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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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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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

It Fell From the Sky - Ruth Andre

"It Fell From the Sky"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

When good things happen we sometimes say, It is like it just fell from the sky. I have had this feeling a few times in my life and it is a wonderful happening. Mostly good things come slowly after days, weeks and years of preparation. I believe it is the journey that makes our life interesting. There is a lot of energy in this painting that has made for, "A Painting Day".

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Stop Ahead - Ruth Andre

"Stop Ahead"

6"x10" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I was thinking about snow once again while painting, "Stop Ahead". The painting makes me think of snow covered walk ways and the swishing sound of cars streaming by. It could be a small one-stop-sign-town or a busy city street. No matter the location there is a feeling of quiet isolation. 

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Representation - The Art Spirit Gallery

Snow Trail - Ruth Andre

"Snow Trail"

7"x7" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

It is quite hot here in Northern California. We are experiencing another heat wave. I am thinking the last heat wave may not have ended. Thoughts of cooler temperatures must be guiding my way in the studio today. Taking a snow trail and listening to the quiet of the snow covered trail sounds quite lovely right now. I have always wanted to try cross country skiing, but never have. It would be a wonderful way to see the back country's snow-covered trails in winter. 

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Shelter III- Ruth Andre

"Shelter III"

4.5"x4.5" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

The color, red, has come into my life with a vengeance. I am painting red and more red paintings. Isn't red the color of choice for so many things. It is a positive exciting color that gives off an aura that makes me happy. Enjoy! It has been, "A Painting Day".

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The Red Car - Ruth

"The Red Car"

14"x20" Oil-Wax on Paper

by Ruth Andre

My painting today, "The Red Car" was influenced while visiting relatives in Colville, Washington I was impressed with the logging industry that took place in and around this small town. The town made me feel like it took strong and strong minded men to run the mills. Everything was big. There were big trees, big working sites, big trucks and big men. When we drove up to visit my nephew and his wife I saw the cutest red convertible car in the drive way. It not only stood out because of the color but because it was totally incongruous to the area. It was a sporty model car that looked like fun. It looked like sunny days and fast drives through the forested roads. 

I am not sure why but the image stayed with me and came to the surface again while painting 

in my studio. Inspiration for paintings is sometimes totally unexpected but it is there just waiting to make itself known. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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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".

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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".

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Roadblock - Ruth Andre

"Roadblock"

5"x5" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

My husband just returned from a driving trip across country. He had many stories to tell since he was away for five weeks. On his way home traffic was stopped in Texas due to a sand storm. A detour was set up that took him over hill and dale on a windy two lane road. You can only imagine the traffic and the sandy landscape. I must have been thinking about the Texas adventure when I painted this painting. I can feel the wildness of the open land.

It has been, "A Painting Day"

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Passing Clouds - Ruth Andre

"Passing Clouds"

10"x10" Mixed Media on Paper

$320.00

by Ruth Andre

This has been a spectacular spring. The sky has been showing off with clouds that are just dreamy with a blue sky as a backdrop. I am often amazed that I have the privilege to live in this beautiful valley. There is so much to enjoy everyday. 

It has been, "A Painting Day".

Churning Waters - Ruth Andre

"Churning Waters'

12"x12" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$450.00

Over the week-end rain started falling as the storms made their way through the valley. It rained day and night leaving small waterways through the pastures down to the creek and ponds of water formed along the roadside. The creek is running with a churning force bringing the dust, silt and rocks from the creek bottom to the surface. It is as if the creek is angry and running with a new found freedom pushing its way through the landscape to not only be seen but heard. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Seasons-Fall I-II - Ruth Andre

"Seasons-Fall I-II"

16"x8" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper

Each Painting 16"x4"- Diptych

by Ruth Andre

"Seasons Fall-I"

by Ruth Andre

"Seasons Fall-II"

by Ruth Andre

Fall is here and the temperatures have dropped considerably. All that means is I am already feeling cold and am looking to unpack the padded over pants and heavier jackets when heading out the door. I find myself wanting to stay in the kitchen and cook. I have taken on all sorts of new recipes using fall vegetables. Baking sweet treats is also something I enjoy. The best dessert so far has been a Chocolate Chip and Raspberry Cake. I know it sounds so good and it was. Today I got to the studio, warmed it up and started painting. I love fall so I started a "Seasons" series with fall being number one. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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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

Available with Art Specifier

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".

