Take a Seat

Take a Seat
9" x 12" acrylic on 3/4" wrapped canvas
$75 + $10 USPS

In our area, we are lucky to be surrounded by living history. I say "living" because as long as people continue to ask, to want to learn, the history of the place will go on. This painting was done a month or so ago and I just now learned about the provenance of the building through simply asking the owner. She informed me that it used to be the business office for the local lumber mill. I am that much happier for knowing this and for choosing to paint this particular building. You just never know.
Libby

This past Friday I was out and about in Angels Camp and Murphys. Trying to find great ideas for painting isn't difficult, especially at this time of year. The weather is gorgeous. 


Angels Camp is home to the Calaveras County Fair and every year, the town strings old fashioned clothing onto a line right down the middle of main street. The hanging of the laundry lets everyone know that the fair is coming. 


I was also in Murphys that day. I had remembered the below coffee shop and knew that the building was of interest to me. It looks like an old gas station or maybe a drive through of some sort. I didn't get a chance to go in though to inquire about its history. Next trip!


I also visited the small store of Moon Alley Candles. The candles are beautiful and reflect a Craftsman's style aesthetic. I love everything from the Arts and Crafts Movement (think William Morris) and these candles really captured some of those designs.  


Lastly, I visited Sustenance Books, an independent book store. I wish we had more shops like this one. They do have a Facebook page which is what the above link is for but really, a visit is the ticket!


In my mind, there are so many things to see here that I don't know why people aren't cramming the highway to visit. Hopefully some of the photos I took will turn into ideas and then eventually paintings. These little "out and about" trips as I call them are really sources of inspiration.


Libby 

Coming Home
11" x 14" Acrylic on wrapped canvas
$85 + $15 USPS and CA Tax

Learning to get around in our county, as "small" as it is, has been a challenge for me. For starters, Highway 12 turns into Highway 49 outside of San Andreas. It is still the same highway mind you but it gets a different designation. The next question is, am I going East or West, North or South? When I go to Murphys, am I coming down from Valley Springs or up from Valley Springs? And wait, I live in a subdivision of Valley Springs??? How can a town so small have a subdivision? 


In any case, learning each little part of each town and where everything is has been fun. You can't beat the scenery and two years later, it is only starting to seem familiar to me. It sure doesn't get old. One of the first landmarks that I began to notice on my way home from Jackson or any point to the East, was this water tower at the intersection of Highways 12 and 26. Now, once I see the tower, I know that I am almost home. I have waited some time to make this particular painting, believing that there really wasn't a good view or story about this tower. But there is a good story; and I think I am not the only one who must know it. Surely other people on their way home must see this tower and know that they are close to their goal. It really is a "rural beacon" for those of us coming home.


Libby

First Poppies-Lake Hogan

Last year we took a little tour of the Lake Hogan area to look at wildflowers and other native/non native plants. This photo taken just a couple of days ago is of the first group of poppies that I have seen so far in our area. They are probably popping up in other spots but this particular route, on the way to the lake, is one that I take most often. I am looking forward to the purple lupine and other little flowers that come up every Spring. We have some on our hillsides too that should be sprouting soon, especially now that we have had some rain.

Springtime is so lovely here-just green, green, green! And don't forget Daffodil Hill. Though it isn't in our county, it supposedly is not to be missed. I will settle though for the beautiful daffodils and other flowers at Ironstone Vineyards in our very own county:)

Libby

Swingin' By Swingles

Swingin' By Swingles

9" x 12" acrylic on canvas

available: $65 + $10 USPS or free local pickup

email: libbyfife@ymail.com

It sometimes happens that I am just attracted to the idea of something. In this case for this piece, I was attracted to that cow sign. Or, I guess it may be a steer. How did they ever get it up there? Come to find out, fiberglass animals are a big advertising idea. Who knew?

