Making Stuff, Chapter 2

Happy Birthday, Big Sister!

That’s not what the post is about, but I wanted to send the message to Melinda in Salem. I always thought she was smarter, faster, more creative, prettier, a better dresser, tuned into what is cool, had a very neat closet and she could color better than me any day. That’s sort of the way all girls view their big sisters.

Back to Making Stuff:

In 7th or 8th grade, the art class at Ivanhoe School got to do the coolest project in the world  We glued tile pieces to a disc (a farming thing – this is Tulare County), then grouted it. I made the most beautiful green and blue butterfly pattern for my Grammy. (Wonder where that thing is now. . . it weighed a ton!)

A few years ago (feels like 5, so it must be closer to 15 years), I bought a couple of fabulous tiled stepping stones. Okay, I bought one, and my friend Judy bought the other one for me. (Hi JudyO!)

I had to, HAD TO, was terrifyingly compelled towards with a scary laser-like focus, MAKE THESE!!

After several very schlocky attempts, I found my groove. In fact, I went nutso. For awhile, I hauled these around to the various shows to supplement my other inventory. Sales were brisk for about 2 shows, and then Bam. Nothing. Now they are all over our property.

Leading into the studio

Under the archway

Leading to the herb garden

EVERYWHERE.

But Wait! There’s More! Chapter 3 is coming. . .

Making Stuff

This is the beginning of a new series about Making Stuff. It is a peek into the head of a California artist, outside of her working hours.

As a California artist, I draw and paint.

As a regular chick in my non-working hours, I like to make stuff. Always have. This could possibly be the driving force behind my career choice.

My poor mom probably just groaned every time I said, “Mom, I want to make something!” She would send me to a stack of Highlights magazines, which usually had projects requiring things we didn’t have on hand. Or, the end product wasn’t anything that I considered worth the effort. Usually Mom didn’t want the mess – she had her own stuff to make, like clothing for 3 little girls, and dinner.

What I really wanted was to make useful stuff that was Real. Not toys, not crafts, but Real Stuff for Real Life. In my 30s, I developed an overwhelming appreciation for willow furniture. My neighbors (Hi Bill and Peggy!) had made a chair and had a file of info about willow furniture, which they generously shared with me. I began looking for plans and photographed willow furniture wherever I saw it.

We, (Michael and I, not Mom and I) began looking for places that willow grew so we could cut it. (Nope, not gonna reveal my trespasses here.) I was determined to make real, usable, beautiful chairs. It took Michael’s help because he knows tools better than I do, and he is stronger, plus he is driven by perfection rather than mere completion.

This is one of the results. It is a Real Chair, and it has lasted at least 18 years so far. We’d like to make some that are beefier, sturdier, and less wobbly. But, we are busy making other things now. Stay tuned. . .

 

Fridays are for Mineral King (tee shirts)

Hey, have you seen this yet?

This is a Trail Guy tee shirt. It matches faded denim, has a custom embroidered Mineral King logo, is 100% cotton, comes in M, L, and XL. It costs $25 with tax and we’ll mail it to you for free. If you buy enough, we might be able to get a more professional model.

Size: Medium
fits chest 40″/Price: $25
[wp_cart:M M tee:price:22.99:end]

Size: Large
fits chest 44″/Price: $25
[wp_cart:M L tee:price:22.99:end]

Size: X-Large
fits chest 48″/Price: $25
[wp_cart:M XL tee:price:22.99:end]

This is the women’s version. I don’t like boy clothes and usually don’t like clothing with words on it. But this is a special case, and I love this color. Besides, it is 100% cotton, tagless, and comes in S, M, and L. It too is $25 with tax, and we’ll pay the shipping.

Size: Small
fits 4-6/Price: $25
[wp_cart:W S tee:price:22.99:end]

Size: Medium
fits 8-10/Price: $25
[wp_cart:W M tee:price:22.99:end]

Size: Large
fits 12-14/Price: $25
[wp_cart:W L tee:price:22.99:end]

Buy a lot so we can pay some decent models, would ya?

Thanks!

Three Rivers Oil Paintings all called “Kaweah”

A couple of oil paintings sold, so I moved them from their pages on the website to the Sold page. In the process, I realized that several paintings are not on the site that should be.

Kaweah River in Fall, 10×10″, $125

 They won’t load. Technology confounds me once again. Just when I think I can manage my own website, I have to go running to the web designer.

 

Kaweah Post Office VII, 11×14″, $175

These are not brand new but they are among my newest paintings. You might remember seeing them awhile ago. But, should you want to buy them, technology might confound you too! So, here is another opportunity to see them.

Kaweah Post Office VIII, 8×8″, $75

Trading skills

Trail Guy has used the same Cabela’s commuter mug for more years than I can remember while he was Road Guy. A week before he retired, it fell inside one of his big yellow machines. The handle broke. ONE WEEK before he retired! (Reminded me of the old song called “My Grandfather’s Clock”, but in that story, the clock stopped when the old man died. No, I am NOT calling Trail Guy an old man! Stop causing trouble.)

