Category: Events

Wow, that was a great turnout last night! Thank you for coming! Those who came heard that there are 12 hidden things but only were shown 4 of them. They also learned of the 2 dumbest questions and the 3 most annoying comments. I could have gone on about the mural for 3 hours, but it was kind of hot out and the food would have run short before I got any. (no starving for this artist!) Wish I had had the opportunity to speak with every one there and name each person who helped make the mural happen. There will be a little 3-dimensional effect, and possibly a larger 3-dimensional effect. More will be revealed. Meanwhile, have a look at some hidden items:You probably can tell the first is a coffee pot; the second is NOT a purse but a fishing creel; the third is NOT Sasquatch but a running girl. She isn’t fat – that is her sweatshirt billowing. She isn’t holding a scarf – that is my attempt to blend her into the snow patches in a natural manner.

 Thank you to those who have inquired about purchasing mural merchandise. I have contacted the Mural Team to see how they would like to handle long distance orders. I have learned that the tee shirts are $18, the mugs and mousepads $7 apiece. If you are in California, there is also (astronomical) sales tax.  I hope to learn soon if they will take orders by phone and do the shipping. . . more will be revealed!

How can it accurately be called an “unveiling”? Okay, it’s not! It is a celebration of the completion of MINERAL KING, IN OUR BACKYARD! That is the name so aptly coined by my husband, Michael. Here are the details: Thursday, June 25, 6 p.m. at the mural. It is in the 100 NORTH block of E Street, between Pine and Palm in downtown Exeter. Dinner (tri-tip sandwiches) will be available to those who arrived there first for a minimal charge. You will have the chance to buy mural merchandise, as shown here:Mouse pad, mug (2 sides of the same one shown), and tee shirts available in 2 colors. The only price I know is that the tee shirts are $18 each. The picture is on the backside and it says Exeter, A Festival of Arts on the front. 

 to Adalaide, who won the contest! Today during drawing lessons, she wheedled and begged and tried her best to manipulate me into giving her a clue or two. All I would tell her is that there are 12 items, and assure her that she can trust me to keep secrets! When she left her class, she and her mom drove to the mural. Within 15 minutes she called me and told me eleven items. I was very impressed and said the last one would be impossible. 1 minute later she was back on the phone to tell me the twelfth item! The girl is brilliant, simply brilliant! I should have known that Adalaide would find all twelve, because she is a real go-getter at drawing, a self-starter who has figured out how to design and draw a collage on her own, often completes difficult drawings on her own at home, and works exclusively from her own very unique photos! Way to go, Adalaide! (home-schoolers are amazing people!)  Here are five of the twelve items that she found: She called this one a “basket”, but it is a fishing creel. The bear and the deer were “gimme” items. Adalaide referred to the lantern as an oil lamp, but it is a kerosene lantern. Those little boo-boos were not a problem – by her description I knew that she was looking at hidden items!  Now you know what some of them look like, but they still might be a chore to find.  Have fun! 

As I paint the mural, almost everyone who is familiar with Exeter’s murals asks me the same question: “Will there be any hidden objects in your mural?” The answer is YES, and here is what I’m going to do about it: the first person to tell me what all 12 items are (YES, T-W-E-L-V-E!) will receive a $20 gift certificate to The Mural Gallery.  I am aware that this is limits the competition to those who can actually go see the mural with their own eyes.  Despite popular opinion in the cities, there ARE advantages to living in Tulare County! For those of you who think you have a head start, here is a hint: the following photo is no longer accurate or true because it was just too obvious.  

. . . is sold out! If you are one of the lucky ones to have a ticket to this very enjoyable event, you will not be sorry. The Garden Parties I’ve been to in the past have been wonderful – nice evening outside in Exeter (no mosquitos there!), good food, great auction items, nice music, fun conversations, all around very pleasant evening.This will be auctioned off. I will probably have my hands over my ears, or perhaps my thumb will be in mouth.It is an 8×10 oil painting on wrapped canvas with no frame. The title is Honeymoon Cabin III or perhaps Honeymoon Cabin IV. The money will go Exeter, A Festival of Arts. This is the only place I give artwork!