Pretty pelican

 Today's piece is one for the birds!

I really enjoy painting birds of all types, but especially pelicans.They are such a gawky bird, yet fly so gracefully  in the air.I am glad to see their numbers back after they were endangered in the 1970's. Their numbers fell drastically after the use of DDT became widespread. The pesticide made their shells so fragile, they could not even sit on them and so their numbers declined. They have made a wonderful comeback now, even becoming pests at times because of their numbers. They really are amazing birds, with their spectacular dives into the water after their prey. I enjoy watching them, especially when there is a school of fish that they are feeding upon. I have seen them so full of fish, that they could not even take off from the water. They have to sit and bob on the surface, until they can take off with a large splash.

We also went on the water this morning. Chris took his new kayak, and I went for a paddle on my board. It's been 6 six years since Chris bought my first board and I still have it. I used to use it a lot, but now I have a harder, shorter board that suits me well. This board allows me to go over waves, in between waves, as well as ride on them. We were out for a solid hour this morning. I gave up after seeing way too many jellyfish, making me afraid of the ones I could not see. The waves also started picking up, with white caps appearing on the tops. I was fighting the wind as well, it pushing me hard against it while fighting the waves. The waves were also coming from two different directions. It made for an interesting paddle for sure!

Pretty pelican, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 15 inches

Day 74 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Octopus

This mixed media piece is really fun.

This is another of the drawer pieces cut from a vintage singer sewing machine.

I'm really having fun with these.

Meanwhile, my new printer came today setting off the dog alarm 

as the Fed Ex guy dropped it on the porch.

I always know when a delivery is made because they all go ballistic, howling and barking.

Let me tell you, you cannot ignore this racket when it starts.

It really sounds like someone is dying downstairs.

Oh well, at least no one can sneak up on me in the studio, unless they know them!

5 dachshunds, I need ear plugs at times!

2 hours later, set up printer, loaded paper and I'm printing.

I'm rather proud of myself for that!

I also met with the author's husband this morning and after some back and forth, 

we decided on a tiff file for the scans of the paintings.

I pray they work out well, I'm ready to put this book to bed!

Tonight is short and sweet.

We are going to church tonight.

Octopus, Acrylic on wood panel with drawer frame, 5 x 15 inches

Day 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Tidal watchers I & II

I am indeed fortunate in the gifts God has provided to me.

I use some of them everyday, while others are quietly waiting until they are necessary.

I don't even try to identify them, I just ask and they seem to show up just when needed.

Whenever I have a problem to solve, something to create I've never done before, 

how to talk with someone, I ask.

 The solutions are laid out in front of me or come out of my mouth in unexpected ways.

How do I ask?

I pray for God to show me.

I pray for God to enter me.

I pray for my hands to become his hands.

Make me go so far back into my body that people don't even see me anymore.

I find the Holy Spirit takes over my conversations with Alfred, my artist friend from Zimbabwe.

I am able to give him such insight and just the thing he needs at that moment in time.

I tell him it is not me, but He that is in me.

 

My most common gift is my art.

It is one I use daily.

Sometimes I even get to use it in ways I never imagined, 

building large sets for minimal money for children's ministry.

He gave me the gift of sewing so many years ago, that I almost don't even think about it.

Even when making a minor repair to a beloved stuffed animal for a child,

Then telling her I thank God for the gift of Sewing.

He gives me solutions and knowledge I have never dreamed of having or using.

I am grateful minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.

Both of these little guys were painted on poured canvases 

that have hung around my studio since the spring.

I have not yet decided if I will pour more backgrounds.

For the time being though, I am returning to the shadowboxes I know and love so well.

I have a large supply of shadowboxes thanks to another of my gifts, 

a husband given to me that is my absolute soulmate. 

He is also the best helper I could have ever imagined.

Gratitude, I guess is what I am trying to say.

I have so many things to be grateful for in my life.

Have you been grateful for the gifts God has given to you today?

I know I will fall asleep thanking Him for everything.

Tidal watchers I & II, Acrylic on canvas, each 4 x 6 inches

Days 71 & 72 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Birthdays

I did not post Saturday because the internet was down again!

Our grandson, Neel's birthday was yesterday.

He became the big two.

He is already a character, and is a bundle of energy.

