This next painting is a commission. I am combining multiple photos, trying to somewhat match a looser painting that the customer admired, but wanted in my detailed style. Because it is of wildflowers, I have lots of reference photos to work from. It is fun to use bright colors, in this and in the fruit painting above.
The next one is a 6×12″ of part of the Great Western Divide, as seen from Moro Rock. I sketched it with a paintbrush while the canvas was upside down. When I flipped it over, I decided there needed to be less sky, so I scooted everything a bit higher, while improving accuracy of the shapes.
Kaweah Arts requested some Sequoia trees, so here we go again. . . This is the pair of redwood trees at Redwood Canyon, or simply “Redwood” on the Mineral King road. Some former cabin neighbors referred to them as “Aunt Tilly and Uncle Pete”. I can’t tell which is which. Must have been married so long that they started looking alike.
This last one is 6×18″ and is the Sentinel Tree, in front of the Giant Forest Market. I mean the museum. My cousin worked there one summer (or more), and used to get a kick out of customers who would ask, “Where can I see the big trees?” She would simply point out the door.
All of these need to be relayered, then detailed, my favorite part. After they are dry, I will either scan or photograph them. Next, I will post them on the blog and tell you that they look better in person.
6 Comments
Reading old info from a variety of resources, many early MK people called the two Redwoods, “the Twin Sisters or just the Sisters”. Just a fyi!!!
Thank you, Melissa! I wonder why they were considered female. . .
Maybe because when they grew too big to take the normal route (around to the left as you head up), they held their ground (as it were) and stubbornly made the road change its course?
Sharon, I’ve heard that at one time the road went around them on the other side. Maybe someone older will clarify this for us.
I’m old enough to remember when it went around toward the mountain side, but was very young at the time. So we’re talking late 1950s? Interesting thought–I’ll put this out in our Mineral King Facebook Group and I’m sure someone will chime in. I’ll report back!
We’ve always called those two at Redwood Creek “The Twins,” and your painting is of the iconic view of those beautiful redwoods as one heads down the road toward “civilization” (if you could call it that).
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