Turtle flipper

Truly amazing creatures these sea turtles!

Their skeletons are beautiful.

(Trust me, google it!)

Such a wonderful creature God has made.

They can survive large shark bites as well.

I once photographed one at the Tampa Zoo that had a large bite out of it's side.

Knowing that the shark took part of her skeleton, but didn't hit major organs actually blows my mind.

They are intelligent, beautiful, and endangered.

They can get caught in fishing nets and drown, or get struck by a boat and get bubble butt syndrome.

Bubble butt makes it impossible to dive, because they have air trapped under their shell.

They have to become permanent residents of an aquarium or a place 

like the Turtle Hospital in Marathon Florida.

They have to periodically have weights glued to their shells allowing them to dive normally.

They are endangered because out of a nest of over 100 eggs, only one may survive to adulthood.

Then they have to come back to the beach they were born at to lay eggs.

Amazing, beautiful, curious, and graceful.

So happy I get to create paintings of them!

Turtle Flipper, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Day 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Great Blue too!

Great Blue too! 

I say this because this is a "mate" to the other one that was already done.

I picked up another Great Blue Heron from the gallery this week.

Frequently, but not always folks want a left and a right of a particular creature.

So, here he is, ready for the show!

I am moving along now with the paintings completed, today is number 62.

I am behind because of our mission to Africa this summer.

38 more paintings to go!

I will not have the 100 finished by the Shrimp Festival.

I am however, going to continue to post and complete the 100 days.

When finished, I will draw for the winner of the painting valued at $295.00.

This will most likely coincide with the Peter Anderson show in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

First weekend in November will be the drawing.

I pray everyone understands.....

Great Blue too!, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches

Day 62 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Seahorse

What a day today was!

I am amazed at the calm and peace I am given these days when confronted by a situation.

I started my day as usual, with coffee and Bible study to get me on the right track.

If I don't start this way, I seem to be out of sorts all day.

Anyway, I got up from Bible study, reading and journaling, then sending messages out.

I stripped and made the bed.

Started the sheets to washing and because I had a chiropractic appointment, I did not head to the studio.

I then started picking and choosing clothing for the upcoming trip to the National Shrimp Festival.

Four days four outfits.

Except I couldn't pick which four, so I had Chris help later in the day.

I also talked to Chris about the hat situation I have.

I wear a hat to shows instead of sunglasses because I want people to be able to see my eyes.

I collect pins from areas we go while doing shows.

Problem is, it's a lot of pins and they are poking me in the head and making my hat feel really small.

I asked if he could remove the spike on the back, then drill holes in the pins so 

I could sew them on the hat band instead.

He got them all altered, and I had a pile on the counter awaiting my needle and thread.

I then headed to my appointment and came back home.

Into the studio I went, finishing a good bit of a painting I was working on.

I packed several paintings, marking the bags for the National Shrimp Festival.

It was then time for lunch.

Except lunch was not here at the house.

We took Sister to the Catfish restaurant because it is her birthday today.

When we returned, I had Chris choose outfits for the show, and I packed the bag to go into the camper.

So many small things to think about when getting ready for shows.

I also repaired several earrings with bigger hooks, so I don't have to fight them anymore.

I heard talking going on outside, so I went over to chat with another 

sister-in-law that came for her sister's birthday. 

I grabbed the pin project and chatted while sewing on the band for the hat.

That done, it was time to feed the dogs and take them for their daily ride.

Ride done; I begged off cooking tonight, opting for leftovers or sandwiches.

Finally made it back to the studio to paint for a couple of hours.

Back to the calmness in a situation.....

I tried to send photos to my email, but I am getting an error message.

So, I sent the photo to the blog, via my phone, then edited on the computer.

Years ago, when I started the blog, I would've totally lost my mind to get an error message like that.

Instead, I have signed out of my account, and will be turning off the computer in an effort to figure out the situation tomorrow.

Long, interesting, hectic, day.

Actually, a typical day around here.....

Never a dull moment at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Seahorse, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 16inches

Day 61 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Looking good!

I posted Frequent Flier a couple of days ago.

I realized in my booth set up; I needed partial color on a couple of the larger shadowboxes.

So, I added color to him yesterday.

I have gallery in particular that loves the partial color on the pieces.

Specifically, they will have me add color to the eyes, so they are in stark contrast to the sepia creature.

Big Fish Trading Company has sold several of them over the years.

I took ornaments to Big Fish today.

60 ornaments, boxes, and tissue paper will have them ready for Christmas.

I can't wait to see the tree when it's decorated in the store.

I love working with them, they are so easy going.

 They are never upset when I have to remove pieces for a show.

Surprise though this time, I only asked for my steampunk seahorse print!

Amy was shocked that I didn't want anything else.

