Back to the Land of No Electricity

2010-2011 winter was a big one, 210% of normal for the Kaweah River drainage. Mineral King, AKA The Land of No Electricity is at the headwaters of the East Fork of the Kaweah. The elevation on the floor of the Mineral King Valley is 7800′, the road is 25 miles long to reach the place and it should take about 1-1/2 hours if you drive conservatively (recommended!)

And that concludes our geography/natural science/history lesson. Now, for the visual aids. (If you are wondering what this has to do with being a California artist, the answer is that much of my inspiration comes from Mineral King.)

Farewell Gap, the very full stream, the cabin – this is the classic and probably most photographed scene in Mineral King.

Lots of snow up in Timber Gap, the grasses are low and the willows and currants are not yet leafed out. Summer is a bit late-ish this year.

A tree across the stream took a hit – it was a Red Fir, and they seem prone to snapping off unexpectedly.

When we pried open the back door, all swollen with moisture, this was how the back porch and yard looked!

The front was quite inviting (that is my knitting on the ground – it is about time for another slightly weird sweater)

This is a mountain quail, a cousin to the California state bird.

Thus we commence the summer season of 2011 in the Land of No Electricty!

Not thinking enough

Did you notice I stopped the series “Thoughtful Thursdays”? That’s because I ran out of thoughts. There is a song by Don Henley called “You Might Not Be Drinking Enough” ; in my mind the word “drinking” has become “Thinking” because it seems to fit. If I’m not thinking, what am I doing?? Let’s just contemplate this beautiful bridge for awhile and maybe the answer will come sneaking around the corner.

The Promised Roses

Rose-colored glasses, everything’s coming up roses, bed of roses, roses and lollipops, a rose by any other name. run for the roses, looking rosy – wow, that flower has really captured our language! Since a picture is worth 1000 words, here are 18000 words worth for you to feast your eyes on today. Because of the great quantity, I made them smaller than the usual photos. I’d love to hear which are your favorites!

BTW, Happy Birthday, Bert!

Morning walk in Three Rivers

Kind of handy to be able to combine exercise with gathering inspiration for new work, wouldn’t you say? Here are some of my usual scenes and thoughts (although I’ve been told my thoughts are rather unusual, and occasionally downright weird.)

The beautiful wooden garage doors, the arched gate and the odd coincidence of star jasmine blooming next to a star always catches my attention –  one day I will see how to turn it into a painting or drawing.

Pink Lady Banks roses in the sunshine! We had yellow on our shed at our old house – it might be all that keeps the shed from collapsing. We have white in the herb garden. They grow super fast. Just telling you that in case you have a shed that is about to collapse.

Did you know that new grape leaves have brownish-red in them? Apparently some do. If I painted it this way, it would look as if I am trying to force in a color that isn’t really there. Other artists can get away with stuff like that. I am known for authenticity (or just being literal).

This one little piece of river brings to mind the beach. I miss the ocean. When I lived there, I missed the mountains. It would be WONDERFUL to find a place to sell my work on the coast. I have a place, but the work isn’t selling very well. I hate that. Time for happier thoughts.

I  just love the red and white with the blue car in the background. Roses have been spectacular this year. Tomorrow’s post – roses!

There are many many more flowers in bloom besides roses. These were particularly stunning today.

Mr. Burns used to be a regular on this walking route. He had binoculars and knew all the birds. All of them. He died last week and now his gate is closed. Sniff.

Mid-May and the sycamores are only now leafing out!

Brian and Cheryl planted a new Japanese maple. Their old one seen in the background has caused great admiration, many photos and a little envy in me. Maybe I should just get the name of the variety and try NOT TO KILL ANOTHER ONE!!

The welcoming committee. And thus, we conclude our morning walk in Three Rivers. Am I inspired? More will be revealed. Back to the easel. p.s. This is a California artist’s thoughts. Just sayin’. . .

Please, Spring, Last Forever!

It seems as if  Spring is the whole point of the seasons. The rest are just preparatory or resting stages. Spring is the Real Deal, the goal, the objective, the reason, the. . . I’m out of synonyms. I love spring and this has just been the Best. Thank you God for this incredible Spring and that I get to be a California artist in Three Rivers!

There is a fabulous variety of wildflowers on the bank behind my house.

This is the most famous flowering dogwood tree in Three Rivers.

Its name is cornus florida. We call it glorious, fabulous, amazing, or if you are a teenager, “a-MAYYYY-zing”.

And a Third Walk to Remember

Spring is the height of beauty, stunning views, super-saturated color, and altogether inspiring scenes in Three Rivers. When it is taking place, it seems to be the only season that counts. When it is over and I still want to paint it, it feels fake, out of place, inauthentic. That is all the more reason for this California artist to go ga-ga over this glorious time of year! We had a late cold storm last week and the low snow called me out with my little camera.

Looking downstream on the middle fork of the Kaweah River

Looking upstream from the same bridge. The snow is covering the foothills; the clouds are covering the real mountains.

One mile downstream from the bridge is the best patch of Owl’s Clover, castilleja something or other.

This is called Dichelostemma  capitatum; I thought it was in the brodaeia family, but my wildflower books might be wrong. Its common name is Blue Dick. I don’t know why Richard is depressed, but he certainly is handsome!

Tote Bag!

This is the Mother of All Totebags. I could carry paintings in it, lots of knitting, perhaps my entire yarn stash, or say, 5 or 6 watermelons. I’m posing in Fig Garden Village in Fresno, and I’m surprised people weren’t flocking to me to ask where I got such a fabulous oil painting totebag. Surely in Fig Garden some swanky little shoppe would want oil painting totebags!

That pocket is handy, dontcha think? And, because I know you are dying to ask, I made the sweater. I know what you are thinking – “Why doesn’t she DO SOMETHING with her hair instead of making all those sweaters?”  Simple – knitting is more fun than messing with hair. And this is one of my less weird sweaters, although there is a long piece of yarn stuffed up my left sleeve. Not sure why, but there you have it.

Thank you to Michelle who gave me the idea of salvaging my torn painting in this ingenious manner.

Salvage Job

Looks like the ripped painting is in luck of becoming a great tote bag! For someone who seriously dislikes to sew, it is a puzzlement as to why I have these perfect fabrics on hand for the job. From left to right: lining, sides/bottom/handle/pocket, lining for handle and pocket, bag back. Isn’t this just remarkable?? And for someone who gets rid of stuff she doesn’t use, this is doubly remarkable!! Hmmm, was there some sort of divine plan connected to the rippage of that painting of my favorite bridge?