Heron's way II

This series is going to be interesting, I can tell.

I love the way the drawer bottom cut off forma a shadowbox frame around the piece.

We are hearing of the destruction coming out of Louisiana and Mississippi.

There is also damage in Alabama as a result of a tornado spawned from Ida.

She is now wrecking havoc up to the Eastern coast of the USA.

Multiple power outages both in lower La. and New Orleans because the main grid is destroyed coming into the city.

I don't need to imagine the damage as we lived it here last year after 

Sally hit our town and surrounding coastal areas.

We were months before all the debris was finally removed.

Chris is starting to really turn the wood we salvaged from the landfill, 

making beauty from the ashes that once were magnificent trees.

I have also checked on numerous friends and fellow artists.

Some are without power and running on generators, but the urge to create is strong.

One friend is grateful for the generator giving her light and ability to dry the painting as she progresses.

Her chickens even laid eggs the next day.

Life goes on, but it may never be the same again.

But, that being said the things we miss are things of this world.

Everyone needs to hug the attitude of joy and find the positives in their lives right now.

I pray everyone can find their joy again very soon.

Still praying for Louisiana and all who are suffering along our stretch of coastline.

It is beautiful to live here, but we do have the threat of hurricanes.

That being said, I've lived in California and I'll take a hurricane over an earthquake or fire any day!

Take care of yourselves, help others, and pray!

Heron's way II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16

Day 64 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Heron's way

Heron's way.

I for one am concerned about the birds after Hurricane Ida pushed through our area.

The past two days have been an inconvenience here in Fairhope, but I'm sure it's a lot more than that in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Louisiana hit by high winds, surge, and rain.

Ida was an uninvited spoiled child that overstayed her welcome.

Mississippi hit hard with rain and winds towards the Western side.

Alabama had lots of rain today and a tornado spawned and touched down through several counties, including where our daughter lives in Saraland.

All compliments of Ida.

Only one death so far blamed on her, but there are parish's in Louisiana with no power, water, and sewer because of major damage to the coast.

I've checked in with multiple collectors and other artists.

There is one I have not heard from though, continuing prayers for her.

Continued prayers for the people most affected, missing, and possibly more deaths to come as reports are brought in from the surrounding areas.

It's all very saddening, especially during a pandemic.

The birds and animals suffer the most I think.

The pets left on counters as the waters rose in the homes, people climbing into attics to get away from the rising waters.

The birds in the trees trying to get shelter, only to have it ripped away.

The farm animals having to swim forever to get away from the waters.

Farms gone, families homes wiped away like nothing was ever there.

I pray for them all.

I especially pray for protection from further disasters of fly by night rip off artists pretending to be contractors, people gouging prices, thieves coming in to take whatever is left.

It's all a big mess.

But, much like after Katrina we will see the hero's, the people that help, the ones that donate.

Most of all, we may have an influx of people moving to our area, because there is simply nothing left of their homes and belongings.

I have a good friend as a result of Katrina, 

a fellow artist that lives with the memories of what was and what has now become.

She has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, 

and has become a beautiful shining example of triumph!

Louisiana will rise too!

Heron's way, acrylic on wood panel with antique recycled frame, 5x16 inches

Day 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

A quick one!

A quick one!

I am posting this little guy (not so little he's 16 x 20) for today.

I started him at my class I taught this past Thursday.

I then brought him to the studio to add the finishing touches.

I am very pleased with how he turned out!

Today so far has been a kind of non-event.

The news has been hammered with the possibilities of Hurricane Ida and her Invest status.

She blew up very quickly after crossing Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico.

When she slammed into the Louisiana coast this morning at 11:55, she was close to a category 5 storm.

Here, some 200 miles from where she hit it has been relatively quiet.

We were predicted to have tropical storm force winds with gusts up to 70mph.

So far, not much wind, but a lot of rain in bands.

Maybe there will be more tonight, it is predicted to give us some wind.

I have seen nothing of photos from the area, so we don't yet know how bad it is over there.

The storm surge is supposed to be very high, and that combined with rain and 

high winds is not a good combination.

I am continuing to pray for Louisiana and the surrounding areas near where she hit as she is still a category 3 nearly 7 hours after landfall.

She has made some bobbles though, she's slogging along dumping rain and allowing the fury of her winds to ravage the area.

Indeed, praying for Louisiana.....

A quick one! Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20

Day 62 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

A twofer!

A twofer!

