A Fun Day at the Easels

As a pencil artist, with drawing as my first artistic love, a fun day at the easels for me is when I finally get to the stage where I am able to “draw” with my paintbrushes. This is considered a bad thing in the Art World; all I can think of to respond to that is that the Art World is missing out. So there.

But I am not missing out. If I persist, persevere and nevah nevah nevah* give up, I finally get to draw with my paintbrushes so that my paintings look like MY paintings and not something I picked up from an internet video.

This one still needs work, but now I can work on it without gritting my teeth and clenching my jaw.

SHHH, REMEMBER THIS ONE IS A SURPRISE.

What does this need (besides better photos with more visual information)?
Gotta** see those angles correctly, not drag my hand through the wet paint, and be able to see the tip of my brush in order to draw well.
Closing in on it. . . one more session ought to do the trick.

Tucker is a bit indifferent to paintings but would like to know if there will be treats soon.

Finally, I am pulling out all the stops with this one, painting it because I want to, not because it is a commission or because there might be a market for it. If is sells, fine, but if not, it will be exactly at home in my kitchen. There is no deadline, but I have to be careful to not lose momentum, lose heart and then lose interest. These are some of the risks to working alone at home, away from the Art World, but risks I’m willing to take.

Just living on the edge. . .

*This is something that Winston Churchill is reported to have said. He meant “never”, but being a Brit, he pronounced it “nevah”, just like Anthony Hopkins.

**”Gotta” is a word like “prolly” and “liberry” – fun to say, funny to write, and perhaps a teensy bit worrisome to the reader about the validity and authority of the writer.

I’ve shown you all twelve paintings at Anne Lang’s Emporium; if you want one and don’t want to drive to Three Rivers, let me know and we can work out the details (such as Paypal or a check in the mail, the Postal Service to you. . .)

Do You Color?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PHEEBS!

The only times I color is when I am doing a little boutique-festival-fair-show-sale – whatever those events are called. Coloring is more fitting than knitting and certainly more approachable than reading a book in between customers. (If I am attending a festival and a vendor is reading a book, I just keep walking past that booth because that vendor clearly does not want to be interrupted.)

I think it might be fun for people to see how the artist of a coloring book fills in those blank pages, and it gives us something to talk about, especially if they are also colorers. (colorists? people who color?)

The only coloring book I’ve worked on so far is Heart of Agriculture. Ag is a colorful subject, and I enjoy the challenge of blending new colors with my limited Blackwing set of colored pencils.

Having several recent shows, I’ve made some progress in the coloring book. I sort of like it with unfinished leaves.

I’ve probably already shown you these, but in case I have new blog followers, here is a rerun. Although the olives are my favorite drawing in the coloring book, I got tired of working with only greens and browns, so I abandoned this one for awhile.

It takes some reining in to keep from spending 400 hours per page. Good enough is good enough in a coloring book, dontcha think?? And at this current pace, this one coloring book alone could provide show time-filler for at least another decade.

TODAY’S FEATURED PAINTING AT ANNE LANG’S EMPORIUM: 

Drawing Lessons

Drawing in pencil is my favorite thing. My second favorite part of my business might be helping other people draw in pencil. One afternoon a week, I teach 5 small groups of people for one hour per group. Each participant works on his own drawing at his own pace. Her own drawing at her own pace. (Nope, I will NOT use the plural “their” when discussing the singular participant.)

My students are FABULOUS people. Each one has his own reasons for attending, her own goals for lessons; I enjoy each individual and the unique blend of each group.

There is a mix of ages (6th grade is the youngest I accept) and a mix of skill levels. Have a look at some of the recent work.

This is an interesting little coincidence – 2 livestock portraits across the table from one another. Each was working from her own photo.
This drawing is from a photo taken by the student who was almost charged by this elephant. We have named him Elliott.
Clearly this student has an interest in marine life. We are both a bit stumped on how to portray the water, but we’ll figure it out. And no, she didn’t take the original photo of the whale herself.

