Snow in Three Rivers

In Three Rivers, February has the capability of bringing snow or wildflowers or both. It has long been my favorite month for weather.

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The morning after it snowed, several hundred feet in elevation above my home and studio. . . I had to walk a couple of miles to see snow sticking on the ground.

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That afternoon was COLD. I had the heater roaring in the painting studio, and kept poking my camera out the door.

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The snow rarely lasts into the afternoon, but this time it was different.

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The late afternoon sunlight was beautiful. Snow in Three Rivers is beautiful. February is beautiful.

Want to go for a Walk?

Sometimes I go for walks.

No, lots of times I go for walks.

It is sort of assumed that when women want to hang out with friends that they go shopping and go out to lunch.

Not this woman. I call a friend and say “Want to go for a walk?”

It is one of the best things about living in Three Rivers.

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A peculiar sight. . . it happens occasionally on my walks.IMG_2143

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Bridge Paintings

My favorite bridge is currently my favorite subject for oil painting. (Brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Dept.)

The Oak Grove Bridge crosses the East Fork of the Kaweah River, 6.5 miles up the Mineral King Road, out of Three Rivers, in Tulare County, California.

Some governmental agency has declared it to be unsafe. There is talk of rebuilding it, leaving it in place as a foot bridge and building a new driving bridge upstream, and even tearing it down. 

Better start saving $ for my bail, because I might have to chain myself to the bridge and then get arrested.

Nah. I’ll think about that tomorrow. I have some paintings to finish.

Oak Grove Bridge

The detail on the railing is the most difficult part of painting this bridge, especially when it is 8×10″. Too too tiny.

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Why is this upside down? Because every part except the top of the painting has wet paint on it. Okay, the back doesn’t have any paint, but you probably figured that out. This one is a commission, and the customer specifically requested detail around all four edges.

Stocking Stuffer Boutique First Saturday Three Rivers

IMG_5744Saturday, December 5, 2015, is what is called “First Saturday” in Three Rivers. I know, thanks, Captain Obvious.

Every first Saturday of the month, special things happen at various businesses and artist studios in Three Rivers.

Tomorrow, the Kaweah Artisans will hold a little show and sale called the “Stocking Stuffer Boutique”. It will be at the same location as last year’s – a one-day location from a generous business person in Three Rivers.

Stocking Stuffer Boutique

Saturday, December 5, 2015

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

41831 Sierra Drive (at the downstream end of the Kaweah Commonwealth Bldg.)

 

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I will bring;

  • original oil paintings – priced from $20 – $400
  • 2016 calendars, “The Cabins of Tulare County” – $15
  • The Cabins of Wilsonia books – $80
  • Mineral King tee shirts – $25
  • blank journals with photos or oil paintings on the cover – $12
  • notecards – priced from $7 – $10
  • molasses raisin cookies – yum, free snacks!

 

More Kaweah Post Office Oil Paintings

One of my always-have-in-inventory oil painting subjects is the Kaweah Post Office.

I had two earlier this fall; one was auctioned on eBay to raise money for the Kaweah Post Office, the second was sold, splitting the profits with the Post Office.

A third painting was created as an incentive for a generous man to donate to the Kaweah Post Office.

What is going on here?? The Post Office had an accident, and it needed to be rebuilt. It is now repaired and open again!

I painted another one, and it sold while it was incomplete and wet.

1554 KPO XII

 

So, I painted another one. This is Kaweah Post Office XIII, 8×10″, $125, and will be available at the First Saturday Three Rivers boutique of the Kaweah Artisans, The Stocking Stuffer.

Details on the boutique will appear on the blog tomorrow.

Perfect Gift Wrap

It’s a wrap. The Perfect Gift Boutique was well attended. There were so many visitors to Three Rivers because of Thanksgiving. There were so many visitors to the Perfect Gift Boutique because they couldn’t get into Sequoia – cars were backed up for a mile or 2, some only to be turned around at the entrance station because they didn’t have tire chains. So, they looked for something to do in Three Rivers and found us.