"Here's looking at you kid" is another sea turtle of course.

This one has a colored eye as well. 

I am looking forward to the reactions from people when they see the booth.

I'm really getting excited too!

These two turtles will be at the top of the back right wall at the festival.

I am finally finished with the booth plan paintings.

Anything I do now will be extra stock held back until needed, or they'll head to another show.

Even then, if they don't sell, Big Fish Trading Company or Hello Gallery will take them for sure!

 Ah Dolphins at play! Nothing is a happier painting than these little guys.

If you ever have a chance to go on a dolphin cruise, take the time to see them.

Dolphins are the real jokesters of the sea, frolicking in the waves as they play.

Did you know?

Dolphins' bellies turn pink when they are happy or make little dolphins.

It is a precious sight to see them when they are happy.

We once had a cruise on a 4th of July coming into the Mobile River.

We had a real treat when a pod of dolphins joined us, leaping off the bow waves.

Happy memories of happy times at sea.

Looking good! Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, Each 12 x 36

Days 58, 59, & 60 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Frequent flier

I do seem to be on a turtle kick these days.

Sea turtles are one of my favorites to paint for sure!

It's even earned me the nickname "Turtle Queen" from one of my girlfriends who is also an artist.

I just really enjoy painting them every time.

We are still waiting on booth assignments from the National Shrimp Festival for this year.

I do know I'll be close to where I was last year on 182.

I can understand the logistics of running a show this large.

 I don't envy the people who are in charge.

Hats off to the committees, volunteers, and paid staff that run this show every year.

It is a monumental task, keeping artists, locals, and volunteers happy, or at least satisfied.

17 days until we set up for the show!

I have enough headaches myself, trying to coordinate a double booth.

My show schedule is complete now for fall. 

Already the spring shows are starting to have applications ready for artists submission.

We have money tied up in jury fees, booth fees, RV reservations or hotels for months before a show.

Prints ordered, mats and bags, business cards, labels, shopping bags all have to be purchased and ready.

Canvases, paints, varnish, wires, brushes are all expenses that have to be paid in advance.

Ornaments painted, clay made, ornaments completed, over 200 of them this year alone.

Two different boxes for ornaments, labels, bags, hangers, tissue paper, so many things.

I have no less than 3 shows to enter for March/April/May of next year on October 1st.

It's a LOT of work!

And most artists wouldn't have it any other way!

Frequent flier, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36inches

Day 57 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Interesting

I wonder what goes through the minds of the sea creatures when they encounter humans.

Are they as curious about us as we are of them?

Do they wonder why we stay at the surface, of blow bubbles when scuba diving?

I know there are some turtles that have tried to ahem, "mate" with divers.

I've always wondered what goes through their minds.

I know what is in mine right now.

I am listening and watching numerous programs about the sea and sea life while I am painting.

National Geographic rocks by the way!

So many wonderful shows and people that are champions for the animals and reefs.

I think my path might have been different, had I stayed in California as a teen.

I may have taken up scuba diving or become a costumer in the movie industry.

Who knows, I only know God has a plan for me, 

and I've never been happier than when I let go of control.

God's plans are certainly much better than mine!

I love the path he has taken me so far on in a few short years.

I never dreamt I would become a professional artist, married to the man of my dreams, travel the world, and living in the paradise that we call home here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama 

God's plan is really good for me!

Interesting, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Day 56 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Yin-Yang turtles

This is the really large canvas with 5 pieces making a polyptych.

Greek for the word poly meaning many.

This is the beginning of the work, layering in skin wrinkles and outlines.

I also had painted the eyes, but they still needed shadowing and highlights.

The multi canvas series is several years old now, but this is the first time I've done one in color.

It is made with a canvas in the center that is 16 x 40 inches tall. 

Each one of the side panels is a 16 x 30 and a 16 x 20 on each end.

The entire piece when displayed is 7 feet wide.

I love the colored turtles; this piece puts me one step closer to the set up for the National Shrimp festival.

The show is 19 days away now, and I hope to complete several more paintings before the big day.

Each piece makes me happier than the one before.

I am grateful to God for the talent He's given me, and the ability to complete the tasks before me.

This second photo is while in progress.

I had started to add the colors to the flippers and the back of the shells.

There was still a lot of detailing at this point, although they look finished.

So much fun, making rapid decisions for color, detail, and shading.

So large I cannot photograph it in my studio, because I cannot put a back board behind it.

So, we took the beast downstairs and hung it on the fence to take a photo.

I love the combination of the weathered fence and the color of the turtles.

It makes a lovely presentation.

I took a photo of myself with the painting so you can see how big it really is in person.

And yet it seems small.

I have "maps" of the walls for the show, placing each piece where it needs to go.

It also gives me a good idea of how many more I have to make to have the look I want.

