Purple Mountain Majesty 47- Topa Topa Mural

P U R P L E M O U N T A I N M A J E S T Y A T R A I N W A T E R ’ S R A N C H Laying a New Water Line

15” x 30” oil on stretched canvas Sept. 9, 2020

With the backside of Santa Paula Peak, Cienaga, Bear Haven lit up in a sunset glow of purples, Rainwater’s Avocado orchard is bathed in the last moments of golden sun. Located at the foothills of the Topa Topas, with views of Sespe backcountry, Sulphur Mountain and Santa Paula, the ranch became my campsite this past summer and I’m forever grateful.

This is the place where I painted the mural on the side of Dave’s new 22’ trailer which was stored just waiting for the Christmas season. Fabulous waking up here surrounded by cattle, horses and the beautiful views of the mountains surrounding Santa Paula. Thank you Marianne and Kevin for your kind hospitality and the great opportunity

TOPA TOPA MURAL PAINTED ON TRAILER LOCATED NEXT TO TENT ART EXHIBITION AT DAVE’S CHRISTMAS TREE LOT

Thanks to Dave Wills for commissioning me to paint a mural of the Topa Topa Mountains on his 1970 trailer that was located at the entrance to the BETTER ANGELS & BONAFIDE HEROES Art exhibition at his Christmas Tree lot from December 3 until Christmas Eve. Placing the trailer with the mural next to my semi-outdoor tent gallery solo exhibition was fabulous. I appreciate Dave for sharing his space for my exhibition and craft tables where everyone was encouraged to paint on a wood disc. Thanks to Sam Jackson, lot manager, and all the tree lot workers who became like family. Nighttime fires, ukuleles, great food, collaborative painting sessions, hometown traditions abound and were encapsulated at the annual roundup of friends and families searching for their perfect tree. I painted the mural last summer while the trailer was stored on a ranch in the upper valley. Camping off the grid while painting on the trailer at the foothills of the Topas with vistas of Sespe backcountry with cattle and horses as daily visitors was one of the best experiences of my life. Thanks Dave and all who enjoyed the mural. A special thanks to Frank’s Paint and Hardware. I’m looking forward to wrapping the painting around the back of the trailer in the future.