It is a bit odd for a pencil artist/drawing teacher/oil painter/muralist to be asked to paint a sign. The owner of Blue Moon Nursery in Three Rivers knew we would work well together, so she decided to overlook my lack of experience and hire me for the odd job. (Odd job to me, but sign […]
Odd Job, Chapter One
Is sign painting an odd job for an artist? It depends. If you live in a city where there are sign painters, they would be a logical choice for a sign. If you live in Three Rivers, have a limited budget, would rather not drive 35 miles and want to have input, then choosing an […]
A Very Happy Day
This will be a very personal post, not about my art or Tulare County or Mineral King or Three Rivers. In the past week or two, I have alluded to a family crisis. In short, my brother-in-law has been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, the very sort of brain tumor that took out my dad 15 […]
Neighborhood Bookstore
Since self-publishing has become relatively easy – maybe if it doesn’t involve 278 drawings and learning to use Adobe InDesign and Photoshop and a scanner and finding a printer and choosing your own paper and designing your own cover and dealing with a company that bids improperly and blames the customer – then perhaps it […]
More Better Than Before
First, I get an idea. . . sunflowers! Second, I look through my photos. . . sunflowers, where are they, I know I have some good ones, AHA, right under the category of florals. Third, I attach a hanger, write a name and inventory number on the back, list it on the inventory list. . […]
Better Than Before
Better Than Before is the title of a book I want to read by Gretchen Rubin. It is about how to develop good habits. She is the author of The Happiness Project and Happier At Home. She is an excellent researcher, but more importantly, she has a gift for summarizing her research in a simple, helpful and entertaining way. Her […]
My Favorite Bridge #11
The Oak Grove Bridge, 6.5 miles up the Mineral King Road, is my favorite bridge and favorite subject to draw and to paint. This is the 11th time I’ve painted it in oil, and although this is only partway to being finished, you may see it now. As I did last time, I am exaggerating […]
An Attempt to Lighten Up
Sometimes when life is hard, it helps to focus on lighter things. (Life has gobsmacked my family – you can read about my brother-in-law here.) So, these 2 little gems are in progress. Doesn’t look like I know how to paint at this stage, although I’ve seen paintings of this caliber sold for big money. I […]
Unfinished Paintings, Finished Drawing
These paintings have been waiting for attention for weeks, or perhaps months. It is true that what comes easily is usually more fun. I find painting to be work. It is satisfying, but laborious and more often than not, it is difficult. In troubling times, I gravitate back toward that which brings me pleasure and […]
Redbud Report
The Redbud Festival is a longstanding Three Rivers tradition. It is an arts and crafts fair, and it happens in May, 2 months after the redbud has bloomed. This was Redbud Festival #41! (There may have been a year or two that it didn’t happen.) It used to happen at a restaurant at the Three […]