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A Painting Day - Shallow Waters - Ruth Andre

"Shallow Waters"

4.75"x4.75" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper

Challenge Painting Seventy-Four

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

The Mokelumne River is not far from our ranch. There are road exits to the river along the Old 49 Highway. My recent visit was spent watching over two wild preteens with a picnic in hand. The path was rather steep but both Taylor and Devon moved quickly and were at the water's edge in just minutes. I was not sure how deep or how strong the current would be but they edged into the water and  spent the next hours enjoying the cool water on a very hot summer day. It was a fun day. I enjoyed taking in the beautiful colors of the river's shallow waters. 

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A Painting Day - Morning Fog - Ruth Andre

"Morning Fog"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper

Available with 12"x12" Mat

Challenge Painting Seventy

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

I remember being so surprised coming back to California to live. Before moving to the valley I had lived in the mid-west with turbulent weather patterns. Before that I lived on the coast of southern California with milder temperatures than here in the north. I also had not foreseen the foggy mornings that hung over the valley morning after morning in winter. Our small ranch is close to the creek and in the shade of a mountain holding the fog close for hours longer than our neighbors properties. I can be slipping and sliding on the frosted ground and look up to see a sun filled mountainside that as they say is so close but so far. I have learned to love these foggy mornings and over the years have found their beauty. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Red II - Ruth Andre

"Red II"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Cod Wax on Paper

12"x12" Mat

Challenge Painting Sixty-Six

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

The "Red I, II and III" series was so much fun to paint. I had started the small series to be quiet and serene paintings by starting with black and then a green-grey. After the first few layers of paint I stopped for the day and when I went back to the studio I could think of nothing but red. I mixed my red paints and let the paint move across the paper. The color is alive with emotion and movement. I will post the number three RED painting tomorrow. For a small preview I have posted all three of the Red paintings below. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Just Words - Ruth Andre

"Just Words"

6"x24" Oil on Japanese Handmade Paper

by Ruth Andre

$350.00

"Just Words" Shown on Mura Udaban A Itaboshi HM, from Washi Arts. 

"Just Words" - Close-Up Vignette

(The blue color is actually more turquoise than shown here.)

As you can see I have had a very fun Painting Day! I went to the studio with a soft soothing image in mind and then things changed once the paints came out. I find the whole painting process amazing. The images appear ready or not. The title comes from how sometimes a person will say one thing and do another. It is confusing at best. It has been, "A Painting Day".

PS: The Challenge Paintings will continue in the next post.

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Paper: Mura Udaban A Itaboshi HM, from Washi Arts.

A Painting Day - Abandoned - Ruth Andre

"Abandoned"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Wax on Paper

12"x12" Hand Cut Mat

Challenge Painting Forty-Six

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

Living in the foothills of Sutter Creek, California we are reminded daily that the area was once alive with Gold Rush minors and mining companies. The old rock buildings still stand. Some are preserved and in use today while other stand abandoned giving memories of another time. The old rock cabins are small and seemingly too small in height to accommodate anyone very tall. Even the most humble buildings are beautifully made as if a craftsman's hand set each stone in place. I love to see these old relics from the past. They remind me of the people and their spirited life that went on here years ago. It has been, "A Painting Day".

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A Painting Day - Summer Grasses - Ruth Andre

"Summer Grasses"

4.5"x4.5" Oil and Cold Wax on Paper"

Hand Cut Mat 12"x12"

Challenge Painting Thirty-Eight

by Ruth Andre

$125.00

Today I want to share a photo I took while driving into town yesterday. In the photo you will see the tall almost white grass that lines the road way. The summer grasses are bleached by the sun until they almost sparkle. The dark oak trees are so beautiful with the background of the quiet pale grasses. This was my inspiration for today's painting. It has been, "A Painting Day".

Road to town - Summer Grasses

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