Ruth Soller Architecture

Evening in Rome, Italy

2010-03-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

Evening in Rome Italy, oil on linen, 12x9, $500, Available

This is an evening scene during the Christmas shopping season last December. We toured Rome for four days during the Florence Biennial Contemporary Art Exhibition. We were fortunate to enjoy cool, sunny days and were surprised at the tropical lush greenery in Rome even in December. I hope you enjoy the painting and feel free to send me your comments.

Old Louisville Inn, Colorado

2009-11-16T17:11:00.001-08:00

Oil on linen, 9x12, $450

Old Louisville Inn was built in 1906 and proudly displays a beautiful 28 foot 1903 Brunswick backbar, second oldest in Colorado.The bar was built of mahogany and cherry wood and constructed without nails. During recent renovations, fifty year old murals of Colorado wildlife were uncovered beneath old wallpaper. These paintings were hidden for over 35 years and were created by a local artist, Cheyenne, for a bar tab at the establishment. Old Louisville Inn is the last remaining saloon of the original thirteen that once lined Front Street. The original coal miner's spit trough was found and an ornate stained glass skylight was added to the original building.

Puerta Verde Taos Pueblo NM

2009-09-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Horno de Pan Taos Pueblo, NM

2009-09-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

Monday morning we drove two miles north of Taos to a civilization dating back over a thousand years at Taos Pueblo (www.taospueblo.com), “The Place of the Red Willows”. A Native American cemetery of 1619 held graves of those killed in the revolt of 1680. Drying racks were used to dry grains and meats in the hot summer sun. Outdoor adobe ovens called horno were used to bake bread and pastries over a cedar fire. The native language Tiwa is unwritten and unrecorded even today. Red Willow Creek flows with clear, icy water from Blue Lake high in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The North House, Hlaauma, is built of adobe in multiple stories which were originally accessed only by ladders which could be pulled up to prevent entry by enemies. The South House, Hlaukkwima, is smaller and also does not include running water or electricity. Doorways and windows have been added and the pueblo is still inhabited by Native Americans today. The San Geronimo Church built in 1850 has been faithfully tended and continues to provide services.

Red Tile Roof, Santa Fe

2009-06-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Oil on linen

11x14

$500

Available

This piece will be going with me to the Florence Biennial in Italy this December 5th-13th!

La Fonda, Las Posadas, Santa Fe

2009-06-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

This piece will be going with me to the Florence Biennial in Italy this December 5th-13th!

When Santa Fe was founded in 1607, official records show that an inn, or la fonda, was among the first businesses established.
More than two centuries later, in 1821, when Captain William Becknell and his retinue forged a commercial route across the plains from Missouri to Santa Fe, they were pleased to find comfortable lodging and hospitality at la fonda on the Plaza. Literally the inn at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, La Fonda still occupies the southeast corner of the Plaza where travelers of all descriptions have been welcomed for almost 400 years.

The current La Fonda was built in 1922 on the site of the previous inns. In 1925 it was acquired by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, which leased it to Fred Harvey. From 1926 to 1968, La Fonda was one of the Harvey Houses, a renowned chain of fine hotels. Since 1968, La Fonda has been locally owned and operated and has continued a tradition of warm hospitality, excellent service and modern amenities while maintaining its historic integrity and architectural authenticity. A travel writer once said, “Like vintage wine, La Fonda only improves with age...it is definitely an authentic Santa Fe heirloom.”

Farolitos (candles in paper bags), little bonfires traditionally called luminarias and thousands of carolers make this a magical place during Las Posadas pageant on Christmas Eve.

Oil on linen
11x14
$500
Available

Reflection Gallery, Santa Fe

2009-06-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Oil on linen

11x14

$500

Available

This piece will be going with me to the Florence Biennial in Italy this December 5th-13th!