Meaning a two for the day.

Because I realized at 1:30 am last night that I had not posted for the day.

The painting was done, and apparently so was I for the day!

I had finished it earlier, so I guess I just forgot.

These two crabs, slightly different and yet similar are headed to a gallery as replacements to two that already sold last Saturday.

I am still loving the rounds, and am contemplating purchasing more as they are easy to pack and carry.

We'll see.

I've sold a total of three so far out of the fifteen I have now painted.

I find them elegant and beautiful.

Continuing to pray for Louisiana as they seem to be in the crosshairs of a hurricane named Ida.

She is predicted to hit tomorrow afternoon, about the middle of the state.

This means New Orleans will be inundated with water.

The mayor has asked everyone to leave that lives outside the levees.

I pray people have something to come home to, this storm is being forecast to be stronger than Katrina.

We will not be spared here or in Mississippi either, with tropical storm force winds 35mph or higher

predicted for Alabama.

Lifting everyone up!

A twofer!, Male and female crab, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches diameter

Days 60 & 61 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Cephalopods and seahorses

My goodness what a day!

All my days seem to be beautiful affirmations of how much my Father in Heaven loves me.

I spent the morning getting ready for a class I was teaching tonight.

I sketched canvases, pulled paints, and located brushes and other things to use in the class.

When I was not quite finished, Chris asked if I wanted to go pick up his sister.

She got some surgery done this morning on her wrist.

After getting our sister from the doctor, picked up some lunch, and  we settled her in.

I went back to the studio and finished packing and painting.

I added wires to the backs of two pieces I was taking to the Stewart Heath Gallery.

I then cleaned and varnished them.

I then settled into my easel for a couple of hours to paint before leaving for class.

I checked on sis, then drove to the Gallery.

Stewart was delighted with the pieces, especially the octopus you see here.

I love painting octopus, and this one was no exception.

I set up for class, priced and hung the two new pieces, and munched down some tuna and crackers.

In walks this couple, and after a conversation.

They bought my seahorse painting on the round panel!

You see, he used to sail on a boat named seahorse.

I personalized it with,

From one seahorse to another. 

One happy couple, and as you can see, one happy artist too!

Cephalopods and seahorses, Acrylic on shadowbox, 12x24

Day 59 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Looking good!

Looking good!

What an awesome world I live in.

 I am able to create and make money to create more!

Of course this Art thing takes money and time, lots of both!

I really enjoy the joy though when people find the perfect thing for them.

I once had a woman come in my booth and say, "I've been looking for that for five years."

I laughed and said, "Well, it's only been painted for two!"

The we both laughed.

I love the connections I have from the art shows.

Some of my collectors even become friends in my ever widening circle.

I am honored to call them both friend and collector.

Now, what is a collector?

A collector is someone that has purchased three or more pieces from me.

Sometimes all at once, sometimes over the course of three years of coming to shows.

I also love the ones that tell me I can't afford one right now, but someday.....

Then the following year they rush in telling me "I have a budget of three hundred, what can I buy?"

They are so happy and so am I!

So fun!

It's an amazing world, this world of art!

Thanks for joining me here on the blog as well.

The blog is almost up to 90,000 views so far.

We may hit that this show season.

Speaking of season, the Winter and Spring shows are starting to line up.

We will have a couple in January, then things ramp up for March, April, and May.

I love show season because we get to travel and see new places, things, and friends.

Maybe Covid won't burst the bubble that is show season.

I am still concerned about the season for Fall here because people just can't stay home, wash their hands, and wear a mask.

It's been an exhausting 1 1/2 years so far in the pandemic.

I cannot imagine the hero's in the hospitals, dealing with the day to day, influx of people so sick, not able to breathe, and praying their patient will make it through.

When they come to work the next day, they find out their patient didn't make it through.

The stress of possibly catching the virus, bringing it home to their own families, 

losing family and friends. 

Then having to go to work and do it all over again.

Day after exhausting day.

My heart breaks for them and their families.

Thank you doctors, nurses, and support staff!

My prayers are with you every day, 

I hope you feel them wrap around you in a blanket of protection and love.

Looking good!, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 58 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The Mechanics of Pelicans

The Mechanics of Pelicans.

This one was intense to paint!

Why steampunk?

I love to paint rust, metal, wood, and engines

It is a style that is very different from my "normal" style and people sometimes doubt that I create them.

When in the same booth, people look all around several times pausing at the steampunk.

