Babies, Babies everywhere! II

Another incredibly fun one to paint!

Although it is rather intense as it involves small brushes.

My hands are definitely feeling their age as of late.

But with breaks, I can handle the smaller brushes for a while at least.

These little guys were part of another commission and are already sold.

They are a birthday present for one of my collectors.

They bought two paintings this spring and her husband wanted to add to their collection as they had seen baby turtle paintings done by me recently that were sold.

Have mercy they do sell quickly!

I will be painting more, for shows.

There is one more commission piece though.

Last night after I posted the babies on my FB page, I received a message asking how much they were.

I had to tell her that they were already sold and the price.

She still wants one for herself.

She is already a collector, owning three of my turtles so far.

She is also on the team with us for share the beach.

Incredibly, I am able to paint these little guys fairly fast.

They do cause a lot of tension in my back as it is lots of small details.

Fortunately, I went to the chiropractor today and things are in place.

I also exercise and ice in an effort to keep pain at bay.

Such a joy to spread around the area!

Babies, Babies everywhere! II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 14 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Race to the sea II

Race to the sea II

This one was so fun to paint.

My grand here loves it, so he'll probably get it for his birthday in August.

This is part of the framework for the sewing drawers.

All in all, this machine has had some interesting "frames".

I look forward to finishing them!

Today is also the 4th of July.

A day to celebrate if you're into that sort of thing.

I don't mind getting together with others, but right now we cannot leave.

I have at least 3 dachshunds that are freaked out about all the 

bottle rockets and fireworks going off all around us.

I just cannot justify blowing up so much money that could be put to better use in my mind.

Other parts of the day were spent sending messages to folks about their commission works.

Two out of the three have responded very favorably and that makes this artist very happy.

The 3rd has not responded yet, but I'm sure it will be good.

 They will probably be picking up or shipping this week.

I will post more on these later, as they are part of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022.

I varnished, bought paint for a large project with 3~3ft. by 5ft. canvases.

I am still in awe that I get to earn money while having so much fun!

Getting ready for the fall shows is going to be a wild ride indeed!

Race to the sea II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 15 inches

Day 7 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Archer's sea turtle

Every year now, ever since my grandson was born I have painted him a piece of art.

Eventually when he becomes a man and moves into his own home, he will have a wall of art that he can be proud to display. The past couple of years, he has requested paintings for his birthday. Two years ago was the first one, a marlin chasing a school of fish. Last year he wanted a dolphin and sea turtle playing together. This year was a small request, a baby sea turtle. This painting is his for his very own. This year, I also presented his painting to him on his birthday at a private home party.

This year is so different, so many things not happening because of Covid 19.

I have friends that have lost family members, friends, co-workers.

My friend Alfred in Zimbabwe has also had a scare with something that seemed to be covid, but because medicine was more important than testing we are not certain. Thankfully, he is on the mend. Alfred is also having problems with his mental health as are a lot of artists.

I have had my own demons come in and wreck havoc with the playground of my mind. 

That is, until I have instilled the presence of God in my studio as a stronger power for good.

I have spent the past three weeks completing the illustrations for Sophia's gift.

There are only 12 pages of paintings, but they cover an astounding 22 pages of the book and cover.

10 of the paintings are double spreads.

This project has been a lot more than I expected, more research, more changes, 

more required of my hands and heart.

It was started just as the pandemic hit, and that presented it's own set of challenges.

First came the story line, then the ideas were presented. 

Next, I completed and presented a storyboard of pages for the publisher and author.

I then completed a set of drawings in the actual size for the book at the end of July.

My goal was to have finished the book by the time we would have left for Africa.

August found me with a deadline approaching and I stopped the 100 days~100 paintings 

to be able to complete the project in a timely manner.

Our August leave date for Africa came and went, leaving us both with a sense of loss. 

We were to have gone on to India as well, 

but with both countries borders closed it just was not to be our reality.

We have put in for a claim to our travel insurance, 

praying for a good outcome as it is a lot of money and we would like to have it for next year.

I took the reins of the book, working with a precious author that has entrusted me 

with bringing the people and backgrounds for her words to life.

I can only hope I have shown the story in a way that is both beautiful and historical. 

