July 24, 2024, Wednesday—The heat of painting. I seriously am not handling the heat of painting in the heat of the studio very well. This is my second summer in this studio—but seems like my first. While I was out there in the 106F pressure cooker questioning my ability to be productive, I realized several things. A, it was cooler last summer, 10-12 degrees on average, which is life changing. B, I was in Colorado for six weeks last summer helping with miniature offspring and did not return to the air fryer until late July. C, In early August, Muff broke her leg unleashing a cascade of events that didn’t end until about a month ago when she departed this world.

Which is pretty much when I started painting again. And resurrected this blog. But you’d never know the former because since that time we’ve had continuous temps of 109-118F. Which makes me feel quite anxious when I’m out there. Unless the painting is smooth sailing, I’m on the edge of a bigger edge. Which is one too many edges. I’m feeling the heat as they say when safely back in air conditioning and able to make jokes.

I returned to Mr. Mustard today

—to tackle that sky again. Well, it’s so big for one, the thing is 36 x 48, which feels soo much bigger than 30 x 40. Don’t ask me why. Anyway, the size is definitely a handicap, but mostly it’s the feeling of having to hurry due to the heat. Conclusion being, I did not nail it and had to run for my life before I could. But I took a snap of it before leaving and I think I know what it needs. Cross fingers for me tomorrow.

Dreaming about the ideal studio construction for artists in the Mohave (so you understand, Redding in the summer is the second hottest place in Calif after the Mohave). Will save for another blog.

For now, think Mendocino vacations, Big Sur adventures, 17-Mile Drive in Carmel, Coastal Redwoods of NW California, Stout Memorial Grove, Grove of the Titans. The foggiest, coolest cool places to beat the summer heat. Anybody read, The Wild Trees? Wow, what a book. About the tallest redwoods and the crazies who find them and measure them. Not so long ago — recent history!! About the world in the canopy of a redwood that was previously undiscovered. An entire second forest 200 feet above the ground! A forest within the forest. And edge on an edge.

Thanks for reading. The painting is called Redwood Sunshine, inspired from ancient denizens of the redwood sanctuary at Prairie Creek State Park. It’s 30 x 40 in, oil on canvas, from 2022. As always big invite to browse my originals gallery, browse prints, and sign up for my monthly newsletter.