They ask, "you?"

"Yes, these are my OCD paintings."

Each one takes about 2-4 weeks to design and paint.

They are also the reason I have two booths at the National Shrimp Festival this year.

I want them to be judged on their own merit.

I had several left from my show at the Merry Widow last December, but I am down to two originals.

The steampunk is also fun to me though, adding to the final product with gears and such.

Obviously not painted in one day, but definitely finished today!

This piece was 4 days of laying on the paint.

Glazing and layering came as well.

The original drawing was just a plain pelican, laying parts and pieces on top to get the desired effect.

There are vintage sewing machine parts, silver serving dishes, lid supports, salad forks, an escape ladder, shoe horn, steamer pieces, and a pot strainer!

I hope you like him as much as I do!

I also painted 10-24 x 24 shadowboxes white today as well.

But that was boring, so I'll spare the details!

The Mechanics of Pelicans, Acrylic on canvas, 24x24inches

Day 57 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

I painted! Really I did!

Today's post does not reveal completely what I'm working on currently.

Steampunks are intense folks, this one already has about 15 hours in it.

Any guess as to what this one is going to be?

I spent the entire morning painting shadowboxes white.

I went through the beginning of my gallon of Liquitex soft white.

I am so happy to be able to support a business in Alabama as well.

Years ago, I worked at Alabama Art Supply in Mobile, Alabama.

It was the best art supply store on the entire Gulf Coast, with a great selection of supplies.

The store carried student, college, and professional supplies.

We also supplied a lot of teachers with their needs.

Unfortunately, the store in Mobile is no longer in existence.

Fortunately, the Birmingham store is still up and running!

They have called several times, wanting to know if I needed supplies.

Most of the time, I'm good.

However, I was fast running out of soft white to paint my canvases.

The owner, Ken Webster told me he could get it and with Ken's club ($40.00 year)

 the price is actually lower than Dick Blick.

I ordered the white along with several large tubes of Golden color.

Then in the process of talking we got down to canvas by the roll.

The price he quoted was too high as I could get it at Hobby Lobby cheaper.

Price?

I heard the adding machine going.

"I can do that price"

I ordered canvas too.

Problem was, when he delivered, YES! delivered to my door there was no gallon of white.

The company had neglected to send the white in his order from the company.

He brought me two small bottles of white to tide me over.

He called his representative at the company and had them drop ship the paint to my house.

Long and the short of it, when you deal with an owner, things get done!

If you need supplies, Alabama Art comes down once a month with a van.

They can also ship to your house pretty quickly.

It's worth the phone call to them to find out! 

I painted! Really I did! Acrylic on multiple canvases, multiple sizes

Day 56 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The intruder II

A wonderful Sunday.

We attended church online because the Covid numbers here are just too high.

Still concerned about fall shows, but I am forging ahead in my paintings.

The intruder II is another blue heron.

I'm still on the fence about the rounds, but they are a delight to paint.

I have two more rounds ready to go, and because the Hello gallery here sold both of my colored crabs yesterday, they want more to replace.

I also need to replace two at Stewart Heath Gallery as she sold yesterday as well.

I treated myself to brushes today because I had a $10 voucher about to expire at Michaels.

I also had a $19 gift card balance, that combined with discounts 

got me 12 brushes and some Liquitex Flow aid.

I walked out the door after paying $10 and some change.

As I said, I am forging ahead with the 100 days.

Last year, I did not even finish because of a why bother attitude that got 

ahold of me and would not let go.

My favorite show, the National Shrimp Festival cancelled for last fall and it was a hard pill to swallow.

Other shows, (one just as large) went on and people were courteous with their mask wearing.

Art shows are like that, if people come out to one, it's generally because they 

want to find a special piece of art.

The year before, in 2019 the show lost a day because of hurricane Michael.

Then that Saturday we had torrential downpours that postponed the opening until late.

My girlfriend even lost a tent in the process because the water just pulled her tent down into a tangled mess of metal and canvas. 

Fortunately, her art was not affected.

With another tent, she was up and running again within a couple of hours.

I believe she even sold some while waiting for the tent to come!

In the meantime, I paint!

The steampunk is beginning to flow now as well.

It's a lot harder to complete one of these guys in a day, so you'll get bits and pieces until I am done.

This year at the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores in October,

I will have TWO booths!

One will be the regular marine life that I am known for and people love.

