Pins and Needles - Ruth Andre

"Pins and Needles"

6.5"x6.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

-by Ruth Andre

There are times when we just have to be patient and hope for the best. It is what I call being on "Pins and Needles". I am wishing for the best and planning for the worst. I read a long time ago that when things seem to be falling apart they are actually falling together. Those words have carried me through some rough times. I remind myself change is inevitable. 

Have a great week-end. Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day".

PS: The painting above will be on display at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d'Alene, ID along with several of my other paintings being represented by the gallery.

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Garden Party - Ruth Andre

"Garden Party"

16"x3" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 22"x6"

-by Ruth Andre

Garden Photos

Ruth - 1996

Garden Photos - Ruth and Bailey 1996

This time of year the seed catalogs arrive and dreams start forming for a garden of vegetables and flowers. It is a dreamers dream thinking about the warm sunny days of spring planting a variety of seeds. One year I mentioned to my husband that I thought I needed therapy. I had recently lost my sister and I was overwhelmed with her loss. My husband told me to wait a minute and he would be back to talk to me. When he came back to the house he handed me a seed catalog that carried seeds of course but also carried plug plants. He then explained that he had disced an acre of land for my garden. 7,000 plants were planted that year. It sounds like a lot and it IS! The ground was ready and I planted. I then watered and trimmed and cut flowers and harvested vegetables and more and more. The weeds were a constant battle so I was out in my garden everyday that summer. At the end of summer after the garden was complete and the ground was cleaned I told my husband,  I have had therapy. Everyday I worked and thought about my sister and let the tears flow and then started remembering all of the good times we had shared together and how lucky I was to have had such a beautiful sister in my life. The painting today is titled, "Garden Party" in remembrance of the love for my sister and the love for the land. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Black and White Four - Ruth Andre

"Black and White Series - Four"

Each Painting - 3"x3" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted & Framed $150

by Ruth Andre

"Black and White I"

"Black and White II"

"Black and White III"

"Black and White IV"

These paintings were done for an online class I am taking with Nancy Hillis. Our assignment was to paint high contrast value paintings. It was suggested we paint small works and a lot of them. The "Black and White" paintings were painted with black and transparent white oil mixed with wax. The two layers merged making a lovely blue cast. I will be adding more small value paintings in the next few weeks. They are way too much fun to stop painting them. 

 "A Painting Day".

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Letting Go - Ruth Andre

"Letting Go"

Oil-Wax on 30"x22" Paper

Available Matted and Framed

by Ruth Andre

This painting is a larger work using oil and wax. I have moved back to the studio and put my best efforts into clearing away enough space so I can work on larger paintings. This is no easy task. It seems before moving anything the new space storage space needs to be cleared and gone through so you end up having two jobs instead of one. A larger studio is a dream at the present time but how lovely it would be to have 5 or 6 paintings in the works at one time. 

The title represents the many passages life presents to each of us as we take on our journey. A big part of life I have learned is, "Letting Go". Each of us need to continue to look forward and give ourselves space by letting go of what is not needed. The letting go is often difficult but once done our life can move forward.

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Totem - Star Light - Ruth Andre

Totem - "Star Light"

1.25"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper
Painting Matted and Framed 5"x16"

by Ruth Andre

This is another painting to celebrate the coming holiday season, "Totem-Start Light". I really like this painting and "Totem-Star Bright" in the last post. They give me a feeling of true joy. The lively saturated colors entertain many memories. It h as been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Star Bright - Ruth Andre

Totem - "Star Bright"

1.25"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper
Painting Matted and Framed 5"x16"

by Ruth Andre

I don't know about you but shopping for the holidays takes planning and a lot of hunting and evaluating to find the perfect surprise for those special people on the Gift List. I usually shop all year long because I am not good working my way through the holiday crowds and feeling the pressure to buy just so there is a present ready for giving. Today's painting is giving me a little festive push to gather some holiday spirit. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Happy Halloween - Phantom I and II - Ruth Andre

"Phantom I and II"

Each Painting 4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN

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Totem - Red Sky - Ruth Andre

"Totem - Red Sky"

1.25"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 5"x16"

by Ruth Andre

Totems Available Here

I just put a link up for the Totem Series. I will be adding to this collection prior to the Holidays. Each Totem painting is available Matted and Framed. Enjoy! Take a look around.

The studio was rocking today. The Totem painting above, "Totem - Red Sky" was completed and another larger piece finally made it to the photo-finish table. I have lots to say about the evasive painting and will share my trials and tribulations in the next blog post. I love painting the Totem paintings and if  you knew how long they take to paint you might be surprised. The paintings decide what they are going to be and I get dragged along until they say, done. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Structure - Ruth Andre

"Structure"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The painting, "Structure" is a favorite work. It is minimal with strength in color and design. The title came to me as I finished the painting. I questioned whether the title depicted where we live or how we live. It seems structure is needed in our life to keep things running smoothly. We also need a structure to live in for protection from the elements. The painting also has a masculine vibe, a wool suit vibe. Maybe you see or feel the painting says even more. I feel it takes a fearless painter to be able to paint minimally. The tendency for a painter is to add rather than to subtract. Maybe this is true for all of us and the way we have learned to live. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Totem - Mesa I and II - Ruth Andre

Totem - Messa I and II"

