On the 100th day....

Today began normally with me reading my Bible and sending messages. We then rushed headlong into the day with last minute packing, and a sewing project.

We couldn't find the rain gutter I made from before, so I took part of a wall and rebuilt a gutter for between the booths.

We then hit the road and grabbed breakfast on the way. 

We stopped off first at the Chamber to get my packet. Then we headed to the campground on the way to the show. We dropped off the camper, then headed into the chaos that is set up for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. 

We spent a while setting up both tents with their roofs and walls. We then began the daunting task of putting up the new Flourish walls with the French wall opening in one tent. The entire set up took 3 hours to get done. I really believe part of this is because of me sustaining an injury with first pole I picked up. As I lifted the pole, the bracket slid down and caught the edge of my index finger. An almost immediate blood blister popped up and it was rather large and painful.

I took a bandaid to put pressure on it and kept working. Finally everything was in place and we could start hanging art. So many bags! 100 paintings are a lot, but we didn't bring that many with us. The response has been very favorable so far,with several people coming in to look while we were setting up. We took the longest we ever have to set up. Five hours total. Most everything is done though, even price tags in place. Tomorrow we set up the Christmas ornaments and straighten before we open.

We also went to dinner with our son and his girlfriend at Sunliner diner after hot showers and setting up the camper.

After dinner we went for some quick groceries and to relax. 

I then painted the 100 th painting in the camper this evening. 

I'm really happy the 100 paintings are done! Tomorrow morning I'll draw the winner of the painting valued at $295.

Thank you for following this journey with me!

Headed to the show! As usual Chris looks injured! I love him so much!

Tentacles, tentacles everywhere! Acrylic on canvas, 6 x24 inches

Day 100 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2025

Salt water

It has been an incredibly jam-packed busy day!

I started my day as usual with my Bible and other readings, then I journal.

This typically takes about an hour, sometimes more.

After I journal, I send the messages and begin my day.

Today's agenda was to take my sister in love to Prodisee pantry for 100 pounds of groceries.

This is so needed by her and helps tremendously with her food budget.

I also needed to ship a package or two to India.

I've needed to send these things to Christina for a couple of weeks now and today was the day.

Chris volunteered to take his sister to the pantry, so that freed up my time to get the packages ready.

Packing involves removing price tags, bags and generally just making everything generic.

You also cannot have any lithium batteries or batteries period.

It is becoming harder and harder to ship overseas.

I get the boxes packed, and head to the post office.

There, I have to fill out paperwork with my name, address, her name and address, and sign it.

I also have to list every single item, its cost, and its weight.

The totals all have to add up and cannot be over $200, or you have to pay extra.

Even the weights have to add up.

One of the boxes took three sheets to list all the items.

Each sheet has my name and address, her name and address, and my signature.

It's a lot and my heads hurts after getting it all done, paid for, and out of my hands.

I then headed home.

Chris beat me to the house and had taken the artwork from upstairs to the downstairs.

It is a lot of bags, all separated with plastic bags, against each artwork.

We took everything outside and in between dachshunds trying to get into the van, we loaded in the art.

This is a new system for loading, and I had to remove items and 

replace them in a delicate game of Tetris.

I also have to be sure that nothing will fall out when we open a door or the hatch.

This took a while to get everything into the vehicle.

I asked about the ornaments and Chris said what ornaments?

There they were under the sewing machine.

I managed to get them to fit, then realized the tree for them was still upstairs.

I went to the studio to get the tree and there was another bag of art!

Coming back down, Chris said there's no way that will fit.

(He doesn't like Tetris as much as I do!)

He went into the house shaking his head.

After a few minutes of gentle rearranging, everything had a place, and I was done.

We then went to lunch where I got a salad, and Chris got a burger and fries.

When we returned, Chris took a nap, and I headed to the studio.

I needed to trace out all the paintings for tonight's small group at church.

It took a couple of hours, but I got 12 canvases traced off and ready for class.

I packed extra just in case.

I then went for the evening sojourn with the rottens,(dachshunds)

When we got back, we dropped off the dogs for a quick trip to the grocery store.

I had a couple of things needed for dinner.

I prepared our meal, ate, then cleaned up and headed to class tonight.

The class was fun but ran longer than expected.

I always enjoy the chatter of the ladies and the laughter.

This painting about salt water was our piece for tonight.

After a lesson on sweat, tears, and the sea we jumped into creating.

Everyone had fun!

Salt Water, Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14inches

Day 99 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Just playing around!

"Just playing around!"

The dolphins may be, but I'm sure not!

Today was a productive, not so productive day.

I got a lot of the things on my to do list checked off, but there is so much more to do.

Some are small inconsequential things that if they don't get done, the world won't fall apart.

Unfortunately, I might! (Fall apart that is.)

Then I remind myself to breathe!

I have a thought in my mind of things I want to do, but God sometimes decides otherwise.

"Many are the plans of man, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21

In other words, this joke comes to mind.

Wanna make God laugh? 

Tell Him your plans.