Presbyterian Profile, Santa Fe

2009-06-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Oil on masonite
8x10
$400
Available

Canyon Road Corner, Santa Fe

2009-06-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Oil on linen

8x10

$400

Available

San Miguel Mission, Santa Fe

2009-04-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe means “Holy Faith” in Spanish. Santa Fe is the oldest state capital city in the U. S. Built in the early days of Spanish colonization, around 1610, San Miguel Mission is considered by many to be the oldest mission in the U.S. It was burned and then rebuilt in 1710. In Spanish Colonial times, this was the church of the working people in the Barrio de Analco. Today this church contains many fine examples of historic Hispanic religious art.

oil on linen
10x8
Gallery East
Loveland, CO
$400
www.GalleryEast.com

Christmas Ristras, Canyon Road, Santa Fe

2009-04-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

Canyon Road is today the home of dozens of prestigious art galleries, shops and restaurants. This street was once a dirt track used by people to haul firewood on burros to sell in downtown Santa Fe. In the 1920’s, artists moved in because rents were the lowest in town. Farolitos (candles in paper bags), little bonfires traditionally called luminarias and thousands of carolers make this a magical place on Christmas Eve. A chile ristra, a string of bright red chiles, is a perfect inexpensive keepsake. They are traditionally hung in kitchens or by a door.

oil on linen
10x8
Gallery East
Loveland, CO
$400
www.GalleryEast.com

Canyon Road Alley Art, Santa Fe

2009-04-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

oil on linen
10x8
Gallery East
Loveland, CO
$400
www.GalleryEast.com

Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe

2009-04-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

oil on linen
8x10
Gallery East
Loveland, CO
www.GalleryEast.com
$400

Casa Azul, Villa Narcissa, California

2009-04-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

oil on linen
8x10
SOLD

Catalina Planter, California

2009-04-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

oil on linen
8x10
$400
Available

Catalina Fountain, California

2009-04-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

oil on linen
8x10
$400
Available

Loveland Feed & Grain Mill, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:22:00.001-08:00

oil on linen
16x20
$1200
Available

The building, commonly known today as the Loveland Feed & Grain, was constructed in 1891-92 by the Loveland Farmers Milling & Elevator Co. on the site where an earlier mill had been destroyed by fire. Founders of the Loveland Milling & Elevator Company included Henry Spotts, Elza Darrough, and John Westerdoll. When first constructed, the milling operation housed in the building had a capacity of 275 sacks of flour per day, and the elevator had a storage capacity of 50,000 bushels of wheat. But it went out of business in 2003 and began to fall apart. It was slated to be leveled to make way for apartments, but McLaughlin's group launched a campaign to save the structure. The Loveland City Council refused to issue a demolition permit for the building, which was designated a historic landmark. Local businessman Barry Floyd bought the building for $400,000 and is leaving it unchanged while a plan for its use can be mapped out. It's important for the Feed and Grain to become a part of the Loveland landscape, said Laurie Dunklee, spokeswoman for the Colorado Historic Fund. "It's important as communities change that buildings like these remain to remind people of their heritage."

Loveland Depot, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:19:00.002-08:00

oil on linen
11x14
Gallery East
Loveland, CO
$500
http://www.galleryeast.com/

When Loveland was founded, residents nearby of St. Louis realized that their town could not survive without rail service. Shipments of farm products were hardly practical over the area's primitive wagon roads passable only in good weather. Many St. Louis merchants moved their businesses to Loveland. The Colorado Central erected an 80-foot by 30-foot brick depot, completed in December 1877. It was located on the west side of the tracks close to Fourth Street. Unfortunately, trains stopped at the depot blocked traffic. The depot, built at a cost of $2,000 had a ticket office, passenger waiting and freight room. This structure was replaced in 1902 by the present-day dept, and the bricks from the old depot were used for the sidewalk.

Christmas Caboose, Loveland, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

oil on linen

11x14

$500

Available

Louisville Center for Arts, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

oil on linen
16x20
$1200
Available

The Louisville Art Association was founded September 11, 1980. The Louisville City Parks and Recreation Department agreed to sponsor the LAA and provide a place for shows and meetings. The circa 1904 red brick Victorian style (now the Louisville Center for the Arts) was used until the Louisville Recreation Center was built and the Senior Center moved to that location. At that time, the Louisville Art Association asked for the building and was granted a joint lease which included office space for the newly founded Arts and Humanities Council appointed by Mayor Herm Fauson. The building was then named the Louisville Center for the Arts and was to be all inclusive of all the art groups using the building. The Louisville Center for the Arts building was renovated in 1997 during the term of Mayor Tom Davidson. The cupola was added in 2004, during the term of Mayor Chuck Sisk, thus completing the renovation. It is now one of the most outstanding fine-art and performing art centers in the area.

