Open studio tour begins this weekend, October 14 & 15 and the following weekend, October 21 & 22 from 10 am – 5 pm. I will be demonstrating the processes to make natural mineral paints and how to apply these to canvas and clay surfaces. It is an exciting time to enjoy Art, meet artists and see where they make magic happen in their studios. The gallery is set up ready for viewing and Art conversations. All are welcome to visit and enjoy the atmosphere of Art.
I am Art Studio #33 in the Guide: 12811 Spring Road, Nevada City, just off Banner Lava Cap. I hope to see you this year! As always, Enjoy!
Come join the FUN! Or plan to view it another day in August or call fro an appointment. Gallery hours: Wednesday – Sunday
Wednesday & Sunday 11 – 4 pm
Thursday 12 – 7 pm
Friday and Saturday 11 – 6 pm
“Shadows, Stories, and Whispers”, 48×36″ natural earth paints, charcoal, softened beeswax with gold leaf on handmade papers over wood
This painting has stories whispered from days of old into today… how the reindeer roamed the lands of many continents, where different styles of images graced cave walls telling us how the artists had their own visions and techniques.
Well, well, well! Things have been moving along, especially in my painting world. I made some deliveries, spent time with friends, and stopped to check in at the Hat Ranch Gallery in Santa Fe. While visiting the southwest, we took time to hike and view petroglyphs along our travels through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. We also hunted and gathered clays and ochres from different areas. We enjoyed our stops and visits with friends.
Collecting Ochres in the field
Hiking to see Petroglyphs
Art has been selling in the galleries and I was accepted and earned an Award of Merit in Fine Art from the California Expo State fair, July 15-29 in Sacramento. Coming up, Saturday August 5, I have an Opening Reception at the Piper J Gallery at 10250 Donner Pass Rd. in Truckee, CA. from 5 – 7 pm. And around the corner is Open Studio Tour here in Grass Valley/Nevada City, CA October 14, 15, 21 &22 from 10 am to 5 pm. More details about the tour will come later.
Art collectors, Jamie and Daniel, sent photos from inside their beautiful home displaying their purchase of “Wind Whisperer” over the fireplace.
They wrote:
“My husband, Danny, and I recently purchased one of your artworks from Gold, Silver and Bronze Gallery in Cambria, CA. I saw the painting a month earlier when visiting Cambria from Santa Ynez. It caught my attention so much so that I returned with my husband a few weeks later, and we left with the painting. It’s now hanging in a prominent position in our home. I love the images along with the ancient symbols/letters — and the story they tell. I love the layers of color and texture. The gold leaf is special. The painting has a certain patina and yet is contemporary at the same time. And to quote my husband, we didn’t know that anything was missing on our walls until we hung your painting.”
“Wind Whisperer”, 24 x 48″
At Piper J Gallery several paintings have sold. Here are a couple that are most recent:
“Deer Ochre, Under the Light of Sun” and “Eye of Ochre”, 48 x 24″ each
Deer Ochre, Under the Light of Sun: 48×24″ earth paints, gold leaf and charcoal
Eye of Ochre Under the Half-Moon: 48×24″ Earth paints, silver leaf and charcoal
“Whispers of Ochre”, 30 x 40″ Award of Merit on display at Cal Expo State Fair, Sacramento
Enjoy the Summer and most of all Art. Be inspired, breathe in the beauty! – Jennifer
I have been diligently at work in the Education Gallery at Blue Line Arts the past two weeks. Saturday and Sunday, March 25 & 26, I spent teaching a workshop in mixing natural minerals into paints with ten lovely women eager to push their boundaries in Art and seek eco-friendly processes to create. We had a delightful group and inspiring results, each participant taking home jars of handmade paints and works of Art.
This last week, March 28 – 30, will be focused on a second workshop in ceramics beginning Tuesday at 11 am to 5 pm. It runs for three days, including Wednesday and Thursday, again, 11 am – 5 pm. Participants will go through guided steps to create Artisan Stone Bowls and the processes to mixing raw clay slips into paints to cover surfaces. All will be introduced to the pit-fire process as well. There are a couple spots still open and sign-ups are taken online at Blue Line Arts’ website.
Please let me know any interest in doing a workshop for your group or organization to learn more about making your own earth paints and eco-friendly practices… made easier then you may think!
This year for the Wild and Scenic Film Festival – Art Exhibitions, two of my paintings will be on display at the Communal Cafe on 233 Broad Street, and three of my sculptures will be at the Seven Stars Gallery at 210 Spring Street, both in Nevada City, CA. The theme of the exhibition, which my works reflect, is “CommUnity.” There will be an Artists’ Reception at the Seven Stars Gallery on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 5 PM-6:30 PM . In addition, fireside chats will be held at the Communal Cafe Friday evening February 17, at the Seven Stars Gallery Saturday February 18 at 3 PM, at the Lucchesi Winery Sunday February 19 at 3 PM, and at the Communal Cafe Monday morning February 20. All are welcome to join the festivities.
Whispers Over the Land: Here We Are – 36×48″ earth paints with gold leaf
Voices Across the Wilderness, the Lost Sheep of the Dine’ – 24×48″ earth paints with silver leaf
March is a Busy-Fun month! I am happy to announce that I am the recipient for the Susan Cooley Gilliom Residence and Teaching Program sponsored by the Placer Community Foundation and hosted at Blue Line Arts Gallery in Roseville, CA. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to share and teach my earth friendly Art processes and techniques. I will be in residence for three full weeks at the gallery from March 10 through March 31, giving talks, two workshops and also working daily in the Education Gallery/Studio. There will be an Opening Reception on March 18, 4-8 PM, where I will give a talk and tour of my Art works. The first workshop, on mineral painting, will be held March 25 & 26, while the second workshop, covering the use of raw clay slips and mineral paints on clay, will be held March 28, 29 & 30. There are more details to come soon. What an exciting time! Please come join me during March.
