The Red Sled - Ruth Andre

"The Red Sled"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The title of this painting makes me happy. I love seeing kids sledding and tobogganing down snowy slopes. They speed by with fearless wonder full of untamed energy. I know it is summer but snow is on my mind. Enjoy a bit of cool with the "The Red Sled" painting.

Contact

Website

Dream Landing II - Ruth Andre

"Dream Landing II"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

There are times in life when each day feels like a Saturday and then other times each day feels like a Monday. Lately I  have been waking to Saturdays and enjoying each day immensely. With the week-end and July 4th holiday coming soon there are festive times ahead. Painting in the studio is my plan for the next few days with no distractions. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Dream Landing I - Ruth Andre

"Dream Landing I"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I tried something a little different today and painted without painting in the formatted square but let the paint stroke stop before meeting the edge showing a loose finish. I also wanted to paint with a very quiet palette. I had moved a table to an open area in the barn to feel the cool breezes flowing through from outside. Our wild cat, Mommay Kitty, kept me company as she watched from her high perch. Take care and enjoy, it has been "A Painting Day".

PS: Dreams do come true.

Contact

Website

Snow Bank - Ruth Andre

"Snow Pack"

6"x10" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Today felt like a snow day compared to last week's weather. We had cooler temperatures and it felt so good to be outside. There was no snow but this painting was influenced by my online property search for real estate in the north west. The photos are always beautiful and filled with green grass but a few photos show deep snow. I love looking at different areas for land and the homes that are offered for sale. Sometimes it makes me feel lucky to live right here in the valley.

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

The Heat of the Day - Ruth Andre

"The Heat of the Day"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

It is officially summer and the daily temperatures have been very high. Let's hope it cools down a little bit so we can all stop acting like zombies when we go outside. The red paint palette was the color of choice today. Red warms things up no matter the weather. Enjoy!

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

The Moon Over the Water - Ruth Andre

"Moon Over the Water"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

This painting brings memories of summer nights, a full moon, and seeing the creek water rustling over the rocky creek bed. I may have needed to paint with cool colors on this very hot day hoping for a respite from the heat. Stay cool. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Painting - Matted and Framed 12"x12"

$300

Contact

Website

Covered In Green - Ruth Andre

"Covered In Green"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When things go wrong and then go right,  you then know you are having a special experience. While traveling through Washington we had a flat tire. We were pretty much in, what looked like, the middle of no where. We stopped at a farm and took a look at the tire and then started to call for service. As we looked around we realized we had stopped at an alfalfa farm and we were surrounded by acres of very green alfalfa fields. It was a gorgeous sight and one I will never forget. The young farmer that owned the property said he had 3,000 acres all planted in alfalfa. Whew! This fellow also went to work changing  our tire and would not take payment of any kind, no money, no dinner, nothing. He said he just wanted to help. It took a couple of days to get the right tires ordered but we ended up enjoying the area and may have missed seeing this beautiful spot without the tire mishap. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

"Moonlight"

4"x4" acrylic on paper

matted and framed 11"x11"

by Ruth Andre

This was painted after a full moon made the valley as light as day. Looking out the kitchen door I could see  Hopi, our Paint mare, in the pasture resting in the moonlight. It has been, 

"A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Creek At Night - Ruth Andre

"Creek At Night"

3.5"x4" Acrylic on Paper

Matted and Framed 11"x11"

by Ruth Andre

The temperatures have been high and with the creek still running it brings  the thirsty wildlife down from the mountains for a drink. At dusk a few days ago my dog, Sadie, and I walked to the creek to enjoy the running water and the shade from the old oaks. When I got home a neighbor called to say she saw me at the creek and when I left a mountain lion also climbed up from the creek to cross our property. I must admit I felt a chill and wondered if the mountain lion was watching Sadie and me from one of the old oak tree branches. This occurrence also made me wonder what goes on at the creek at night when all is quiet and cool. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

It Came From the North - Ruth Andre

"It Came From the North"

30"x22.5" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

Vignettes for, "It Came From the North"

Summer is here but I am still thinking about the northern states we visited just a few weeks ago. Montana, Wyoming and Idaho were all so beautiful. I was constantly being reminded that we were visiting during the warm days of summer and I was told it does get very cold in winter. I have tried to imagine six months of wintery days with lots of snow after living in California most of my life.  There would definitely be a few challenges.

Even in our isolated northern California valley we do occasionally get a wild storm and we always check to see if the storm is coming from the west or the east. The eastern storms seem to have stronger winds.

The painting today is painted on Stonehenge paper using acrylic paints. For the life of me I cannot get a true color image of the entire paintings so that is why you see three small vignettes of the painting that are truer to the  cooler palette.  I may try photographing the painting again tomorrow in the morning light. I just looked at the vignettes once again and I like the  #3 cropped view. It may become its own painting some day. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Tall Grasses - Ruth Andre

"Tall Grasses"

8"x8"x1" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

$500

The day is not complete without a walk up the hill behind our property. My dog, Sadie, and I walk the fence line, cross the creek and then up a steep hill passing beautiful pastures with views of the distance mountains. Today I noticed the grass was very high obscuring the pasture fence posts. With the record rainfall this winter came tall grass that needs to be mowed. The  grass cutting has been my husband's task and daily goal. From the looks of things he has more grass to conquer. As Sadie and I traveled up the hill I saw our neighbor's vineyard looks a lot like our fence row. We are all up to our necks, literally, in weeds. The painting today shows my interpretation of white dried grass hiding ,along the fence row. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Contact

Website

Tall Grasses

Creek Crossing - Rancheria Creek

The Land I & II - Ruth Andre

"The Land I and II"

Each Painting 16"x16"x2" Oil on Cradled Panel

by Ruth Andre

While in Jackson, Wyoming my husband and I had an opportunity to tour a beautiful contemporary home. We both loved the design of both the exterior and interior of the house. Approaching this lovely home was softened by lush fescue grasses and natural metal fencing. The house was a relaxed mixture of textures and color. A handwoven textile and colorful paintings adorned the walls. The furniture colors and cabinetry were subdued but represented the surrounding landscape giving a feeling of sun and shadow. The home tour was a true highlight of our trip that we totally enjoyed. The two paintings above have been in progress for a few days and as they submerged from their painted form the colors of a day in Jackson came forward. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Website

Contact

Prairie Shadows I & II - Ruth Andre

"Prairie Shadows I"

10"x10"x1.5" 

Oil-Wax on Wood Panel

by Ruth Andre

"Prairie Shadows II"

10"x10"x1.5"

Oil-Wax on Wood Panel

by Ruth Andre

I have been away for three weeks taking a road tour with my husband. We left California and spent the first night in Oregon and then we went on to Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. We saw the most beautiful valleys, mountains and water ways with unimaginable colors that just made me want to paint and paint some more. The trip was fabulous. While in Wyoming I was able to meet an online artist friend, Lee Riddell. Lee paints the most beautiful landscapes in oil and watercolor. Lee's painting style and palette are understated and just plain gorgeous. It was so much fun to finally meet Lee while visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She is a very talented and fun lady.

We are home now and the adrenaline is still rushing through me with so many ideas that are filtering through from the trip. When we left our property was green with fresh spring grass and on our return we see the dried grasses waving in the breeze with shadows of a few hearty green weeds. With summer coming all needs to be mowed and weeded and more. 

Wishing your well. It has been "A Painting Day."

Contact

Website