The steampunk is a much more extreme style of art requiring a lot of 

drawing, transferring, and finally painting.

Each piece typically takes 2-4 weeks to complete and they are intense to paint!

I really enjoy them though, and am looking forward to working on the series before festival season.

Can you guess what it is going to be?  

The intruder II, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round

Day 55 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The intruder

The intruder is a story that is probably all too familiar to the fishermen in your life.

These beautiful, but intimidating birds are becoming a nuisance on our waterways.

I've seen it more than once, fishermen or women drop a hook, cast a line, throw a net,

 and there swoops in the intruder.

Gliding in on silent wings, sometimes silent, sometimes making the weirdest sounds they can be scary.

We watched three guys drop a hook in the keys and sure enough there he came.

They said sometimes he will snatch the fish right off the line.

Easy pickings for the bird, downright frustrating for the people trying to fish!

They are becoming a problem here for people on the dock and pier as well.

They wait for the opportunity and gulp!

Especially when the cast nets come in full of fish.

Easy pickings indeed!

Today found me answering phone calls and texts as well.

Galleries asking questions.

Texts from galleries as well.

I am so fortunate to get to make art and make money from my "addiction" to creating.

Two galleries sold two paintings apiece today!

Both want new inventory.

It's going to be a few days.........

The intruder, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round

Day 54 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Close encounter III

Today went by so fast!

We started the day by doing some light grocery shopping for our friend arriving home from Africa.

I brought groceries to their house, and also did some light housekeeping and dusting.

I then went home and picked up Chris so we could drive to Pensacola as that is where their flight was coming into from Washington, D.C.

Smiles all around when they walked into the gate!

Hugs from friends that have been through so much in the past few months. 

I'm sure there will be lots of stories to come.

Anyway, we got home after dropping them off at their place.

The weather was getting gloomy, so we both took a nap with the dachshunds as willing companions.

Then the lightning started along with the thunder for a couple of hours.

We ate leftovers for dinner and I headed to the studio.

The torrential rain started not long after.

At times, it almost sounded like a hurricane outside, with sheets of rain and wind.

Hmmmm, my umbrella is open on the deck by the pool. I pray it survived.

I painted this guy this evening and as the rain settles down to a gentle sound, 

it is making me sleepy and in need of rest.

Not to bed yet though!

Time to add inventory at the Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope.

Until tomorrow I bid you goodnight!

Close encounter III, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Day 53 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021 

 

Close encounter II

So, I'm finally finding a groove in that completing the paintings are not a difficulty. 

Finding the time to do them is another story altogether!

Too many thing vie for my attention these days.

Laundry, cooking, housework are a few.

I don't have to, I get to.

Then, I'm not complaining mind you.

My sweet sister in law has not had her truck for a few days because of an issue with a piece of plastic.

The engine became a sieve, pouring water out almost as soon as it was put in!

Dropping off the truck meant we were her ride for a few days.

Today especially, I got to spend time with her, driving Miss Daisy to a  couple of appointments today.

(not her name)

We got to spend time together and it was precious to me.

I never had a sister, so she is the closet I'll ever get to having one.

Came home from first appointment.

Chris wanted me to drive the camper as I had never really driven it since we got it.

I want to take it for a few days with sister.

I drove downtown, moved the mirrors, and backed down the driveway.

Then we were off to the next appointment for sister.

Two appointments down and yippee!

Her truck was ready, much to her delight.

We came home in our separate vehicles, I spent a few minutes at home.

I remembered as I sat at the easel an appointment for me!

I had obligated myself to help at the church for an hour organizing.

I finished at the church and wanted desperately to paint.

Dinner had to be prepared, eaten, and cleaned up.

I hit the studio this evening, finally relaxing enough to really focus and paint this lovely pair.

Oh wait, there's laundry waiting!

I must leave again, tearing myself away from my easel and the art room.

Tomorrow is another day!

We pick up friends from their African adventure for 2021 at noon.

But wait!

Steampunk is calling..................

Close encounter II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24x24 inches

Day 52 0f the 100 days~100 paintings 2021 

 

The post that almost didn't happen!

Goodness today has been a day to end all days.

I'm just tired after helping at the gallery from 10-4pm.

We rehung almost every space and the Gallery looks fantastic!

Up and down a ladder all afternoon.

Looking forward to seeing everything finished, Stewart is adding 

a one foot deep shelf all the way around the gallery space.

Tomorrow however, is helping Sister in law with appointments because her truck is pitching fits.

