A Busy Weekend

Redbud in 2019

Last weekend began with setting up the for the Redbud Festival on Friday, taking photographs of how everything fit together, then packing all the merchandise into boxes and moving it inside the Memorial Building for the night.

On Saturday morning, I went to a memorial service for the father of a dear friend. It was a bit of a reunion, but instead of hanging around with old pals, I jetted off to Arts Visalia to teach a drawing workshop.

I was sort of hoping that no one would sign up so that I could just hang around with my old buddies, but a few days before, 4 people signed up. When I arrived at the gallery, I learned there were 6 participants. Then I learned that the drawing pencils were no longer in the closet in the workshop room. Well, oops.

So, the gallery director got a short list together, disappeared for about 45 minutes, and reappeared with some drawing pencils. We made do with the other supplies I had brought along, and the class of 6 was a compatible, enjoyable, personable group who did very well!

Redbud, indoor booth in 2017

Meanwhile, some friends were working our shared booth at the Redbud Festival. The show organizer called me at the end of the drawing workshop to ask if I was okay with leaving all my merchandise outside overnight underneath the patio overhang where we were situated. I thought that the overnight security sounded secure, so I agreed. That way my friends wouldn’t have to take it down, pack it up and schlep it all inside, nor would I need to reverse the process on Sunday morning.

This is how it looked before the beautiful slab furniture, felted purses, knitted hats, and tie-dyed baby clothes were added. The tables looked great sitting beneath the paintings, and the colorful fabric items were on a table to the left.

Redbud Festival hasn’t happened for 2 years, and this year it was organized at the last minute. We no longer have a newspaper in town, and there are so many methods of communication that it is a wonder anyone can learn anything at all. As a result, there weren’t many vendors, and not many visitors, but this allows for longer conversations with the visitors and opportunities to get to know the other vendors a bit more than usual.

I walked to the Memorial Building on Sunday morning and learned that sales were steady on Saturday. Sales were slower on Sunday, but also steady. The number of packages of cards that sold was astonishing, particularly since they are now $10 a package. I joked that next year I will just rent one square foot and bring my card spinner. Yes, paintings sold, but they require the screens, which makes the set-up and break-down quite time-consuming, and I get a little bit older every year. (Thank you, Captain Obvious.)

Breaking down the show was the easiest it has ever been. Because we were on the patio, I simply lifted everything up to the driveway, with the Botmobile very close at hand and Trail Guy there to use his master packing skills.

The screens almost blew over on Saturday. Someone had some rope and tied the whole apparatus to the vertical pole. 

Now, I need to get some new paintings done to sell at Silver City Resort. Chopchop!

She Loves Flowers, Chapter Two

After obsessing over the wildflowers on the hillside behind my house, I headed to the painting workshop to paint some of my own wildflowers.

But wait! There are other flowers in bloom in the yard, and they also deserve attention. I picked some Lemon Geranium to put in a vase near my work station, because it keeps mosquitos away. (in theory)

Wait! I can’t work on that piece today. It doesn’t have the tight deadline that the Redbud Festival is pressurizing me with. IT IS TOMORROW, 10-5 at the Three Rivers Memorial Building and SUNDAY, 10-4.

Get to work, Central California artist! Chopchop.

I love this view of Franklin Creek, at the upper crossing, below the dam.

Mineral King Wildflowers, 6×18″, oil on wrapped canvas, $165 (plus that pesky California sales tax).

Then I finished this 6×6″ poppy. 

I have more finished little paintings for the Redbud Festival but you might have to go to the show to see them.

Maybe I’ll show you those other flowers in the yard on Monday’s post. Or maybe I will tell you that I sold everything at the Redbud Festival. Or maybe nothing will have sold and I will invite you to a bonfire.

JUST KIDDING!

Painting Fast, Day Two

Because the Redbud Festival is coming this weekend, I have to git ‘er dun quickly. Day One of painting fast was quite productive. Day Two was also quite productive.

I need small paintings to sell at the Redbud Festival (Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8), and Mineral King is always popular. These are supposed to be for the Silver City Store, but if they sell at the Redbud Festival, I will simply paint them again. They need to be dry in time to scan, varnish and display by Friday evening when we set up the show.

Quick, start another one to finish tomorrow!

This one isn’t Mineral King, but if it doesn’t sell at the Redbud Festival, it can go to Kaweah Arts.