This business is located in Amador County which is the next county over. Even though this project is centered on all things Calaveras, there is a tie in here to Amador. One of the charms of our county is that we have consciously chosen a policy of low growth. This means that we are not overpopulated with big box stores, traffic, and congestion. Amador county is a little different in that they have allowed in larger businesses. Despite this, the county remains peacefully open and not overrun with much of anything. And in comparison to the Bay Area where I am from, both counties are blissfully bucolic and tranquil.

I originally chose this business because of the sign and building but as I considered things, a small home grown business such as this is so necessary regardless of what county it is in. Supporting the efforts of small businesses so that they continue to operate is what gives a small rural county like this its character. Sure, we have a few larger stores to go to but having smaller businesses where you may know the owners is really priceless. It feels good to purchase from them. And that is why I think even though this store is specific to my area, the idea of it can be generalized to other parts of the country.

Libby

link to: Swingles

Pickle Patch Deli, San Andreas CA

Pickle Patch Deli

9" x 12" Acrylic on canvas

sold

When we first moved here, my sister-in-law took me to the Pickle Patch for lunch. Feeling a little out of place and nervous about moving to a rural community, I looked around the restaurant and noticed that everyone looked just like me! Nothing to worry about here I thought. And it is true. Going to the deli for lunch is always a great experience and is the closest thing to places that I used to go to when I lived in the Bay Area except everyone is very polite and knows each other!

I did learn through a quick search online that the building was built in 1939. It is a war time bungalow style home that has been turned into the restaurant. I also learned, through their web site here, that the grounds can be rented for events and that the restaurant also does catering. The gardens are lovely and I have sat outside on the deck in winter and summer and been comfortable every time.

Lastly, as pure coincidence, the picture that I took of the deli and upon which my painting is based, is nearly the same shot that is on the deli's web site. I was hoping for an angle that included a view to the back of the property as well as the contrast of light and shadow. The sign was important to include also. Guess whoever took the shot for the site thought the same things!

As always, if you have any information about the building that the deli is housed in please let me know.

Libby

libbyfife@ymail.com

Church On The Corner

Church On The Corner

11" x 14" Acrylic

3/4" profile canvas

$75 + $15 shipping USPS or free local pickup

People who live in this area might recognize this church, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, located in Moke Hill. Of all of the towns in our county, I think Moke Hill is the most interesting to me. It is built on a hilly area, as the name might imply, and the town is small. So small that you can't NOT get along with your neighbor! The social dynamics there must be interesting. This particular church is located right in the middle of a residential street. There is no other place it could be located except on a residential street!

There is such a small town feel to this church and this area. I love the idea of being able to walk to church, of just stopping by to pray, or of just living next to an important historical structure. I deliberately kept the title of this painting generalized. This church could be located anywhere in rural America and even so, its history is uniquely Calaveras. For a short read on the history of Mokelumne Hill, check out this link to the website of The Mokelumne Hill Community Historical Trust. The city was at one time the county seat of Calaveras and a burgeoning, cosmopolitan mixing pot of different people and cultures. Things are bound to change though and the cessation of the sources of gold brought an end to the gold mining boom in the 1860's.

As always, if anyone reading has more information just send me an email. The link above has been added to the resources page.

Libby Fife

Train Trestle

Train Trestle

9" x 12" acrylic on 3/4" profile canvas

sold

This train trestle is on highway 49 (I believe) outside of San Andreas. I am running errands today so I will verify that! In any case, the cement support was built by the Calaveras Cement Co in 1936. The Calaveras Cement Co was instrumental in supplying the cement for such projects as the Pardee Dam Reservoir here in Valley Springs. They are now the Lehigh Southwest Cement Co and do projects all over the state of CA. The railroad came to San Andreas at one point so that cement could be delivered to various spots in the county and elsewhere. Lehigh has a short timeline of history on their page here. It was interesting to see how the company has evolved over the years. I also wrote about the cement co in my previous post so check that out also.

