Babies, babies, everywhere IV

Baby turtles IV

I am still shaking my head over this one!

When I posted the first one, I had an immediate response asking for size and price.

I had to tell her it was already sold, as well as the one I was posting the next day.

The birthday girl got her babies today and was totally surprised.

Her husband did a great job, contacting me for the commission and picking up promptly.

She commissioned one and said if I had two....

Here's number two for her.

She's on the share the beach team with me.

We have an obsession with baby turtles for sure!

Yesterday the orange beach team was in an uproar.

One of our nests had been vandalized.

My phone and Chris's too was blowing up all day with angry turtle people.

The police were called.

The Fish and Wildlife were called.

The Feds were called.

Yes folks, messing with an endangered species nest that is clearly marked is a federal offense!

Imagine having a criminal record permanently because you vandalized a turtle nest.

Fortunately, the eggs were not affected, as the vandals did not get to them.

Hopefully they will hatch soon and have a lot of happy turtle people.

Today's phone blow up was because a nest hatched earlier than expected.

We used to sit on watch 24/7 when it got close to the time.

This nest was checked at 9:30 and was pretty quiet.

These little stinkers decided 11:30 at night was a fun time to go to the water.

Problem is, some of them were found headed away from the water.

People were calling the hotline, saying they had turtles running everywhere apparently.

It was only a partial hatch, though.

There are more waiting to come up to the surface.

More excitement on the way.

Each baby turtle has about a 1% chance of surviving to adulthood to have babies of their own.

So, every single one is important...

Things are happening in the studio as well.

I purchased a couple dozen small wood rounds because they are easy to transport and paint.

Before I can paint on them, they must be prepped.

First a layer of Kilz, then white Acrylic paint.

It's a lot to do, but necessary work in order to create.

I did get upset a few years back when Baldwin County made me but a manufacturers license.

This is more expensive than a transient artist license.

I said quietly that I am not a manufacturer, I'm a painter.

"Mam you take canvas that is blank and paint on it right?"

I bought the license.

I don't always feel like a manufacturer, but today I do when I purchase so many supports ahead.

Then have to paint them.

Never a dull moment.

All this and the Covid bug has visited us again!

(Not me, Chris)

Wear your masks people, this new variant is getting past everything!

Baby turtle IV, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 24 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

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

 

Babies, Babies everywhere!

I adore painting these little guys!

Baby sea turtles are just the cutest.

Their flapping flippers are so fun to watch.

Most of all, I love a boil.

The babies hatching are called a boil, 

because they do literally look like they are boiling to the surface.

They also have a blatant disregard for each other's space.

They will step on each other, push each other, and crawl over each other 

in their relentless march to the sea!

Once there in the ocean, they swim rapidly off into the water.

They are hoping to make it to the sargassum grass before they get eaten. 

There are numerous instances of babies missing limbs because some fish took a bite.

It seems everything is out to eat them.

Out of a nest of about 120 eggs, only one may survive to have babies of their own.

Less than one percent make it to adulthood.

It amazes me how God and Nature work to populate our wonderful world.

I have had the rare privilege of handling them at a hatching and I am still in awe.

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

Day 13 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022 SOLD!

 

Fly away!

Fly away is another in the Hardi bord series.

I am kinda enjoying them, getting the images just so for the new outdoor pieces.

However, what I did not enjoy today was the official cancellation of the 

Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, October 8th-11th.

This is one of my favorite shows, and this year was going to be a surprise!

I was going to have a double booth, one side for my marine art, 

the other would've been a display of nothing but steampunk art.

There's always next year....

Do me a favor please............

WEAR a mask!

My brother had a scare Sunday, calling me to tell me that he was sick 

and the doctor had tested him for Covid.

I prayed Monday, Tuesday, and all day today.

Fortunately his test came back negative, but there have been false negatives before.

He is exhibiting a lot of the symptoms, but so far so good.

If he is not better tomorrow, he plans to go to the doctor again, 

I only pray they test him again too (he has too many symptoms pointing straight to the virus!)

Anyway, this is one of our stresses this week.

Our Governor just today mandated a mask in all businesses 

and gatherings of 10 or more people.

This is NOT about taking away your liberty, it is about protecting everyone

around you. Walmart has now mandated masks in all their stores as well.

Please for those with compromised immune systems, COPD, 

the elderly and many other illnesses, just wear one!

I know my husband and I do!

MY main concern is lack of income for the next few months.

With the ANSFestival cancelling, I'm sure others will be following shortly.

Typically this time of year, we have 5 shows, 

with minimal travel to both Florida and Mississippi as well as our local festivals.

I am anticipating all of these cancelling as well.

I will continue to paint, even though it will be difficult to focus.

I do still have galleries that are selling, although both one woman shows have cancelled.

I will need to supply the galleries and the local collectors that come my way!

There are a couple of things new on the horizon.

I will be starting a collection of art that will be offered online in print form.

