Featured Artist Ruth Andre

Artist Ruth Andre shares a collection of Western-inspired paintings in her distinctive signature style. See more by visiting her website.

 

 

What makes an artist? For me being an artist was always a dream. It wasn’t until I was in my late fifties I started painting daily.

 

 

My previous work as an art representative in Los Angeles calling on corporate and advertising accounts kept me connected to my dream. I helped artists find work and was the liaison between artist and client. I longed to be the artist, but it took several years before I was able to start painting for myself.

 

 

Author Malcolm Gladwell writes about working 10,000 hours to succeed with what you want to do. I believe this to be true. After 10,000 hours and more, I feel as if I am finding my path with work to share.

 

 

My painting subject matter and style have changed over the years. I find working abstractly and letting the image find its way rather than following a realistic template is a process of letting go and letting the paint tell the story.

 

 

I cross over from my traditional roots into looser images for my figurative works. I strive to support a new view, a bit of fun, and hopefully a reverence for what is painted.

 

 

I like to paint small series of paintings, giving them titles to enrich the viewer’s understanding of why I paint what I do. The They Said Series of figures is fun and lively. My Native People series is full of feeling and empathy for the people and their history. I would like to explore painting larger works, giving the painting a greater presence that can envelope the viewer.

 

 

My studio is a sanctuary I hold close and find my way there each day. I am able to express who I am while painting. My life never stands still. I am constantly making crossings within my thoughts and motion. With each step I take, my path crosses over and through life’s journey.

 

 

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