I was attracted to this overpass because I could see that it was erected in 1936. I do like old structures and in particular, this one is sort of nestled in among the trees and foliage. I have seen it now during the entire year and I admit that the Fall is my favorite time so far. You can't beat the colors around here but you really have to look. For this particular piece, I did work from my field notes for similar paintings and I also used a photo taken earlier in the Fall. While we do have a lot of trees that change color in an overt way, it is the oak trees that really catch my attention. You have to really be looking to see that they change form a blue/gray/green to a more brown/red/gold color. There is a high point for it also which I think peaked in about September, fairly early on. Good thing too that I did this painting now because the wind swooped in and blew away much of the existing foliage.

As always, let me know if you have a comment.

Thanks,

Libby

Calaveras Cement

Signage of all sorts is appealing to me but especially if it is from the early part of the 20th century. If I am not mistaken, this particular structure went up in 1935 and not knowing much about it, I would guess that it is a railroad trestle of some sort. The photo that I used for this sketch was taken as my husband and I were driving back towards San Andreas, having come from Columbia.

I went online to learn a little bit more about the Calaveras Cement Company. I knew that they were instrumental in the Pardee Dam project and I wrote earlier about the effects of the railroad boom/bust on the cement co. I didn't realize though that the company was involved in so many Bay Area projects and since I am a Bay Area native, this is of interest to me. The link for the company is here and it is also included in the resources section of the pages at the top of the blog.

Libby

Wildermuth House Sketches

My husband and I took a walk in October on Part of The Coast To Crest Trail. We were in search of the Wildermuth House, built by Ohio native John Wildermuth in 1861. The building was there though I understand from Sal Manna's article (Something From Nothing Volume II) it had burned down and was rebuilt in the 1940's.

It is an amazement to me that this building is still standing. I always wonder how people lived when I look around this area. It is beautiful country but during the summer it is hot, dry, and can be dusty. The winters can be cold and rainy. Procuring water is a continual effort. It is incredible that people homesteaded here and aren't we fortunate that they did?

As a side note, sketches are a good way to decide on a painting subject if I am on the fence, so to speak. Though I took a fair amount of photos of the home and surrounding land, the sketches help me to "investigate" the subject matter-how is the building situated, salient features of the building to be played up, surrounding landscape, etc. Sometimes the sketch is enough, especially in this case where the home isn't easy to get to in order to make additional notes. So, for now, just a sketch.

Libby

Sketches

I wrote about Campo Seco and the Adams Building ruins a couple of posts back. These small towns and landmarks dot the landscape in this area and seem like a quintessential California gold rush type of thing. They have a wider meaning and appeal than just that though. History is built in layers, one event or thing on top of another. People live here and work here still and are surrounded by the history of the place. To me, it feels like the merging and layering of old and new.

I did a quick color sketch of the oak trees in my front yard. I have been watching since August for the changing colors in the oak leaves. It seems like August through September was the time of greatest color: brilliant oranges and reds and browns. I found a fun page for younger children regarding why leaves change color and how the different chemicals in the leaves can produce different hues. The explanation is here. I think we have two types of trees in our yard, live oaks and valley oaks. I am just speaking broadly here. The ones in the front lose their leaves each winter and we have several in the back and on the side which don't. I found a good, if not a little confusing, site here explaining the different types of oaks (and why there is confusion).

Libby

Calaveras Lunch Ranch-Sketch

About a month ago, I learned about the Calaveras Lunch Ranch home. It is just up the street from my home and so I went off to snap a photo. The above sketch is done from that picture.

I learned also that the Lunch House was built by John Doak, a lumberman operating in Murphys. The home/hotel was a rest stop for travelers and also served to house Mr. Doak's family. The current home today is a private residence and can be seen from highway 26 on the left side, going towards town. I think it is interesting that road stops such as this existed. Traveling was a hard business in the 1800's (no McDonalds on every corner or a clean rest stop on a smooth highway) and I bet these inns and eateries were sorely needed. Some entrepreneur always seems to step in to fill a need.

