A Painting Day

Trade Blanket - Shifting Clouds

The passing rain has come and gone but there are a few clouds lingering over the valley. The lush green trees are turning shades of pale green to rust. Fall is a beautiful time of year. I continue with my quest to weave a pattern of paints that remind me of woven blankets and the southwest. Traveling the plains has made for, "A Painting Day".

Today's painting study is available as a triptych or as individual panels.

"Trade Blanket - Shifting Clouds"

6x12 inches, oil on canvas

Triptych-Three Archival 6x4" archival panels

"Trade Blanket - Shifting Clouds #1"

6x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

"Trade Blanket - Shifting Clouds #2"

6x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

"Trade Blanket - Shifting Clouds #3"

6x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

River Dance - Ruth Andre

It felt good to be in the studio today. I needed to close the door and hear nothing but the paint swish sounds. There are times when we all need to sing our own song and for me it is to be on my own. Today's painting is a triptych study. Working with these small panels give such freedom to put the paint down with no worries. Letting the paint strokes flow has made for, "A Painting Day".

"River Dance" 6x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre
Triptych - Three 6x4 inch archival panels

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Monday, October 29, 2012

Inside the Rain - Ruth Andre

There is something special about a rainy day and watching the rain through a foggy window as it makes its way to the earth. The grey clouds hover over the valley and give the feeling of closeness. Then there are the treks outside with the rain jackets and Muck boots and cold fingers that make you feel so happy to be part of it all. Feeling the rain has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Inside the Rain" 10x10 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Wagons - Ruth Andre

Each day as I travel the back roads here in the valley I am reminded of times long ago when the Gold Rush minors settled the valley mining for gold. There is evidence of the past with roads now closed that were just wide enough for a horse and wagon. The trails are still here, and remind me, we are just visitors to the earth. Time moves on. Feeling the bumps in the road has made for, "A Painting Day".

"The Wagons" 4x12 inches - (Diptych-two 4x6" archival panels), oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

Spirit Walk - Ruth Andre

"Spirit Walk" 6x4", o/c by Ruth Andre

This was quite "A Painting Day". I decided to paint 3 small works together for a triptych and as I was moving the panels around to set them aside, I noticed how interesting each panel looked on its own. Here is the first making it "A Painting Day".

"Spirit Walk" 6x4 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Mesa Grande - Ruth Andre

I had my post ready to go for today when I received a lovely email from a collector. I wanted to share the comment with you and also thank all of you following my Blog and my work as it comes off the easel. The comment below is in regards to my newer abstract works. It has made me feel very good about, "A Painting Day.

I am actualy quite surprised how much I like them as my taste has always been on the "impressionistic" end of the scale but has not so far journeyed into the abstract. It says a lot about how evocative these paintings are that I am so drawn to them. Thank you for giving them life.

Today's post below.

While traveling across country there were a few favorite shops along the way that I had to visit going and coming depending on what route was taken from California to Missouri and back again. There was a store in El Paso, Texas that was a must see due to their inventory of saddle blankets and all things western. The painting today, "Mesa Grande" reminds me of the displayed hand woven blankets. Bringing the colors of West Texas to my canvas made for, "A Painting Day".

"Mesa Grande" 12x30x1.5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Ties To the Land - Ruth Andre

The valley where I live was at one time filled with Gold Rush miners. There was little land for farming except for small pockets of flat areas. My horse's pasture was at one time an apple orchard and the homestead was just down the road. I love walking the land and feeling the ties from long ago. When the old oak acorns fall, I know at one time Native Americans were here gathering the acorns and then grinding them and finally washing their harvest in the creek. The old oaks gave them food, fuel and shade. Having ties with the land has made for, "A Painting Day".

"Ties To the Land" 10x10 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Ridge Ride - Ruth Andre

"The Ridge Ride"

Triptych - 3 panels each 6x4 inches

"The Ridge Ride #1"

6x4 inches, oil on archival canvas panel

"The Ridge Ride #2," 6x4 inches oil on archival canvas panel

"Trail of Tears #3", 6x4 inches, oil on archival canvas panel

When I would horseback ride the back woods of Missouri the riders would follow what was called "The Ridge". It was higher ground that made its path through the woods giving an elevated view and a good vantage point to see what else maybe in the woods. The Civil War soldiers with their horses and cannons followed the ridge route. As I rode along the ridge I felt the spirits of the many that had been there before me. It was a spiritual place. Thinking of the ridge has made for, "A Painting Day".

"The Ridge Ride" 6x12 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre

Monday, October 22, 2012

Last Run - Ruth Andre

Rain finally arrived today and the rocky creek pockets are filling with water and soon the creek will be in its winter mode with water rushing through the valley. The sun has made a lovely appearance but more rain is promised for the rest of the week. I am reluctantly accepting the season's change. It has been, "A Painting Day".

"Last Run" 6x12x1.5 inches, oil on canvas by Ruth Andre