The show is really getting closer now and I am on hyper drive at this point.

I tell Chris, I am in "show mode."

This discipline is the only way I will have enough pieces to display, sell, and replace works that sell.

After we photographed the turtles, we took it apart while outside making it easier to take back upstairs.

I then spent a couple of hours painting the sides of the canvases.

This is so when viewed from the side, you still see a completed work.

I'm really excited to see what people think about them!

Yin-Yang turtles, Acrylic on canvas, 40 inches tall 72 inches wide.

Day 55 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

 

Silently

Whew! 

What a day!

I finished up all the canvas from yesterday's varnishing.

Finishing involves measuring and adding d-rings and wires.

I put the wires on the octopus and this turtle, but they still need varnishing.

I also painted today on this guy.

So many interesting angles to complete the painting.

I've also moved on to the very large 40 inch by 84-inch multiple canvas piece.

This "polyptych" is five canvases just like the Octopus.

It will go on the right-hand side of the booth at the National Shrimp Festival.

The booth, at least in my mind is coming along nicely.

The thought is that the booth will go from sepia to full color in a left to right configuration.

It looks great in my head at least!

Hopefully it will be in person too!

Silently, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 54 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Octopus and herons

I am at the end of a long day.

I started in the studio at 9 am, erasing and varnishing over 20 works.

You see, the art is starting to attack me as I walk through the studio.

 It slides to the floor or just falls over and hits my shins.

I did have lunch with Chris and our son Jere', then later took the rotten dogs for their daily car ride.

I then ate dinner and went back to the studio in the evening.

After answering email, and soon to be sketching off a rather large multi canvas piece. 

I will call it a day about 9:30 pm

I love it, my back and neck however do not.

Ahhh blessed relief when I hit the shower and the bed tonight!

These guys are for sewing machine drawers.

I have an absolute stack of them in the studio, awaiting my brush and creative spark.

They are always a popular piece of art, affordable, and can be hung on a wall, or placed on a shelf.

I love painting them!

The octopus is another in the series of color on the shadowboxes.

They are a challenge to create, with the corners and edges making me turn the canvas every direction.

I'm really enjoying the challenge of painting them.

Octopus and herons, Acrylics on canvas and wood, Herons 5x15 inches, Octopus 12 x 24 inches

Days 51,52, & 53 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Colors, canvases, and completions

Days and days since I've posted!

The studio has been a hive of activity as of late.

I have been too busy to post, but today I am bound and determined to get this done!

Both of these pieces are 24 x 24 inches and so fun to paint.

I really enjoy these sepias and shadowboxes.

The booth is coming together very nicely on paper, hopefully it will look the same on the walls.

These are some of the partial color paintings.

The walls of the booth will gradually go from sepia to full color, 

left to right if you're standing in front of the space.

I'm enjoying the process for sure!

So much to do in the next three weeks before the Annual National Shrimp Festival.

The turtles are a continuation of works I do for Big Fish Trading Company in Foley, Alabama.

These will be in my booth though and not at the gallery.

Sea turtles are always some of my favorites to paint. 

The octopus is another partially colored piece.

I love the surprise of color in the eye area.

We shall see how they do at the show!

The crab is for the far right wall at the festival in October.

Full color is interesting on the shadowboxes, adding a degree of difficulty.

Challenging yes, but not impossible to paint.

I do love a challenge too!

The three following pieces are the unusual canvases Chris built.

Two 15 x 30s and one central 30 x 30, making for one large work of art.

The challenge was the set up and arrangement of the turtles.

I decided to have a total of 7 turtles spread across the 3 canvas.

7 turtles for the 7 days of creation.

Truly a wonderful piece of art!

This is the tryptic on my fence, because I cannot set up and photograph in the studio.

The work measure 30 inches tall and 60 inches wide.

It really will look great in the booth for sure!

Colors, canvases, and completions, Acrylic on canvas, varying sizes

Days 41- 50 of the 100 daya~100 paintings 2023

 

Pelican Parley II

I am having an incredibly fun time!

These "happy accident" canvases provided a challenge because of their small opening.

It was interesting to try and fill the space and yet maintain the feeling of not being too crowded.

They turned out better than I ever imagined they would.

Challenge accepted Chris.

On to the next works.

Below you will find the two canvases together.

They will be a great pair or can be sold individually.

I think they look nice, don't you?

Creating is definitely in my blood.

My mother was a fantastic knitter, making fishermen knit cables, honeycombs, and bars.

She even knitted in genuine wool.

I really wish I had one of those sweaters now.

My dad created with me when I was younger, making some of the most fantastic Halloween costumes.

He once even helped my Camp Fire Girl group all make some.

It is a good memory from childhood.

Pelican Parley II, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023