This California artist has completed Phase One of her indoor mural of Giant Sequoias/Redwoods/Big Trees for some exceptional people of fine taste. They have a particular fondness for these trees, and sell fabulous chairs made from some of the fallen ones (from private land – don’t gitchur knickers in a twist!). You can find them on eBay: Redwood Adirondack Chairs.
One more thing about this mural – it comes with a promise to retouch it if a grandchild goes nutso with a crayon or marker!
Sunny Sequoia IXX, 8×8″, oil on wrapped canvas, $75
When I belonged to the Colored Pencil Society of America, there was a tradition. At every annual juried show, there was a piece called “Paper Bag #_____”. The numbers went quite high, the pieces were always well done, they were a little boring, and they ALWAYS made it into the juried show! When the slide show took place at the convention, the paper bag was an anticipated piece, and it ALWAYS caused laughter.
What does that have to do with anything? Series: I learned about painting in series, naming series, numbering, keeping track and making tiny adjustments and corrections as I repeated a subject over and over. Besides, if it is a popular subject and customers ask for it, an artist can hardly say “Nope, it has been done already.” Okay, an artist can say that, but she would be stubborn and missing lots of opportunities. Me? not about to miss the opportunity to keep painting better and better Sequoias, poppies, oranges, whatever is appropriate to Tulare County in particular, California in general. And, whatever is popular! (gotta be honest here!)
There are about 2 weeks remaining for the show, Images of Home, at the Tulare Historical Museum. Here are 2 more pieces that I painted specifically for the show.
Buckeye Bridge, 16×12″, oil on wrapped canvas, $250. (just sayin’)
Michael said this is really the Paradise Bridge. I believe him, because he helped to build it. Since it is located just beyond the Buckeye Campground in Sequoia National Park, I think of it as the Buckeye Bridge. Hence, the name. My painting, my name. However, if you wish to buy it and the name is somehow a hindrance to the process, it can be changed very simply! (again, just sayin’)
Oak Grove Bridge IV, 18×24″, oil on wrapped canvas, $500
This is my favorite bridge. Did you know that?
The show at the Tulare Historical Museum will be hanging through July 16. The museum is at 444 West Tulare Avenue, open Thursday-Saturday, 10-4. I think everyone who works there is named Linda, so if you want more info, call 559-686-2074 (but listen carefully if you call in case there are other names involved.)
Please, someone tell me if I am sounding pushy. Seriously and honestly speaking, I would like anyone with an interest in Tulare County’s beautiful places or my art or who would like to just hang out in someone else’s air conditioning to see this show before it goes away!
And, Cousin Maggie lives very far away and requested to see the paintings.
Dogwood, oil on wrapped canvas, 10×10″, $120
A friend saw this at the show and wanted to know more about this gorgeous flower. 2 weeks ago we took a trip to Giant Forest to see them in bloom. That is late, but this has been a strange year. We had such a great time climbing Moro Rock and exploring around Crescent Meadow that I forgot to take any new photos of dogwood blossoms! Cousin Maggie, do you remember my dad annoying your folks by referring to the dogwood as “fried egg plant”? Why anyone would want to annoy your sweet parents is a puzzle to me!
This one is sold, but if you are totally in love with it, I can paint it or another similar scene for you. Just being conversational and friendly, not pushy! (Didn’t want you all to think I succumbed to the pressure of those pushy art marketing articles.)
Because my website is still non-functional and there are folks who might want to see which paintings are available, this posting will consist entirely of paintings of The Big Trees, Sequoia Gigantea, Redwoods.
Just the facts: A few little tidbits about all the names: “The Big Trees” was how we referred to them when I was growing up in the flatlands of Tulare County. When I attended Redwood High School, our newspaper was called “The Sequoia Gigantea”. The coastal redwoods of California are also Sequoias, but their last name is Sempervirens and they are the tallest trees; the Gigantea are the largest by volume.
Viewing info: These are just thumbnail-sized photos so that your ‘puter doesn’t get overwhelmed – click on each picture to make it grow.
Shopping info: You can see the Paypal Buy Now buttons beneath each painting. if you live close by, I will refund the shipping. If you live far, shipping on the Generals Highway is free as an added incentive.
Sunny Sequoias XVI – 8×10″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $90
Sunny Sequoias XV– 10×8″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $90
Sunny Sequoias XVII – 16×12″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $225
Sunny Sequoias IIXX – 10×10″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $120
Tunnel Log III – 10×10″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $120
Generals Highway – 16×20″ – oil on canvas in rustic wooden frame – $350
This may be hard to fathom, but while I was working on the mural, I also knocked out a few paintings. They will appear here one or two at a time for the next few days. The plan was to have them for a show and sale in Lodgepole, but we, The Kaweah Artisans, have not received permission from the National Park Service to proceed with the show. Meanwhile, they will appear here one or two at a time for the next few days.
Got a deal on 10×10″ canvases, which seem to work well with my cropped scenery paintings.
I have decided that there are 3 kinds of sky colors applicable to my painting:
Blick.com had a great sale on 10×10″ canvases. Since I have enjoyed the 6×6″ squares so much, I decided to try these. There may be a show in Sequoia over Labor Day, and it makes sense to paint subjects that are relevant to that area. These are all from photos that I have used in the past, but the square format adds a challenge and makes them look new.
Ever use a GPS to help you reach a destination? If so, you have experienced what happens each time you choose to go a different route than the Talking Lady instructs. She says “Recalculating, recalculating!” That is exactly what I do with the prioritization of paintings in progress. Have a look at the current list:
How do I prioritize? If there is a paying customer, it goes high on the list. If there is a deadline, it goes high on the list. If it is tiny and I can work on it at The Art Co-op, it gets painted on Thursdays, in order of priority. The “spec” paintings are arranged in order of the shows coming up and how I am guessing (an educated guess of course!) they will sell at particular places. When one or a group gets finished, you know what I do? I recalculate, of course! 😎
a completed Sunny Sequoias in the ongoing series
a completed poppy for an upcoming show (click on to enlarge)
a completed orange for Mr. Ag Property
After spending a fair amount of time just spinning around, making lists, losing the lists, running errands, and visiting with people instead of moving to the next errand, I finally found my way into the painting workshop. I remember this – it is fun to paint with oil paints! 16×20″ isn’t all that big any more, and 8×10″ is really really miniature! Here are some pieces in progress or nearly finished:
This 16 x 20 is Vandever (the right half of Farewell Gap) as seen from the trail to Franklin Lakes and Farewell Gap. There are 2 layers on the sky and mts. and only one on everything else.
The 11 x 14″ is aspens on the Nature Trail heading into the Mineral King Valley from Cold Springs Campground. It might be finished but needs a signature. The oranges will be sold through The Downtown Gallery in Exeter; it only has 2 layers and needs a third with much more detail. Citrus sells well in that town. . . hmmm, wonder why?
These only have the bottom layers. There are more oranges for The Downtown Gallery, and Crescent Meadow is for Sequoia Gifts and Souvenirs. Pictures of Sequoia National Park and sequoia gigantea (the redwood trees) sell well in that lovely little Three Rivers shop. (Deanne, I let the shelves show a bit so you could snoop – not much has changed except that the mural paints aren’t yet put back on the top shelves.)