1.25"x12" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 5"x16"

by Ruth Andre

This is the start of a new series of works that have brought true joy to the studio. I hear artists say, oh, it was fun painting this or that but in this case it is true. I have been thinking, Paint Big, but left that all behind to start this series of Totems. The Totems are symbols of what I have lived and see. The project has been in progress for a few days so be prepared to see the Totem series as each piece is completed. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

The Mountain Speaks - Ruth Andre

"The Mountain Speaks"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

The change in seasons has brought new energy to the studio along with a few new ideas to pursue. I am working on a few projects just for me and it feels so good. The first rain for the year came down last night and today the air was crisp and the trees seem to sparkle. My morning walk with Sadie was a bundled up affair. The valley is surrounded by mountains and the biggest mountain is directly in front of our home. There is no moving mountains but they do give shelter from the winds and shade from the sun. Our neighbors that live on top of this mountain drive eight miles past our house and up, up, up to get to their homes. I often wonder how they do it. The reward must be the view from on top since they can see for miles. I love the valley floor and the flat land with the creek's life force coming and going with the seasons. At times the mountain makes me feel as if it is alive with many stories to tell. It is good to be working in the studio on these cool Fall days. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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The House Next Door - Ruth Andre

"The House Next Door"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

Matted and Framed 12"x12"

by Ruth Andre

Have you ever walked by a house or walked down a road and had the feeling there could be lingering spirits watching you as you past by? The painting today celebrates the Halloween Holiday. It is a holiday for fun and play but it also congers up scary stuff. Enjoy!

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Crossed Paths - Ruth Andre

"Crossed Paths"

6"x24"x2" Oil-Wax on Panel

by Ruth Andre

Painting on paper has become my go to backing but today I am showing a painting on a nice deep 2 inch cradled panel. The panel depth gives the painting strength and the look is really nice. This painting is hanging in the studio but it may need to come into the house. It is a quiet restful painting and it would be good to see it given a special setting. Maybe it needs to be seen in its forever home environment.  

Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day".

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The Possibility is There - Ruth Andre

"The Possibility Is There"

8"x4" Oil and Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I have been painting for a coming Small Works show at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. As you know I love working on small paintings. The small works give me time to explore and the pressure to make a good painting is much less than on a larger painting. I have been contemplating a venture that is rather costly but one that I seem destine to try. I am checking off the possibilities to see if I want to say, yes, or no. I will keep you updated if my answer is yes.

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First Blush - Ruth Andre

"First Blush"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Loose Canvas

Matted and Framed 10"x15"

by Ruth Andre

The cooler weather is giving my new work a lighter feel. I had planned this painting to be quite graphic and dark. It is good to let go and let the painting find its way. The medium is a mix of oil, wax and oil paint sticks. Does anyone else love paint-sticks like I do? 

The farrier was here this morning, I mean all morning. He is a good guy and is good with our mare, Hopi. I thought you might like to see the sweet girl and how the valley grasses have turned a deep golden color. 

It was, "A Painting Day".

Hopi 

I need to take another photo. Poor Hopi looks like she has a rather wide behind. She really is a gorgeous mare. Hopi came to us wild and only 7 months old. I spent a lot of time with her in her stall so she would learn to trust humans. She was also placed in the stall next to our head mare, Angel. Angel must have taught her the ropes because it was not long before Hopi was walking on the lead. I loved living in Missouri Farm Country. 

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Drift - Ruth Andre

"Drift"

4"x14" Oil-Wax on Canvas

by Ruth Andre

The breeze came from the west while walking this morning. The change of seasons is here. The trees are turning golden and losing their leaves. It is thrilling to feel the coolness of autumn in the air. I had started this painting, "Drift", a few days ago. It is painted on flat primed canvas. I think I will have it matted and framed showing the lovely canvas rather than having it stretched on wooden bars. I love the look of the canvas peeking around the painting. Life felt very mellow today with no appointments to run. It was a day to drift and enjoy. It was also, "A Painting Day".

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Stormy Weather - Ruth Andre

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"Stormy Weather"

6"x8" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

My thoughts are with the ravaged flood victims. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people and all of the animals that cannot fend for themselves. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Early Moon - Ruth Andre

"Early Moon"

4"x6" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

This morning I felt the first glimmer of fall. The air was cool and the tree leaves along my walking path had started falling. The influence of nature's palette must have met up with me in the studio today. My painting, "Early Moon has captured the essence of autumn. It has been, "A Painting Day". 

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One More Step - Ruth Andre

"One More Step"

14"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

My exercise of choice is walking and I take two walks up the hill behind our house per day. With the heat this summer it sometimes feels like a monumental task. It is also rewarding and this summer I have crossed paths with quail, turkey, a bob cat called, Bobbie, and a snake or two. Luckily the cows have stayed behind their fences and the mountain lion only appeared after leaving the shade of the big oaks by the creek. The neighbor's guinea flock shout at us but I love seeing them with their bulbous bodies and tiny heads. They remind me of old grandmothers wearing scarves. The horses stretch their heads over the fence of the their paddocks and whisper a greeting. You can see I am not alone on these walks and to make sure Sadie our red Border Collie is by my side.  

"One More Step" has made for, "A Painting Day".

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The Band Played On I and II - Ruth Andre

"The Band Played On I and II"

Each Painting 4"x14" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When life happens whether it be good or bad the news is shared and thought about and then it seems life moves on.  There may be follow up words of care but mostly, The Band Played On. We each have to make our own way and it is lonely at times as we press on. 

Wishing everyone a good long week-end for Labor Day. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery