Pelican Parley I

This is number 3 of the "happy accident" canvases.

Once I set them up, it's fun to paint them.

The set up is the hard part.

Getting in a groove now towards shows.

I have figured out the set up for the 2 new 15 x 30s and the 30 x 30.

Caretta carettas , they will be awesome!

Today has been a good day in the studio.

I was confirmed for another show in Florida in January.

Las Olas, and Del Ray Beach here we come!

But first, Fall shows.

50th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama

October 12th, 13th, 14th, & 15th

Jubilee Festival, Daphne Alabama

October 21st & 22nd

Mattie Kelly, Destin, Florida

October 28th & 29th

Peter Anderson, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Nov.4th & 5th

WAIT LIST Three Rivers, Covington, Louisiana

Nov11th & 12th

I was wait listed last year for Three Rivers, didn't get in.

Fingers Crossed!

Pelican Parley, Acrylic on Shadowbox Canvas, 12 x 24

Day 39 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Seahorses II

Today is another one of the "happy accident" canvas.

Narrow and somewhat difficult to arrange the pieces in them because they are so narrow.

I'm very happy with how they turned out when completed today.

I also spent the better part of the afternoon trying to lay out a design 

for the other two "happy accident" canvases.

After trying for a good while to fit what I wanted, I abandoned the project.

I even had redrawn the design twice.

It just didn't look like what I had in my mind.

Turns out, the new pieces I am working on will fit the bill.

Pelicans on pilings will work.

I love this man I married, but he sure challenges me sometimes as an artist!

Speaking of challenges.

Chris threw me another one today.

He had leftover lumber in the shop and decided to build.

Two offset 15 x 30s shadowboxes (with somewhat small openings).

One 30 x 30 centered shadowbox.

I laid them out, then asked him to move the opening on one to the upper corner.

Once painted, they will be a beautiful addition to my booth.

I finally took the time to paint the sides of the big octopus and large heron today too.

I will check them for pencil lines, erasing when necessary, tomorrow.

Then varnish and wires.

They will then be placed aside to dry for a few days, then get packed and marked for shows.

It's a cycle of creating here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Seahorses II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023 

 

Seahorses

Such beautiful creatures that God has made!

I love to paint seahorses.

(Well, you know I love to paint all sea creatures!)

Seahorses are just such almost comical little things, swimming with their tiny little fins.

They are fascinating to watch, drifting to their next destination, 

then grabbing hold of the coral or grasses.

They also fascinate me with the male carrying and caring for the babies.

More to come, as there is a matching canvas opposite to this one with lined seahorses.

Speaking of canvas....

As most of you know, or soon will know, my canvases are hand built and stretched.

This one is no exception.

Although sometimes Chris gets in a little hurry while building them.

So much of a hurry, he makes "happy accidents."

This one, or actually 4 of them have a little difference, 

in that they have a 4-inch reveal on the outer edge.

This makes the inner shadowbox 4 inches as well.

Incredibly small to paint in.

Even harder to stretch, as Chris discovered.

He took on the task of stretching the other day and this included these 4 "happy accidents".

He managed to complain a little while doing them.

He did mention that his stretching them will remind him of the measurement in the future.

Living, learning, and laughter fill the studio these days.

Happy to have you along for the ride!

Seahorses, acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 37 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Flying high!

Today I chose to complete something for my grandson Neel in India!

This airplane is for his 4th birthday.

Never mind, his 5th birthday is in about a week.

I really must get better about completing the paintings for the grands in India.

Happy birthday a little late?

Happy birthday a little early?

Anyway, Happy birthday Neel!

I spent almost the entire day cleaning and rearranging the studio.

I could not hardly move for the canvases.

Anyway, they are all painted white, stacked, and ready for my brushes.

I spent almost the entire morning yesterday paint the last batch white.

There are over 40 of them now!

Sheesh!

  

Flying high! Acrylic on canvas 6 x 6

Day 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Marlins, a rose, and baby turtles!

Marlin fish.

Friday night.

A very simplified version, but I was exhausted.

The one on top was my grandson's attempt at watercolor.

Needless to say, he tried very hard, and I like the result!

We will be working on his drawing skills in the next few months.

We also went camping this weekend, to check out the camper.

We drove over to Pensacola to tour both the Navy Museum and the Lighthouse.

We are all a little sore from the 177 steps to get up to the top.

My grand didn't want to go, but he conquered his fear and made it to the top!

He did not, however go out on the walkway around the light.

I'm still so proud of him!

The Peace rose is for my grand daughter's birthday.

We had just come back from the mission to Africa, and I jumped right into the VBS at church.

I totally did not do her painting on her birthday, but it is still for her birthday.

Why a rose?

Last year I painted a purple Dahlia as this is her name.

Her middle name is Rosalie, and her Mannas (my mother) favorite flower was a rose.

This one is for Saturday.

"Follow the leader" 

Baby turtles

I just love painting them!

Marlins, a rose and Follow the leader (baby turtles), Acrylic on canvas and watercolor

Follow the Leader 5 x 24 inches, Days 32,33,34 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Long day, long arms!

Oh, I am in love!

I'm not in love with the amount of time it took to do this beauty.

But I am in love with the result!

The shadowboxes do well in color too.

As I said, long day.

I started with a chiropractic appointment.

I then went to get a new driver's license.

Then it was on to an appointment to talk with a new student for beginning watercolor.

Home, then lunch with Chris.

Chris was exemplary as a spouse today.

Last night, I got all the corners done for the new shadowboxes.

I cut all the canvas yesterday too.

Chris worked while I was running errands this morning.

He then said, you paint, I'll stretch.

He stretched all the canvases he built for me today.

All 16 of them.

There are now a total of 39 shadowbox canvases waiting for my brush.

This is not an easy task, but he was up to the challenge.

I am grateful they are done now.

I pray I can get them painted white before we leave to go camping in the afternoon Friday.

If I do, I do.

If I don't, I don't.

As I said, long day.

Goodnight!

Long day, long arms, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Day 52 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Mighty tiny octopus!

Actually, not so tiny!

This little guy measures 5 x 24inches.

They are fun to paint, but not so fun to build or stretch.

They are perfect above a doorway, or in between windows when vertical.

I love painting them!

As soon as I finish this post, I have lots of canvas waiting to be stretched again.

We are going camping this weekend, and I need to be more on track with the paintings.

So, I must stretch them....

I cut canvas this morning for the new batch, going through all the scraps and a new 6yd roll.

Needless to say, we made a trip to Hobby Lobby to pick up another roll.

I now feel somewhat safer in my supply of canvas.

My husband thinks I'm hoarding canvases, but eventually I will use them all.

I have a large amount stored in my studio just outside the doorway.

When I purchase flat canvas, I generally purchase it from Michaels.

The reason, I discovered that their Pro-packs are cheaper usually than the sale prices.

When I need a canvas, I simply walk over and pick one out of my stacks.

I have 12 x 12s, 12 x24s, 12 x36s, 24 x 24s, 16 x 40s, and 24 x 24s, all neatly stored.

This all requires a gallon of white from Liquitex to paint them all before 

adding the sea creatures, I am known for and love to paint!

It took me years to find a signature style, and now I am enjoying the act of creating so much.

I love it when people return year after year to add another to their collection.

I thank God for the talent he has given me every moment of every day!

Things are beautiful here at the Raccoon Retreat studio in Fairhope, Alabama.

Now I must get back to the compressor and racket of a staple gun for the next couple of hours.

Thank God for earmuffs, because those two tools are noisy!

Mighty tiny octopus!, Acrylic on canvas, 5 x 24 inches

Day 51 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Mightiest Octopus ~ Mighty job!

Warning, Long post!

I am worn out today.

It has been a big week of hard work.

Let me begin by telling you that this is not a complaint.

My tired is an accomplished kind of tired.

You see, it's been a busy week of long days.

Not necessarily because of many hours, but because of the work involved.

Let me explain.....

The octopus you see is a flip of one I painted originally for sale at Big Fish as a request.

This gentleman was building a house and wanted a really big octopus 

as the house has an octopus theme.

I had designed this one in reverse and it was one I had been pondering for a while.

But it was only on paper.

I needed custom canvases to complete him.

Two 16 x 30 canvas and two 16 x 20, with a 16 x 40 in the center.

The entire creature is not even visible here.

There is slightly more to the top and bottom of the center canvas.

Put together, it measures 40 inches tall, and 80 inches wide.

Hang it, and it probably measures 86 inches wide.

Anyway, the gallery said go for it.

The gentleman couldn't decide and I told the gallery owner I was taking it on the road for shows.

(He ended up purchasing another octopus I already had at the store.)

I was not unhappy at all to take this beautiful octopus on a five-week swing into Florida.

Little did I know it would sell at the first show!

Gulp!

My biggest, most expensive piece was now gone, taking several square feet of wall art with it.

15.5 square feet to be exact.

I ended up painting another smaller five-piece octopus that week on the road.

(It was only 9 square feet, but still impressive.)

So, 5 months later I revisited him in reverse.

I try not to duplicate my works, but a reverse is still different.

My plan is to put him on the left side of the booth at the 50th Annual National Shrimp Festival this year.

On the right side of the booth will most likely be the reverse again in full color!

(Again, still an original)

I can see the booth in my mind, and it seems to be coming together very nicely.

Problem is, storing this beautiful beast after I finish it!

I am indeed blessed this week!

I was fortunate to have a collector pick up her three shadowbox pieces this week.

She ordered them while I was still in Africa on mission.

Two turtles and an octopus in sepia.

This makes a total of 9 pieces in her home that were painted by my hands.

I am so grateful!

Now, to the crab above.

Another piece ordered while I was out of the country.

She is headed to Amelia Island off the coast of Florida.

The couple originally purchased a turtle from me there and ordered this beautiful lady.

She measures 20 x 24 inches.

I am also sneaking in some time to work on the ornaments for this year.

I created while Chris drove to orange beach.

So grateful for a spouse that doesn't mind a little mess in the car.

This will be the last year for glass, unless it's special ordered.

I have already purchased and painted 100 wood discs for the flat ornaments this year.

I also have these really neat boxes that are the perfect size.

These shadowbox canvases are just part of the 26 we stretched this week.

They all have to be painted white, and I did part of that today.

Yesterday was another dozen, I just didn't have room on my table for more.

All are now ready for sepia or colorful creatures.

We still had lots of lumber available to make more, so I told Chris go ahead.

Problem is, now I have another large batch of 16 to stretch and paint.

Hours and hours keeping me from the easel, but very necessary.

Each canvas takes about an hour of work to complete, between cutting the wood,

making the frames, cutting the canvas, stretching them, then painting them white.

These custom canvases are part of my signature style .

I am so grateful to have a spouse who simply says, "I still have more lumber, what do you want?"

Even in the 100-degree heat here in the deep south.

I am such a lucky lady to have my husband Chris in my life.

I love you honey!

Tonight I stretched another 4 for the new octopus.

Two 16 x 30 and two 16 x 20, I already have the 16 x 40 for the center.

I then painted those 5, plus the other eleven 5 x 24 I stretched earlier.

So, it's been a long day.

Needless to say, I am tired and now typing what I hope is not gibberish.

I really enjoy my artist life here at the Raccoon Retreat studio!

Good night!

Days 25-29 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Varying sizes

Too many days to remember

 Too many days indeed!

These paintings represent several days of work.

Works done, but not posted as of yet.

Today I take care of that situation!

Lots of things happening here, making me tired at the end of the day.

Too tired to post it seems!

This big, bad, boy was an incredibly fun to paint bird!

Great blue herons and Pelicans are two of my absolute favorites.

May I never tire of painting them.

This gorgeous creature is on an unusual grouping of canvases.

