This Wilsonia cabin was interesting to draw. The cabin caught my eye because of its bright blue shutters. Would it look like anything special in pencil?
I think it looks special because I love shingle siding and rockwork. Besides, sunshine makes everything look special. But, I can see that I need to rescan it, or mess around with some photo editing. My friend who taught me to use Adobe InDesign is visiting me this week, so I will ask her for help.
I need help building this book when it comes to the technical stuff. Thank you, Carol!!
Because of life and some good things taking place in April, I only have 11 drawing days. With my self-imposed deadline of completing all the drawings for The Cabins of Wilsonia by the end of December, 2013, this is tricky.
Not to worry, Oh Gentle Blog Reader and Faithful Friend of Wilsonia! I knew this was coming so I drew like a crazy caffeinated drawing maniac in March. Not too caffeinated, because that would make my hand tremble. Just with a laser-like focus, an unceasing forward motion, a not-to-be-deterred determination.
Instead of completing 126 in March, I made it to #132. Still in the Ms – Manzanita Street is almost finished, Mason Street was begun in 2011 and will be completed in April, Lord willing, the creek, et cetera. . .
HEY, WILSONIA FOLKS, ANYONE WANT TO TELL ME WHAT THIS PENCIL DRAWING IS?? Don’t worry, I know, I’m just asking to see if you recognize it!
This is one of the earlier drawings. Before the book was designed, I knew this was a view that belonged in the book.
Now that I am into the 4th month of the ambitious goal to finish all the drawings in 2013, I am pleased to report that this definitely looks possible. 230+ drawings, begun in 2011, with 85 done at the beginning of 2012, needing 145 by the beginning of 2014. Probably even more than 145. . .
More? MORE?? Yes, because there are lots of little decorative touches that are not cabins. I haven’t figured out what they all will be or where they will go. Once the book is set up on Adobe InDesign, the gaps and hollow places will be visible. Then, in spite of thinking “Yippee Skippee, stick a fork in me, I am DONE!”, I will have to face the reality of more work ahead.
Remember that I had to draw the dog before the fleas?
Here is the dog with all the fleas!
This is drawing #117. I don’t know what it is, but it is certainly interesting. It has history, lots of stories, but it isn’t talking. Sort of looks like a slave cabin. I know there were many Southern sympathizers in Tulare County during the War Between The States but I don’t believe there was slavery here.
To stay on schedule, #126 needs to be completed by March 31.
I last reported to you on the book progress on February 26, saying that my quota for February had been met.
Perhaps you are wondering why I didn’t take the opportunity to get ahead a bit. This is a legitimate question, and I have 3 reasons for not forging ahead of schedule.
1. I went to Chicago on a 5 day trip. (Okay, I was only in Chicago itself for one short day, but if I said I went to Downers Grove, you might just say “Hunh?” Or perhaps you are more refined than that and might say “Where?”) You can read about it and even see photos on my other blog, beginning February 27.
2. It is time for me to complete some oil paintings for a request, a barter, and a gallery in Three Rivers (Colors has no website, but might be on Facebook, which I am not, so you are on your own there.)
3. My husband Michael (AKA Trail Guy) and I recently designed and ordered custom Mineral King tee shirts and they are now available! That has taken up some potential drawing time.
In other words, there is more to my life than drawing The Cabins of Wilsonia, and sometimes I have to do a bit of a juggling act.
But fear not – the drawing machine has been restarted! #116 is on the table.
I will go quiet on this blog until March 6 because my February drawing quota has been met and because I will be telling of a recent trip to Chicago on my other blog. I hope you will visit and return to this blog on March 6.
First, a question for you: Do you know anyone besides me that can honestly and literally say “Back to the drawing board?”
Can you believe the mess that happens on my drawing board? In spite of the piled up stuff, drawing #114 of The Cabins of Wilsonia is happening. I’m right on schedule!
Photos, legal pad of notes, drafting brush, triangle, cups and box of pencils, erasers, sharpener, T-square, erasing shield, pica pole (that is a ruler that measures in whole units because there is less chance of errors than when I’m dealing in fractions – yes, I DO measure) and a few other items.
Looks like a mess, but everything is right at hand.
As I draw this book alphabetically street by street, I feel a sense of progress.
Duh.
This cabin looked boxy from the front. After I passed by it about the one thousandth time, I began noticing interesting details. Have you ever seen a cabin this shape before?
It is part of the book because I want both the typical and the atypical. Bet you can tell which category this drawing fits into.
This is #111.
Part of the fun of drawing a self-designed and self-published book is that I get to draw whatever strikes my fancy. NO ONE would ever commission me to draw this view of his cabin!! When people commission this California artist to draw their cabins, they choose the front. Always. No exceptions. Amen.
Being a California artist, nay, a California pencil artist, a cabin artist, Cabinart herself, sometimes I like to choose the offbeat, the unusual, the most interesting view, the unique. This pencil drawing qualifies for all of the aforementioned.
