Three days and end of 2022

I absolutely love painting whales.

This beautiful humpback pair of mother and baby whales are very simple.

They are on a 5 x 24 canvas.

The escapee.

Octopus are notoriously smart.

They have to be placed in special tanks so they cannot escape.

They can survive for a small amount of time out of water, but they must be in the sea to live.

They are beautiful creatures to watch while swimming.

Turtle Trio

The large series are still going strong.

Each time I paint a set, they sell eventually.

Sometimes, they sell before I can take them to a show!

I wish all of you many blessings for the new year!

When we wake up in the morning, it will be 2023!

New Year, new beginnings.

New works, new gallery in the late summer, new shows.

New creations from the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Bonding whales, acrylic on canvas, 5 x 24inches

The escapee, acrylic on shadowbox canvas 16 x16inches

Turtle trio, acrylic on multiple canvas 36 x 60 inches

Days 25,26, & 27 of the 100 days~100 paintings winter 2022 

 

She sells seashells

She sells seashells.

Mostly by the seashore for sure!

Most of my shows are on coastal areas.

I absolutely adore the sea, and always have.

This coming summer, I will be teaching my grandson to sit on my paddleboard to enjoy the water.

He is now 9 years old, and I purchased him his own lifejacket for Christmas.

His grandfather will also be readying the boat he's working on for summer adventures.

My coastal paintings reflect my love of the ocean.

I am constantly telling people about the sea while viewing my works.

This painting features shells from my childhood while living in the Philippines.

They were picked up by our bonka boat operator while I watched from the boat.

A wonderful childhood memory for sure!

A couple of shells are from a trip to Jamaica, brought home carefully in my suitcase.

Others were purchased at local shell shops.

I also have an antique nautilus shell, purchased at an estate sale.

Today also marks our 44th wedding anniversary!

Go Chris and Loran Chavez!

I love him so much!

She sells seashells, Acrylic on canvas, 5 x24 inches

Day 24 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022 winter

 

Crabs for two

Crabs for two!

Two days, two crabs.

I enjoy painting these guys, their faces are so interesting.

Good thing I enjoy painting them, they are always sold fairly quickly.

Anyway, this pair is on another 24 x 24 shadowbox.

They make for a bit of a headache while painting around the box and edges.

I still find them fascinating.

I also painted several canvases today for 5-piece paintings.

The multi canvas works are a popular item in my booth.

I have sold so many I have lost count.

I am so grateful God gave me the idea a few years back.

They make for an interesting painting, and they are impressive to look at.

Most popular are turtles, then octopus.

The first one I sold was an octopus to a contractor for a house in Pensacola, Florida.

It is in the front door as you walk in the house.

It is absolutely gorgeous there.

I sold the turtles at the same show to a realtor from Gulf Breeze.

We love them, because they fit in a single bag, stacked together.

I have now designed a rather large octopus that will be available this show season.

Typically, the works are 3 x 5 ft. 

The new work will be 40 inches by about 84 inches.

It will be on 16-inch-wide canvases, with two of them having to be built.

The 16 x 30 are not available commercially, so they will be custom made.

The octopus will be impressive for sure!

This crab is on another custom canvas.

These works are on 5 x 24 inch canvases.

They are very interesting to create!

Normally these are 4 x 24, but Chris apparently measured the inside, instead of the outside/

This makes them about 5 1/4 wide.

I have a total of 7 to work on for shows.

It's definitely an adventure working with my woodchuck, Chris!

Chris and I have our 44th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

So many wonderful memories and things we've done together.

We've also raised three great children, who have families of their own now.

We've also built two houses together and renovated one too!

Not too many marriages can relate to building together, unless they've actually done it themselves.

Crabs for two, Acrylic on custom canvases, 5x24 and 24x24

Days 22 and 23 of the 100 dasy~100 paintings winter 2022

 

Three for one!

The first of the three days is a leatherback turtle baby.

Leatherbacks are almost black in color.

They have white stripes on their back.

They are the largest of the sea turtles and also the deepest divers.

Leatherback, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round

Day 19 of the 1`00 days~100 paintings 2022 winter

Sea turtle pair.

These guys were fun to paint.

I always have a good time when painting turtles.

These guys are on a shadowbox built recently.