Independence Day, Louisville, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

Oil on linen

16x20

$1200

Available

Brunner House in Alfalfa, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:12:00.000-08:00

oil on linen
16x20
$1200
Available

Brunner Farmhouse — Built 1919. One of the first homesteads in the area, the recently restored home relocated to The Field open space near Midway Boulevard and Main Street, is an example of the farm community Broomfield once was. Lester Brunner grew up in the house when it was on the family's dairy farm at the corner of 120th Avenue and Ash Street. "It was a great place to grow up, especially in that time," Brunner said. Broomfield was almost all farmland then. There were at most 500 people living in a 10-mile radius, he said. That didn't stop them from coming together to aid their neighbors when they needed it. "When you needed help, they helped you, and when they needed help, you went to help them," Brunner recalled. The same community spirit saved the house. After it was donated to the city in 1998 it was moved to The Field to make way for development along 120th Avenue.

Zang Brewmeister Mansion, Denver, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:10:00.001-08:00

oil on linen
16x20
SOLD

GEORGE SCHMIDT HOUSE / BREWMASTER'S HOUSE ZANG BREWERY2345 7th St.National Register 10/29/1976, 5DV.200
Designed by William Quayle, this High Victorian Queen Anne style home dates from the late 1880s. The original owner was George Schmidt, brewmaster for the Zang Brewery. The two-story house is built of red brick and has a rusticated stone foundation. The interior features a carved oak stairway, hand-grained woodwork and doors, carved hardwood mantels, and built-in cabinets.

Zang Mansion in Spring, Denver, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

oil on linen

14x11

$500

Available

Berthoud Barn, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

oil on linen

11x14

$500

Available

GUSTAV AND ANNIE SWANSON FARM
1932 N. Highway 287, Berthoud vicinity
National Register 10/5/2005, 5LR.1714
The Swanson Farm is an excellent example of a northern Colorado plains farm with stock feeding and dairy operations. In addition to the house and garage, all of the associated agricultural outbuildings remain intact, as well as the extensive irrigation system and a portion of the crop field. The 1918 farmhouse and garage are excellent examples of the Craftsman style. Designed and built by prominent local master-builders William Warren Greene and John Frank Greene, this is the only known rural example of their work. The 1917 barn is an excellent example of balloon framing applied to a large agricultural building. This form of framing, shown in plan books and farm guides of the time, provided an open, soaring hayloft that could support the weight of the hay as well as the building.

St. Catherine's Chapel, Allenspark, Colorado

2009-02-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

oil on canvas

22x28

SOLD

The chapel was designed by noted Denver architect Jacques Benedict. The contractors were the Coulihan Brothers and Charlie Miller of the nearby town of Allenspark, who had native stone hauled in by mule carts from the surrounding area to use as building material. The land on which Camp St. Malo is built was given to the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo who purchased the 160 acres from the William McPhee estate in 1935. The Malos donated the funds for the building of the chapel and paid for its maintenance for decades. The chapel was dedicated by Archbishop Urban Vehr in 1936 to the honor of Saint Catherine of Siena and in the memory of Mrs. Malo’s mother, Catherine Smith Mullen. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the chapel during his trip to Denver for the World Youth Day and bestowed his personal blessing on the chapel. Over the years, thousand of visitors have stopped at the chapel to enjoy its simplicity and beauty as it is framed against majestic Mt. Meeker. In 1999, Boulder County designated the chapel as a historic site. The Chapel on the Rock is truly a Colorado landmark.

Lyons Church, Colorado

2009-02-20T10:49:00.000-08:00

oil on linen

16x20

$1000

Available

On the corner is a white Methodist Church, built in the prairie style of clapboard.

Green Caboose

2009-02-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

oil on linen

16x20

$1000

Available