Coming home, riding the rottens (5 dachshunds).

Then eating leftovers for dinner and cleaning up.

Spending time with Chris going to get ice cream.

Heading to the studio to work.

I started the painting this morning before leaving to go help at the gallery.

I completed it this evening after a few hours of intense work.

So many people don't realize the pains we go through to 

complete works in time to hang them at shows.

It frequently is full time work, although when you love what you do it hardly seems like work.

Anyhow, I'm done for the day and I hope you enjoy the new piece!

Close encounter, Acrylic on canvas, shadowbox 24x24 inches

Day 51 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Surprise!

Surprise!

Day 50 already!

51 days until the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama

October 7-10th, 2021

Well not really, another sea turtle.

I absolutely love painting these guys.

I pray it shows.

Today we did multiple things in multiple places.

We both worked in our studios, me on this painting, Chris turning a beautiful bowl.

The Sally wood is starting to be able to be turned with minimal effort.

Although today he put a bowl in the microwave in an effort to dry it some and it warped.

I'm sure someone will still love it for their home

I finished my painting and put it in the car to finish drying in the heat.

Meanwhile, we decided it was lunchtime.

We stopped at the East Shore Cafe in Daphne and were pleasantly surprised.

Both the food and pricing were pretty good, we will be back.

 We then went to the bank and deposited a check for me, 

while Chris got some cash to buy another kayak.

We are also making plans for friends to return from their sojourn in Africa.

It has been a tough 3 months, with lockdowns, inability to go to church, and a bout with Covid.

We are looking forward to their return to rest and get stronger for next year.

Meanwhile plans will be made for further adventures with these wanderers and missionaries.

Chris and I want to go ourselves, both to Africa and India.

We are making plans for next year.

We got home after lunch and I varnished my turtle, letting it dry while I sketched out two shadowboxes.

Once Surprise! was dry, I headed to Stewart Heath Gallery to take 7 new works for my space.

I took 4 of the new rounds, and Stewart was pleased with their look.

The gallery is gaining 4 new artists and there will be a major rehanging of all the spaces.

I am going back in the morning to lend a hand with hanging.

The days are going by fast now, our oldest grandson turned 8, Dahlia turned the page on two weeks, and our grandson Neel is pushing hard on being three.

Time is going by too fast, especially since we've been unable to go to India.

I am grateful to God that we got the two months with Christina here before Covid hit the world stage.

Life goes on, even if we're not ready for it to continue!

Surprise! Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round

Day 50 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Baby blue

Blue crab, one of my favorite things to eat from the ocean locally.

In addition to delivering "That's a Big Blue II" to the Audubon center, I also painted this guy!

The day started out calmly enough and continued throughout the day.

The Tropical storm Fred we were anticipating here, never materialized.

Grace is slated to go over to Corpus Christie Texas later this week.

Henri is just wandering in a circle in the Atlantic.

Looks like we've dodged storms again!

Although that's not to say there aren't more storms brewing off the coast of Africa.

It's all a part of living here on the Gulf Coast!

Any way the day proceeded calmly enough for me to paint after starting my day with my Bible.

I am praying for a lot of people right now, most of all my friends in the medical field.

ANY medical field worker now.

It's got to be nerve wracking to even be a dental hygienist right now.

Or a person working at the grocery store.

The mom waiting tables while her babies wait at home.

Be kind to all please.

I pray while I paint, I pray while I walk, I pray while washing dishes.

I love taking those moments out to lift people up.

I had one person pop into my head today, that I have not heard from in a while.

So, I prayed for him while riding in the car today.

I'm also praying for multiple friends that are currently fighting Covid.

My friends also ask me to pray for their friends.

I also was looking for  a possible letter today from one of the shows I've applied for and done for years.

My girlfriend, got a letter last week and I felt kinda snubbed.

Then opening my email for informed delivery, I was happy to see a letter from the show that was coming in.

Problem is, the mail was running late.

Or not at all.....

I prayed Lord please don't let our carrier be sick.

Wait! I'll check ZAPP!

Sure enough, there it was on the website.

ACCEPTED

I immediately paid my booth fee.

Then while walking toward dark this evening, I saw a mail truck drive down another road.

Maybe....

Yes there was the mail, I already knew about the show but there was another letter from the 

Alabama Contemporary Art Center.

It contained my check for the three days of Art Camp we got in before it was cancelled.

