Written by Jana Botkin
This is the first post in a series by artist Jana Botkin; over the next few weeks join us for a behind the scenes look at her inspiration and process of some of the beautiful murals she has created.
Mineral King has had an enormous influence on my art. When I started painting murals, I had to first practice painting larger in the medium I was used to. 24×36” was the largest oil painting I had ever attempted.
Our home in Three Rivers had a collection of shabby buildings in need of facelifts, perfect for practicing.
I chose the classic view of Farewell Gap with the Crowley cabin, as seen from the bridge at the end of the road.The subject matter was very familiar, so I knew that even if I was fighting some with the materials, at least I wouldn’t be confused on the subject.
Louise Jackson helped me in this first attempt at large-scale outdoor painting by standing down the driveway to tell me how various things looked from a distance. She was enormously instructive, helpful and encouraging!
After several years, it needed to be refreshed. Most of the greens had faded, and I had learned a bit more about painting well. It has now been reworked 3 or 4 times. And the buildings aren’t shabby anymore, either! (The door to the left is on its third or fourth mural, but the subject there kept changing.)
But wait! There’s more. . .
Farewell Gap is on a pair of doors that are often open. Excellent – more space to practice.
These are the 2 Sequoias at Redwood Canyon on the Mineral King road, of course. (Bob and Gail of the Martin-Dula cabin said they call these 2 trees “Aunt Tillie and Uncle Pete”.)