Skip to content

Redwoods, Redwoods, Everywhere

I still have a very large commissioned oil painting of redwoods to complete. Redwoods are sequoia gigantea, not to be confused with California redwoods. We grew up calling them “the big trees”, and I had no clue what a privilege it was to live so close. (I might have been a bit of a twit.) I choose to call them Redwoods now because I went to Redwood High School, and although I will skip the upcoming reunion, I have retained enough loyalty to hang onto the name. But, I digress.

Redwood oil painting in progress

The customer liked a similar painting that I made for someone else, which was based on the pencil drawing called “Redwood & Dogwood”.

You can see the drawing, plus a photo of a sequoia on my laptop. The reason the palette is on the floor is because I was kneeling there to work on the lower portion of the tree. You can see the primary colors running across the top of the palette and the redwood colors running down the side.

But wait! There’s more!

redwood mural, pencil drawing, photo and oil painting

Sheesh. This California artist has a thing about redwood trees. On the left is half of the pair of doors to the painting studio. I had to open them because it is sort of dark in there. Then, the swamp cooler had to be on high, so the doors were blowing around.

It’s rough being a California artist in the heat of summer.

Wah.

commissioned oil painting of redwood in progress

This is how it looked at the end of the noisy, dark, overheated day of painting. It should dry enough overnight to begin adding the dogwood flowers on top of the redwood tree. I mean layered in front of the tree, not up at the top of the painting. You knew that, right?

 

6 Comments

  1. Jennifer, thanks for the reminder about the Reading blogs. I’ve been reading, but I’ll save the answer to the question of “What?” for a blog post.

    And you framed 2 of the cards? Glad you found little frames to fit and that you are enjoying them. It’s always nice to know that my work isn’t just hanging in someone’s guest bathroom, which is one of the lowest spots on the ladder of successful art locations.

  2. Oh that’s sweet! 🙂

    The second print is framed and there too but it didn’t fit in the photo. I still need to paint the kitchen wall someday, so their location feels incomplete somehow.

    I smile when I see them every day, and think of you. Thanks!

    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

  3. Cheryl, so glad I wasn’t blathering on for no reason!

    Jennifer, thanks for the mention on your site. What an honor to be near the coffee pot that is so often referred to by you. When I think of coffee brewing, I think of you!

  4. Jana,

    I liked this glimpse into your studio and your brain today. 🙂 Hey, I mentioned you on my site today, as part of your framed blue coffee cup print was glimpsed in my photo. I linked people to your site too.

    What are you reading lately?

    I like the redwood glimpses!

    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

  5. It’s going to be gorgeous when it’s done! And yes, I needed the explanation about the dogwood flowers on top 🙂


Comments are closed for this article!