Orange Juice Sky - Acrylic Painting by Bill W Dodge

Orange Juice Sky was painted in 1962, as dated on the painting, by renowned Americana artist Bill W Dodge. This is one of his earliest works, created after he became smitten with Grandma Moses. Inspired by her, Dodge picked up a paintbrush and began exploring whether he, too, could become a painter. At the time, he was working as a publicist for actors, but he was ready to embark on a new chapter in life.
 
While transitioning careers, he built up a body of work, gradually finding his way into festivals, galleries, and eventually opening his own gallery. His success led him to exhibit at the prestigious Art Expos in New York City.
 
This piece is a rare and special find—one of the few surviving original paintings from Dodge’s early years. Most of his works have long been collected, and only a handful of originals remain, primarily those that hung in his private residence.
 
Orange Juice Sky captures a nostalgic California orchard bathed in golden light, evoking a bygone era. Horse-drawn carriages travel along dusty roads, while orange trees stretch endlessly toward the horizon, their fruit dappled in the sunlight. In the background, shadowed mountains rise beneath a sky painted in rich, citrus hues, with an orange sun casting its glow.
 
Even in this early work, Dodge’s signature whimsy is evident. Workers are scattered throughout the scene—some diligently picking oranges, others tumbling from ladders, baskets spilling fruit to the ground. A farmer naps in the shade while another toils nearby, adding a playful touch to this charming slice of history. Though it portrays a time from the past, Orange Juice Sky reflects moments Dodge himself witnessed, having been born in 1933.