Jana Botkin | Cabin Art

One day this week in drawing lessons, I was helping a man draw a flowing creek when an “aha!” moment occurred. I have often said that water is almost ALWAYS horizontal, and another student wanted to know how to discern the few times it is vertical. My breakthrough was the realization that the strokemarks reflect [...]

A few years ago, Jack White (see Inspiration, part 2) referred to someone named Diana Botkin, and in the next issue there was an article by her! She wrote beautifully, and was clearly a wonderful person. (Yes, you CAN tell that by reading someone’s work!) So, I contacted her to see if perhaps we are [...]

This weekend we went to Mineral King to open the cabin for the season. We were all excited to begin summer. It snowed on the way up, snowed in the afternoon, and more snow is predicted for this afternoon and evening. So, I guess more summer will be revealed in the fullness of time. . [...]

Uncle Roger, private collection When beauty appears, inspiratioin is spontaneous, easy and instant. The harder part of inspiration is motivation: what keeps me going, prevents me from quitting, answers my many questions, and pulls me through the dry spells? Most often it is people; they inspire me through encouragement, helpful criticism, and written materials. (And, [...]

Sometimes people ask what my sources of inspiration are. Most are probably asking about what gives me ideas for drawing – that is simple. My life experiences give me those ideas. When I was a kid, a teen and even a young adult, it was a challenge to decide what to draw. As I aged, [...]

Today I went to Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks with two very dear friends, Sophie and Louise. Their extensive combined knowledge of these places, along with their senses of humor, made for a very fun day. Besides, it was hot at home, and quite pleasant up the hill, about 30 degrees Farenheit cooler! Here is [...]

Here is how paintings look on the first day of their lives in my studio. (And Deanne, the same stuff is on those shelves behind them) Remember that I said shows are about more than sales? I listen to those who visit my booth and learn from them. One said that she liked the Oak [...]

Today I might have finished the Seatrain. There is no photo to show you, because it needs to be “framed”. And, I think that while I am “building the frame” (such funny mental images for using masking tape and slapping white paint on!), I just might find more things to fix. Because I am accustomed [...]

This is my palette for oil painting. It consists of 2 reds, 2 blues, 1 yellow and white, and all the colors I use are mixed with these 6. Before I started painting, I read articles, looked at books, and quizzed painters I knew. The ones that made the most sense to me were working [...]