They will include both marine and steampunk pieces!

I will be building my website soon as well with ability to purchase online.

Look for this exciting adventure to start very soon, just in time for fall decorating, 

Christmas decorating and gifts.

New horizons, new challenges, new art!

All coming your way very soon!

Thanks for keeping up with me and my crazy artist life.

Fly away! Acrylic on hardi bord, 10 x 10

Day 17 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Big Blue II

Another day, another Heron!

This big boy is from a different photo I promise. 

It looks like a mirror image of the one from yesterday, but it's not!

The three paintings look fantastic together.

Time slips up on you quickly and rather sneakily. 

My day started with a walk for turtles that woke us up at 4:30am.

Our section of beach has one nest so far, with more to come I hope.

Share the beach started in 2005 as a way to preserve our precious sea turtles.

Typically, only one baby from a nest of approximately 100 survive to adulthood.

Out of those, only one in six survive to lay a nest.

Now you know why it's important!

And.......

All species of sea turtles are endangered because of environmental concerns.

Primarily our use of plastics.

Did you know every single piece of plastic is still on our planet in one form or another?

Pieces of plastic that are microscopically small are getting into our food chain as well.

Recycle please!

We really have no excuse here in Fairhope as it is picked up at our curbside.

We have steel straws as well.

The United States alone uses 500 million straws per day!

Share the beach is located at www.alabamaseaturtles.com

You can adopt a turtle nest, volunteer for next year, donate,

or purchase some really neat sea turtle stuff!

I also worked for several hours on the submarine for the church today as well.

It is an amazing experience when the Holy Spirit takes over and gives me 

so many ideas I have to say whoa!

I barely get done with one part, then another pops into my head.

Anyway, lots got done today in the Raccoon Retreat studio!

Tomorrow, I will haul it all over to the church and assemble to begin painting.

Photos will come after the unveiling at the Church next Monday.

Big Blue II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 27 x 27

Day 9 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Commander of the sea

Well today was a  first! Lisa (Our share the beach coordinator was confused) When she called to bring the team to the water, she didn't know if they had one nest or possibly two! 

Apparently there were a LOT of turtle tracks. 

I could not go and help as I am teaching full time at the Mobile Museum of art this week. My week has been interesting to say the least, with preteen boys and girls in tow. We've gotten a great deal of work done, but we still have an incredible amount more to complete.

 Me and my grandiose plans!

 I always have dreams of everything going perfectly and that is never the case! 

We have two days to finish two rather large steampunk projects.

 At least the Acrylic and watercolor class are going swimmingly.

Commander of the sea, acrylic on canvas 12 x 12

Day 10 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Watercolor turtle winner

11x15inches

Bonus painting for day 10

Keeping a watchful eye

"Keeping a watchful eye" is one of many shadowbox canvases to come over the next few weeks. My loving husband builds them for me now as the company that used to make them has stopped. I have not been able to find them anywhere else. They are a saga in themselves. Originally they were available at Michaels , one of my favorite stores to shop for supplies. They always offer sales and coupons to entice you in to their store. I shop there often enough that they know my name, and ask if I need help with carts. I always try to find the best price for canvases so I can keep my prices at a reasonable level. 

The summer these appeared, I was fascinated with them. I was already putting paintings in a shadowbox frame, (also from Michaels) but the process of getting the unfinished wood frames, painting and distressing them was long and hard to store. The first year, I used them I had to have about 40 shipped from California! I had just a couple of years before, stopped using frames at all because my budget and  taste in frames was not the same as the buying public. As I said, I was fascinated with these shadowbox canvas, but at the time they were pricey. I longingly waited for them, hoping they would go on sale. Fall show season started and after a successful National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, AL, I headed to my local Michaels to buy 4x4 canvas. I could not believe my eyes when I found them on clearance! $9.99, $10.99, and $11.99 ! The price was an absolute Godsend , AND I had the funds to purchase them! I bought all 22 they had in stock and brought them home to paint over the course of three weeks before Peter Anderson in Ocean Springs, MS. That weekend, we had one of the most successful shows ever, selling over half of them during the weekend. My husband asked if there were any more available and I shook my head no. I had already been looking online and was disappointed to find no one else made them. He said I think I can make them and I was one happy camper from that point onward. He started creating them and so the canvas stretching began in earnest. When I first started, I used a handheld stapler and it was a long time to make them. He offered to buy an electric stapler and I jumped at the chance. However, the electric one proved to be a disappointment indeed! I went through two of them, fussing and fuming at having to pound in the staples with a hammer after applying them with the stapler. We then invested in a stapler that uses an air compressor and hose. It was a successful venture and the stretching became easier, but still a lot of work! Each canvas starts as 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 lumber. Chris rips the wood to a certain angle and then begins the process of cutting the lumber into the pieces to create the frames. This is a thoughtful process, requiring him to do reverse cuts on the inside frames. He then begins building the frameworks. Each canvas is a frame within a frame, held in place with blocks of wood. Every now and then, we have a hiccup, like the time we made 15 x 15 frames instead of 16 x 16. (He claimed it was an error on my part, as I did not catch the mistake until I had stretched them!) We have also made custom sizes for commissioned pieces. A few months after we started building them, they showed back up at Michaels . I bought several, going so far as to order 12 of the 24 x 24 s on sale and having them shipped to my front door! Needless to say, I am more than a little grateful that he is capable of making them for me to stretch and offer for sale. 

