Rhyme Time

Or is that Rhyme Thyme? or rime time?

STOP IT.

Because my friend Cheryl Barker does Summer Photo fun on her blog, and I am a monkey-see-monkey-do copyist, I will engage in my own little brand of summer photo fun for your entertainment.

caterpillars wiggling in a web photograph by Jana Botkin
Worm Squirm

Are you kidding me? That is so gross! 

Yeah, I know. They are all over the shrubs in Mineral King this summer.

photograph of buck in Mineral King by Jana Botkin
Stuck Buck

What do you mean “stuck”?

He wasn’t moving. It was cold. Maybe he was scared.

photograph of hiking boot by Jana Botkin
Cute Boot

You’ve got to be kidding!

No, they are cute. I’m not talking about the Franken-foot but the boot. They have pink accents on them.

photograph of a fern burned by frost by Jana Botkin
Fern Burn

What is this about?

It got really cold in June and the ferns got frost-bitten.

photograph by Jana Botkin of Bearskin, on the side of Vandever
Thin Skin

Skin??

That’s “Bear Skin”, a snow patch on the side of Vandever Mt. which is the right half of Farewell Gap.

Where do you come up with this stuff?

On long hikes. Michael (Trail Guy) makes good coffee and my brain kicks into over-drive.

No more caffeine for you, Young Lady!

I’m fifty-two!

Peculiar Sight

Happy Birthday, Elder Sister!

This photo was taken in my yard on March 15.

This photo was taken in my yard on March 18. I live in Central California (I am a California artist, remember?) at an elevation of 1000 feet. One thousand, not 10 thousand. Three Rivers, California.

How does this apply to art, California Artist?

So glad you asked that question! When working from photos (and Jack White said all realistic artists either work from photos or they lie about it), it is sometimes a temptation to work from something that is unusual or peculiar. Problem with that approach is that a drawing or painting of something peculiar looks as if the artist doesn’t have a firm grasp on reality.

People are still convinced of the truth of photographs in spite of Photoshop.

Back in the olden days when a camera was a camera and a phone was for receiving calls in one’s home or office, photographs were taken on special occasions. One time some folks wanted me to draw all 4 homes their mother had lived in her entire life. I think two were in Los Angeles, and two were in Exeter. Three of the photos they provided me were of the houses in the snow! WHY? Because when unusual things took place, the camera came out to record the event.

It wasn’t typical back then to take pictures any time you desired. I used to be a bit of a maverick, keeping my camera in my car at all times. And not only did I keep one, but I kept two with me. One had color print film and the other either had black and white or slide film.

Why did you always have cameras with you, California Artist?

Great question, I’m glad you asked that one. It was because I had to be ready to record the beautiful things and moments and light of every day life, not the peculiar sights!

A New Idea

What if 3 people requested reprints of my photos in the last several months? What if I realized that within my photo archives of 15,886 images there are a few really good pictures? What if I contacted my web designer and asked her to add a photo page?

IT IS HERE! Photographs

Autumn in Mineral King 4

A little bit of information about the page:

1. It currently only has fall photos (with one exception).

2. I have to decide how to organize and categorize all the photos.

3. The photos will be ordered for you as you order them from me – they are not “in stock”.

4. They will only be available in 8×10, unframed, and will be $15 each.

5. Thank you Cathy, Melissa and Dianne for inspiring me to do this!

Blue, part 2

Here are a few more blue flowers:

img_0729.jpg

These are called, and no, I’m not making this up, “Blue Lips”!img_0744.jpgLarkspur are a bit more purplish than blue.

At the last place we lived, these covered the lawn in the winter. I had no idea they grew in the wild!img_0749.jpgThese are called (nope, not making this up either) – “Five Spots”. What can one say to that except, “Duh”.img_0762.jpgThese are truly blue and grow in a couple of profuse patches along the road, perhaps around 4000′. Their name is Heavenly Blue, which they are. The really great patch is in a place that would be very dangerous for stopping so you’ll just have to drive to Mineral King. Soon!