Sea turtle pair, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24

Day 20 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022 winter

A beautiful pair.

Peaceful here, but not always!

These birds make the strangest sounds when startled or being aggressive.

Lovely birds, always interesting to paint.

A beautiful pair, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24

Day 21 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022 winter

 

Great Blue!

I don't think God created a bird with more attitude than a great blue heron.

They are fearless around fishermen, stealing fish off the hooks before the catch can be brought in.

They are protective of their territory.

Swooping down on anyone hapless enough to be in the way.

I've been a near victim of one once.

I apparently startled him while walking for turtle nests at dawn.

He flew straight at me.

Needless to say, I ducked and covered.

I didn't want the beak of that bird impaling me!

Loud, noisy, rude, and inconsiderate birds they are for sure!

But oh how beautiful!

Great Blue, Acrylic on sewing machine wood, 5 x 15inches

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022 winter

 

Miniature blue

Today was a full painting day.

Several pieces started, and one finished today.

This one is on a portion of a New Home Sewing machine.

One of the most beautiful wood machines I think I've ever seen.

These drawers are different in that each one has a solid wood base in them.

This is one of these bases. 

I carefully taped off the edges and painted the white in several coats.

There was something in the finish that kept bleeding through.

It took two coats of Kilz before using the white acrylic for three more coats.

The crab was then transferred to the wood and painted.

So much fun to paint!

Miniature blue, acrylic on wood, 5 x 15 inches

Day 16 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022w 

 

Four days away!

As usual, this guy was fun to paint!

It measures 16 x 16 and is one of the shadowboxes recently built.

Day 11 of the 100 days 2022w

I love manatees.

They are such quiet lovely animals.

I enjoy painting them too!

It measures 24 x24 and is one of the recent builds as well.

Day 12 of the 100 days 2022w

Blue crabs are also one of the ones I really enjoy painting.

They are also good to eat!

It measures 20 x 20

Day 13 of the 100 days 2022w

Sea turtles are always a great creature to paint.

I love making the spots of each individual turtle.

This one is on wood panel.

15 x 30

Day 14 of the 100 days 2022w

Now that the paintings are out of the way.......

We have had a hard couple of days here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio.

If you have followed me for a while, you know we have a dachshund pack  of 5 here.

All of our fur babies are considered geriatric now.

Yesterday, our oldest Frida had her teeth pulled with the exception of her canines on top.

This was a necessary surgery, primarily because of her lack of eating because of pain.

While we were waiting for Frida to get done, our precious Tut showed additional signs of pain.

When placed on the floor in the kitchen, she simply sat with her head down.

We have been battling Cushing's disease since the beginning of September.

Ever since, she has had multiple infections, allergies worsening, and arthritis.

She had also gone completely blind and mostly deaf.

Yesterday afternoon after lots of prayer and tears, 

we made the heartfelt decision to end her pain and suffering.

We know it was the right decision, but for now it hurts and there is a huge hole in our hearts.

I think the other fur kids realize something is wrong, but aren't quite sure what.

I'm having her cremated, so we did not bring her body home for the others to see.

We are also concerned about our 18 year old, Frida because she is not eating like she should.

We must as animal parents have the strength to let them go when the time is right,

but it still hurts.

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

Oh what a happy reunion it will be!

Run free, my Tut! Run baby run!

100 days~100 paintings 2022

Days 11, 12, 13, and 14 

 

 

 

Octopus and canvas

Octopus are always fun to paint for me.

I love all their legs and suckers.

Always interesting too!

Meanwhile, yesterday was a full day of stretching canvas.

Fortunately for me, Chris joined me in the labor required for so many.

I already had some that he had stretched before, but he had made more stretcher bars for my shadowboxes.

He made a bakers dozen, requiring me to stretch them.

He lent a hand, and we got them all done along with another 17 flat canvases.

So, one day 30 canvases stretched, later that day I painted a lot of them white.

I covered the table with canvases, waiting until the morning to do the remainder.

I cleared the way to put canvases in places to keep them safe as well.

A long day of making art!

Octopus and canvas, Acrylic on wood panel and canvas

Days 9 & 10 of the 100 days~100 paintings winter 2022

 

Bring in the clowns!

I simply love painting clownfish!

They really are a fun fish to paint.

The anemone, not so much....

Hours of tweaking and I'm finally happy with the anemone as well.

