Ever seen a poppy this color?
This one will last!
Do you remember my posting about the fat girl inside screaming to be left alone? Now I have the solution to those flimsy chairs:
These redwood chairs are made locally by Bob Kellogg of Three Rivers and when I sit in this, my legs stick out like Alice in Wonderland! It is my throne, and sometimes I am the Red Queen.
What’s That Smell?
For eleven years I have been walking around Three Rivers. The spring is the best time, and this is the best spring I remember, ever! No hot spells, regular rain, tons of flowers in both quantity and variety. . . who could ask for more? Each year, there is a wonderful fragrance that arrives in May, something akin to orange blossoms. Diana and I couldn’t figure it out; Robin and I finally decided it was an orange tree that we just couldn’t always spot. I was not satisfied with either solution, and this year while eating dinner al fresco, I noticed it again. The next day Michael and I both noticed it on a walk, and this time we both discovered the answer.
Redbud Festival Review
The Arts Alliance of Three Rivers did an outstanding job of organizing, publicizing and managing the Redbud this year! The music was just right, the booth size was generous, the signs leading the public in were visible and consistent in color and design, the vendors had high quality products, the food choices were plentiful, the parking was convenient, and the volunteers were always available and helpful! This was a great show! The hardest part was having too many people visit my booth at the same time so that conversations were abbreviated or I missed opportunities to greet folks who took the time to stop by. Look at all the paintings that sold:
There might have been more, or I might have shown you the wrong poppies. . . hard to say because I slept last night. You can see that poppies were the favorite subject. What you might not be able to discern from this posting is that the most popular size was 6×6″. My theory is that people’s walls are full and while their wallets aren’t completely empty, cautious spending is the pattern. This is normal behavior in Tulare County rather than an indication of the entire country’s economic woes.
Redbud Festival
- It is today, Saturday, May 8 and tomorrow, Sunday, May 9.
- Saturday’s hours are 10-5, Sunday’s hours are 10-4.
- Lion’s Roping Arena – up 198 to Three Rivers, cross the North Fork Bridge, go about 2 miles and turn right. Turn at the first left and follow to the arena. Park in the lower parking lot, not above the buildings.
- My booth is under the awning.
- There will be music.
- There will be plants for sale by the Redbud Garden Club.
- There will be food.
- And, finally, there will be ART!
All at one time!
Yep, a paintbrush in each hand, in my teeth and one per foot. . . of course I am joking! But all of these paintings are wet and in progress and won’t be ready in time for Redbud Festival. Orders can be taken for commissions. . . 😎
The bridge is slowly advancing – the changes are probably too small to notice yet. The one on the right is in its very first stages – a single layer of paint just indicating where things will be and the general color.
This was one of the first scenes I tackled 4 years ago – wow, it is ever so much easier this time!
On top is the beginning of a commissioned painting of Mineral King in winter. The lower painting has been “mulling” for a long time but now the part above the bridge is finished as are about half the stones in the bridge.
The top painting should look familiar – I have painted it numerous times, but this time it will be a wedding gift. (Giving my art as a gift is a careful decision – does the recipient like my art? Have I chosen the right subject? ) The other 2 paintings are also Mineral King, also repeats. If a subject is great (and if it sells) I repaint it as often as I want. Why not? Can’t think of an good answer, so I’ll keep repeating myself!
Redbud Festival
Redbud Festival is an annual event in Three Rivers that I seem to participate in on a biennial basis. (Thanks Cousin Maggie for teaching me the right word!) (sometimes I am having a Bad Ankle Year, sometimes I am painting a mural, one never knows!) This is a year I will be in, and it is a great time and place to see old friends, meet new ones, buy local artwork, eat, listen to music and enjoy Three Rivers in the spring. And, no, it isn’t a good time to view redbud in bloom – that happened in March, but the weather was too unpredictable that month for an outdoor festival! The photos are of my booth 2 years ago – the work will be similar, but better because now I have been painting for 4 years instead of 2!
For info, go here: http://www.artsthreerivers.org/
First Saturday, May Day
Time flies when one is having fun! It is already time for another First Saturday in Three Rivers, falling on May 1 this week. The flyer is too big to load, so for info about this event, go here:
Peculiar sights #6
And here is a cowboy to go with that roper yesterday.
Peculiar sights #5
Say what? This is a roper! It is at the Lion’s Roping Arena, and this weekend is the annual Lion’s Roping Competition in Three Rivers.