#353 Pumpkin Farm #353

I went with a plein air group to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland, California. It was big Halloween event for the area and you can see the list of... more

by William Lum

Title

#353 Pumpkin Farm #353

Artist

William Lum

Medium

Painting - Watercolor

Description

I went with a plein air group to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland, California. It was big Halloween event for the area and you can see the list of attractions below. The huge parking lot was full and there were at least six school buses of kids having fun on the farm. While strolling around the on the property I saw a worker driving a load of pumpkins along the perimeter road and that’s what I decided to paint.

In 1971, Bill and Sandy Bishop moved into Wheatland and purchased 40 acres and a rather run down farmstead. Bill farmed corn, alfalfa, beans, and hogs on adjoining rented property; but in 1973 Sandy convinced him that pumpkins were the way to go. Sandy was a trained school teacher and wanted to find ways for students to spend some time on the farm, she figured the pumpkins would bring them out! So with the help of her of her family, she planted about an acre of pumpkins and invited the local school children out for a visit.

The farm continued its growth from there. Some big additions were the bakery in 1982, the first train and Cider Mill in 1991. Coyote Mountain and Corn Maze were created in 2001, and the Hamburger Farm opened in the spring of 2002. Pig racing came to the farm in 2006, Pigadeli Square was added in 2007; The Sunflower Labyrinth and Fanny Annie’s Candy Shop opened in 2009. Coyote Bend added in 2013. Charlie’s Carousel, the Zipline and Babe’s Cookie Factory came in 2014. In 2015 an additional 42 acres of land adjacent to the farm. Fire pits and the Harvest Barn were added in 2016 with much more planned for the coming years.

This 15” X 22” watercolor painting was painted on Arches, rough, 140 lb paper.

Uploaded

October 31st, 2018