Today’s featured oil painting at Anne Lang’s Emporium:

Crescent Meadow, oil on wrapped canvas (why do I ALWAYS say this??), 6×18″, $150 plus tax.

Creeping Incrementalism

“Creeping incrementalism” sounds like the frog in the frying pan. In the case of this Central California artist, it is the way I am currently approaching paintings. Maybe if I just paint in increments, telling myself along the way that I can just do a little and quit any time, then at least a bit of progress will happen.

Whattsa matta??

Sometimes I don’t want to paint. I’d rather be in the house knitting or in the studio drawing or in the yard raking leaves. If I approach work with the attitude of Just Do A Little For Now, then maybe I’ll get involved and forget that I don’t want to be there.

Why don’t I want to paint? This might be a question for a licensed therapist, or a life coach, or a sympathetic friend to figure out. Never mind for now. Let’s have a look at paintings that are improving in small creeping increments. (Creeping? Why this word??)

  • The Cabin Scene (shhhh, it is a surprise!) a commissioned oil painting

The sky has been retouched, the mountains and distant forests too. (The colors are a lot different due to the lighting on an overcast day.)
With a new photo of the cabin, even though the shutters were closed and there is snow on the ground, I was able to determine the placement of details.
  • The Citrus Row, which obviously needs a better name.

The background goes in first.
You can see that I am not locked in by the photo. And maybe you can see that maybe I should be locked in by the photo. Maybe just locked in. Or locked up?

Geraniums, because I like this

It has been so long since I began this that I forgot about the actual physical photos and instead was painting off my computer screen.

The power went out once, it was sort of too dark to see when it came back on, and I just started making things up. Prolly time to put away the brushes for the day, eh?

Today’s featured painting at Anne Lang’s Emporium (and these look much much better in person than on screen):

Sunny Sequoias #35, oil on wrapped canvas, 6×6″, $60

Told You So

Last week I told you that I don’t like the pumpkin painting in progress. Paintings in progress aren’t often inspirational, but this one didn’t seem hopeful at all. Something about the arrangement of things or the colors just wasn’t ringing my bell.

A friend brought us a bag of various citrus fruits. It was an AHA! moment for me, so I arranged them on the kitchen table in various formations. (This could be worthy of several paintings.)

Bye-bye pumpkins.
It is both a relief and a weird feeling to scribble over the top of a painting that is getting close to completion.
Scribble scribble like a bumpkin, who’s that scribbling on my pumpkin?
The color of the actual fruit is much nicer than appears on the photo and on screen.

This is going to work. . . told you so!

Today’s Anne Lang’s Emporium featured painting

Redwood-Dogwood, oil on wrapped canvas, 6×6″, $60

I CANNOT Attend

This time of year is all about events. All the events are about raising money. That seems to be the normal reason for a party/dinner/anything in Tulare County. Everybody needs money. The causes are endless, and they are all good.

The latest event that I am involved in is an auction at the Courthouse Gallery in Exeter. “Involved” means I support the gallery and donate to their auction each year. This year I have given them this drawing.

I don’t normally give away original art, but the Courthouse Gallery is special. They provide a fabulous place for me to teach drawing lessons and have done so since January of 2002.

HOWEVER, I CANNOT attend auctions where my work is for sale. The stress is too much for my little sensitive self. What is no one bids? What if no one likes it? What if a board member of the gallery has to buy it and donate it back because no one wanted it? What if it only sells for $10? (The price on this original pencil drawing of Sequoias, professionally framed and matted, approximately 11×14″, is $350.)

You can go to the auction. It is a fun afternoon/evening, whatever it is called at this time of day. They always have good hors d’oeuvres and wine (so I’m told).

P.S. I don’t know why my name isn’t on the flyer. Maybe they know I am too chicken to attend. Maybe they weren’t sure I would donate something. Maybe they don’t know how much I appreciate them. But don’t let this little oversight stop you from attending!

