Category: General

Continuing 2, beginning 2 more

This is what I worked on today. Can you tell what these are wanting to be when they grow up?

Upside down is a good way to force oneself to see shapes as they really are rather than as one assumes they are. It sorts out some of the confusion of the familiar. It causes one to filter out all the detail and focus on the larger shapes.

Perhaps it will be easier for you to identify shapes here.

This is hard. I’ve painted it 3 times now and it is still hard.

This is also hard. Somedays I can hardly wait to be more proficient at oil painting so that I can see the pieces take shape faster. And isn’t it weird that when the paintings take less time that they will probably bring in more money?? Reminds me of working dumb jobs – the lowest jobs on the pay scale are usually the most difficult! Go figure. . . I’m not complaining, just puzzling over one of the many mysteries of life.

My story, part 3

In deciding which medium to use instead of colored pencil, the choice of oil seemed the most natural. In watercolor, there is little forgiveness. This is scary to someone who lives and dies by the eraser! Acrylics dry too fast, and they are plastic. There are other choices, but everything was pointing to oil. (“Everything”? I am prone to exaggeration – be warned!)In most areas of my life, authenticity is the driving force. I don’t wear polyester or color my hair (yet?) The vinyl siding on my house Really Really bugs me. I drive a stick-shift, don’t own a microwave, drink black coffee and love dark chocolate. You get the idea. . . this all led me to the idea of painting using only the primaries and mixing my own colors. What a thrill! If a person is on the edge of agnosticism, the realization that all colors come from 3 should be enough evidence of Intelligent Design to bump him over the edge!Look at this: all these paintings were done using nothing but primary colors, honest! You can find the paintings at Exeter Flower Company http://www.exeterflowers.com/

My story, part 2

Oops, I said that the building where I paint isn’t very photographic – silly me!

About 3 years ago – who am i fooling?? – exactly 3 years, 5 months and 13 days ago I began oil painting. There were several reasons for it, none of which matter anymore since I am loving the new medium. (If you really want to know, you can email me and I’ll tell you.) One of the reasons is that colored pencil is too slow and really causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to kick in. Since knitting and splitting wood are among my favorite non-work activities, I need my wrists to last as long as possible. Have a look at some colored pencil work:This is available here: https://www.cabinart.net/originals_new.shtml After that shameless commercial, (albeit “soft” since I didn’t put a Paypal button on this site) I will keep you awaiting the next installment of my story!

Time Out

In The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, she insists that field trips are very important to cultivating creativity. Yesterday, I took her advice (or was I using it as an excuse to mess around instead of work?) Have you ever heard of the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno? I’ve been wanting to visit since 1978 but just haven’t. The gardens get closed from time to time for renovation, and when they are open, I am usually in Mineral King. Yesterday, I finally got to see this incredible place! http://www.undergroundgardens.info/ I can’t wait to go back (wish they rented it out for overnight stays!)

Fresno Underground Gardens

My story

It has been well over a year since I began this weblog, and perhaps you are new to it. If so, I can’t assume you are interested enough in me to go back to the beginning and figure out who I am or where I have been. (Okay, I can assume it, but you may have seen the word “assume” divided into its parts “ass” + “U” + “me”!) This is what I look like when speaking to a crowd. The bangs are sort of new because my friend S and I decided I was aging disgracefully and that bangs are The Answer. They do hide the “11” on my forehead!This is the studio at home where I draw, and it is open by appointment. I paint in another building to the right (much less photographic) because oil paint is just too messy to have around my drawing space.For years I have drawn people’s homes for them using pencil. In addition, I have drawn the landscape of Tulare County, particularly Sequoia National Park. Now, at the risk of making a donkey of myself, I will assume that you are as busy as I am and don’t want to read all this stuff in one sitting! Thus, to be continued. . .

Growth, part two (Cards & Commissions)

I used to draw pictures that fit nicely into sets of notecards, which then sold very well both retail and wholesale. I still do a few cards, but the market just isn’t as big. In fact, it is microscopic. Tell me, how many cards, thank yous and little notes do you send a year? How many do you receive? Hmmmm, really have to think about that one. Cards do sell, but not very many anymore. (Despite the handiness of communicating via computer, the truth is, no one ever cherished an email, so there.)

In addition, I drew cabins and homes on a commission basis. (still do!) That was the sum total of my abilities in the early years, and it kept me quite busy.

local notecards pencil commissions Sequoia

Happy Birthday to Cory

Today my nephew is 23 years old. He attended my wedding in Mineral King when he was only a few months old, so I can keep track of his age without too much trouble. In August he will be marrying the lovely Samantha (at a winery in Salem, Oregon, not in Mineral King)! By the way, he is a very fine graphic artist who is job hunting – any leads, anyone??

Inn Art. . .

. . . sounds so much more sophisticated than Motel Art, don’t you think? This painting was made specifically for the entry way of the cabin named Dogwood at the Sequoia Village Inn. The walls are painted a wonderful color that I cannot think of a name for. . .perhaps it should be called Sunny Sequoia, because it looks perfect with this painting, Sunny Sequoias VIII. PERFECT!

Seeking the perfect view. . .

. . . of the Kaweah River. I have been photographing the river faithfully for several years, and am still waiting for the perfect view to emerge. What is your favorite scene involving the river(s) of Three Rivers? Meanwhile, here are two in progress that have 2 very interesting boulders (same view, different direction)