Something is better than nothing!

The shows are now lined up in a neat row.

October 7th-10th 10am-6pm two booths, Marine life & Steampunk! 

National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama

October 16th & 17th 10-5pm Jubilee festival, Daphne, Alabama

we skip a week,

October 30th & 31st, 10-5 daily Mattie Kelly, Destin, Florida

November 6th & 7th, Peter Anderson, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

It's going to be a full season hopefully.

If only the Covid numbers would just go down.......

I pray.

Baby Blue, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The Mighty O

The Mighty O was oh so fun to paint!

I'm really enjoying the rounds, but I need to get back to the shadowboxes.

For now, I have not sold one of these but I know the sales will come eventually.

You see, as artists we must be patient  for the right person to come along.

I once had a person walk into my booth and exclaim "I've been looking for this for 5 years!"

I told her, it's only been painted for 2!

She left happy and so did I.

Anyway, I am trying to keep on track for this year.

Mentally it's hard to keep painting other than for galleries with the Covid numbers rising so high.

I am in fear of shows being cancelled because of safety concerns.

I get it, I really do!

I just wish everyone would take this pandemic seriously.

You see, I was exposed to Covid at one of the classes I taught this summer.

Fortunately, I'd had both my shots and I was wearing a mask and taking extra precautions.

I'm beginning to wonder if it was a false positive, because a child sitting directly next to the ill one never showed any signs or tested positive.

It's a peculiar virus, this one.

I waited with my breath held, for the two weeks to be complete before I could really relax.

Fortunately for me, nothing came to pass for me or the other children.

Please wear masks folks, this show isn't over yet.

Pray for the nurses and doctors dealing with the ravages of Covid on a daily basis.

I know I pray for the nurses a lot, there may be an extreme shortage of nurses after all this is over.

Then there is the teachers, dealing with children who can't or 

won't keep a mask on and not touch one another.

As for me, I'm back to taking the homeopathy, vitamins, and praying hard 

on my knees for this to pass sooner rather than later.

The Mighty O, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches

Day 48 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The Seahorse II

Yet another of these beautiful round panels.

I am really enjoying painting them.

I only pray the buying public likes them too!

Seahorses are such unique and beautiful creatures.

So called because their head looks like a horse head.

There are over 30 species of them.

Everyone knows the female lays the eggs in dad's pouch.

What I learned was once they leave, they don't go back in unlike a joey.

They will hook tails and go together along the current until they land.

They are stealth  hunters, quietly waiting until prey comes by and then they suck it in!

Funny creatures these are!

The Seahorse II, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round

Day 47 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The Seahorse

The seahorse.

Such a quirky little creature!

I believe God had a sense of humor when he created this one!

Anyway, it's been a long day and I am tired my friends.

No story today.

But know that I am praying for protection against fires, against covid, against discord in our country.

I truly pray every day, every brushstroke.

Goodnight my friends!

This is my space at the Hello Gallery, I hung the two new crabs and rearranged my space.

The seahorse, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round

Day 46 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Rhinoceros for Archer

It seems that our grandson is throwing a lot of curveballs lately.

Not the least of which is this guy.

When asked what do you want painted for your birthday?

He answered a rhinoceros.

That's different, I don't know where that came from!

Something new perhaps?

Anyway new school year, another year older.

Archer turns 8 today.

Every year on his birthday, I paint a painting for him.

I started the day he was born, painting a crab in the waiting room during his much anticipated birth.

The majority of them reside in my studio, just outside the door.

When he grows into a young man, he will have a collection to take with him that hopefully will remind him of growing up and the love his Yaya has for him.

All of his are in sepia tones, there is a crab, a sea turtle, a lion, a marlin with baitfish, 

a sea turtle with a dolphin, a pelican, a gecko, and a baby turtle.

NOW there's a rhinoceros too!

It just makes me giggle a little.

I am curious to hear why a rhinoceros.

That's another story for tomorrow!

Rhinoceros for Archer, Acrylic on canvas, 12x12 inches

Day 45 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

I see you, do you see me?