I meet with the author on Saturday and will discover if I have indeed brought her words to life!

Prayers appreciated for good outcome.

Today also found me trying resin for the first time.

I decided to do it outside because it is epoxy and I was concerned about the odor.

We set up the hardi bord pieces on the back porch, carefully raising them up off the surface so they would not stick. I placed large drop cloths under them, bought special mixing jars and off I went!

I was very nervous, mixing carefully, and pouring them quickly. 

The results were fantastic, with the paintings fairly glowing with the sheen. 

I left them while I went into the studio to complete other work needing to be done.

Chris took a nap, and I worked upstairs.

When I came down, he told me he was going to Ace hardware to get something.

He also mentioned the pieces outside and said the drop cloths had blown onto the pieces.

Keep in mind, these pieces represent two full weeks of work.

It was probably the best that he left the house.

It gave me a chance to calm down some and get determined to try and salvage what I could.

Half the works are untouched, the other eight however......

I separated the remaining pieces from the majority of the drop cloth material.

Laying them all out on top of bowls and keeping them lifted.

Mind you, the paint is not damaged, only the resin putting texture in places I don't want.

We shall see what happens with these pieces as some of them have significant damage.

In the meantime, I have calmed down, and even laughed a little about the lesson learned.

You see, I taped down one side that kept flipping up, but not the other.

Ironic, lesson learned.

Another day, another painting.....

Archer's sea turtle, Acrylic on canvas, 4x4 inches

Day 60 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

I am back to creating now, working for myself and for the 100 days~100 paintings.

I have already managed to create a large octopus to replace the one sold last Saturday at 

Stewart Heath Gallery.

I will present him tomorrow on the next post. 

 

One, two, three, Nursery!

Sometimes an artist just wants to have fun!

These were definitely the ticket.

Several months ago, our Youth pastor at church was having a baby and I wanted to do a gift for them.

I told them I wanted to paint the baby something and the Mom to be said she had the perfect thing she wanted. She handed me the sheets and asked if I could paint the animals from them. 

Very easy, or so I thought! The first step was to find the right paints and transfer them to canvas. 

They were done as single animals on 3 canvases. 

I ran across the photo of the paintings and thought , this is the perfect thing for our baby in India!

I transferred these to the smaller canvases, and altered the giraffe to fit. I also added them in numbers One, Two, and Three. I love how they turned out!

They were a delight to paint.

Hope mommy loves them too!

One, Two, Three, Nursery! Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Babies are safe!

"Babies are safe"

 is actually a new baby to replace one sold at the Jubilee Festival a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to have a total of 8 babies to show at the National Shrimp Festival and had to replace one! 

Why the name?

 I am so happy to report that since the nest Share the Beach was watching was so active, they were allowed by fish and wildlife to dig them up and take them to safety! I am so glad this decision was made, as otherwise, they may have been trapped and drowned. Oh happy day!

Meanwhile, a little storm named Nate is keeping me awake and nervous. Not the storm mind you, but all the tornado alerts going off on our phones. It's going to be a LONG night! Prayers for the coast, for friends that live down at the beaches, and for all under the umbrella of this nasty hurricane called Nate!

"Babies are Safe!" , Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 4

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2017

Two days~two Paintings

The Eastern Shore Art Center called on Monday and said your email bounced back!? 

You have a class tomorrow from 3:30 until 5 pm. The class is Atelier and the 4 students are in 3rd and 4th grades. I really enjoy this age, they are so fun! This fall semester we will be studying different artist styles and Tuesdays class was Walter Anderson! We all had such fun creating this fun and whimsical painting. Several other fun pieces are in the works as well. Our fall session is 8 weeks, so 8 paintings in total as well as 8 different styles.

I look forward to creating with them.

I have also started teaching for the Fall semester of Eastern Shore Institute of Lifelong Learning, two classes for them. Beginning watercolor and beginning acrylics. Both classes are full of fun energetic seniors that are so eager to learn. 

All in all, about 30 new students to plan and prepare for every week!

Eeek!

Nobody ever said an artists life was boring, did they?