The center canvas is 24 x 24, the two outer ones are 18 x 24.

This makes him a rather large 6 foot heron.

I just need to break him apart, then paint the sides.

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Every year, I attempt to paint something on Archer's birthday which is August 12th.

He is double digits now!

10 years old.

Now I feel older.

He's old enough now that I ask him what do you want for your birthday painting?

This year he said a monkey, a capuchin monkey to be precise.

I love this little fella!

He a precious 8 x 10

Day 19 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Occasionally I get asked for commission pieces.

I'm not a big fan of them, as I find what I think the client wants is not always the case.

Hopefully this guy makes the grade, and she loves him!

Otherwise, I have another piece to sell.

This one is 16 x 16

Day 20 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Another commissioned piece from the same collector.

She is finishing a wall of pieces using sea turtles.

I pray this one finds a home with her as well!

She went to the blog and chose this pose, but of course I have to change it some 

as I want everyone to have an original.

This one is also a 16 x 16

Day 21 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

This little guy is not so little!

This shadowbox is a 12 x 24.

It is the last of the commissioned works that will hopefully grace this woman's home.

I cannot wait to see it in place with her other turtles!

Day 22 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

It is only by God's grace that I have a husband who wants to please me.

God placed us together as we are the perfect mix of stable and goofy.

He loves to build my shadowboxes, and today he also helped stretch them!

I had already stretched 9 of the last group, so he came and helped with the other 17.

We also stretched 2-16 x 20s, 2-16 x 30s, and a 20 x 24.

More about these canvases later!

We work well together, actually not even talking much.

We have a sense of what the other needs and it is provided.

I bought him a new staple gun, as his electric one had given up the ghost.

Two compressors, two guns, the dachshunds did not appreciate the racket at all!

Although they slept through most of it.......

Day 23 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Last but not least, more turtles.

I will never tire of painting them I hope!

These guys are already sold as well, I'm afraid.

Day 24 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

More canvas ordered~I love pro-packs from Michaels!

I also spent the evening painting multiple canvas's white.

I also have ordered a gallon of soft body Liquitex white from Alabama Art Supply.

Hope it makes it here before I run out!

I have become desperate before and bought several jars at Hobby Lobby, 

adding a tube of Golden Titanium White to make it more opaque.

Hours of preparation are coming together into a beautiful show.

That is, if I can paint fast enough!

Thank you, Lord for the talent, stamina, and beauty that surrounds me.

Tomorrow is another day!

To many days to remember, Days 18-24

Of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Three for Four

Today's paintings represent two days.

I spent the majority of the day cleaning up the mess that is my studio presently.

I cannot walk by, without something slithering to the floor.

I have thousands of reference photos that I use.

Some of them are photos I took, some are friend's photos that they graciously let me use,

others are from the internet and are changed a lot before they leave my studio.

I "Frankenstein" a lot of my paintings, using my knowledge of animal anatomy to manipulate several photos into one that I can then paint.

These guys are a little of both.

The upper one was almost completed at artwalk in June.

It was then brought to the studio for completion, wiring, and varnishing.

The one below was completed in my studio yesterday.

They are each large examples of these beautiful birds that grace our coasts.

"Great Blue I" and "Great Blue II"

Each measures 16 x 40 inches and will be at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope.

I may add the large round herons as well just for fun!

They will make a gorgeous grouping together for sure!

The last of the six rounds from my studio has a lined seahorse.

These guys are incredibly fun to paint.

Lined seahorse is on a 24-inch round wood panel.

I am really enjoying the colorful creations in my studio these days.

I keep dreaming of the booth at the National Shrimp Festival this year, with it starting with sepias on one side gradually shifting to partial color, then full color paintings on the other side.

It's going to be fun to create, then hang at the show.

I will have to be careful to have back stock to fill in during the show, so the booth stays full.

A lot of my artist friends are nervous about the upcoming show season, 

I am remaining optimistic that the pieces will sell.

God continues to bless me in my artistic endeavors. giving me the images to paint.

