A Painting Day

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The Journey - Ruth Adnre

"The Journey"

4"x10" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

$400

I decided to give acrylic paint another try today. I have to say acrylic paints totally humble me. I am not in love with painting with acrylics but I like the outcome. Maybe it is the added tears that bring it all together. A good friend, Theresa Paden, paints animal portraiture using acrylics. She paints large canvases and she makes painting with acrylics look easy. I sent Theresa an email to let her know I am in awe of her painting skills. I know I am making more of this than necessary but the whole acrylic process astonishes me. The paints are very liquid in body and then once down on the paper they turn to glue. No kidding!!! The word practice comes to mind so I may try a few more works and see how they go. It has been, "A Painting Day".

PS: I will try not to complain.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Passing Storm - Ruth Andre

"Passing Storm"

7.5"x9" Acrylic on Paper

by Ruth Andre

I have been away from the studio for a few days. A group of artist friends rented a house in Fort Bragg, California and spent four days on the coast. Need I say it was a fabulous time away and a much enjoyed gathering of friends. I will post a few of my plein air works here in a day or two.

Today I got back to the studio to work on a new project. I decided to work in acrylics to test for color and painting technique. Acrylic paints are challenging at best. The colors are so different than oil paints. They dry a different color and the dry time and workability is quite different than oils. I guess what I am saying is I love oil paint and I really love working with Oil and Wax medium. The nice thing about my acrylic painting is my painting will be dry in a few hours. It was a learning day and,

"A Painting Day".

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

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".

Sunday, September 17, 2017

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.

Friday, September 15, 2017

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.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

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".

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Stormy Weather - Ruth Andre

"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".

Saturday, September 9, 2017

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".

Monday, September 4, 2017

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".