Manatees are on my mind this week with the massive hurricane Irma bearing down on the Florida coastline. My thoughts were also with the Turtle Hospital in Marathon , the Hemingway cats on Key west, and people that stayed on their boats during the storm tied to the mangroves in the Florida keys. The hurricane actually hit Cudjoe key, going between Key West and Marathon. The hospital had a skeleton crew there during the storm and fortunately all the humans and turtles are safe! Ritchie has even been brought a baby sea turtle already. (he is tireless for the turtles!) Sanibel island, Coya Costa, places we've visited and loved for their wild natural beauty...............

Recovery prayers for the coast of Florida as well as the islands off our beautiful coast and Cuba. So much destruction and desperate people. Chris and I were fortunate enough to be able to help a family of 7 while at the grocery store on Sunday.

There but for the grace of God go I...............

Anderson Pelican, 11 x 14, acrylic on canvas,

Manatees on my mind, 15 x 15, acrylic on canvas

Days 72 & 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings  

Turtle IX

It just simplifies things to name these little babies with Roman numerals. 

Hope it does not bore you to death tonight! 

Each one different, each one unique, the babies are done.

At least for now...........

Now what's next, a pile of shells!

Turtle IX, Acrylic on canvas, 4x4 inches

Day 37 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Baby Turtle time!

I tried to do this post yesterday, but the wifi is not working at the park we are staying at in our area. It was not an issue before, so I thought it would not be this time. 

That's what I get for thinking!

Anyway, my post for yesterday. Chris and I did our turtle watch from 7 until 9 pm on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The night is beautiful on the beach, except for folks with tactical flashlights blinding us. FYI, flashlights confuse baby turtles! We are trying to educate the public but there are still hundreds of people chasing down and throwing the ghost crabs at night. I would have never allowed our children to be so cruel to animals and I just don't see why others can let their children now. 

Anyway..... 

Stepping off my soapbox. Yesterday's painting is a baby turtle! Our loggerhead nest is due anytime now! 

Today's painting is another baby, but this one is on a 4 inch canvas. There will be several days of babies coming so be prepared! Meanwhile, Share the Beach! Pick up your trash, your tents, and your chairs. 

Leave only footprints.

See you at the beach!

Turtle I , Acrylic on 6 inch canvas

Turtle II Acrylic on 4 inch canvas

Days 29 and 30 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2017

Glider

     Glider came into being after seeing a photo I took while in the Tampa Aquarium. This turtle was gorgeous and a permanent resident.  It apparently was the victim of a shark attack as it had a large bite taken out of his side. It was not a killing blow, just a massive amount of damage. I don't know where this turtle recovered, possibly at the turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida. All I know, is it now calls home an aquarium that take very good care of it. This beauty swam beautifully despite the damage to it's shell. It loved to come close to the window of the tank, peering at the visitors apparently looking for a hand out.

Glider~Acrylic on Canvas~6 x 12

Relaxing

     Relaxing is a painting that is all about turtles of course! I painted this one while waiting for the car to be fixed again. Hopefully this time they got it right! Turtles will always have a fascination for me and this little baby was fun to paint.

Relaxing 12 x 12 Acrylic on canvas

Baby

   I really want to see a "boil" one day. The sight of baby turtles escaping their nest  I have been told is quite a sight. They sometimes hatch at night so there is quite frequently a turtle sitter watching all night long. If they are born at night, the lighting has to be just right so that the babies don't get confused and go inland rather than to the sea. People who live nearby have to shield their lighting outside and probably their windows as well. Night is probably better for the little ones as far as predators go. There are lots of other creatures that think baby turtles are delicious. If they are born during the day, the seagulls are the primary threat. Either way, it's a miracle any of them survive at all!

   I am pleased to report that the Fall show schedule is firmly in place. I have the Jubilee Show in Daphne,Al the last week of September. The first weekend of October is the Grand Festival, this year being held Friday and Saturday, with the artists encouraged to stay open during the evening Artwalk on Friday night. There will be multiple birders there as well as the Birdfest will be in full swing. The second full weekend finds me in Gulf Shores, Al. Thursday , Friday, Saturday and Sunday I will be at the National Shrimp Festival. We then have a two week break before Peter Anderson in Ocean Springs, MS the first weekend in November. I am tired just writing about it! I am fortunate in that I have only had one show that did not make expenses. One never knows how these shows will go, profitable or not we will be loaded up and ready to go!