This painting is as a result of our walk this morning at Meaher park. We decided to camp for a few days and use our expensive toy we bought this summer. We are really enjoying ourselves, with lots of walks, bike rides, and socially distanced chats with other campers. We went out early, me  looking for a specific bird I had seen at the boat launch. Just as we came to the area, he burst out of the plants along the ramp flying over a ramp for kayaks. That's when the alligator jumped off the ramp and into the water. We continued our walk after I photographed the alligator just peeking out of the water. We headed down a path, that ended at a boardwalk. We almost didn't go, because the biting flies were already out. We were blessed by seeing multiple fish including some of the largest mullet I've ever seen. While walking back on the end of the boardwalk we were rewarded by a sighting of a purple gallinule! A first for both of us! Our walk ended up being over a mile and a half long too!

I see you, do you see me?, Acrylic on canvas, 12*12 inches

Day 44 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

Just a little crabby II

The female version today. This one took several hours in between phone calls, text messages, messenger messages, and What's App coming into my phone.

 Sometimes my phone is silent for days, others it just seems to blow up. What an age we live in, communication is as easy as a keypad away. I chatted with friends locally, a business owner from Birmingham, a childhood friend from Maryland, family from India and friends in three separate conversations in Zimbabwe, Africa. 

All this done in a campground.

All done while trying to paint a painting.

There's really no reason why we cannot communicate anymore. It used to be long distance to call from Mobile to Dauphin Island and now here we are able to do the same thing on our cell phones for free.

We don't even have to have a desktop computer any more to surf the internet. The computer we now hold in our hands, are huge compared to what we used to call desktop computers. I'm still shaking my head at the technology.

Just a little crabby II, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches 

Day 43 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

Just a little crabby

Today's post is a quick one on the blog at least. It's been a long day of putting things away and loading the camper to go away for a few days. Fortunately, we have a wonderful dog sitter in the form of a sister that loves them all! (Sometimes a little too much!)

This painting was a tough few hours after a long day. Perseverance is key though, both in painting and in life as well. 

Stay safe my friends!

Just a little crabby, acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round. Day 42 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

International cat day

In honor of International Cat day.

A memorial portrait of Mr. Kitty.

He was a good friend and hero to a friend of mine.

Rest in peace Mr. Kitty.

Heaven is the place where all the animals you've ever loved come running to greet you.

Mr. Kitty, Acrylic on canvas, 6x6 inches

Day 41 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

No painting today!

No painting today!

It has been another long day though of stretching canvases for shows and galleries.

The shadowboxes have become my signature go to for several years now.

Originally a canvas available at a big box store, they were discontinued just as I fell in love with them.

I found them after I had looked lovingly at them all summer, but they were expensive.

I couldn't keep my pricing reasonable paying almost $70 for one canvas.

Then, on a bright fall afternoon after the National Shrimp Festival, 

I went to the store to buy some small canvases.

The shadowboxes were on clearance!

$8.99, $9.99, $10.99 I grabbed carts and bought all 22 they had on hand.

I took them home and painted them over the course of three weeks.

We took them to Peter Anderson and sold half of them that weekend!

I scoured the internet, not finding anyone else carrying them.

Not to be undaunted, my husband Chris asked "Can you get any more of these?"

"I said no, discontinued."

"I think I can make the frames." he said.

"Good, because I think I can stretch them!"

And so it began......

Then there was today.

I already had a pile of the frames awaiting canvas.

"Hey, I think I have enough wood to make some 24x24's"

(A lot of this is the wood we rescued from the dumpsters around town.)

10 new 24 x 24's arrived in the studio this afternoon.

6 offset and 4 centered.

I had already been stretching the afternoon away getting done with the first batch.

6~12x36, 8~16x16, 8~12x24.

10 more......

5 made before riding the rottens.

I pushed to get the rest of the batch done this evening after cooking dinner.

Thank God for the air compressor, and staple gun!

I know I went through 5,000 staples or more between yesterday and today.

But I'm done!

32 shadowbox canvases in two days!

Wait....

I have to paint them all white now before I can start creating on them.

That's another two days of work probably.

They're going to have to wait until I can get more white paint.

Fortunately, that is arriving Monday from Alabama Art Supply in Birmingham.

It's a never ending cycle of creating, building, painting, and finishing pieces.

Don't even get me started on the price of lumber these days.

I bought the lumber today for the custom trailer we will be pulling behind the camper for shows.

Oh my goodness!

The guy at the box store tried to charge me for thicker wood, but I quickly corrected him.

Then I corrected him again.

Then a third time.

At least it went from $480 to $360 finally.

Hmmmm, maybe he shouldn't be on a register?

Check your totals folks, before you pay!

Another long, productive, crazy day at the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in Fairhope, Alabama!

No painting today!,

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021