Long day working on this one folks,

This afternoon and evening I worked on the train some too!

I finally watched Avatar as I am curious about the new one coming out on Friday.

While watching Avatar, I worked steadily on the train, sewing down two boxes of rhinestones.

I am now tired and ready for bed after a rough night last night.

I don't sleep well at all, I'm a very light sleeper.

When my husband is quietly snoring and the dog answering, it made for a lack of sleep.

This was after another dog woke me up having an argument in the kennel.

Long day trying to stay awake and work as well.

 

Praying tonight is much better!

Bring in the clowns!, Acrylic on wood panel, 15 x30

Day 8 of the 100 days~100 paintings winter 2022

 

Days 5,6,&7

Wow!

Still painting, but the days got away from me!

Two are 12x12s the large one is on wood panel.

I really enjoy painting on wood, because it offers a smoothness that canvas cannot.

Unfortunately, that wood is also too smooth at times.

The paint just behaves differently, sliding around a little more than I want at times.

It is challenging my painting prowess for sure!

I am very deep into a Mardi Gras train as well, spending several hours a day sewing.

The main base is pretty well done, but much like a house slows down in the process of the finishes, 

the train is doing the same right now.

I am in the process of "icing the cake" so to speak.

Yard after yard of rhinestones.....

I never dreamt 2 years ago when I said yes of course I can do that, that my art would be doing so well.

I am enjoying it as much as I can, because this one is for a family friend of over 30 years.

This train will probably be the only one I ever create too!

I already have over 160 hours in it, with many more to come.

We've also ordered many yards more of the rhinestones that have to be stitched in place by hand.

I'm having a love hate relationship with it.

I am having to be very disciplined to do my painting, then work for several hours on the train.

It's the only way I can get it all done!

Such is life here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio, here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Blue crab mania! Acrylic on canvas and wood panel.

12 x 12 canvases, and 15x30 wood panel, Days 4,5,&6 of the 100 days~100 paintings

 

Marauders I & II

 I do have to apologize.

The winter version of the 100 days may look a little different.

 I may also not post every day because of the holidays.

Anyway, things are busy around here, as I'm sure they are at your house as well.

We are getting ready for Christmas while I'm trying to get ready for shows.

Thrown into the mix, are show entries, campsite searches, commissions, and ancestry searches.

I have purchased kits for testing but have already found a lot on an ancestry website.

For years we have searched for my dad's father, 

only for me to find out the name we had was spelled incorrectly.

More on this later, but I am excited to know there is some Scottish in our history.

There is also a rather large Mardi Gras train taking over my table in the studio space.

I committed to this train three years ago, not knowing that my business would be taking off so well.

I have made this bed now, and I must lie in it, or at least sew for hours on end in between paintings.

I have two shows in January, so I must get works completed to sell.

I have to be able to remove the train from the studio and protect it.

I have several canvases to stretch and paint white.

But, for tonight I relax.

We are going to a concert with the Gaither brothers in Pensacola.

We will also get dinner on the way!

A date night for just us.

I love it!

Marauders I & II, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 inches round

Days 3 & 4 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022w

 

Another 100 days!

This fall was an incredible season with over 50 paintings sold at the shows.

The sales at the galleries have not slowed for me as well. 

Now my inventory is very low.

A great problem to have indeed!

Then there's the "problem" of winter shows.

I have two winter shows coming up in January down in Florida.

Starting with March Arts & Crafts here in Fairhope, we have a total of 7 shows for Spring as well. 

I have also been waitlisted for one show. 

Spring show season was wonderful earlier this year, with over 80 pieces sold.

So, I begin again with 100 paintings~100 days 2022 winter version.

The plan is to blog and post every day until Arts & Crafts.

Once again, I'll be giving away a painting valued at $295.00 at the end of the 100 days.

Join me in this rocking, rolling, wonderful life we call art here 

at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Middle bay lighthouse Day 1 SOLD, a crabby situation! Day 2

100 days~100 paintings 2022w Days1 & 2

Babies on Parade II

What an incredible ride it has been! This past hundred days have been a real adventure and I'm so glad you've joined me. The blog is over 100,000 views, I've already sold several of the paintings, and the show season has begun. Today we set up for the National Shrimp Festival down in Gulf Shores Alabama. Slightly windy and lots of fun! Our campground is barely a quarter mile from the show and we already like the space here. This RV park is definitely in the heart of Gulf Shores.

