I first drew water for the Irrigation category of the Madera Ag Art show, back in the late 1990s. It was called “The Source” and was raging white water. It won first place, sold, and I didn’t save a copy.
My Dad suggested drawing Lake Kaweah and naming it “Storage” and then drawing the spillway and naming it “Release”. We had plans to visit a few dams for photography, inspiration, and just plan curiosity, but then he got a brain tumor and died in 2000 at age 67. Today would have been his 85th birthday.
I went ahead with “Storage” and “Release”. Both placed in Madera; “Storage” sold and I still have “Release”.
This year I began an absorbing project of drawing flowing water in pencil. It might be related to a sense of utter relief and gratitude for the end of the drought. (Or it could simply be the encouragement of a very dear drawing student named Rosemary.)
Last week I got stuck on a name for this picture, because the real name of the location on the Middle Fork of the Kaweah is truly dreadful.
A friend posted my naming contest to Facebook and then proceeded to email dozens of suggestions. If I’d have any foreknowledge that she would do this and that the response would be so overwhelming, I would have added the caveat that in order to participate, one must subscribe to my blog. Or at the very least, VISIT the blog and use the comment section!!
Sigh. (I’m sighing over my lack of foresight on contest details, not my friend’s reposting to Facebook.)
Anyway, the contest reminded me of a name I had thought of earlier and then forgotten for some stupid middle-aged mush-brain reason.
The winner is “Rock and Roll”!
Another suggestion sparked an idea, and then I got 2 additional name ideas on my own. So, the water drawings will continue, and some will lose their boring names (Franklin Creek, Base of Hospital Rock) and get new names. I’ll post them one at a time just in case any of the Facebook people show up. I don’t want to scare them away because of a too-long-didn’t-read type of blog post.
4 Comments
I LOVE that title ” Rock and Roll”, Jana!!
Also I know you miss your Dad and how fitting to share your story. Happy Birthday Dad!?
Thank you, Kathryn – it is the perfect title! (Actually there is another one just as good, but I am using it for another drawing).
And thank you for your words of kindness regarding Dad. He died on Jacquelyn’s b’day, of all the weird things.
Hi, Jana! I thought I received your permission a while back, to share pics that you take along with pics of your art on face book. If that is no longer okay with you, please let me know! I always credit you, and if you make remarks on your blog about a particular item I happen to be sharing, I include those remarks on face book. Usually. Because the remarks explain the post. This time, it was a contest. I DID include your blog url, but face book users tend not to go other places. They just make their remarks on face book, and move on. I was HOPING, that this time would prove the exception to the rule. It was not the exception. It was the rule. At the very least, though, people saw and appreciated your beautiful art. That’s not bad, eh? Have a great day! Leah
Leah, you are the best, you always are looking out for me, promoting and supporting my work, and I THANK YOU!!
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