A few weeks ago, our friend Jonah stopped by the house. He wanted to show me some really interesting pieces he carved from firewood, and he raided our woodpile for more. Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea!

“Hey Jonah, can you carve a new handle for Trail Guy’s mug? I’ll paint something for you in exchange!”

“Sure, I can do that and I’d love a painting – surprise me with something!”

What a guy – look at this handle out of manzanita wood, hand carved by the very gifted and hard working Jonah.

Trail Guy said Jonah runs cattle in the area of the Oak Grove Bridge, which happens to be one of my favorite subjects to paint and draw. The day after Jonah delivered the mug, I began this little painting for him. He doesn’t read my blog, so it will be a surprise. (Don’t tell him if you see him, ‘k?)

Pioneers In Paradise

What means this? It is the title of a new book, the 100 year history of Three Rivers by my dear friend, former drawing student and fantastic knitter Sophie Britten!

Pioneers in Paradise

I had the privilege of helping Sophie with the proofreading of this book so it was quite the thrill to hold it in my hands and celebrate with her! (and if you find any typos, I don’t think we want to know about it.) Here she is on the porch of my cabin. She looked so cute and happy that I insisted on taking her photo to use in the book. (what a pushy chick I am!)

Sophie knitting on the deck of a Mineral King cabin

Book Signings

 March 9,  Tulare County Historical Society Meeting

March 23, Three Rivers HIstory Museum

The book is available on Sophie’s website and on Amazon.

And a Final Bit About Chicago

The Captain and I spent about one hour in the Art Institute of Chicago. ONE HOUR. ONE HOUR.

Better than not at all. We are outdoor kind of chicks, and decided a walk along the shore of Lake Michigan would be a good thing to do before sitting hours upon hours in airplanes.

It was a beautiful sunny day, only as cold as an extra cold day in Three Rivers.

Then I came home. I love Three Rivers, Tulare County, and California. Look! Are those mountains in the distance??

A California Artist at the Art Institute of Chicago

So much to see, so little time. The Captain and I spent only a few hours in Chicago, trying to see and do as much as possible. The goal was the Art Institute, but then there was Lake Michigan and all that wonderful architecture, and so many interesting things to see and do. We were nervous about getting lost on the way back to the airport or getting lost in the car rental area or in the airport. So far we have always gotten found again, but missing the flight would have been completely unacceptable.

This is me with Cousin Maggie. (She’s the one with the good hair. My hair isn’t so good because I like to travel light and not haul a lot of hair tools and gunk.) I loved being with her, as always. It was hard to leave, but The Captain and I had the Art Institute awaiting us.

Oh my. This is it. It is beyond huge. I bet all the buildings in Three Rivers proper could fit inside with room to spare. Fortunately I had read about it before going, and made the decision to only visit the Impressionism exhibit with our limited time. Picasso was there, but his work is weird to this Realist from Quaintsville.

First stop was the bathroom, fortuitously located by a room full of paperweights! We detoured through that room, because my Dad used to have a paperweight of this type. He gave it to his brother, the father of my cousin Bruce. (Bruce, do you still have it?)

I think these are the some of the most beautiful tchotchkes in the world.

blue glass paperweight

And true to form, I found a typo in the displays. Really! I find them EVERYWHERE.

Can you see it? I gave you a clue in the sentence above this photo.

 

 

Light and beautiful architecture really do inspire me. I could hardly get to the Impressionism Exhibit because the building and sunshine were so fabulous.

Holy cow. Seurat! Seeing these paintings for real, in the flesh, with my very own eyes – words fail me. (I know what you are thinking – “Stop talking already!”)

 

Monet!

To be continued. . .

 

A California Artist in Chi-town

The Captain and I really did make it into Chicago. We had several hours before our flight left, and it seemed right to use it by visiting the Art Institute of Chicago. That would turn a visit to Cousin Maggie into a business trip. That’s the way we self-employed artists think.

Ooh, ooh, there is a city in the distance! I even got a little shiver up my leg when I saw “Indiana” and “Milwaukee” on road signs. I don’t go many places, and am truly a California artist, through and through. Common sights to most normal people do give me a thrill. It’s a little embarrassing, but that’s the truth.

No, really! Look at those giant buildings!

The road goes UNDER THE POST OFFICE! I’m not making this up. Look at this. I think they might be a little low on space or something.

And it goes under the Stock Exchange too. Really, these people have some strange ideas. Not enough sunshine, perhaps?

What is on the roof of this building?? I photographed this through the windshield and later discovered it was the public library. Cities are so exciting!

Even the train is over the streets. They call it the “El”, because it is an elevated train. You probably knew that, because you probably go more places than this California artist. I actually knew it from visiting Chi-town in the winter of ’77-’78. Cousin Maggie’s daughter and I are great friends, in spite of being second cousins. (or because of it?)

Sunshine, snow, skyscrapers – I need to go knit a few rows on something to calm down a bit before continuing this exciting story of a California artist in Chicago.

See you on Monday?