Baby 12 x 12 Acrylic on canvas

Smooth Swimmer

     The phone scared me out of my painting zen one day last week. I was in the zone, carefully applying the finishing touches on a piece for the 100 days series. When it rang, I nearly fell out of the chair because the noise scared me. "I need more Turtles!" the voice said on the other end of the line.    It was Helen from Fairhope Connections gallery calling to tell me of sales in the Fairhope and Orange Beach Galleries on the same day. Joe at the Orange Beach Store had sold 2 pieces and was now out of turtles. Helen took him all of my smaller turtle pieces leaving her with none on hand. She had sold 3 paintings herself as well ( 2 of turtles and a crab painting).Hence the need for more turtles. It took a moment for it to sink in, 5 in one day? I stammered in disbelief, wait what do you need? I was still having trouble processing what she was saying. My right brain was also having trouble letting go, so the left brain could speak! "Turtles" came the reply, I'm out of the small ones. Okay, why? She explained again that both galleries did very well that day. Finally it sank in. Odd how those things happen at the same time. At least 3 people had bought 5 paintings!

      I am still sitting here,  wondering about the turns my life has taken since I started the painting a day series. This is my third year of doing them, as well as the third year of the sepia series. The sepias are still doing well, most of the time selected by men who love the linear quality. I am grateful to God for the talent he has given me, and that I can bless others with my works. The church has been the biggest recepient of my given talents so far. I also donate to charities when I can.

Smooth Swimmer~Loggerhead Turtle 12 x 12 Acrylic on Canvas

A different Point of view

This turtle was being held when I snapped this picture of the green turtle baby. Thus the different point of view. He was fun to paint! This one was painted on the cruise as well number 76 of 100 days for September 18th entry.

A Different Point of View 6 x 6 acrylic on canvas

Baby Green

Baby Green is one of the larger paintings. I painted this while working in the church office at Celebration Church. Chris and I found this church online and I think we have found a home for worship and praise. The people are friendly and helpful and the new campus is awesome! If you don't have a church home on the Eastern shore towards Fairhope, consider this one, always a surprise waiting around every corner!

Baby Green 13 x 20 custom made deep edge canvas acrylic

Oh Baby!

Once again, I am taking on the 100 days~100 paintings. Todays first entry is no surprise to those who are familiar with my work. It is appropriate that the first entry is a baby turtle. It also is no surprise that it is also a part of my sepia series. The sepias started last year as a response to people coming in my booth at outdoor shows saying, I love your work, but I don't know if that color will go on my wall. I painted 7 12x12 sepias and they sold that spring. The series took a small vacation while I focused on other projects~including a house thrown into the mix with a massive mosaic that covers several walls in our new bathroom. More on that later!
Baby turtles are always a favorite of mine. Our trip to Florida near Sanibel Island found us on a preserve where there were turtle nests being protected from intruders. The turtles always begin life with a struggle, breaking out of the eggshell, crawling and climbing out of the sand, only to find themselves in danger of being eaten by fish, seabirds, raccoons, and other assorted members higher than them on the food chain. Life for us is series of struggles too, but at least we don't have the additional worry of being consumed!
"Oh Baby!" Acrylic on Canvas 6x12 inches $75.00

Bonding

In case you have not realized, I adore the sea.
It all began with living in the Philippines and was strengthened by watching the Undersea World of Jacques' Cousteau. The undersea program was the only one I was allowed to stay up late and watch on a school night. My mother and father were both divers and I longed to be with them. The program gave me a chance to be underwater with divers and made me ever mindful of our impact on this planet. I wonder what Cousteau would say about the Great Pacific Basin and the tragedy unfolding before us with our wasteful ways. (It is a sea of plastic some 150 miles off the coast of California) Every piece of plastic ever manufactured on this earth is still here in some form or another.

This painting is about bonding, the bonding that occurs between mother and baby and the beautiful way these gentle giants guide their young to the surface for air. I hope to see them in person some day even if I am only snorkeling.
Humpback Mother and Baby "Bonding" 30 x 30 Oil on canvas.