God's plan is always better, but in our stubbornness, we pitch fits.

"But I want it this way!"

Then like Balaam and the donkey, we beat the animal until it speaks to us.

Reminding us to slow down and not sweat the small stuff.

"But I'm a detail person and I sweat the small stuff."

Sometimes it keeps me awake because I ruminate over things.

To counter this, I make lists and maps.

Although this time, the maps escape me because I can't visualize the rounds in place.

I can see the wall in my mind in the booth and it's beautiful.

But I can't get it on the graph paper.

Not even on paper.

Maybe I'll try again tonight.

In the meantime, I erased, wired, and varnished the last of what we are taking this weekend.

As I was laying out my vinyl pieces I've had for 15 years, I realized how much history is on them.

I've threatened to paint them white but never seem to find the time.

The opposite side is neon green vinyl.

They once were cushions in a doctor's office. I bought all he had at a yard sale.

I used the cushions for my dining area and in a camper Chris built.

The vinyl was cut apart into strips that I cover my table with to prevent paint from getting on the wood.

There are so many projects on these pieces, so much history, so much work.

I can recall a lot of the projects, some for church, some for family, dozens of ornaments, 

varnishing, and painting canvases white.

Some of the projects haunt me, one in particular.

I worked with my daughter Jessica on the giant bird Kevin from the movie "Up"

Those blue feathers somehow keep reappearing on my white canvas years later.

This is after I have swept them, rolled them with lint rollers, shook them.

And still, the bright blue feathers!

Ornaments and decorations from Christina's baby shower.

Little ovals from her birdcages.

Apples for the church.

Sets for the church.

I guess I'll keep them as they are, too many memories to paint them white.

We also got another boat today.

I guess this will be the Winter project this year for Chris.

It's going to be a lot of work.

Chris invited me to lunch and took me while he was going back to the 

gentleman's house to try and get the motor.

He picked up the boat earlier along with all the supplies to outfit the boat that the guy bought new.

New seats, new lay down seats, various items to complete the project.

Anyway, this motor was a beast, a 1973 Evinrude.

Extremely heavy.

They were trying to rig a come along to hoist it into the truck and I became extremely nervous.

I suggested maybe a trailer would be better and safer.

So, off we went back home.

Chris got the trailer, and I went back to the studio, praying the entire time he was gone.

I once had a friend whose father was nearly killed by a 

come along snapping and throwing the chain at him.

Chris finally got home.

We rode the dogs.

We then loaded the van with a bunch of equipment and his new system 

for lifting the art above the tents, walls, weights, chair, umbrella, etc.

It's a lot of equipment to put on a show.

Especially a double booth!

We load in artwork tomorrow after we hitch up the camper.

We are almost at the end of the 100 days~100 paintings.

It's been an adventure this year as it is always an experience to remember.

New species, new works, new life. 

It's all here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Just playing around! Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Day 98 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Protective pod

"Protective pod"

Dolphins are beautiful creatures that are a lot like us in many ways.

Their pregnancy is long, 10-18 months depending on the species.

They have a live birth after a labor of several hours.

The calf is born tail first, so as not to drown.

As soon as they are born, they must be guided to the surface to breathe.

The calf drinks milk from mom as often as every 20 minutes!

They have special feelers in their mouths that close as the tongue curls to nurse.

The moms are almost constantly awake to take care of the calf aiding in breathing and nursing.

Once born, the calf and mother will join the pod of siblings, aunts, and other moms.

Once they join the pod, the mom can somewhat relax and rest.

The pod is their playground, their babysitter, and alert system.

They also practice courtship and hunting.

Juvenile and bachelor pods offer opportunities for independence.

The moms teach everything from swimming to hunting.

They also teach communication.

Dolphins sleep with one half of their brain at a time.

This allows them to be alert and aware of their surroundings.

Social structure and bonding are essential to all pods.

This is National Shrimp Festival week!

I have an incredible list of things to get done.

But this is why I make a list, so I can cross off items as they are finished.

I still have several paintings to varnish, a camper to pack with both clothes and food,

wires placed on paintings, gas for car, and camper, money for dog sitter, groceries, not to mention packing all the art.

Somewhere in there, I have an afternoon of sewing to do as well.

I also need to go to the gallery and change out pieces and pick up as well.

We plan to leave early Wednesday, hopefully dropping off trailer at the campground and setting up the camper with AC, water, and power, checking all the systems before we lock it and go to the Chamber.

We go the Chamber to pick up the artists packet, then head to show for the actual set up.

It's going to be a very tight week time wise.

"Protective pod" Acrylic on canvas, 12 x24 shadowbox

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Two for one!

Two for one!

And no, the painting background is not orange on one end.

It is white, the lights in my studio throw a warm glow so as to not hurt my eyes.

Anyway, this was yesterday's painting.

I just simply was tired at the end of the day and forgot to post after 2 hours at Artwalk.

Playful dolphins are so much fun to paint.

I photographed these guys in separate shots while on a dolphin cruise out of Orange Beach.

