I am a hypocrite. I tell my drawing students to not attempt to draw faces smaller than eggs and to never draw from photos that are too fuzzy to see, because IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT, YOU CAN’T DRAW IT! (Yes, often said in all capital letters and sometimes even with a bit of bold […]
More Can’t See ’ems
If I can’t see it, I can’t draw it. But sometimes I try anyway, because I want to help the customer. Besides, “If I can’t see it, I can’t draw it”, my other set-in-stone rule is, “No face smaller than an egg”. I learned this from a very accomplished colored pencil portrait artist, Ann Kulberg. […]
Can’t Draw It If You Can’t See It
“If you can’t see it, you can’t draw it”, is one of the regular things I say to my drawing students. Along came an author, writing on local history, seeking someone to illustrate some pictures in his book. He wanted drawings because several of his photos are awful, and he wisely thought it better to have […]
8 Things I Learned in September
These are life things I learned mostly in September, although a few may have spilled over from late August. An Americano is espresso with hot water added. I can’t tell the difference between that and a cup of black coffee. My nephew is employed by Starbucks and informs me that Americanos suck. Not sure why […]
Sawtooth Peak Oil Painting Continued
The layers continue to build on Sawtooth Peak, an oil painting. As it was when you last saw it: Another layer added to the sky:Another layer added to Sawtooth: Another layer added to the lower ridges: And more added to the lower ridges:Yo, Professor Layer, may I be finished with the sky and the peak […]
Kaweah Artisans
Kaweah is the name of the river (rivers – it is THREE Rivers) in town. Artisans are people who make specialty stuff; more precisely “workers in a skilled trade who make things by hand”. For about 18 years I have been part of a group called “Kaweah Artisans”. We do shows, which we prefer to […]
You Know You are Middle-aged When. . .
An older and wiser friend reminds me from time to time that life is like a roll of toilet paper–the closer to the end, the faster it goes. I’ve been thinking lately that you know you are middle-aged when. . . . . . you prefer hiking uphill to downhill because your knees kill you […]
Book Shepherd
What is a book shepherd? One who guides or “shepherds” a book from an author’s idea to final printed version. If you have ever written a book, you might know that feeling of, “Now what am I supposed to do to get this published?” A book shepherd guides the author through the options and steps […]
I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
I’ve been working on The Visalia Electric Railroad: Stories of the Early Years with Louise Jackson. Books take a ton of work AFTER the writing: a lot of talking, editing, tons of computer time, decisions, decisions, decisions, emails, phone calls, meetings, more editing, proofing, more decisions. And it is all very fun, especially when you get to work […]
What’s the Problem?
Problem? There is no problem. Why do you ask? Oh. Because I’m not posting as regularly. Because today is Friday and there is nothing about Mineral King. After Labor Day, my real life resumes. I don’t go to Mineral King as often, because there isn’t as strong a need to escape the heat. My workload picks up, […]