Painting in the Studio

It is cold out. Today I needed to do work in the studio and also paint (and run around, but that isn’t part of this story). My studio is a little office/gallery where I do paperwork, phone calls, packaging reproduction prints and cards, and, believe it or not, actually draw! When I began painting, it seemed prudent to keep that mess away from my drawings and paperwork. We have a workshop with lots of windows in the front half, and it is a fairly mess-proof place. That is not exactly right – it is full of messes, but it doesn’t matter. As I said, it is cold out, and it made sense to only heat one building. So, I did 5 miniature paintings because they seemed to be the least likely to create a mess.

These are 2×2″ – miniature, for sure! The purpose of these little poppies is to sell at Colors for the First Saturday of March. March 5, Three Rivers, to be specific. The theme is. . . POPPIES!  I know. duh.

Kaweah Post Office

This charming landmark up the North Fork of the Kaweah is probably the most photographed, drawn and painted building in the Three Rivers area! The Post Office began service in 1890, but the building itself is 100 years old this year. On October 23, there will be a 10K run and 5K walk at the bottom of Lake Kaweah, with net profits going to support the Kaweah Post Office. In addition, there will be a celebration at the post office itself, from 10-4. To quote the Kaweah Commonwealth, “It will be a day of food, fun, music, and history. And, best of all, the centennial event will help raise funds for the preservation of the historic post office. A wholesome experience awaits all who attend this Centennial Celebration where past and present meet.”

First Saturday, September 4, “Harvest”

Ever heard of The Cort Gallery? It is at 41881 Sierra Drive (river side of the highway) in Three Rivers. It is a little hard to see because the trees obscure the building, but it is worth the time to find. Gary Cort designed this building with rotating walls that swing open to the outside. He is a talented architect and artist with whimsical ink drawings. He invited me and one of my drawing students, Char Prazak, to show our pencil artwork with him on Saturday – a black, white, and shades of gray kind of event! You may remember Char’s work from a previous blog entry; here it is again:char.jpgTo preview some of the participants in First Saturday September, go here: 1st Saturday in Three Rivers

Long Walk, finale!

 

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This marker let us know we had 1 mile to go (mile 20 for us 21-milers). Our feet were ready to stop walking in spite of all the fun.

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2/10ths of a mile remaining as we crossed the Carmel Creek Bridge! We were really pouring it on in terms of speed, knowing we were going to reach our goal of 5-1/2 hours for the 21 miles!

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This was our first view of the finish line.

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The only time I ran (besides passing folks) was when I saw Michael on the sidelines! Nancy and I finished in 5 hours, 34 minutes, which translated to a 15.5 minute mile. This was our best time in any of our training walks together! It is quite amazing what momentum and adrenaline (plus training at a higher elevation) can do for one’s time!

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After the walk, Michael and I retired to the beach at Asilomar. The sand and the cold water were exactly what my feet required. That’s my medal on my shoulder. (Yes, of course I knit at the beach! Doesn’t everyone??)

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Poor Michael – the walk really wore him out!

 

 

 

Long Walk, part 3

Remember, today is First Saturday in Three Rivers!

There were peculiar sights along Highway One throughout our 21 Mile Power Walk. Check out these Shetland ponies!

 

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And this guy with his old car, synthesizer/keyboard thing, and 2 flags, one that I did not recognize:

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The views continued to be almost breathtaking (perhaps if we hadn’t been in such good shape they might have taken our breath away!)

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The Carmel monastery is beautiful! Nancy went to Mass there the night before the walk and said it was jam-packed full of people. She also said it was as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.

 

 

First Saturday, December

The Featured Artist this month at The Art Co-op is George Smith. He is a very accomplished potter, always producing both functional and beautiful pieces.  Back in 1987, I participated in my very first Redbud Festival in Three Rivers. George had the neighboring booth, and was so kind and encouraging to me.  I was as green as grass, and he actually traded me a lamp for a drawing. Since that time, I have almost shamelessly begged him for the drawing back so I can redraw it for him.  He hasn’t agreed to let me shred the first drawing, so we have no deal.  (The lamp is still in use, along with its matching companion lamp, and he hasn’t asked to smash it in return for a new one!)

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