We went about 10 years ago, and the photos have stood me well.

Did you know that dolphin's bellies go pink when they're happy?

Now you do!

They also go pink when, ahem, making baby dolphins.

Interesting facts that stay in my head this many years later.

This is today's painting.

"Crabs Jubilee"

I also have dozens of photos of blue crabs I've taken over the years.

My swipe files are pretty full as well.

Swipe files are photos from the internet that are free, photos from friends, and sometimes students.

I essentially have two file cabinets full of photos, drawings, and calendars.

It's an incredible amount of reference material to have at my fingertips.

My studio is full of them, and they are used frequently.

Today was a kind of relaxed day although I woke up out of sorts.

I didn't know what I wanted to do today, besides paint.

The grandson is staying the weekend, so I chose to spend time with him and Chris.

This puts me in the studio later in the day than I want to be.

I asked Chris to take care of dinner tonight and he did!

We had salads with smoked chicken and a delicious piece of cake someone made for me.

We got the cake Wednesday night after service, and it was gluten free!

It was also incredibly tasty!

Multiple layers with raspberry filling and a strawberry on top!

We have frozen some for a later date.

Took grandson for ice cream, and I went back to the studio.

Now I'm done for today and yesterday.

4 days until set up for the Annual National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama

Goodnight!

Two for one! Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24, and 16 x 16

Days 95 & 96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Great Blue II and a birthday too!

The day started simply enough.

My Bible and Coffee, journaling, and messages around the world.

Well at least London England, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe Africa.

Each day I send messages to people that have requested them about Jesus's love for us.

They also receive my journal entry for the day.

We got a birthday call from London this morning!

Bappa, Christina, Neel and Dahlia all said happy birthday!

Somehow, we managed to play hide and seek too!

Such a fun call from the Banerjees!

Shortly after 9, we headed to Celebration Church to repaint the backdrop for CK kids.

It started out as backdrops for the dinosaurs, who have now found 

temporary homes at the Spanish Fort Library until next summer.

I was going to do it alone, but Chris tagged along to help.

It's my birthday and he wanted me to get done quickly.

Don't let Chris fool you, he enjoys helping me. (At least I think he does!)

I worked on the bottom, and Chris worked on the top painting leaves.

We both worked quickly and got the backdrop done in about 2 hours.

It was easy to add color to the wonderful work the youth did back in July.

This is the backdrop after.

Not a bad job!

Once the mural was done, we headed to lunch as we were both hungry.

I also received a phone call from Bangalore, India saying happy birthday. 

Dr B called me along with his wife to wish me happy birthday.

I then came home and finished this guy!

Another 6 x 24 ready for the shows.

I have a lot of varnishing to do this weekend for sure!

We then completed the day with a birthday dinner with the kids at a local restaurant on the causeway.

My brother, Ben Thomas wanted a photo of the three generations.

He thought it was funny we are ten years apart.

I turned 65 today, Ben turned 55 in March, and Jessica (our daughter) turned 45 in June.

I graduated high school in 1978, Ben in 1988, and Jessica in 1998.

It is kind of neat, this 10-year difference between us.

My birthday also falls on the same day as Ghandi, such a beautiful soul.

We had a lovely meal together as a family.

Sean, Jessica, Archer, Jere, Jenna, Lorene, Ben, Allison, Chris and myself.

Turning 65 has been fun so far!

Great Blue II and a birthday too! Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24 inches

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Great Blue I

 Oh, today was different to say the least. I started my day as usual with my coffee and Bible. After finishing the readings and sending messages I got ready to go to the Chiropractor. Chris went to a doctor's appointment. I got home from my appointment then the dog groomer showed up to trim, wash, and clip. While the groomer was here, Jere (our son) called and wanted to go to lunch. I said sure and Chris joined us for Mexican food. After arriving home, I put in some studio time and painted this guy.

I also got a shipment of several yards of netting for Jessica's dress, flounce, and train. Of course, when it arrived, I was trying to carefully unpack it. She texted and said Fed ex just delivered. I explained it was a difficult package to open but give me a minute as I was already in the process of opening it to tell her it had arrived. 10 yards of pink and 30 yards of White. I had to unroll the pink onto another roll in order to see the white. (It's a good thing I save my rolls from canvas!) We are both happy with the products and now have another step in the process to begin the building of her Queen's ensemble.

I finished my painting for today and went with Chris to take the dogs for their afternoon journey in the car. Both of the Wirehairs were so fluffy and sticking their heads out the window blowing their top knots back from their faces. I've never seen a dachshund that loves wind as much as Ruby. She will stick her head out at 40mph and barely blink. Bandit can barely handle 25. So funny to watch!

We then came home for Chris to watch TV for a while, and I headed back to the studio. I started another painting and then it was time for church in the evening.

We attended church with my brother Glen joining us. We also had a meal of potato soup, and I had the leftover cut up vegetables as well.

All in all, a good day. One day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama!

Great Blue I, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches                                                       Day 93 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025