Side By Side

Here they are side by side. My painting and MaryA Livingston’s painting. May the best painting win! I’d love to hear which painting you like best. No judgement here, I really want to know what you think.

For anyone interested I’m attaching a link for online bidders for the event. All proceeds go to the Environmental Resource Education Fund of the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference. The money supports forestry education programs and scholarships.

The Auction is February 10, 2023, 5pm. The bidding will probably not start until after 6 or 7 pm. There are usually about 50 items in the auction and our paintings typically show up around the middle. Top bidder gets to choose their favorite!

Parbuckling Sugar Pine

Parbuckling Sugar Pine

I’ve finished my submission for the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference’s fundraising auction to raise money for the Environmental Resource Education Fund. It’s watercolor 18”x 14.5”. Vintage logging scenes are a favorite theme for me. I’ll be competing against my adorable wife Mary in a head to head competition to see who raises the most money. The winner gets bragging rights. I’ll post the paintings side by side in the next few days and you can judge which is your favorite.

I put together a progression video. I hope you enjoy.

Parbuckling was a method of loading logs where a chain or cable was hooked to the log cart and wrapped around the log being loaded. The cable was pulled causing the log to roll up a set of poles. Steam in the form of a steam traction engine or steam donkey, or teams of oxen or horse provided the motive force.

Time to Get Going

I’m starting my new piece of art for the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference Forestry Education Fundraising Auction. That’s a mouth full. I don’t have anything to post yet, but here is last years entry.

I’m going to need to top this one! Stay tuned for my progress reports.

BIG RED – TD-24 International

Here’s one I recently finished. This painting has been donated to the Pacific Logging Congress for their fundraiser auction.

Circa late 1950’s.

Riding Shotgun!

During the last few weeks I’ve had a Siggy and Sailor come to work with me while the weather was cooler. Mostly, it’s been too hot, but we’ve had a few nice days.

Siggy’ s doing some quality control one some poles.
Posing in a pine plantation from my reforestation days.
We visited a logging side for student loggers!
We went through the Ponderosa Burn. It was replanted several years ago and the new forest is well on its way.
On a warm day the Northern Sierras we have to be sure a girl can get a drink.
Sailor got to go visit loggers with me on the Westside toward the coast. He patiently waited in the truck so I can talk to the contractors.
Steeper ground requires yarders for logging.
Sailor thought the creek felt pretty good after riding around.

Wild Wednesday … Hayfork Creek

I stopped by Hayfork Creek on the way home to let Tasha air out and get a drink. Mary and I used to have a mining claim here, but it didn’t pan out. We’d camp out while we prospected for gold. On this visit, fall color gilded the landscape.

Hayfork Creek, fall color, gold

I only found gold in the leaves this time.

gold, golden retriever, Hayfork Creek

Look more gold! Tasha enjoyed the water.

Douglas-fir

Douglas-fir timber.

Drifting away.

“The Fellers”

Here it is folks, the final! It took me a bit longer to post because we were crazy busy, but it’s ready to go.

watercolor, pen and ink, mixed media, drawing, painting, logging, fellers, fallers, timber

The Fellers

Tomorrow night it will be auctioned to raise money for the Sierra-Cascade Environmental and Resource Fund. This non-profit educates the public, students, and teachers about the wise management of our forests.They provide scholarships for local students interested in careers in the industry. Many of the programs supported are aimed at educating the urban regions of California, about practices that assure the health of our forests.

My painting will be auctioned in competition with Mary’s Painting. She also created a painting and you can see it here, Off-Highway Hauler. During the auction folks will be bidding on both paintings at once. The high bidder gets to pick the painting they want. The other is offered to the second place bidder who can take it or pass on it. Then it goes back to bidding. I beat her last year and now she’s back looking to take me down!

The Fellers … WIP

Just a quick update on the painting for the auction. I’ll have it wrapped up tonight to make it into the auction catalogue. Here’s my progress.

I’ll be back here tomorrow with the finished product. Now back to work!

Forestry Friday … The Fellers

WIP update.

I’m continuing to work on the art piece for the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference Forestry Education Auction. I’ve sketched it out in pencil and am now laying down the ink. It’s been going very slow.

Tasha one of our golden girls has been ready to whelp since Sunday. She started this morning and had 10 puppies. She’s been a bit of a distraction keeping us up late, but now we’re done with that and everyone is doing well.  Mary posted a picture of the puppies here.

I’m waiting to see the piece that Mary is working on. It’s good to scope out the competition. She’s going to have to bring it for the competitive auction!