"Round The Corner
11" x 14" Acrylic on wrapped canvas

Every year the Calaveras Arts Council sponsors a studio tour. Artists in Calaveras County open up their studios so that the public can view artwork for sale and to see artists at work. During last year's event, we ended up in Mountain Ranch. On our way to Murphys, we stopped in the small town of Sheep Ranch. I have written a little bit about Sheep Ranch before. It is another little gold rush town that was once a bustling area but is now just a quiet couple of streets. Many of the older buildings are still standing though some are not inhabited or in use. This particular home looks to me like it is being lived in. It is across (kitty-corners) from what I was told is a former general store. I suppose I have a romantic vision of these things. It was a warm summer's day in late fall and I tried to capture that along with what I believe to be a somewhat solitary and isolated existence, living in a small rural town.


Libby

Jim Stephens Store-Sheep Ranch

Jim Stephens Store-Sheep Ranch

8" x 10" Acrylic on 3/4" profile canvas

available-$65 + $10 USPS or free local delivery/pickup

libbyfife@ymail.com

The above painting depicts the set of doors at an old store in Sheep Ranch. I am attracted to old buildings with a history. My feeling is that these buildings and markers and bits of land might be local but the idea of them holds a universal appeal. Any place that was important in a community, a place where people made a living, or simply tried their best to subsist under difficult circumstances has got to resonate in a general way for the population at large.

I did learn from Sal Manna (SPWCH-please see the resources page at the top tab bar) about this store's history of being burned down and rebuilt around the time of 1909. The building was also used as the post office. In doing a cursory search on the Internet, I sure didn't get much information other than a blog posting here referencing The Pioneer Hotel. I do have my own photo taken that day which serves as a set of my own current day reference photos. Maybe a future painting? Let me know if you have any information.

Thanks,

Libby