“Commission” is fancy talk for custom art.
A friend requested an 8×10″ oil painting from a photo she took in Yosemite.
I haven’t been to Yosemite very often and don’t really know it but somehow I knew to ask if this was Yosemite Falls, and doesn’t it have 2 parts? The oak tree in the foreground was obstructing the shapes of the cliffs, and I also needed to know if the barely visible cabin in the lower right mattered.
After a bit of back-and-forth, I went to the World Wide Web, found many photos that showed the dual nature of these famous falls, and proceeded to make up my own version.
Since when have I become such a rogue painter??
Here are the steps (without showing you the photo from the WWW because I do not have permission.) I began the painting in the studio (the reasons are boring), where oil painting does not belong, but I was very very careful. I worked from my friend’s photo on the laptop. You can see that I chose to keep and enhance the little structure, because I am into cabins (hence “Cabin Art”).
The next painting session was in the painting workshop, where it is not a tragedy to drop and spill things. The natural light is better there than in the artificial light of the studio, so it was a much better place to finish the painting.
The last photo was taken with the phone instead of the camera. Neither one is adequate, but will have to suffice until the painting is dry and can be scanned.
5 Comments
Awe, you should have asked me! I’ve been to Yosemite many times, and have the same shot taken by your client, AND the same shot you found on the WWW. Both are iconic. But the end result is quite lovely!
Sharon, I didn’t know you were a Yosemite aficionado – you are a Renaissance Woman indeed!
Oh, I have strong connections to Yosemite!
My grandfather worked at Curry Village and was one of the Firefall callers (“Hellooooo, Glacier!”). He and his new bride spent their honeymoon there in 1926.
My father worked at the Wawona Hotel in the late 1940s, where he learned how to make side cars (equal parts of brandy, lemon juice, and Cointreau or triple sec).
My brother worked at Yosemite Lodge at the tour desk and kitchen, where he learned how to crack two eggs with one hand.
The pastor of Yosemite Chapel and his wife are good friends of mine (she’s quite an accomplished photographer).
And I’ve been there at all times of the year (winter is best–less crowds).
So there you go!
1. Grandfather Devol or Dixon?
2. Never heard of Firefall callers!
3. Thought a sidecar was something attached to a motorcycle
4. I learned to crack 2 eggs with one hand in the Hartland Camp kitchen.
5. It would be fun to see your friend’s photos, particularly of all those beautiful bridges over the Merced River.
6. Winter, yes indeed.
7. (a bonus) We’ve stayed at the Wawona several times and thought it perfectly idyllic.
1. Grandpa Devol. Three generations of Devol men connected with Yosemite.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_Firefall. Alas, it was cancelled permanently in 1968. But I did see it in person. It was stunning!
3. Both definitions apply!
4. I can barely crack one egg with two hands and avoid getting shell chips in my breakfast.
5. She has a Fakebook page, or this link: http://www.FaithMoorePhotography.com which is broken. 🙁 Stay tuned.
6. It does have its disadvantages, like low or no water in the falls, and Glacier Point is closed. But there’s nothing like the crunch of snow under your feet!
7. I’ve never stayed there, but I did have breakfast there once with the pastor, his wife, and a friend. The waitress spilled my friend’s plate all over the table. It was memorable.
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