The canvas are also so fun for me to paint! I love the in and out aspect of them, wrapping the painting around the canvas sides. This year, I may start adding color to them and see how that is accepted. As an artist, I am always trying to make myself better and offer items that are fresh and new. Like the Sepias, the shadowboxes look like they're here to stay!

"Keeping a watchful eye" Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 shadowbox

$325.00 

Day 3 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Swimmingly simple

These two little ones are indeed swimmingly simple. They are both looking at you as well. I love painting turtles and these guys were no exception! 

It's turtle nesting season on the Gulf Coast. While our orange Beach team was not terribly busy this year, the Ft Morgan team is hopping! They have had record amounts of nests this year, and this week they have a whopping 8 nests being monitored for activity. This stretches the team pretty thin, so they've called for other teams to lend a hand in watching the nests. Keep in mind the importance of monitoring these babies coming into the world, only one baby out of 100 survives to become an adult and have babies of their own!

Swimmingly Simple, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 16

Day 66 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

Turtle studies times 4!

Turtle Study I

I am always drawn to turtles, their very existence relies on our helping them to hatch here on our Gulf Coast. When we walk for turtles and find a nest, we have to move the nest the majority of the time. The mama turtles are having increasing difficulty finding a place to lay their eggs without the influence or interference of man. The amount of tents, beach toys, garbage and other abandoned items was shameful. Many the morning we walked we filled up 6 or more bags of trash. There were even tent weights tossed away like it was nothing. We are slowly but surely destroying our planet with the items that could be recycled, but are just thrown away! 

We all need to realize that the things we toss, are not just disappearing, they are clogging up our planet with useless garbage. Our turtle nests are not producing as well this year either. The nests are full of eggs, but many more are infertile than in years before. My concern is the BP oil spills lingering effects on our beautiful stretch of the Gulf of Mexico. I am praying that this is not the case! In the meantime, I paint turtles!

Turtle study II

Turtle study III

Turtle study IV

Turtle Studies I, II, III, & IV Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 Paintings 49, 50, 51, and 52 of the 100

New Beginnings......................

"New Friend"
        Are you really surprised readers that I would start this years 100 days~100 paintings with a turtle?Turtles really are my favorites to paint, now more than ever. This year I joined the "Share the Beach" Program for the Gulf Coast. This group of people walks the beaches early in the mornings to see if there has been any activity from our turtles. I have been several times on these early morning walks, seeing the sun rise over the condos and starting the day. It is a quiet time, with the sun starting to warm the air and the people rising out of their beds looking for shells on the wrack line. I have not found a nest as of yet, but am hoping to see at least one before the season is over. Several have been found already with almost all having to be moved above the tide line. My "bucket list" goal is to see a "boil" when the baby turtles come out of the nest after hatching!
        False crawls, false "nests" (complete with chicken eggs!), and lots of flotsam all find their way to the beaches of the Gulf Coast that we all call home. Part of "Share the Beach" crew duty is to pick up trash on the way back to the starting point. I have found lots of bits of plastic, plastic bags, cigarette butts, and yards of fishing line. All of these things are deadly to the turtles that live in the water. Plastic bags look like jellyfish, bits of plastic look like edible goodies,  and fishing lines form deadly cinches that have removed flippers, cut into necks, swallowed into stomachs, causing turtles to float on the surface where they can get hit by boats. If a turtle is hit by a boat and survives, it may get something called "bubble butt" syndrome. This malady causes the turtle to float on the surface of the water with no hope of diving to feed or protect itself. The bubble is actually trapped air under the surface of the carpace that cannot be removed. These turtles will die in the wild. The Turtle hospital in Marathon Florida has several of these permanent residents in their main pool. The only cure is to glue weights to the shell, giving them the ability to dive somewhat normally. The problem with the weights is that eventually they fall off, causing the same problem again. For this reason, the "bubble butt" turtles can never leave the hospital, becoming ambassadors for their fellow shell bearers.
     That being said, it is turtle nesting season again! Please fill in your holes after you build your sand castles, (a turtle can get lost in one of these as well as someone falling into one on a dark night!) I have found one hole big enough to seriously hurt someone that was about 5 foot deep and at least 7 feet wide with a tunnel as well!
"New Friend" 12 x 12 Acrylic on canvas Day 1 of the 100 days~100 paintings!