Even if paintings don't sell at shows, there are two galleries that want the pieces that don't sell.

Big Fish Trading Company in Foley, as well as my local hang out, "Hello Gallery" at 18 South Section Street in downtown Fairhope.

Oh! and there's the one woman show at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.

The show will feature my Steampunk & Marine pieces, Steampunk style tables and my son Jere's lamps, as well as some of Christopher's woodturning.

It will hang for December and January.

There will be multiple prints of the steampunk available for purchase as Christmas presents.

Ornaments are coming too!

Both steampunk and marine ornaments will be available.

I am so delighted to have been invited back for the third year in a row!

It's always fun to be there, the people that run the Center are so kind and supportive.

Mark your calendars, December 9th, 2023, is the official opening reception.

Steampunk and the Sea!

So, things are humming along here at the Raccoon Retreat studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I am joyous to be on this journey with those who follow the blog!

I am blessed indeed!

Great blue heron I, Great blue heron II, Lined seahorse Acrylic on canvas and wood panel

Days 15, 16, and 17 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Octopus's and Turtle's

After another day's worth of painting, I finally feel as though I've found a groove.

It has been a while since I have lifted a brush to create.

I have painted two murals in Africa, as well as teaching painting watercolor and acrylic to three different artists while in Zimbabwe as well.

I also jumped into a major build for my church's VBS the day after I got back from Africa.

While I miss my friends in Zimbabwe, I am definitely loving being back in my studio.

Creating just makes me happy.

Chris also spent the day in his shop, after a trip to the local Lowes for lumber.

Lowes seems to have the straightest, best lumber for my stretcher bars.

We picked up 20 2x4s, which makes 60 pieces that can be used to make shadowbox frames.

I know he loves me so much.

How do I know?

He's out working in the shop in 115 degree heat index.

Fans blowing, Chris is really in his happy place now.

Even though he's sweating profusely, he's doing something that helps me.

We really were made for each other and I am so grateful God placed him in my life.

I am also pleased to report Chris's hand is getting better every day.

The wound seems to be closing nicely, although there is a knot under the skin.

Hopefully the antibiotics he's on now will continue making him well.

We have another trip to the dermatologist in two weeks.

65 days until the Annual National Shrimp Festival today!

I am getting really excited about this year's show.

I am having a double booth again, but no wall in between 

so it will be one smooth transition from one tent to the next.

My goal is to have sepias starting on one end of the space, moving to partially added color, 

then on to full color paintings at the other end of the space.

Basically, the booth will read like a book from left to right, 

going from black and white to full color works.

I'm praying the booth will be as beautiful in reality as it is in my mind.

Acrylic on wood, 24 inches round

 Paintings 13 & 14, 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Paintings 7~11

Not necessarily days, but at least #7 through #11 paintings

Our lives are unbelievably hectic these days!

Retirement, what's that?

Chris is busier than I think he ever expected to be in his golden years.

I am so happy and grateful that he's on this art journey with me.

Speaking of Chris, his hand is much better now!

I pitched a fit more or less, last week for him to go to urgent care and get it looked at again.

I think he felt it was getting better, but I knew it was not.

The culture came back as I suspected for a staph infection.

Staph is a really nasty thing to get rid of, but he seems to be 

really responding to his antibiotics positively.

Although when the culture was diagnosed, he was put on another antibiotic specifically for staph.

He's well enough to go to the shop and lovingly start making shadowbox frames as I am out of them!

These two shadowboxes are the last of the 32 he built in March of this year.

They are each 12x24 

I am also working hard to paint the last of the 24 inch rounds I had from shows this spring.

I did not get to them while on the road, and then life got in the way.

I've also bought 36 canvases from Michaels for the 5 piece paintings.

This getting ready for shows is a lot of thinking, planning, and preparations.

Months of money tied up in jury fees, booth fees, and believe it or not, 

campgrounds that are reserved over a year in advance!

 

I've also had to rethink my giclee prints and have ordered some online for the Steampunk.

