An Artist’s Inspiration: Part 5

Written by Jana Botkin


This is the fifth post in a series by artist Jana Botkin; visit weekly for a glimpse into her process as an artist, previews of her work over the years, and a unique look at some of Mineral King’s most historic cabins.


Throughout the years of spending summers in Mineral King, I draw the same scenes over and over. This is because the original drawings sell, and because as time passes, my skill increases. Today’s post might cause you to cringe, or perhaps to laugh. 
Look at how Farewell Gap has changed in my pencil drawings. Very little has changed in the real life view, other than the pack station and the red fir by the Crowley cabin.

I think I drew this in 1987.

This one is ten years later.



Seven more years have passed.


Finally, this is three years ago.  I chose to draw it with the red fir in spite of it being gone by then, because the scene is so classic. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this view from the bridge is the most photographed place in all of Mineral King.



Jana Botkin is a lifelong resident of Tulare County, a farmer’s daughter from Ivanhoe, and wife to Michael Botkin for 33 years. Using pencils, oil paint, and murals, she makes art that people can understand, of places and things they love, at prices that won’t scare them, always wanting to provide visible reminders that Tulare County is a place to be proud of. She has been a full time artist since 1993, working from her Three Rivers home studio. She has published two books of local cabin communities, The Cabins of Mineral King (with Jane Coughran)and The Cabins of Wilsonia, five local coloring books, and Mineral King Wildflowers: Common Names. Jana accepts commissions, teaches drawing lessons, and blogs about her artful life five days a week on her website, www.cabinart.net.

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