Setting up two booths this afternoon was interesting. We've never done that before, but we managed to get it done without killing each other! We also didn't really have any sharp words for which I am grateful. Both boots are loaded in with art, and we went back after eating and did a lot of the pricing. Tomorrow morning will be much easier because we got all the work done today.

Tomorrow morning, I will draw for the winner of the $295 painting I'm so excited!

Thanks for following the adventure!

Babies on parade II, Acrylic on canvas, 4*24 inches

Day 100 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2022

Babies on parade

Babies on parade.

Today was an interesting day for sure!

I painted this early this morning. 

We then headed out to pick up the show in Mississippi from the Audubon Center. Chris and I stopped to get lunch on the road, then fought the gauntlet of travel that is I-10 West bound. I have no idea what has gotten into people, driving like maniacs with no manners whatsoever.

We got to Mississippi in one piece, and I settled into the gallery space, chatting with people as they came in. The garden group put on the refreshments, and I grabbed a cookie. There were no more people coming into the gallery, so we started packing up at 2:15. We finished and loaded up in 30 minutes flat. It sure is faster taking down than loading into a show. I've also been asked to come back again, much to my delight. Next year's show will be in August and September again. Only this time, there will be three artists hopefully. (Keeping it all in the family of course!) I am excited to put into plan the next show. It's going to be epic!

On the way home, I wanted to rehang my space at the Hello! gallery here locally. My sweet husband said that would be better than trying to do it in the morning before leaving for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. I had planned to meet the gallery owner at 9:30, rehang the space in time for artwalk, then head to the show. It really was much easier to do it tonight and I have two crab paintings in color to take to the show.

Tonight I have to load in inventory for the gallery, so I guess I'd better get at it!

Babies on parade, Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 24 inches

Day 99 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

Sweet turtles

Sweet turtles, but they can be sassy.

Tomorrow we drive back to Mississippi to take down the Audubon show.

My Nature Odyssey has been a beautiful show and very well received.

We are attending the closing reception for Cruisin the coast which is at the Audubon Center.

The reception is over at 2:30, which is when we take down and pack up.

The remaining pieces will be going with me to the National Shrimp Festival.

There will be a few new ones as well of course.

The National Shrimp Festival at Gulf shores, Alabama is billed as the biggest party on the Gulf Coast.

It is a very large show, with several hundred vendors.

Fine arts has only 31 participants this year.

We are located at the beginning of the show on 182.

This becomes a challenge at load in and pack up, but it's very doable.

I was told we were in 265 and 266.

Today that shifted a bit, and we are in 266 & 267.

We have a great neighbor, George Kearney and my good friend Linda Scott is one booth away.

It's going to be a great show!

Sweet turtles, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24

Day 98 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

 

Whale songsII

I pray I get a free pass today.

Today was jam packed with church, lunch with hubs, teaching a class, and dinner with our oldest.

You see, today is my birthday.

And I am feeling a little of my age because of the festival this weekend.

Lack of sleep too.

So, I am posting the painting I created in class today while teaching.

I'm also happy to announce we finally got booth numbers for the National Shrimp Festival.

I am in 265 & 266 located apparently on 182 near the beginning of the show.

Hmm, that could be really good or really bad.

Anyway, times a wasting and I need to sketch and paint!

Whale songs II, Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 20

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Another octopus?

The first show is a wrap and we are back home tonight.

It's always an adventure, and we're always glad to get home too!

People are still really excited to see the shadowboxes and the sepias.

This 'ride' has sure lasted a lot longer than I ever dreamed of as far as them being a staple art form.

Many more available in person at the National Shrimp Festival next weekend.

Next weekend.

It's really almost here finally.

I have not seen some of my Shrimp Festival friends in three years.

Covid really hit the show hard because it was cancelled.

Then there were people scared to volunteer because of Covid.

I know this year is going to be so well attended.

Hopefully the economy doesn't step in and ruin it for everyone.

5 days until opening day in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

We will be down there the entire time as I splurged on a campsite 4 blocks from the show.

Chris and I are really looking forward to all the festivities.

The set up, not so much.

The set up for the festival is almost magical.

