Tag: painting

New Art, New Show: Ancient Earth Inspirations

#Earthartist, ancient-pictographs, New Works, Studio Visit, Visual Art

Hello!

It has been a long while…With the New Year, family obligations and Art demands, it has taken me needed time to sort through the challenges, Art studio fun and the care of my-self.  As we are well into 2026, my hope is that all is well with you, family and life.  For me I feel I am discovering new possibilities in my Art endeavors.  Already this year, I am finding, processing and developing new pigments and raw clays which lead to exciting explorations in Art. Two pit-fires and several paintings later my creative means are expanding.  I LOVE what I do! It brings me such joy to share what I do to make pigments, to paint and to build with raw clays.

If you are at all interested in joining me in gathering, processing or using raw clays and pigments in Art, please let me know. Send me an email for yourself or even a small group and we can put together some dates. June through October are good months.* 

*I plan to do two more pit-fires in April-May weather permitting…that is rain and wet weather are best! …And to do some clay and pigment gathering and processing, too.

Here are some possible dates:  April 11, 12 or 18, 19 or 25, 26 or May 2, 3 or 9, 10 or 16, 17.

gathering clay
grind
process
water drains
raw clay
pigment making
pit fire
smoldering and smoking

Mark Your Calendar!

April 4, 2026: Opening Reception “Ancient Earth Inspirations” at Piper J Gallery at 10250 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California; 4-7 pm.  I will have a demonstration and a brief talk at 5 pm. Please come and enjoy an evening of Art, refreshment, and engagement with the artist. This exhibition will be up April 3 – 29.

February 2026 Wild and Scenic Film Festival and Art Exhibition: “Best in Theme” Diptych (two 36 x 48″ paintings put together as one “And Bear Will Lead them”.

Open Studios Tour: October 10, 11 and 17, 18

Always, ENJOY! Jennifer

Ochre Dreams

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Opening Reception: July 5, 2025, Piper J Gallery 4-7 pm

A Celebration of “Ochre Dreams” brings me once again to the Piper J Gallery in Truckee, CA. I am preparing for an exhibition with an Opening reception on July 5, from 4 pm – 7pm. This is also the time for the new Truckee Summer Art Walk. I will be demonstrating the mixing of natural minerals into paints at 3:30 pm and painting on site followed by an Art Talk at 5 pm inside the gallery. The evenings are pleasant here and a relief from the heat in the valley and Sacramento. It is a nice stroll down Donner Pass Rd. with lovely places to eat or have a cool drink in outdoor and indoor settings. Have an enjoyable evening.

If you are planning to head to the State Fair this July, Cal Expo 2025, be sure to take time to see the Art Exhibition in Building 7.  “Imagination’s Light,” a 60 x 48″ painting of three ancient reindeer “beside waters” is on display in mixed media. Yes, of course, the paints and materials used in this beauty are all eco-friendly.

On another note, the gentle sleeping deer sculpture “Ochre Rest” won a people’s choice award at the prestigious “Feats of Clay” exhibition in Lincoln, CA, a show that ran through May and June at the Art League of Lincoln.

Coming up:  Open Studios Art Tour 2025, Nevada County West, in Grass Valley/Nevada City will be taking place in October. Tour Exhibition runs September 26 – October 19 at the Center for the Arts, Grass Valley on Main Street. Tour dates for Open Studios are October 11, 12, 18 & 19, 11 am – 5 pm. I will be demonstrating the processes I use to make and use natural mineral paints. Hope to see you at our gallery space, 12811 Spring Rd. Nevada City, #39 on the studio tour. I will have guide books available and these are also available at the Center for the Arts.

Enjoy, Jennifer

More Workshops! More Art!

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I LOVE to share my processes and I ENJOY seeing how others make them their own!

Mark your calendars! 

New workshop at Piper J Gallery, Sunday April 28, 11 am until 3:30 pm. 

