painted Papers, Bead, Linen on Panel

by Ruth Andre

$75.00 - Summer Sale

Each morning and afternoon the wild turkeys in our neighborhood walk through the horse pasture. There were 11 turkeys this morning. They must sense they are safe here as they browse the ground for bits of hay and grain left by the horses. Our dog, Sadie, pays them no mind and lets them be. I love watching the flock as they position themselves to show who is in charge. The collage today captures the look and colors of wild feathers.

Backyard Vista - Wild Turkeys

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Red 2 Group Show - Ruth Andre

"Ready"

7"x7" Oil-Wax on Paper - Matted 

by Ruth Andre

sold

My painting, "Ready" is in a Group Showing with Gallery 25N

The show is quite interesting with works in many mediums

"In accordance with this shows curator's theme "RED 2" the artist's work selected for this exhibition are in a variety of mediums; painting, drawing, digital art, photography, sculpture, etc. The artwork that is exhibited reflects these artist's interpretations of a subject enhanced through the use of the color red. In the work one can see  how red is used to imply a wide range of emotions and feelings."

Enjoy the show - Gallery 25N

Half Moon - Summer Sale - Ruth Andre

"Half Moon"

(view-one)

Hand Painted Papers, Metal Bead and Wire on Panel

by Ruth Andre

Summer Sale- $75.00

"Half Moon"

(view-two)

Hand Painted Papers, Metal Bead and Wire on Panel

by Ruth Andre

Summer Sale- $75.00

Well, I just don't know if I like View One or View Two the best so I will wait to sign this new work in a few days. It was good to be able to spend time in the studio today and work on a new collage. I usually take a walk late afternoon and when I was heading back home I noticed the half moon slicing between the shadowed trees and the dark mountains. It was just beautiful and I realized, Half Moon would be a perfect title for my new collage. Nature's inspiration is there to be seen and enjoyed. 

Secret Promise - Summer Sale - Ruth Andre

"Secret Promise"

4"x4" Hand Painted Papers, Linen Thread, Copper Bead on Panel

by Ruth Andre

Summer Sale - SOLD

Today is the beginning of a long Labor Day Holiday. I hope everyone will have a fun and a safe time to  enjoy. I rarely leave the ranch and plan to enjoy the week-end just being at  home. Walking the old road to the creek and watching the wildlife that travels through our small ranch gives me a lot of joy. I talk about the quiet because it is truly very restful here. I have been put on 'Rest" therapy but walking is still something I can do. I did get myself in somewhat of a mess the other day. I went  out to check on my old mare who was down and needed a dose or pain medication. I bent down, forgetting that is a NO-NO and went head over heels and landing on all fours. I hurried away as fast I could thinking the mare might flail her legs and hit me. When My husband found me he was none to happy and gave me a well deserved lecture. Then I thought about the whole mess and started laughing. I was down, the horse was down and neither one of us could get up. I know dark humor sometimes has its place. I had to have help getting up and that made me more than unhappy. Shoot, how did this all happen?  I am healing but my bones have their problems and I need to be careful and mind what I do. If any of you following my blog have osteoporosis I would love to hear what you are doing to make yourself better. I have read and read about medications and therapies and have almost decided nothing works. Any advice would be more than appreciated. By the way Old Mystery took her time but she also got up and started pawing the ground to let us all know she was unhappy and wanted her breakfast of grain and hay. Mystery may just be a little spoiled but at 31 she deserves all the love she can get. Take care.

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