The streets are cleared and then the tents start to go up like mushrooms after the rain.

My favorite vantage point was from the bath house balcony, looking out over the expanse of tents.

Flags fluttering, white tents dotting the landscape, people rushing about their business.

Such is the beginning of the biggest party on the coast,

The Annual National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

5 days until....

Another Octopus?, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Five for two

If you're friends on Facebook with me, you may have already seen this painting today.

Today at Freedom Festival I posted early this morning photos of my tent and walls.

These guys were on the back wall of the tent.

They were also the first painting to sell.

Oh my!

(One of two most expensive pieces in the booth!)

Thank you Father!

I was getting admittedly nervous though as they did not sell until about 2 hours into the show.

So, from about 8:30 to 11:00 crickets.

I was questioning my sanity about doing this show again.

But it was my best ever one day show in my show history last year.

Last year, everyone was upset about the National Shrimp Festival getting cancelled again.

The mayor of Orange Beach was particularly upset and managed 

to roust up a show in less than two weeks.

So, with no Shrimp Festival, a lot of people came to the one-day show.

Then they expanded this year to be three days instead of one.

The Art portion of the show this year is only two days Friday and Saturday.

Friday morning the crowds were very light.

Lots of tourists going home Saturday were at the show.

Five hours later, toward the end of the first day we had two more sales that rounded out the day.

Let me tell you, I was praying a lot about what was happening.

Mostly praying about peace as with my morning sale, my show was paid for and then some.

I was seeing other artists not so fortunate.

Hopefully Saturday will be better with sales scattered through the day and worth all the hard work.

Carpe' diem!

Another aside about the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores next week.

I had a gentleman come in my booth and tell me he heard that it wasn't happening.

I was a little taken aback and set him straight.

Rumors flying are not cool.

I messaged someone on the committee and told him what I had heard.

He sent back a face slap emoji.

I told him indeed.

Just so you know folks, there is a National Shrimp Festival 

happening next week in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

October 6th-9th, 2022

The biggest party on the Gulf Coast!

I'm looking forward to the show, although two booths of 

completely different styles of art will be a challenge.

I think I'm ready, almost....

5 days until set up 6 days until the show!

Eeeek!

Five for two, Acrylic on multi canvas, 36 x 60 inches

Day 95 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Feeling crabby

Feeling crabby.

Yes, I was admittedly feeling very crabby this afternoon.

After weeks of getting ready, today was set up day for our first show.

It was a battle from the beginning.

First, the tent roof was tight after not being used for several months.

Then we just haven't put it together, so we had to remember how to put it together.

It's a pop-up tent, so it should be easy, right?

Not so much. 

We love this tent because of its ability to withstand wind.

However, trying to set up in the wind is a problem. everything is a kite.

The roof, the wall covers, and my covered Flourish walls all became sails in the wind.

The weather said the wind gusts would be up to 29 mph.

They were definitely not 29, but closer to 40.

We put up the frame and roof.

When we added the walls, the tent began to move in spite of about 200 pounds of weights.

I became extremely nervous and asked Chris if the show people had any sand bags available.

The answer was no.

He immediately turned into my knight of shining armor.

He walked to the parking lot at the rear of the show and found two old sandbags.

We put these on the windward side of the tent.

It was still moving.

He then showed up with pieces of concrete to weigh down the other legs.

I finally felt comfortable enough to put the artwork onto the walls.

We got finished in about three hours total.

We still have to put on pricing and hang an outdoor wall with steampunk prints.

I'm excited about this first show!

Feeling crabby, acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

The escapee

I love painting octopus!

So much fun with all the legs.

I'm also careful to make sure there are eight legs when I paint them.

A great use for a shadowbox.

Today is the calm before my storm of shows starting with 3 in a row.

I am excited to see what happens!

We are pretty much packed and ready to go.

Although I'm sure I will be making lists and checking them off before we leave.

Set up in the afternoon.

Thankfully all we have to contend with is wind.

Hurricane Ian is currently battering the state of Florida.

This storm came in on one of my favorite areas. 

All the names they keep naming off, Coya Costa, Ft Meyers, Naples, Tampa, Cape Coral. 

I have camped, shown, and played all over the areas that are now affected.

I am praying for all of them, as we are still full of memories from Sally.

