Could you draw like this when you were in 7th grade? I couldn’t!
Maleah can, and she did! The center of the flower was a bit worrisome, so we handled it the way I do the more difficult parts. When working on a difficult texture, practice different techniques on another piece of paper until it looks right.
The Arts Alliance of Three Rivers did an outstanding job of organizing, publicizing and managing the Redbud this year! The music was just right, the booth size was generous, the signs leading the public in were visible and consistent in color and design, the vendors had high quality products, the food choices were plentiful, the parking was convenient, and the volunteers were always available and helpful! This was a great show! The hardest part was having too many people visit my booth at the same time so that conversations were abbreviated or I missed opportunities to greet folks who took the time to stop by. Look at all the paintings that sold:
There might have been more, or I might have shown you the wrong poppies. . . hard to say because I slept last night. You can see that poppies were the favorite subject. What you might not be able to discern from this posting is that the most popular size was 6×6″. My theory is that people’s walls are full and while their wallets aren’t completely empty, cautious spending is the pattern. This is normal behavior in Tulare County rather than an indication of the entire country’s economic woes.
Yep, a paintbrush in each hand, in my teeth and one per foot. . . of course I am joking! But all of these paintings are wet and in progress and won’t be ready in time for Redbud Festival. Orders can be taken for commissions. . . 😎
The bridge is slowly advancing – the changes are probably too small to notice yet. The one on the right is in its very first stages – a single layer of paint just indicating where things will be and the general color.
This was one of the first scenes I tackled 4 years ago – wow, it is ever so much easier this time!
On top is the beginning of a commissioned painting of Mineral King in winter. The lower painting has been “mulling” for a long time but now the part above the bridge is finished as are about half the stones in the bridge.
The top painting should look familiar – I have painted it numerous times, but this time it will be a wedding gift. (Giving my art as a gift is a careful decision – does the recipient like my art? Have I chosen the right subject? ) The other 2 paintings are also Mineral King, also repeats. If a subject is great (and if it sells) I repaint it as often as I want. Why not? Can’t think of an good answer, so I’ll keep repeating myself!
Redbud Festival is an annual event in Three Rivers that I seem to participate in on a biennial basis. (Thanks Cousin Maggie for teaching me the right word!) (sometimes I am having a Bad Ankle Year, sometimes I am painting a mural, one never knows!) This is a year I will be in, and it is a great time and place to see old friends, meet new ones, buy local artwork, eat, listen to music and enjoy Three Rivers in the spring. And, no, it isn’t a good time to view redbud in bloom – that happened in March, but the weather was too unpredictable that month for an outdoor festival! The photos are of my booth 2 years ago – the work will be similar, but better because now I have been painting for 4 years instead of 2!
For info, go here: http://www.artsthreerivers.org/
This marker let us know we had 1 mile to go (mile 20 for us 21-milers). Our feet were ready to stop walking in spite of all the fun.
2/10ths of a mile remaining as we crossed the Carmel Creek Bridge! We were really pouring it on in terms of speed, knowing we were going to reach our goal of 5-1/2 hours for the 21 miles!
This was our first view of the finish line.
The only time I ran (besides passing folks) was when I saw Michael on the sidelines! Nancy and I finished in 5 hours, 34 minutes, which translated to a 15.5 minute mile. This was our best time in any of our training walks together! It is quite amazing what momentum and adrenaline (plus training at a higher elevation) can do for one’s time!
After the walk, Michael and I retired to the beach at Asilomar. The sand and the cold water were exactly what my feet required. That’s my medal on my shoulder. (Yes, of course I knit at the beach! Doesn’t everyone??)
Poor Michael – the walk really wore him out!
Remember, today is First Saturday in Three Rivers!
There were peculiar sights along Highway One throughout our 21 Mile Power Walk. Check out these Shetland ponies!
And this guy with his old car, synthesizer/keyboard thing, and 2 flags, one that I did not recognize:
The views continued to be almost breathtaking (perhaps if we hadn’t been in such good shape they might have taken our breath away!)
The Carmel monastery is beautiful! Nancy went to Mass there the night before the walk and said it was jam-packed full of people. She also said it was as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.
While away over the weekend, I learned many new things. Here they are as they pop into my head:
You know how you just cruise along, living your life, not giving any thought to how you measure up to anyone else? (Maybe you think about other people’s opinions, but I don’t very often.) So you’re just cruising along, doing what you do, doing what comes naturally, and BOOM! Someone tells you that you are weird! Weird? Nope, I’m just unique.
Here is an example: I just finished knitting a pair of socks for a friend. She chose and bought the yarn; I turned it into socks. While the socks were in process, I noticed that the colors on the Mineral King Road were the same as the yarn. That’s not weird, is it? (not that I care if you all think I’m weird – I’m just sort of wondering)
In The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, she insists that field trips are very important to cultivating creativity. Yesterday, I took her advice (or was I using it as an excuse to mess around instead of work?) Have you ever heard of the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno? I’ve been wanting to visit since 1978 but just haven’t. The gardens get closed from time to time for renovation, and when they are open, I am usually in Mineral King. Yesterday, I finally got to see this incredible place! http://www.undergroundgardens.info/ I can’t wait to go back (wish they rented it out for overnight stays!)
