Monthly Archives: November 2013

Bay Windows are Rare in Wilsonia

I only know of two bay windows on Wilsonia cabins. WAIT! I just thought of a third – it is on the newest cabin.

As I designed the book and chose the pictures to include, there was a continual balancing act between the common and the uncommon. Bay windows caught my eye because they are uncommon.

WAIT! I just thought of more: one on Cedar and one on Kaweah.

Here is one on Park and one on Tyndall.

park 2 Tyndal 3

Can you think of any more?

It’s Okay

The earlier schedule said I need to have 210 finished by November 1; the new schedule says 221 on November 1. Today is November 20 and I am on 222. That’s where the old schedule wanted me by December 1. So, according to the old schedule, I’m ahead, but by the new schedule, I’m really far behind.

It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay. Say a thing enough and it becomes the truth – works for politicians, sort of. . . advertisers too. Or, perhaps I’m like a cat purring to calm itself.

Been drawing as fast as my fat little fingers will go, among finishing some oil painting commissions, having a show, ordering a calendar, blogging, and packaging note cards.

wilsonia cabin drawing

This gable end looked so cute with its white curtains that I redesigned a page to fit it into the book. And that’s just one of the reasons I’m trying to catch up – way too much cuteness in Wilsonia, irresistible cuteness.

It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay.

If This Was A Job, Would I Get Fired?

At the beginning of 2013 I thought there were 230 drawings necessary for the upcoming book, The Cabins of Wilsonia.  (Sorry to sound so repetitious – it is supposed to help Google locate this blog for people seeking info on Wilsonia, cabins and the upcoming book.)

85 of those 230 were finished, so it seemed possible to complete the remaining 145 within the next 12 months.

Then I redesigned and recounted.

Wilsonia cabin drawing

This drawing is a result of redesigning. I thought the page was complete, and then I saw this very interesting view of a gable. It has some weird things on the front – horizontal bars with weird loopy metal deals hanging off the bars. Unidentified items present challenges – put them on and risk getting them wrong because I don’t know what they are or leave them off and have the cabin look wrong to the cabin owner? In this case I chose the first option.

The book currently requires about 270 drawings, and as of November 1, I had 45 left to complete. This is twice the number I expected to have by that date. I’m not going to make my deadline of December 31. If this was a job, would I quit? If this was a job, would I get fired?? If this was a job, would I be able to ask for more time or more help or to hire an assistant?

At least the number is down to 2 digits. Maybe I can have them finished by the end of January 2014.

 

My Students Continue to Keep My Work Up To Snuff

“Snuff”? Really?

Funny how many cliches we throw around without a clear understanding of their meanings. I could Google it, but I’d rather continue with this post.

It is almost impossible to proofread one’s own writing; likewise, it is hard to honestly critique one’s own artwork.

When I showed this next picture to my students, 2 of them said, “Does that bear have a black eye?”

cabin door pencil drawing

 

I dunno. It’s in shadow, and I was on auto-pilot or cruise-control or something equally brainless.

I tried to fix it. Not sure I succeeded. It’s lighter now, and if I hadn’t mentioned it to you, you probably wouldn’t have noticed. I’m not taking it back to show those picky people again, so there! (I bet that’s how they feel when I hold their feet to the fire, figuratively speaking. . .)

cabin door pencil drawing

The Truth From My Students, Part Two

I showed this drawing to my students. Several of them said, “What’s on that door?”

Sierra 8

Ummm, a reflection? What I saw in the photo? (Have you noticed how many people speak with question marks these days?)

(Incidentally, I was listening to the audio book Wild, by Cheryl Strayed at the time of this drawing. Funny how a listening to a book can be remembered this way. . .)

I redrew it, using another photo and just taking some artistic license (that means I made up a few things.)

cabin door pencil drawing

Phew – this time it passed!

A Wilsonia Calendar?

Not this year, but maybe next year, depending on the response. I didn’t mean to tease you!

Wilsonia cabin pencil drawing

Hmmm, this would make a good calendar page. . .

This year I have a calendar with my photos of the most beautiful places in Tulare County. It is selling well – $15 includes tax and shipping. You can see and order one here.

Calendars are risky business for two main reasons:

1. Short window of selling time

2. There are zillions of freebies out there.

As I puzzled over whether or not to make and sell a calendar this year, one idea was to feature the Wilsonia cabins on each page. Photography won out, but I’m still mulling over the feasibility of a Wilsonia cabin drawing calendar.

What do you think about that idea?

P.S. I just found another cabin with a bay window – it is on President’s Lane!