More on the Seatrain
This giant project began with a to-scale sketch made up from about a dozen photos. I started painting at the top and worked my way down. When I realized what this size really entails, I felt like lying down for awhile, maybe even with my thumb in my mouth.
Instead, I called my dear friend Shirley, who had offered to help. Lovely lady, that Shirley! And she can do almost anything and do it well. So, we mixed colors and got that giant container covered, and hope returned.
Here is how it looked after Shirley helped me. She did a particularly fine job on the band of poppies running through the mid-section.
To be continued. . .
What is a “Seatrain”?
It is a metal shipping container, commonly seen on the flat cars pulled by freight trains. Cargo arrives by sea in these things, and then gets hauled around the country on trains – thus, “seatrain”. When they are empty, people often use them for storage. They are relatively cheap (so I am told) and they are very unsightly but functional. My church acquired one, and I saw it as an opportunity. (People who do graffiti also see them as opportunities, but I have a bit more class than that.)
Holy guacamole, this is a large piece of real estate to cover with a brush!This is a lumpy piece of real estate to cover with a brush. There is a BBQ in the way, and worse, there is a little shed about 2 feet from the back 1/3 of the thing!
Before I could talk myself out of this, I started applying paint. I had to tell myself to breathe, and I could hear my Dad’s voice in my head saying, “Whatever you do, don’t panic.” He always said it in a quiet monotone that was meant to be calming; however, if he was saying it, I knew there probably was a good reason to panic!
This is how it looks unpainted:
To be continued. . .
Redbud Festival
Some people call it “Rosebud” but it is “Redbud”, after the native tree that blooms here in March. Why isn’t the festival in March? Unpredictable weather! This is sort of funny because it has been on Mother’s Day weekend for at least 10 years now and I have experienced 100 degree weekends and hurricane type weekends. However, we hope for nice weather, of course, and hope to see you there.
I will bring all my new paintings, pencil reproductions (there are 2 new ones this year – Three Rivers Landmarks II and Crescent Meadow II), and new Three Rivers Landmarks cards. Please don’t be disappointed that I am not bringing my murals!
Here are the specifics:
Saturday, May 10, 10-5
Sunday May 11, 10-4
Lion’s Roping Arena, Three Rivers.
More info: www.artsthreerivers.org
Framing Matters
all at once
oranges in progress
Several people have asked if I work on more than one painting at a time. Now I am assuming they don’t mean that I hold a paintbrush in each hand and one in my mouth and keep all moving simultaneously. . . assumptions can be dangerous, but not nearly as dangerous as trying that ridiculous stunt!
In a word, yes (but not in the manner previously described). If I could figure out how to post photos with these blogs, I would show you all the paintings in progress right now. I will try it, and maybe we will all be pleasantly surprised! if not, photos will come later, after I learn how to post them.
A Great Poppy Year
If you live in California, you may be aware that this was the Best Poppy Year Ever! Really! (I painted poppies on the door to the workshop before the poppies “popped”, honest!) Anyway, when the Studio Tour was imminent, I realized that people might like the door so much that they would want poppy paintings. Know what? They (you?) did! Here are three for you to see. Fortunately, for those of you who may be interested, these are unsold as of today.
First Murals!
I have been told that murals are The Way To Earn A Living as a painter. . . maybe, but first I need to learn how! So, these are my first attempts, and are at my house rather than out in public. The poppies came first – a smallish way to learn to use acrylics. Farewell Gap was the goal, and I painted it over and over, progressively larger until I felt ready (sort of) to try it 81″ x 81″. The first photo show it in progress . . . the second shows how the main one looks with a “frame”.
Honeymoon Cabin II
I have drawn this cabin in graphite multiple times, and it remains interesting to me! It is a cute little place, right on the stream, with a great view of Vandever in the background. (That is the peak on the right/west side of Farewell Gap that my studly husband climbs almost every summer while I sit on the porch with the 2way radio and my knitting!). Now I have painted the cabin twice, and probably will continue painting it from various photos taken at different times in the seasons and times of the day. Eventually I hope to paint it standing on location.
sold