We shall see if the quality is there when I get them.

I will do a post about them when they arrive as this is a new company.

I've done research on this them and they have great reviews.

Family owned company in the Midwest that apparently is extremely fast and efficient.

Cost effective too!

I have also taken on the ornaments this year as well.

Last year got away from me, with no ornaments offered and requests were made.

They will be on flat wood pieces instead of glass balls.

They will be easier to transport and less likely to break.

I will have a limited amount of the glass balls this year as well.

I bought both clay and metallic paints to prepare for making them soon.

The Raccoon Retreat studio is humming with activity every day now!

Hopefully, I can make the posting on the blog a priority as well.

In the meantime, I paint!

Paintings 7 ~11, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas 12 x 24 and wood panel 24 rounds

Days 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Two to tango

 

These fish are just incredibly fun to paint. I don't believe I'll ever get tired of them! These lionfish are an invasive species on our Coast and have become an income for some divers that are catching and bringing them to restaurants. I have yet to eat one but I hear they're delicious! They are poisonous, but I've heard it's not much worse than a rather bad bee sting. The problem with these fish is that the divers can clean a reef, and then the entire reef will be covered with them again the next day. The reason for this is because these fish can dive much deeper than the divers, therefore hiding them in plain sight!

Two to tango, acrylic on wood panel,12 inches round, days 7&8 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2023

Two days~four paintings

  As per usual, life gets in the way here at the Raccoon Retreat studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

VBS was all consuming during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Wednesday we broke down VBS and I happily sent the majority of it 

to an elementary school instead of a landfill.

My studio time is frequently interrupted by the goings on at the house.

Today was no exception.

Today Chris and I went to the dermatologist for an appointment 

made by the urgent care doctor on Monday.

Why the rush visit?

We just arrived home form a three week mission in Zimbabwe, Africa on Thursday last week.

I came home with a cold and sinus infection.

Chris came home with an apparent spider bite that was initially treated in Victoria Falls 

just as we were leaving the country.

Neither of us wanted this kind of souvenir!

However, Chris's hand swelled over the weekend and I was concerned.

Monday morning the the urgent care doctor became concerned as well.

So, to the dermatologist we went today.

Now the good news.

The care and treatment we've been giving since early this week has been working.

We still have not gotten results back from the culture, but Chris seems to be on the mend!

Now I can focus back on creating in the studio again.

In the meantime, Chris has been given permission to go play in the shop.

(I had banished him because I was concerned about the wound getting more infected.

At one point, I though he might lose the finger it was so infected and swollen.)

God is so good!

He is happily working in the shop, I am back in the studio!

The two turtles were painted yesterday.

Today's work in the art realm.

I always enjoy painting lionfish.

More people are collecting the paintings, as they are a beautiful fish.

I am still alarmed at the invasiveness of these creatures.

For all their beauty, they are deadly to a lot of the smaller big game babies, so they are becoming a problem to the future of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.

We are their only real predator, as they have no known enemies in the fish world.

I still want to eat one, as I have heard they are a delicate whitefish.

I am patient and will keep trying to find one on the menu somewhere.

As I said, I am patient.

After all, I waited for 4 years to be able to eat crocodile in Zimbabwe while there.

It was delicious, and I will eat it again if offered.

Mopani worms, not so much....

It's a big deal to eat a mopani worm while in Zimbabwe.

While I did not eat one at the restaurant, I did eat one at the home of one of my African friends.

One is enough for me!

Back to the studio, back to the paint!

Chris is back to the shop, happily creating wood frames for a new series of shadowboxes.

The last set of shadowboxes he built numbered 32.

I have painted, sold, or have in galleries all but two.

They will be painted soon, I'm sure!

I also have orders for two 16 x 16 shadowboxes that are already sold.

Such is a day in the life here at the Raccoon Retreat studio!

Turtles 1 & 2, and Lionfish 1& 2, Acrylic on wood panel, 12" round 

Days 3,4,5,&6 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023