Today’s Anne Lang’s Emporium featured painting 

Sequoia Gigantea II, 6×18″, oil on wrapped canvas, $150

Updates

In the world of computers, “update” is a euphemism for “complication”. (Never mind what “upgrade” means – it is a word made up in the 21st century to confound all sensible people.)

In my world, “update” means recent information on unfinished or unreported business.

  1. The Wildflowers of Mineral King: Common Names will not be published by Christmas. There is no need for such a book in December; there is a need for such a book in July. My publishing date goal is May of 2019
  2. Did you remember that I have another blog called The Cabins of Wilsonia? This is about putting together and publishing the book of that name, and although it has been out since December of 2014, I still have thoughts about it. The book is available here.
  3. Sometimes I look at a painting in my studio and think of a way to make it better. Here is White Chief III, before and after:
  4. A friend sent me a photo of this sketch I did in 1985.  Thank you, Pam!
  5. Another friend sent me this illustration that really explains things well. Thank you, Deanne!
  6. If you want to commission me to draw or paint something in time for Christmas, I can do it if it is small and if you provide good photos (or choose something I have good photos and good solid information about).
  7. I thought a painting of a Sequoia was finished and then decided the base of the tree looked like a puffball mushroom. Here is before and after:
    Sunny Sequoias #34, 6×6″, SOLD

    The colors are more realistic in the do-over, not because of how it was painted, but because of how it was edited on the computer.
  8. #5 might apply to an email exchange I had with someone about some folks (unknown to me) who wanted the Christmas cards I drew and had printed in 1993. They changed their minds because it was too expensive (and I didn’t even charge them for the use of the design nor did they have to pay for the original drawing). This is the design – isn’t it quaint?
Christmas in Exeter, 1993

And that’s all for today, folks! Consider yourself updated, hopefully in an uncomplicated and entertaining manner.

P.S. Today’s oil painting at Anne Lang’s Emporium 

South Fork of the Kaweah, oil on wrapped canvas, 8×8″, $100

 

A Walk in Three Rivers (or Forgive Us our Trespasses)

Trail Guy and I go for walks from our house in Three Rivers. I’d say its just what old people do, but we’ve been doing this for 20 years, and we still go steep places that may or may not be considered trespassing.

Here is how things looked yesterday afternoon.

The decorations on the Dinely Bridge might be considered a Peculiar Sight, but we are used to them and look for them.
The star gets placed and lit by Southern Calif. Edison each December. It might be considered a Peculiar Sight to a newcomer. (I consider the dark spots in the sky to be a peculiar and annoying sight; it might be time for a new camera.)
Some retired guys wear short pants almost all year around. At least this retired guy has nice legs. . .
Sycamores along the river below have more color this year than in a long time.
Edison is releasing water instead of sending it down to the power plant. I don’t know why.
The clean air is such a relief after the rains, which we are so very grateful for.

Then we walked home, and our mulberry tree was just lit up with yellow. This is a fruitless mulberry, the type that gets hacked back to knobs by most folks. Not us – we need the shade and love the yellow (never mind what it has done to the grass beneath or is doing the ferns by the front porch).

Tucker and Scout were happy we returned. We have to sneak off so they don’t notice and follow us.

Scout is always ready for action (which is why she is slightly blurry in this photo.)
Yellow eyes, yellow leaves, 2 black cats.

P.S. Today’s Anne Lang Emporium featured oil painting 

Navel, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $60

Six Things I Learned in November

It used to be pretty here in the fall.

November felt rough and busy, and I wondered if I learned anything. Some of these things may have been acquired in October, a more educationally productive month. Perhaps the continued filthy air has muddled my thoughts. It certainly messes with my attitude. Sigh.

But let not your heart be troubled; learning continues. . .

