All the information you need about fun in Exeter on Sunday afternoon is on the postcard below EXCEPT these things:
This opening reception is the last event for me of the year (last chance to buy Christmas gifts unless you do it through the website or run into me at various places around Three Rivers.)
I will bring 2020 calendars if there are any left.
I will bring notecards, Mineral King Wildflowers: Common Names, and The Cabins of Wilsoniabooks too.
The oil painting of a poinsettia, a pencil drawing of grapes, and a pencil drawing of Farewell Gap are my pieces in the show.
I love dessert – that fact alone will get me to the reception.
A bunch of years ago some people in Three Rivers decided to try something new – First Saturday. Anyone who wanted to participate could do something special on that day, and the combined efforts of the participants would bring visitors to town.
Artists opened their studios. Artists came from other places and found businesses to show their work. Artists gathered at the Arts Center to show their work.
I did this a few times but not often. Lots of other things were happening on those first Saturdays kept me out of it, and there were other reasons, most of them boring.
Nikki, weaver extraordinaire, has participated almost continually and urged me to join. So, I will tomorrow, at her urging, along with a few others. Being available to the buying public is an important element of the business of art. (Duh.)
It might rain. It rained the last time I participated, and even as the “featured artist” with the appropriate theme of Wildflowers, attendance was very very low. (Friends stepped in for me so I could attend my uncle’s memorial service that very day, but the visitors didn’t know that would be the case.) I’ll be there this year, rain or no rain – no uncles left.
The way it works is that you go to the Three Rivers History Museum and get a map. Then you visit the places that sound interesting to you.
Maybe I’ll see you on Saturday. The hours are 11-5.
(Only this little studio will be open, not the painting workshop.)
Kaweah Artisans is a loose association of artists and makers who have put together little shows, called “boutiques”, for around 20 years. Nikki Crain, weaver extraordinaire, and I are the only almost original members of the group.
We have shown at a winery, a coffee place, and at The Arts Center, all in Three Rivers; those places are no longer viable so for the past 3 years we have been squatters.
“Squatters”?!
We borrow space in empty storefronts along the highway in Three Rivers, due to the generosity of landlords who are friends.
Our most recent show, The Perfect Gift Boutique, was another success. Here is a peek at the work behind the scenes.
An artisan’s hubby discusses the particulars with the gracious and generous landlord.
My structure is in place; I chose to not bring any tables and to go flat up against the wall because this particular space is only 350 square feet for 4 exhibitors, about 50 square feet smaller than traditional show spaces for this number of artists.Ready to go.4 poinsettias, 3 banners, a sandwich board, wreath, and balloons to attract attention.It was a cold day with low snow and overcast skies. We began at 10 a.m. but people didn’t begin arriving until around noon on Friday.Elizabeth’s jewelryNikki’s weavingSam’s gourdsWe closed up at 4 p.m. and it was beautiful outside!
The Three Rivers Veterans Memorial Building is a regular location for art and craft bazaars. I’ve been participating here for many years in many different places in the building.
This was in 2011, along the wall. I’ve learned to not overload my space and overwhelm the visitors with so many paintings.
Whatever year this was, my booth was in the center of the room.
This one was along the wall.
2014 was consumed by the book “The Cabins of Wilsonia”, which the printer failed to deliver as promised in time for this show; so, I just took all my extra knitted items to sell, along with my usual cards, Mineral King tee shirts, a friend’s knitting and another friend’s lavender. This is the same corner space that I had last weekend.
This window location is a common space given to me and we’ve learned to deal with the bulky drapery in the way by scrunching it together using a bungee cord. That big banner is now gone – just got worn out.
The windows provide wonderful natural light, especially in the springtime.
Spring of this year: the big round table has been useful through the years but does take up a lot of space in the roughly 10×10′ space.
This year I set up the space this way. No more large round table.
It was a good location, because when people entered the building, they immediately saw my colorful table with affordable items on the right side.
Every year I have slightly different merchandise, different paintings, different ideas for display, and it presents a new puzzle each time. It is all part of the business of art in Three Rivers.
Friday and Saturday I will be in another new space here in Three Rivers, NOT in the Memorial Building.
November is my busiest month. For the first time in several years, I have no selling events in Visalia. However, there are plenty of other opportunities to see me and my art: a list might be the easiest way to see all the upcoming events. 1. Holiday Bazaar, Three Rivers Veterans Memorial Building, Saturday, November 23, 9-4, free (of course). Always a nice event with good stuff made by interesting people who are eager to tell and sell.
