. . . and a diversion–redoing the plants outside the studio. Look out the window behind Pippin–all the rosemary is gone. It has been there since I first poked clippings in the ground when the little shed was being remodeled into a studio in 2001. I wanted it to drape over the wall, and besides, […]
Those Big Trees Again
This is close to being finished. A little more detailing, painting the edges, signing it, stick-a-fork-in—it’s done (except for drying, wiring the back, photographing it, varnishing, entering into inventory, putting on the website). Getting there–big sigh of relief. Now I get to return to the Mineral King Honeymoon Cabin, the other giant oil painting on […]
Inching Along the Big One
How does one keep coming up with appealing titles for the same topic? One doesn’t. When I begin to put the details in, I’ll stop moaning about the pace. It helps to listen to a book on CD, and I’ve got a good one going right now. One of Us by Tawni O’Dell is still good on CD […]
Remembering With Gratitude
Painting Big Some More
Yeppers, trying to figure out how to paint big is occupying my time and mind these days. As I struggled with the Mineral King Honeymoon Cabin and got stuck again, I decided to start another big painting. Sure. That makes sense. If something is hard, do it more. Practice makes perfect. If at first you […]
Painting Big
Painting big in oils is harder than painting big on a mural. Not sure why just yet, but not giving up either. There are many hours remaining to complete this painting. I am the Central California artist, my specialty is Mineral King, and I can do this! (a little pep talk to myself.) Maybe if […]
Finally, Finally
This is a longish story about a drawing student/friend. Gina took drawing lessons from me in Exeter before I closed my studio there in December of 2001. She began a drawing, and then left lessons to return to school and become a nurse. In about 2016, we listed some old roofing on Craig’sList (actually Cowboy […]
Odd Job
As an artist with a lengthy reputation of reliability and skill in the same county for several decades, I get asked to do many odd things in the name of art. It is just part of the business of art. Some friends have a painting of Mineral King by a long-deceased relative, someone who wasn’t […]
Going Bigger
In the post “Eight Things I Learned in October”, #3 said, “It is time to think about painting larger.” Doing rather than just talking is something I value, so. . . . . .I began a larger painting, and am slowly coming to understand the reason it feels necessary. Most of my paintings are 12×16″ […]
Nine Things I Learned in October
It doesn’t hurt to turn 60 when you are with good friends, doing fun things in interesting places. I really prefer the mountains to the desert; it was wonderful to see Bodie, Mono Lake, Convict Lake (and so-so to see the Devil’s Postpile), but I don’t feel a desire to return to those places. I’m […]