I’ll take you through step-by-step to create a painting of your own. You will engage in learning to collect and process minerals into paints using different binders.  You will design a composition onto a wood surface covered with handmade papers. All materials are supplied, but you are welcome to bring any special brushes you would like to use, small jars for paints, and any up-cycled papers you may want to try. Bring a lunch and drinks.

Martis Camp in Truckee is hosting a Mineral Paints workshop in July so the residents can gain knowledge of painting with natural minerals and creating an eco-friendly Art studio space. I look forward to these events and hope to be able to do more. July 15, 2024 10 am -all day.

September brings new Art to Piper J Gallery! They are hosting a Sculpture exhibition with my clay sculptures. This will be a display inspired by nature and the ancient cave dwellers with a contemporary twist. Pictographs and signs of the ancients are also integrated into these works.

Come enter the domain of the Deer People. Opening Reception September 7, 2024 5-7 pm at the Piper J Gallery: 10250 Donnor Pass Rd. Truckee, CA.

(Piece in process of resting reindeer)

Enjoy Natural Art! Be inspired by the Nature that surrounds you.

Jennifer

YAy!!! Jumping into a New Year

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Already a fun busy time! The year opened with two shows, one at the Truckee Airport and one at Martis Camp in Truckee along with dates set for WORKSHOPS and a Mineral Hunting date! (below)

“Wild Women” Art Exhibition features 6 women artists from the region sponsored by the Nevada County Cultural District, the Truckee Alliance, the Nevada County Art Council and displayed by the Piper J Gallery. A new and featured piece is “Mountain Home” at this exhibition up until April 2024.

“Mountain Home” 40×50″ with white gold leaf, natural mineral paints and charcoal on handmade papers over 3-d reliefs and wood panel.

Martis Camp houses a relaxing atmosphere, a game room and an art workshop for residents. Featured works were spread out through the area, halls, stairwell and Art room.

Ancient Cave Bears: The Time Travelers 9×12″

Sacred Spirit of the Reindeer 9×12″

Workshops!

Natural Mineral Paints: Become an Earth Artist!

Welcome to participants of all levels and abilities! Mix and apply natural earth minerals into paints onto wood.  Learn how to use non-toxic and earth friendly processes to create a safe studio environment and artworks.  Visit ancestral roots that link Art to the Earth in this one day workshop.

Skill levels: All participants are able to create at their own comfort level of expertise.

Program description: Participants are introduced to earth paints, making pigments from natural minerals and mixing paints with different binders. Prepare wood canvas surfaces with the addition of handmade and up-cycled papers.  Design a composition using charcoal and/or pencil.  Patterns and templates are available to use for drawing and designing.  Participants will engage in processes that show how to integrate and use natural products to create earth-friendly Art, to explore ancient methods (to include early Italian processes to Paleolithic cave dwellers) and to transpose a studio space into an earth friendly environment.

1. March 16, Saturday 11 am-3:30 pm at Piper J Gallery, 10250 Donner Pass Rd. Truckee CA 96161  (775)220-0325 piperjgallery.com Price: $125, all supplies included

2. March 30, Saturday 11 am – 4 pm Blue Line Arts in Roseville, CA

Raw Mineral Paint Workshop with Jennifer Rugge
All supplies included: Members – $125; Non-members – $144

3. Small groups or private Workshops: contact Jennifer, email ruggej@aol.com to book a date on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays, 11 am – 3:30 pm for April and May. $125 per adult

4. Mineral Hunting: Friday, August 30, 2024, $50 per adult 11 – 2:30 pm.

Pack a lunch, water and a pack to carry collecting materials. We will meet here at my home and caravan to Scotts Flat Lake. The hike is light to moderate. Mud shoes and walking sticks are helpful when crossing over water and one steep, but short, incline. We will take time to learn about different ochres and clays, harvesting them and leaving a small or no footprint behind. Processing minerals with a brief demonstration along with a handout will be given.

Enjoy Art. Enjoy being inspired. Enjoy seeking alternatives for a health-conscious life. Jennifer