HEY! Maybe I should just take my work out of Kaweah Arts for the show. I could, but it makes more sense to beef up my inventory, and then I’ll have more to take to Kaweah Arts after the Redbud Festival (10-5 on Saturday, 10-4 on Sunday.)

There are so many decisions to be made when figuring out the business of art. It feels like guesswork, but there is intuition, based on experience. I definitely have not missed doing those shows. But the Redbud Festival is so close to home, so very easy to get to, at the Three Rivers Memorial Building. See you there?

Painting Fast

Redbud Festival is a long-time event in Three Rivers that I remember from childhood. I have participated many times, but was just fine missing the past two years of festivals, bazaars, and arts/crafts fairs. 

I recently learned that the Redbud Festival will be happening again this year, Mother’s Day Weekend (May 7-8) at the Three Rivers Memorial Building. 

A friend who makes felted purses can only work on Saturday; I have plans for Saturday (the drawing workshop at Arts Visalia). So, we will share a booth, which she will run on Saturday and I will run on Sunday.

Oops. I hadn’t planned on this. Most of my work these days is commissions, or it is specifically for a gallery. 

These events need large colorful pieces in order to attract attention, but they also need smaller inexpensive pieces for people to actually buy. It might not be like that in a city, but a small unincorporated town in a relatively (for California) low population rural county is a whole different animal.

QUICK–Stop on the commissions that don’t have a solid deadline and figure out what might sell at the Redbud Festival! After an inventory and survey session, I gathered some small canvases, selected a few photos that might have good appeal for the weekend crowd of browsers, pulled those seven Mineral King paintings off the drying walls, and hit the ground running.

First, finish the almost finished poppy painting that I had set aside in order to paint the carnation and rose bouquet.

Next, do something fun: 6×6″ iris, my favorite flower which happens to be in bloom right now. I was able to mix the colors accurately by looking at the real thing instead of relying on photos.

I love flowers (not just the wild kind). These little 3″ square canvases are a size I haven’t tried before, so I ordered some mini easels to sell with them, paid extra for quicker shipping, and painted 2 different sunflowers.

Still had a little time left in the day, so I “went” to Mineral King.

IMAGES OF HOME

125 South B Street

Exeter, CA 93221

This blog post is just a reminder that my show is still up. Now it has an end date – January 2, 2022.

These are the dates and times left to see the show:

  • Friday, December 17, 11-3
  • Saturday, December 18, 12-4
  • Sunday, December 19, 12-4
  • Sunday, December 26, 12-4
  • Sunday, January 2, 12-4

That’s it, that’s all!

Second Chance at The Courthouse Gallery

Did you miss the opening reception of my show in Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery, “Images of Home”? Here is another chance to see the show while I am present and, most important, while snacks and beverages will also be present. 

Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery is having another reception for me.

Okay, it’s not really for me. It is a celebration at the gallery to thank docents and gallery association members, and the gallery asked me to invite you, my friends, collectors, and other interested parties, because my art* is still there. So, if you wanted to attend the opening and weren’t able to come, this is a second chance for you. 

Here is an abbreviated version of their official invitation:


Let’s celebrate!
Come to the Museum and Gallery and enjoy some snacks and refreshments – and great art by Jana Botkin – on Sunday, December 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s a great way to thank our friends for their support!

It would be fun to see you there! Where is “there”? 125 South B Street, Exeter, California

*Yes, I still have a few 2022 calendars.

P.S. I will be painting at the gallery today, Friday, December 10, from 11-3.

The Show Goes On

“The Show” refers to my solo show at Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery. I have not been given an end date other than “sometime in January”.

IMAGES OF HOME

Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery and Museum

125 South B Street, Exeter, California

HOURS: Saturday and Sunday, 12-4

Eight pieces have sold, which means there are 41 left for you to choose from. (If you want to take your piece home with you, the gallery will let me know, and I will bring something else to fill that empty spot on the wall.)

In addition to original oil paintings and original pencil drawings, there are:

  • 2022 Calendars
  • Heart of Tulare County, a new coloring book for grownups and older children
  • Notecard packages
  • Single cards
  • Collector matted cards from Christmas in Exeter in the 1900s
  • ONE original colored pencil drawing of a poinsettia (in a mat)

IN ADDITION TO THE SATURDAY/SUNDAY HOURS, I WILL OPEN THE GALLERY (but not the museum) ON TWO MORE FRIDAYS FROM 11-3.

What’s Happening Now

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.

Special Painting for a Special Person

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

Well Received (Successful Opening Reception)

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??)