Homesick?

How can one be homesick for a place one hasn’t lived? I dunno, but today I have an almost overwhelming longing to return to Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Thank goodness for the internet – it allowed me to see photos of the place in the fall. On the other hand, that may not have been such a good idea since it exacerbated the desire to see the place again, this time in October instead of August. There was a hint of fall in the leaves the day we we left Blowing Rock.

As a realist, both in life and in art, today I will remember the good things about the beautiful place where I actually do live. Fall color is here too, and there is no reason to be melancholy (so suck it up, Toots!)  Have a look at some recent paintings celebrating the colors of our autumn:

These and other 6×6″ paintings will be available for sale on Saturday, November 6 in front of the studio and gallery Colors in Three Rivers.

Main Gallery

A new art co-operative gallery will open in Visalia on November 1, 2010. The address is 209 W. Main Street and there are 23 very fine artists participating. It is a privilege to be showing with these folks, some of whom I have known for many years. Our plan is to be open in November and December, and then re-evaluate. The space is large, well lit and in the heart of downtown Visalia. (For those of you familiar with Visalia, it is in the same block as Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. and a few doors east of Pacific Treasures and Gourmet, same side of the street.)

A Painting is Happening

Kind of terrible looking with only one layer! Terrible, but with hope.

When all this new background dries, I’ll start on the large sycamore tree.

Peculiar Sights, #10

Yesterday Michael and I took a stroll down to the bridge to see the river. It was peaceful, not too slimy and slow for October.

But wait! What is that??

Someone has been stacking rocks! Now that is a peculiar way to spend one’s time.

Good thing I got the photo yesterday, because this morning all this was under water.

Happy Centennial, Kaweah P.O.!

The party was well attended. Very well attended! Here is one area – isn’t that the cutest little building with the grandest oak tree?

I only brought art with Three Rivers as the subject. Almost everything Kaweah Post Office sold.

The stick is where the mailbag hangs so the horse-riding mail carrier can grab it quickly. There were a couple of demonstrations, but I was selling art and missed both.  (Don’t you just hate that??)

This might be the only photo I got without people wandering past!

This is the Postmistress, Miss Ida Purdy. Can’t remember the years she served but we obviously had a bit of time travel today!

Random Thursday

Today I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of work in my face. I think  list might help me (you can eavesdrop):

1. Price the work for Saturday’s Kaweah Post Office Celebration

2. Remove it from the screens and pack it into boxes.

3. Sign all the newly completed 6×6″ paintings

4. Photograph them.

5. Put the photos on the computer, straighten, crop and title them.

6. Decide the priorities – finish ornaments, finish the aspens, finish the fall sycamore, begin the hibiscus (commission), what?

Kaweah Post Office

This charming landmark up the North Fork of the Kaweah is probably the most photographed, drawn and painted building in the Three Rivers area! The Post Office began service in 1890, but the building itself is 100 years old this year. On October 23, there will be a 10K run and 5K walk at the bottom of Lake Kaweah, with net profits going to support the Kaweah Post Office. In addition, there will be a celebration at the post office itself, from 10-4. To quote the Kaweah Commonwealth, “It will be a day of food, fun, music, and history. And, best of all, the centennial event will help raise funds for the preservation of the historic post office. A wholesome experience awaits all who attend this Centennial Celebration where past and present meet.”

The Painting Factory

That would be the workshop where I paint. October may be the busiest month, or perhaps it is November. There are a handful of shows/sales coming up, along with something else big and new. This means it is imperative that I produce as much a possible. Every year I am puzzled as to how I got into this squeeze – it isn’t as if the Fall shows are a surprise! Have a look at all the pieces hanging around in various stages of drying.

There was a small difficulty today – every time I returned to my chair, it was occupied by this creature:

Kaweah Kitty has brilliant green eyes, but she is not willing to pose (or to move!)

Early Autumn in Mineral King

YEA! My blog is working again!  Meanwhile, up the hill, this is how things looked October 8 or thereabouts. There isn’t much color because the early leaves that were yellow blew off in the previous week’s storm, which left a light dusting of snow on West Florence Peak.  Regardless, (and that IS the word, not “irregardless”) because it is Mineral King, it is beautiful.  Have a look:

These last 2 are from a hike to White Chief. If you are asking yourself, “Self, why are there always postings about Mineral King on an art blog?” – the answer is that much of my inspiration comes from Mineral King. It is not my only subject matter, but it is possibly my favorite. And, it is a favorite of many customers, readers and other Very Smart People! 😎