Ian is no Sally.

He is a monster with a huge surge.

I've also had to make a decision, depending on the damage in that area.

I've been accepted to two shows on the East coast, while I was waiting to hear from the ones on the West coast.

One was in Naples, the other was at Cape Coral.

I have a sinking feeling neither of them may happen now as they are both in January.

Supply issues, and repair contractors, electrical repairs may all make a show in January an impossibility.

I'm adopting a wait and see attitude for a couple of days.

In the meantime, I paint!

The escapee, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches

Day 93 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

The Sentinel II

Another day, another painting!

I have been able to breathe today.

Hurricane Ian seems to be headed in another direction.

Unfortunately, that means someone else is going to be hit.

That place seems to be one of the areas we go to do shows.

Also, one of my favorite places in the keys may be deluged again.

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida has been there for over 25 years and does marvelous rescues of all types of sea turtles.

They sustained pretty nasty amounts of damage the last time the keys were hit.

So many friends, and collectors down that way!

I am praying for all concerned in the path of this horrendous storm.

In fact, I am praying for all of Florida. and others impacted by this monster.

Meanwhile here, the weather has turned to a truly gorgeous fall.

For the first time in months, we've had the back door open all day.

The dachshunds love it, because they can run in and out at their pleasure.

I've pretty much packed the show for this weekend, but I may add one more piece to the mix.

Tomorrow is another day!

The Sentinel II, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 92 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

The Sentinel

I just love painting birds.

They are such fun with all their feathers.

I enjoy adding texture to my paintings with lots of brush strokes.

I also typically pray while I paint, lifting others up with each stroke of the brush.

Today I am praying for those in the path of hurricane Ian.

The forecast keeps changing, and with it my nervous energy increases.

Nervous energy translates into more work done.

I have packed for the Freedom Festival show, with a few more pieces 

to be added as the week progresses.

I have also packed most of the steampunk for the National Shrimp Festival.

Ten days until the set up for that show!

Ten more days, we'll be camping, setting up, and getting ready for the biggest party on the coast.

Two booths, 6 walls to hang on, two completely different styles of art, 

prints and originals for one booth (steampunk), all originals for the other one (marine life sepias).

It's going to be a headache during set up, but hopefully we can do it without snapping at each other.

Powerade in the ice chest, snacks , and lots of love!

We also pick up the Audubon show on Tuesday the 4th in Mississippi at 2:30 pm 

after a reception for the Cruisin the Coast.

Wednesday the 5th is set up day for shrimp.

It's going to be an interesting week next week for sure!

Now, hurricane Ian just needs to fade away........

Prayers for Florida....

The sentinel, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Invaders of our shores II

Invaders indeed!

We are waiting on an invader to come into the Gulf of Mexico.

This invader is really not welcome anywhere along our coasts.

This invader?

His name is Ian.

This is a hurricane that seems to have its sights on Florida.

Wisely, the governor has put a good bit of the state under a state of emergency.

For now, it is slated to go into the big bend of the state.

My first show, Freedom Fest is just when this thing is supposed to be arriving.

Even though the show is in Orange Beach, Alabama this storm is rather large.

So far, our weather forecast is predicting the winds to be gusting 

up to 79 mph during set up on Thursday.

I am predicting that the show organizers are watching carefully.

We probably will not do set up until Friday afternoon, losing one day of the show. 

The winds are probably still going to be about 45 mph.

I think they may make it a one-day show for Saturday only.

As an artist, I am somewhat protective of my works.

I have been known to pack up the artworks when weather is predicted.

I will also wait to set up.

A couple of years ago, there was a storm system coming into Destin, Florida.

We were getting ready for set up for the show.

We made the decision to wait until the next morning.

There were other artists were thinking the storm was past us.

They started, fighting the wind.

A couple of them set up but lowered their tents.

It did not help them from the tents collapsing under the pressure.

One of them had to find a new tent for the next day.

This made us realize we needed a better-quality tent.

We ended up with an Extreme X7 tent.

The framework is tremendous and is extremely well built.

It proved itself by performing well during Arts & Crafts here in Fairhope.

We survived wind gusts of close to 70 mph.

I am grateful I invested in it for sure!

This invader however is a fish.

Another not so welcome invader.

Invaders of our shores II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches

Day 90 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022