For more information contact Blue Line Arts: https://www.bluelinearts.org/scg-2023 405 Vernon Street, Suite #100, Roseville, CA 9567; (916) 783-4117
Join us for a dual-gallery artist talk, beginning at The Center for the Arts on Main St. in Grass Valley with Jude Bischoff to discuss his show “Wet & Wild” and ending at Nevada City Winery on Spring St. with Jennifer Rugge to discuss her show “Whispers Across the Land”. Both of these artists base their work in nature with entirely different results. Each artist will lead guests through their respective exhibitions to explore the inspirations and processes behind the creation of their work. Both venues will have the bars open with light snacks provided. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to ask the artists questions and become inspired! FREE! Friday, January 13, 2023 beginning at 5 pm at the Center for the Arts with Jude Bischoff, then traveling to Nevada City Winery with Jennifer Rugge Talk to start at 6:30. Enjoy an evening of Art and their stories.
Hear Jude and Jennifer on KVMR Radio 9:30 am Thursday, January 12.
November through January 15, Solo Art Exhibition: Opening Reception December 9, 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
Talk: January 13, 5:30 pm, in Art Gallery
Whispers…sometimes silent, sometimes bold. I Am an Earth Artist and my Art comes from listening for these whispers. Nature is their voice. When I collect and prepare minerals from the earth to make paints or clay slips, I want to listen and to feel what is spoken. The ochres bring life, messages, and inspirations to my Art. Whether in clay or across a canvas, figures of ancient animals emerge along with signs and symbols of early languages. The ochres refine and define the whispers from the Ancestral winds of the earth, a past that belongs to us and one that speaks to us. We are the earth keepers and the earth drivers.
Whispers are the deeper meanings and mysteries of the Ancients which appear in the images to describe what has been, but also what can be. As a lifelong artist and my relentless interest in historical roots, digging into the ancient past and early languages, all have led me on an intriguing journey to uncover forgotten times, stories and paths. These mysteries reveal clear intelligence and spiritual practices through their art and signs; these are the components that emerge in my Art.
Prospector Magazine: Union Newspaper November 30, 2022
Wind Crossing, 48 x 48″ Natural mineral paints with charcoal and gold leaf on handmade papers over wood.
December 9 – 11: Art Opening Reception at Hat Ranch Gallery
Ravens Magic: Ancestral Passages – 12.5 x 11.5 x 4″d Cone 5 Porcelain, underglazes, Natural ochre paints
Come visit the gallery shows as you are able and closest to do. Art is the essential element we all need whatever that creative aspect may feel to be…to paint, sculpt, perform or sing… Enjoy Art!
Opening Reception at The Center for the Arts, Main St. Grass Valley, CA. Thursday October 6, 5-7 pm in the Granucci Gallery and where the Exhibition of participating Artists is located: September 16 – October 22, 2022
For more information: openstudiostour.org
It has been an amazing journey through sharing Art. This Year marks 5 years participating in the Open Studios Tour of West Nevada County in California. Originally focusing only on painting with natural earth paints, eco-friendly products and applications, I now have been able to add a special love to work in clay. It has been challenging at times… yet, I am finding ways to still work in an earth conscious process. I enjoy searching and finding raw clays and ochres to use in my sculptures. One of fourteen Cultural Districts of California, Nevada County offers several diverse artists with their unique approaches to Art in this tour. Guide books are available at studios and at The Center for the Arts.
Sometimes ideas come at you and when you act on them amazing things open up. I was rolling out slabs of clay, then letting them set up while I took some sketched ideas from my notebook to inspect. But suddenly, I saw something else emerging from the clay… and it pulled at my attention. Deer Ochre was rising into view. I worked excitedly yet steadily letting each part wait its turn to be shaped and placed. Several days later Deer Ochre was in front of me sitting quietly on the work table. The antlers twisting behind its extended head and the face…yes the slender nose and those curious eyes. “Red ochre,” spoke. “Place it on the head.” That’s right, the raw ochre from the earth. And so, red ochre appeared to set gingerly upon its head while a look of silly contentment slipped onto its face. Its long legs stretched down its length and more ochre was scattered around the hooves which set upon an edge of flowing grasses and a fluttering blue bird. “Whispers and roots from Olden Rein” rose curiously swirling about the stone-dried clay. Ancient words from times gone but are here now.
Deer Ochre, Whispers and Roots, from Olden Rein
20″x10″x5″ Totem, 2022 $1200
Ceramic: Wire, black oxide and under-glaze, natural ochres
You can view “Deer Ochre, Whispers and Roots, from Olden Rein” at Blue Line Arts Gallery, Roseville CA, in the “Off Center” Ceramic Art work exhibition and on-line. The show is from July 23 to September 17, 2022. You are invited to attend the Opening Reception August 20, 4 – 8 pm.
The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento CA has been a favorite place to roam. With rooms filled with varieties of Art works, from the ancient to present day, there is something you can find that intrigues, resonates and inspires. I particularly enjoy the ancient pieces. They inspire me and spark curiosity. How were these made? What inspired the artists? Why did they use these particular materials? This year I donated a piece of Art to help raise money for future programs and events, to keep the Crocker Art Museum for everyone to enjoy.
Big Names, Small Art On-line bidding is OPEN now until June 4
Discover small works (12 x12 in. or less) in all media from emerging and established artists. Bidding starts at $25 per piece regardless of fair market value. BNSA ends Saturday, June 4, with one artwork closing every minute starting at 1 PM! Click below to view my donated Art Piece. This is a 9 x 12″ painting with natural mineral paints & gold leaf on handmade papers over wood.
Jennifer Rugge 