2. Perfect Gift Boutique, 41837 Sierra Drive (that’s Hwy. 198 in Three Rivers) in a borrowed empty storefront, sharing space with the other Kaweah Artisans. Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, 10-4. (the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving). The address on this poster is where we were last year; this year’s will be in the next building just downstream, next to the Kaweah Commonwealth office.
WRONG ADDRESS, WRONG DATES, WRONG DIRECTIONS (but right event)
3. In other events, I am teaching drawing lessons at Arts Visalia each Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30. Five students, good times!
4. But wait! There’s more! The Festival of Trees and Globes is the annual fall fundraiser at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center in Three Rivers, this year on Thursday, November 21. My part? Judging the decorated Christmas trees, along with 2 others. It is a little stressful, knowing that people poured their hearts into these trees, and trying to be objective when I know most of the participants and every worthy organization; Three Rivers is a small, self-contained community, and anonymity is rare. The event itself is quite fun, lots of food and drink, a silent auction, and the live auction of the trees. (It’s not fancy like the similar event in Visalia – we are easy-going and informal here in 3R.) You can buy tickets in advance or at the door or from me.
P.S. First Saturday, December, is also coming up, and for the first time in a long time, my studio will be open!
Now the 2nd side of the path to the studio door is planted. This is where I draw, paint, and occasionally contemplate matters of consequence, which results in fascinating blog posts such as this one.
On June 29, I participated in the 2nd annual Art Inspired by Mineral King. This is the title of a show and sale on the deck of the Silver City Store, 4 miles below the Mineral King Valley.
The Oak Grove Bridge still almost had this much water beneath at the end of June.
I headed up the road the day before the show, my first time up this season (resulting in yesterday’s post about the condition of the Mineral King Road). When I got to the Oak Grove Bridge, I remembered that I forgot my screen covers. The bridge is 6.5 miles up the Mineral King Road, and my house is 2 miles from the MK Road, but I turned around anyway.
Since only one campground was open and the road is terrible and many of the passes are almost impassable, attendance was spotty. But I’ve told you before how I feel about this: when attendance is low, time with each visitor is high.
My screens helped 2 other artists display their pieces, so those covers were important. But, you can see that I still forgot one of them!
Linda Hengst was one of the artists. Her work is visible on the right side of this photo.
Photographer Brett Harvey was also a participant.
Working diligently at the table is jeweler (and Silver City employee) Ryan, or perhaps Rianne.
Doesn’t this look intriguing? I’m sure if you were above the store, you’d want to walk down to see what was happening.
Sales were slow, but contacts and good interactions were steady.
Next year, together with the Silver City Store/Resort, we will decide if it is worth putting together a 3rd annual show and sale. I know it is important to be in the public eye, but oh my goodness, I certainly prefer being on vacation while up the hill. Besides, once I get my little old car to the valley, I am loathe to put it through any extra miles on that sorry excuse for a road.
Featuring the oil paintings and pencil drawings of Jana Botkin and the photography of Brett Harvey
Farewell Gap #4, pencil, framed to approximately 11×14, $400 including tax
P.S. When you comment on the blog, I have to approve the comment before it appears. This doesn’t mean that your comment didn’t “take”; it means I am not near a computer to release your comment. Thank you to those who go to the trouble to comment; I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
“Out there” is a strange turn of phrase. Does it mean on the edge, in outer space, and weird? Or does it mean away from one’s comfort zone, out in the world? Either, but today it means having my work out in the world away from the comfort of Three Rivers, my known and beloved drawing students, and my own private studio.
I entered two pieces in “Seascapes” at the Exeter Courthouse Gallery. It is a juried show, but I have doubts that any entries will be turned away. The part that feels “out there” (vulnerable) to me is this: WILL ANYONE CARE ENOUGH TO SPEND $ ON MY WORK?? (or more accurately, $$$)
Excuse me for shouting. This sort of show makes me shudder, but at least it isn’t an auction. The shows are interesting to see, but it is nerve-wracking to interact with the public and wonder if they care or if they are just making conversation to be polite.
Wood, Wind, Waves, pencil, 14×19″, $400
A Walk to the Rock, 11×14″, $275, oil on wrapped canvas (looks square here, but that is simply misbehavior on the part of the blog)
But wait, there’s more. I also will enter these 2 pieces in a juried show at the Tulare County Government Plaza Building. And, I’m in the process of producing a third piece to enter.
Before M&Ms. . ., pencil and colored pencil
Little Cabin, Big Trees, pencil
What if they aren’t accepted? What if no one wants them? What if someone does, but can’t get them for an entire year?
Stop it. Just stop it.
Okay. I’m fine now. Thank you for listening.
“Seascapes”
June 1-28, Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery, 125 South B Street, Exeter, California.