  1. Barkthins – these are scary good dark chocolate treats that come in 6 flavors. Supposed to be 9 servings per bag. Fall down laughing. Barkthins available on Amazon
  2. Tomatoes – Some plants just don’t make fruit in the heat. We planted 4 tomato plants in the spring and harvested about 6 tomatoes during the summer. The bugs and birds got the other 6. Then, when the heat subsided, the tomato plants went nutso. They now contain about 3-4 dozen tomatoes and are taking up twice the space. Guess I’ll have to learn what to do with green tomatoes next month, because we will have to pick them before it freezes. Wish I could remember the variety so I don’t do this again next year.
  3. New words: Chatoyant and druzy are 2 words (adjectives) that I learned from my friend Elizabeth, who makes jewelry using beautiful stones. “Chatoyancy” refers to an undulating luminescence, and druzy refers to a stone that is covered by crystals. (I don’t feel equipped to use these words in sentences yet, but I like the sound.) Cruft: a noun that means a. Anything old or of inferior quality; b. Redundant, old or improperly written code, especially that which accumulates over time; clutter.
  4. Hand-lettering is a real thing. I volunteered to do some verses on signs for a church event, and holy guacamole, I could not believe how slow and difficult it was to do a good job. This is more about design and drawing than about typography. Turns out that these were practice for the Perfect Gift Boutique! (Need any signs hand-written? Ask me, but please give me more than 2 days to do 17 signs.)
  5. Family weddings are the best thing ever. I already knew this, but it was reinforced when we had one in November. Here is my favorite candid photo, not of the bride, but oh so beautiful.
  6. Clean Happens is the name of an all purpose cleaner that comes in a spray bottle made by Better Life. I like to keep things very simple, and try to only use 2 cleaning products: ammonia and bleach. Trouble is, those 2 can’t be mixed, so I have to really pay attention. Clean Happens is supposed to do the trick of both those other things. I don’t know what it is made of. I don’t know how well it works yet. November is too busy for messing around with mops and rags – shows to put on, weddings to attend, signs to letter, paintings to complete. Clean Happens is available on Amazon

If you order these 2 products on Amazon by using these links, I will receive a few pennies. That’s called “affiliate marketing”, something I learned about and told you about back in June’s Things I Learned post.

P.S. Today’s oil painting at Anne Lang’s Emporium (YOU’D BETTER DROP WHATEVER PLANS YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH TODAY AND GO HAVE A TURKEY MELT!! – last chance ever)

Timber Gap with Lupine, oil on wrapped canvas, 8×8″, $100

Layered Pumpkins

Does “layered pumpkins” sound like a recipe? I guess it is a recipe for an oil painting, but I still don’t know if the efforts will be worth the finished result. Instead of trying to get this painting finished in one delusional pass over the canvas, I am building it up layer by layer. This is because I am making some stuff up and don’t know what I am trying to accomplish.

Here are the steps so far:

I started with a blue background because blue is the complementary color of orange and I thought it would be brilliant and beautiful.

 

I changed my mind and decided a dull grayish-blue would make the pumpkins look better.

Then it became apparent that the only thing to make the pumpkins look better is to work on them. In this series of photos, you might be able to see that I have worked on the pumpkins one at a time, working from left to right across the canvas. By the last photo, everything is wet and reflective, making it hard to appreciate the strong colors.

I don’t like this painting. Why not? Dunno. Can’t decide. It will need to enter an extended time-out so I can either mull it over or decide to just turn it into something else.

Maybe I’ll just start a new painting, this time of a subject that suits me better.

More will be revealed in the fullness of time. . .

P.S. Today’s painting at Anne Lang’s Emporium (AND TIME IS PASSING QUICKLY FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE HER FANTASTIC TURKEY MELT SANDWICH – DELI CLOSES DEC. 1, SO HURRY HURRY, I’M NOT KIDDING!!)

Mineral King III, oil on wrapped canvas, 8×10″, $125