(All people with websites and email newsletters are supposed to be asking visitors to their booths/shows/studios etc. for email addresses. I asked one man, and it felt invasive and intrusive and weird. Do you have an opinion about being asked for your eddress? I honestly don’t know what to do. I just want to draw and paint, not be some marketer/pushy salesman/obnoxious sellsy eddress gatherer.)

This is a very spacious venue for shows – the Three Rivers Arts Center on North Fork Drive. I spread out on half the stage. It even comes with a throw rug – upscale, indeed.

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I tried something new – brought 2 wet paintings on an easel. People were dying to touch them – I watched them battle the temptation. (had a rag on stand-by just in case)

 

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My next door neighbor on the stage was my good friend, the amazing weaver Nikki Crain. We like to do shows together, and have been for about 15 or maybe even 20 years (yeppers, started doing shows at age 10).
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I went outside for a brief break to look at the fall color on the Chinese Pistache tree. In front was a redbud tree WITH BLOSSOMS ON IT!!

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So, I went back inside and contemplated the peculiarity while enjoying the colors of my other neighbor, Janene with her lotions, potions and soaps. She makes these things, and her display is full of beautiful blues.

 

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Thus, we wrap up another Perfect Gift Boutique on Thanksgiving weekend in Three Rivers.

It’s a wrap!

Perfect Gift Boutique coming Friday and Saturday

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What are you doing, California Artist? I mean Central California Artist?

I’m pretending to be a sign painter again.

Why?

There is a show coming soon for the Kaweah Artisans.

Who?

A loosely formed group of craftswomen, men and artists who are sort of based within the Kaweah River area.

Ka-what?

“Kah-WEEE-uh” is the name of the river which has 5 branches in the Three Rivers area of central California.

Three or five? I know Tulare Co. is the 3rd least educated county in the state, but can’t you people even count to five?

‘Tis a mystery, indeed. But you are getting off track here. I want to tell you about the upcoming show for the Kaweah Artisans.

Why don’t you do it in big bold letters, maybe in red or something.

Good idea!

the annual Perfect Gift Boutique

Friday, November 27 – 28

Three Rivers Arts Center

Just over the North Fork Bridge, first building on the left

Times to be announced, sign to be painted, better get some hustle in your bustle, Central California Artist!

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Little Post for Little Event

Two miles from home in our little town of Three Rivers, a little art show in a little dining room of a little restaurant and a little space to show a little art on a nice fall day. (A long incomplete sentence!)

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This is the view behind the place where the show was. In the trees across the river is the Three Rivers Arts Center, where there will be another show soon.

Holiday Bazaar at Three Rivers Memorial Building

Another upcoming event for this Central California Artist. November is my busiest month of the year! Who would have guessed this? 

The Senior League Holiday Bazaar has been happening for many years at the local Veterans Memorial Building. It used to seem podunk to me, and now I appreciate it as a great low-key event in which there is time to really visit with the visitors.  (Department of Redundancy Dept. here)

There is a great variety of vendors, although it tends to be heavy in the jewelry department. Each year there are different folks showing and selling their wares, and others who return faithfully. 

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Oh wait. This is supposed to be about shopping! Hope to see you there. . .

Senior League Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, November 14, 2015

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Three Rivers Memorial Building

Hidden in the Leaves

hidden announce

Hidden in the Leaves is the title of a show sponsored by the Arts Alliance of Three Rivers. At last count there were 17 Three Rivers artists participating. The show hangs in the dining room of Sierra Subs, along the highway in Three Rivers just before you see the Shell gas sign. (Easier to spot than an address!)

Here’s a link to a little thing about it: Fresno Bee Events Page

First Saturday Three Rivers: Its opening reception is Saturday, November 7 and I will be there, set up in the courtyard, showing, and selling from 11:00 until 2:30 . (That’s tomorrow if you are reading this on Friday, November 6.)

Three of my oil paintings are in the show, and one is two are already sold!

Stop by, say hi, order a FABULOUS lunch, sit near the river, look at the paintings, introduce yourself to me, browse through my stuff, hang loose and be cool. Or, buy something. Just have a good time!