Information on the Lunch House comes from the article written by Sal Manna and is included in his compilation booklet, Something From Nothing Volume 1.

Libby

Evergreen School-Burson

School Days

image size 4" x 6"; matted size 8" x 10"

gouache on watercolor paper

available: $35 + $10 USPS or free local pickup/delivery

My interest in old buildings continues with a study of the Evergreen Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is located down Burson Rd about a half mile and change from Highway 12. The schoolhouse has a great history of course. I did a little reading about this in my Something From Nothing compilation. (Please see the resources page for information on this publication.) One room schoolhouses weren't uncommon and often times there may have been only one teacher for all grades. This particular building was built in 1894 as a way to serve children living in Burson who had to walk to school. (And not uphill both ways in the snow!)

The architecture of the building attracts me but really, it is the idea of a one room schoolhouse serving the needs of a small community that holds my interest. School districts are so complex these days and in my opinion, students are often under served. I wonder if a simpler schooling structure might have been more effective. In any case, the Evergreen School closed in 1955 as the county's educational system began to streamline itself. The building still stands and to my knowledge is occupied as a residence.

As always, if anyone reading has something to add just send me an email.

Libby

libbyfife@ymail.com

Wrinkle Cove: Hogan Lake

Sunrise Wrinkle Cove

9" x 12" acrylic on 3/4 profile canvas

available: $65 USPS $10

email: libbyfife@ymail.com

One of my favorite spots so far this year for painting has been Wrinkle Cove. The view of the sun coming up over the hills is beautiful. Now is a great time to go to because the weather is still great and the season has ended. As with many things that I enjoy here, I don't know the "why" of why this cove is called "Wrinkle Cove." No matter, it is beautiful just the same.

In the meantime, Check out this resource for some history regarding the Army Corp of Engineers (they run the lake).

link here. The link also gives some basic info on Lake Hogan and other lakes in the area.

Thanks,

Libby

Wrinkle Cove-Hogan Lake

Wrinkle Cove

Image size 4" x 6"; mat size 8" x 10"

gouache on watercolor paper

available: libbyfife@ymail.com

$35 + $10 shipping or free local delivery/pickup

As is often the case, there isn't any specific history that I could find associated with Wrinkle Cove at Hogan Lake. People can swim or fish here of course and I have parked and hopped onto the nearby walking trail. Those rocks in front are there to prevent people from driving onto a particular area though I did see a car parked out on that point in the middle distance. Earlier this year when we received so much rainfall, Wrinkle Cove was closed. There was just too much water and it wasn't safe I suppose for parking or swimming or fishing. What attracts me to this area though is the sunrise. The sun comes up right over the hillside and splashes across the water to the banks on the other side. It is beautiful; overlooked I think too during the off season. I imagine that when the park is at peak season, people enjoy that sunrise every morning. I hope!

If you know anything about Wrinkle Cove, send me an email.

Libby

Backyard Study

Autumn's Last Light
original gouache painting on heavy textured watercolor paper
image size 4" x 6"; matted size 8" x 10"; sold matted
$35 + $10 USPS or free local delivery/pickup

As we head towards Autumn, I definitely have noticed a change in the landscape. The colors seem less saturated and the shadows have gotten bluer and longer. Evening is coming more quickly now and as the sun sets behind my hillside, I have taken note of the beautiful and changing view. In an effort to capture a little of that feeling, I did a small study. As I look out at the trees I wonder how long my oaks have been there and how many might have been cleared to make way for my home site. We lost part of one tree earlier this year during one of the last storms. Our tree man said that some of the oaks were sick but that that was typical of our area. A sick tree is weakened and this one partially fell down. One more reason to document what I can of my home while I can still do that. The trees will likely still be here long after I am gone.

