I never had the pleasure of meeting him although we lived in the same small town. He died last year, and his Mom asked me to draw him with his dogs. This sort of commission is difficult for 2 reasons: 1. The sadness 2. Without having known him, it is hard to tell if the drawing captures a likeness.
The Grand Opening
In case you came to the grand opening and it was too crowded to see, or in case you didn’t come to the grand opening and are curious, this is what my space looks like.
There was a great turnout, and I took some photos before it got too crowded for pictures.
One of the signs is up and the building got painted yesterday!
There was lots to eat, and Pat Valentine played her cello, which always classes up an event!
We opened both the front and back doors because it WASN’T HOT!! (and I almost melted my brains out in Salem, Oregon last week!) Isn’t that a wonderful view?? Now you need to come see THE ART CO-OP. I’ll be working on Thursdays. The hours are 10-6. Y’all come now, ya’hear?? 😎
Happy Birthday to Carol!
(I’m on your six!)
Today!
Those Bridges again
I just can’t help myself when it comes to these bridges – the arches, the stonework, oh my. I’ll let you know when they are finished.
Nice!
Just wanted you all to see this page – http://sequoiavillageinn.com/cabinart
Sunny Sequoias VII – oil on wrapped canvas – $154
I’ve been thinking, when paintings sell from Sequoia Village Inn, I’ll have to get at the easel quickly to replace them! A nice “problem”, don’t you think?
Too Much Beauty?
One of my favorite authors is John Eldredge. In Journey of Desire, he writes this about beauty:“We need not fear indulging here. The experience of beauty is unique to all the other pleasures in this: there is no possessive quality to it. Just because you love the landscape doesn’t mean you have to acquire the real estate. Simply to behold the flower is enough; there is nothing in me that wants to consume it. Beauty is the closest thing we have to fullness without possessing on this side of eternity. “Try to grasp these two huge ideas:1. You simply cannot have too much beauty. It is one thing where you do not have to worry about overindulging. It isn’t illegal, immoral or fattening, although it might be addicting! If so, it is definitely a healthy addiction. 2. You don’t have to own, accumulate or acquire anything to appreciate beauty. It can be found almost anywhere, and no credit card is required! ONE FINAL CLOSING THOUGHT: This too comes from a John Eldredge book. Of course we long for beauty! Our original home was the Garden of Eden!
Sunny Sequoias IX – oil on wrapped canvas – 16 x 20 – $320
Growth, part ten (Getting big)
Back when the mural project began in 1996, I had no intention of learning to paint. There was a vague distant dream with no tangible plan for getting there. The dream was painting a mural in Exeter of Mineral King but much had to be learned first. So, learning to paint with oil, getting better at landscapes, then gradually increasing the sizes of my paintings became the plan. After getting comfortable with a paintbrush, I had to learn to use acrylic paint. It is not as easy for me as oil, but I’m catching on! 