He is finally starting to speak, but because he will be tri-lingual I think he is somewhat

 confused as to which language to use! 

 Each year on our grandsons birthdays I paint them something, so that when they move away from home, they will each have a wall of art that reflects their lives.

This year, Christina asked me to paint a portrait of his "new" giraffe.

They have named him Johnny and Neel is already in love with him.

Johnny is "new" to Neel, but not new to the Banerjee family.

You see, this precious gift came from his grandmother, Sumita in India.

Originally, Johnny was a toy that Bappa's sister had when she was small.

She passed away several years ago.

I can imagine Mom, (her name) is smiling down at her nephews antics with this new part of his life.

I am so glad Sumita thought enough of him to share it for his birthday! 

Precious memories!

On to today's piece.

Another birthday of sorts.

Today finds our beaches celebrating the hatching of baby loggerhead sea turtles.

We did not have many nests this year and some were washed.

Every baby turtle making it to the surf is a cause for celebration!

Johnny, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 6

Race to the sea, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 15

Days 69 & 70 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Heron I & II

Today is a combination of two days.

Yesterday I received news of my Aunt passing away from complications of pneumonia after getting Covid from the nursing home she was calling home.

She had been admitted to the hospital after she went into problems at the home.

I have wanted to visit her several times over the past few months, but because of the virus they had shut the home down for visitors. I'm not quite sure how she contracted it in a closed environment. 

I did get to wish her happy birthday in July by phone and had a lovely conversation.

I will miss her a lot.

I just did not feel like creating after the news of her getting 

the virus and then getting her wings. 

I know she ran to her master and fell into His arms.

Anyway, wear your mask, wash your hands, maintain your distance and stay safe.

These birds are painted on very thin pieces of wood.

They were cut after the project Chris had done refinishing a sewing machine table for a friend.

The drawers were not being used, as the structure holding them was falling apart.

We then cut the drawers into slices of about 1 inch making a shadowbox frame of sorts.

We added the thin wood, making them perfect for painting.

I'm sure I'll enjoy painting them as there are several drawers that were cut into slices.

I still have to mount them to the backs, varnish, and add something to hang from.

Heron I & Heron II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Days 67 & 68 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Pelican piling

I think this may be the last of the hardi bord series.

This pelican is on another poured background too!

I will kinda miss them!

They have been fun to paint.

Today is the launch of a new thing for me!

Jena Freed, with Freed souls design is carrying some of my work on her website.

She has so many things that my images can be put on!

Prints, pillows, and purses to name just a few!

Check out her etsy site,

www.yourdecorhome.com

I am so looking forward to our partnership.

If you are looking for an awesome graphic designer look her up!

We went to church this evening as well.

Masks on, greeting others with elbows instead of handshakes.

I despise this new world we live in.

I'm a hugger!

Pelican piling, Acrylic on Hardi bord, 11 x 14

Day 66 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Frequent Flier

The hardi bord series continues with "Frequent Flier"

I just adore painting turtles and this one will be able to hang outside!

It really has a nice resin finish as well, so it can be wiped off.

We still have to sand and drill before they will all be ready to sell.

I am ready for show season to begin, not necessarily because I'm finished painting, just ready to dance the dance with collectors!

First show this month, Jubilee Festival!

It's going to be held in Lott park this time, not on the street!

The booths will be ten feet apart and other precautions will be in place.

Looking forward to being there!

Today I went back to Mobile to get the paintings for Sophia's gift after they had been mounted.

They are gorgeous, and so flat! They will be very easy to scan and photograph now.

I also picked up the elastic from the museum that they generously purchased for me.

Then, I picked up a kennel we had loaned out, cleaned it and brought it into the house.

Getting gas, picking up poster boards for a church project, and making pillows for the kennel rounded out the afternoon.

It seems we have a geriatric dachshund that has decided the potty outside time is not enough and has started have midnight rendezvous with my kitchen floor.

She will be staying in the kennel, although I am certain there 

will be lots of protest barking from a very stubborn dachshund for the next few nights.

Here's hoping we all get some sleep tonight!

Tomorrow is the launch of a very big thing for me!

I'm hoping it does well for both me and the designer!

Frequent Flier, Acrylic on hardi bord, 11 x 14

Day 65 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020