Libby

Valley Springs Station-New Work

Forgotten Station
gouache painting on watercolor paper; matted
8" x 10" matted, image size 4" x 6"
$35 + $10 USPS or free local delivery/pickup

This is the second painting I have done of this train station. I may be a little obsessed. I have been reading bits and pieces about the station's history. The train came to town in April of 1885. I learned that the train system would connect residents of our area to the larger world-Stockton-and would provide economic relief from costs associated with having to move supplies in and out of West Calaveras. Like anything else, historical events conspired against long term success of this narrow gauge system. The railroad never reached to Big Trees as planned and seems to have puttered out with the advent of a new standardized gauge system, multiple sales to other railroad lines, and the invention and usage of the automobile. (Roughly-this is just my nutshell of events-there are other factors which contributed to the cessation of this system).


This second rough sketch is from one of my several trips to the station to do a little field "research." Trying out an idea and a composition prior to painting is useful for me. It allows me to problem solve prior to committing something to canvas.

I would like to cite the main source for my information (there have been several) as an article written by Sal Manna for the Valley Springs News. He can be contacted here. I recommend the compilations of articles that he is able to provide. They are entertaining and informative without being ponderous-perfect for us Internet junkies who have had our attention spans severely shortened:)

Thanks for reading. Please contact me with any questions.
Libby
libbyfife@ymail.com

Olive Orchard Road: New Work

Olive Orchard Rd
8" x 10"
original acrylic painting on 3/4" profile canvas
available: libbyfife@ymail.com
$65 + $10 shipping or free local pick up

This painting is from my outing on Sunday over on Olive Orchard Rd/Burson Rd. The morning time is always the best time for me to scope out a spot that I want to paint. The cooler shadows and soft light are ideal and frankly, I am a morning person. This particular road is of interest to me because it looks like there is a housing development in the area. Part of that development seems to be fenced off and I wonder if it never came to fruition. I can see from a cursory scan on the Internet that the site is about 256 acres and has/had olive trees on it. The parcels are 5 acres each but other than that I don't know how well the sales have gone. The land is beautiful though and I believe stretches out to Burson.

As a side note, I did also learn that these olives on this land have a history. Our area was home to the Rocca Bella Plant and up until the 60's, Calaveras County was involved in the olive industry. I am citing an article from recordnet.com that can be found here. The article, written earlier this year, details the efforts of Valley Springs resident Terry Beaudoin to revive the industry through his growing and bottling efforts. Sounds awesome to me. Who doesn't love olives?:)

If you are reading and have something to add, send me an email. Incidentally, the link to the current day Rocca Bella Olive co is here.

Libby
libbyfife@ymail.com

Burson Road Morning-New Work

Burson Road Morning
4.5" x 6.5"
original gouache (opaque watercolor) painting on textured, heavy watercolor paper
available: libbyfife@ymail.com
$35 + $10 USPS or free local delivery/pickup

As part of my efforts to learn about the county in which I live, I spend time out and about driving around. Sometimes I have a destination in mind but sometimes I just head up one of the highways. For this painting, I went west on 26 and right up Olive Orchard Rd. That Olive Orchard Rd. development area is interesting enough but then I turned on to Burson Rd accidentally. The town of Burson is just up the road from me so I assume that this road I was on is part of that-I believe it pops back out on highway 12. What a beautiful area though. The morning light was just perfect as I took some photos. I couldn't wait to get back home and work on this painting.

I did a little research this morning and came across an account of the history of the town of Burson written for the SPWCH by Sal Manna. Take a minute to visit the site and read the account. It was interesting to me just how much impact the railroad system had on the development of small towns such as Burson. I also did an earlier post on the Milton Masonic Hall located in Milton. The town of Milton seems to have been affected by the railroad as well.

Libby

Masonic Hall, Milton: Update

In the process of researching the locations for "The Historic Dozen" , I came across some additional information on the history of the Milton Masonic Lodge Hall. The building began as a saloon and was later the town hall before it was eventually purchased by the Freemason group in 1881. The link to that info is here. Both sites (SPWCH and Our Valley Springs.com) referenced in this post are available on the "resources" page tab at the top of the main page of this blog.

Thanks,
Libby