My customers chose this version of their logo.
Now, it was time to do the original drawing to customize the logo for them.
They requested color, but before I added it to the drawing, I put it into the logo instead of the place holder.
Getting there, but more polishing and adjusting ahead. Logo design is tricky stuff, and there has to be clear communication between me and the customers in order to get it just right for them.
To be continued. . .
I sent 3 rough-drawn logo options to my customers, and they chose this one for me to refine.
I downloaded the typeface that was closest to this, and then began manipulating it to fit around the circle. We began talking about what to do with “Orchards, Inc.”, whether or not to include it, how to make it look good.
Which one did they choose? Stay tuned. . .
After looking at Western typestyles, sketching out some ideas, and turning a pencil drawing of a citrus scene into a circle, I began refining the five design ideas.
Time to mull it over, chose three, and show the customers. I sent the first three and scrapped the other two. They might have been workable, but enough already!
To be continued. . .
I have become a (temporary) Sawtooth painting factory.
First, sky and clouds on all three.
Second, Sawtooth on all three.
Third, trees on distant ridges on all three.
Fourth, work on the distant trees that are somewhat distinct.
Fifth, scribble in some layers of green on all three, because it is getting too dark to see, there is green paint on the palette that can be used to add another layer to the canvases, and that’s all I can take today of the repetition of these custom Mineral King oil paintings. 
Next painting session: figure out the confusing rocks in the stream on one painting, and then use it as a guide for the other two. This will be more effective than repeating a rock three times and then realizing it is in the wrong place. Who cares if a rock is in the wrong place? If it makes the stream flow look unbelievable, all three customers might care.
The first painting to sell at IMAGES OF HOME was Sawtooth Near Sunnypoint.
To clarify the title for you: Sunnypoint was the name of a campground in Mineral King, closed by the Forest Service some time before 1978. The Nature Trail runs through it, and this view is how I wished it actually looked. Instead, Black Wolf Falls isn’t fully visible in this exact position, and Sawtooth only shows as a little point. Nonetheless, this is what we remember when we think of those 2 places, along with a full and curving stream. “We”? That would be me, myself, I, and the 4 people who bought this painting.
How can 4 people buy the same painting??
I’m glad you asked. When Person #2 said, “Oh, wow, I would love that but it is sold!”, I replied with, “I can paint it again for you.”
This happened 3 times after the first sale.
This is what is happening now:
The top one is 16×20″; the bottom two are 11×14″.
This is also happening now:
I’ll ‘splain these to you later. Meanwhile, my show IMAGES OF HOME is also happening now at the Courthouse Gallery in Exeter.
Remember when I painted a Farewell Gap oil painting and wouldn’t tell you why? I said it had to be the very best painting I had ever done. The Best Version of the Classic Mineral King Scene
The painting was commissioned by the Mineral King Preservation Society and the Mineral King District Association to be a gift for Louise, someone who has been very instrumental in both preserving the history of Mineral King and developing a good relationship between the cabin owners and Sequoia National Park.
She also happens to be one of my dearest friends, someone who coached me through my first murals, got me my first paid public mural, and has been more encouraging than anyone I have ever known. She is also an author, and I had the privilege of editing and publishing two books for her: Trail of Promises and The Visalia Electric Railroad. We work together like a well-oiled machine, one that laughs a lot while producing good results.
Here are some photos of the presentation of the painting.
I love this lady.
P.S. These came via email:
1. What a beautiful post, beautiful painting, and beautiful lady. How is Louise doing? She looks well. – Jon S.
2. Your “Louise gift” in this morning’s post brought tears. what a touching tribute to my very special cousin.
three cheers for a beautiful exhibit! – Bev
The opening reception to my solo show, “Images of Home” at Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery was amazingly well attended. No one was counting, but I think there were at least 100 people, and everyone did NOT come at once. It was most totally excellent!
This is the first thing you see when you step into the entryway.
This is what you see when you step into the gallery.
Here is a comfortable corner for contemplation.
These three pencil drawings of Mineral King look just right on this wall. (How would they look all together on a wall in your home?)
Sold!
These are still available.
This child was too cute to not photograph. (Her mom gave permission).
There were a few opportunities to photograph people in the gallery, but that wasn’t my real mission.
Sold!
Sold!
Sold!
Sold!
Sold twice!
Sold four times!
Yeppers, you read that right. I have to order some canvases, and then get painting. If someone expressed disappointment at having missed out on a painting, I simply said, “I can paint it again for you”. (Do other artists do this??)
When my customers told me that they liked Western type, I started digging through the internet to see what was available. In general, Western typefaces are very easy to recognize, but after studying them, I realized there are many variations. (Remember when I told you a list of the goofy names of some of the typefaces?)
Those websites selling typefaces allow you to put your info into them and see what it might look like. Here are a few:
This last one is the prettiest, and it has the surprising name of “Eastwood”. I don’t associate old Clint with the description of pretty.
To be continued. . .
Exeter Courthouse Gallery, 125 South B Street
The air was really good on Thursday, only unhealthy instead of hazardous. I was able to paint!
Let’s have another look outside:
I thought about skipping work and going for a walk.
Nope, I have customers who are patiently waiting for their work, and those custom Christmas ornaments are beginning to nag at me a bit (the ornaments, not the customer).
Oops. Somehow my 8×10″ photos of Hume Lake got all glued together. I tried to soak them apart, but whatever substance is uniting them into a solid clump will not respond to water. I will just paint using photos on the computer screen.
Here they are awaiting more work on the lake side of each ornament, but instead, I need to get the other side, the secret side, up to date.
I will show you one blurry photo of the other side. If you recognize this cabin, just pretend as if you don’t.
Happy Birthday, Reader Anne!
When the air is hazardous as it was at the beginning of last week, I just closed myself into the studio and focused on a large commissioned pencil collage. It made 9 hours fly by, and I forgot about the smoke outside.
You last saw the drawing at this stage:
This is what happened In 2 days of drawing.
Wow, sometimes I impress myself.
Excuse me. That was obnoxious. You probably are interested in a bit of a story about this drawing rather than some puffed up bloviation by a Central California artist who complains about smoke unless she is tooting her own horn.
This drawing will be a gift (not from me but from the customer) to a lady pilot who lives in this house along an airstrip, has her own hangar, and a view of a lake. Her husband was also a pilot, designed the house and hangar, and he recently died. Our lady pilot will be selling and moving away, and her friend commissioned me to do this piece for her.
These are remarkable people, both the giver and the recipient, and it is a privilege to participate in their lives, even on the outer fringes.
Happy Birthday, JG!