Pelican piling

I think this may be the last of the hardi bord series.

This pelican is on another poured background too!

I will kinda miss them!

They have been fun to paint.

Today is the launch of a new thing for me!

Jena Freed, with Freed souls design is carrying some of my work on her website.

She has so many things that my images can be put on!

Prints, pillows, and purses to name just a few!

Check out her etsy site,

www.yourdecorhome.com

I am so looking forward to our partnership.

If you are looking for an awesome graphic designer look her up!

We went to church this evening as well.

Masks on, greeting others with elbows instead of handshakes.

I despise this new world we live in.

I'm a hugger!

Pelican piling, Acrylic on Hardi bord, 11 x 14

Day 66 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Peaceful

Peaceful indeed!

I am at peace about a lot of things.

We are constantly bombarded with things that will disturb our peace.

Alarms, deadlines, chores, meals, family, or other assorted things thrown our way by the enemy.

When things become too much for me, I pray.

I tell God, okay I know you've got this for me.

I'm going to give it to you, because I can't handle the situation.

I am then at peace.

I really understood the peace that surpasses all understanding the afternoon my mother died suddenly.

My father accidentally called me, trying to call the paramedics.

He then told me to get off the d**m phone and hung up on me.

I fell to my knees in the driveway as I was outside packing for Arts and Crafts set up that evening.

I started crying uncontrollably.

I then cried out to God.

"I told God no! not now! not today!"

I then realized what I had said, and prayed to God.

"Not my will, but your will be done."

"But, if it is your will, give me peace."

I immediately felt washed over with overwhelming love and peace.

I believe I had a glimpse of heaven that day, not with my earthly eyes, but with my heart.

I stood up and the deep grief that had caused me to collapse, was gone.

I called my brother and asked him to go check on our parents, as I was an hour away.

When he called and told me she was indeed gone, I sat down on the sidewalk in front of the chamber.

The other Artists began stepping over me, not sure what to do in this situation.

I called my girlfriend and told her what had happened.

She said where are you?

Out front.

The chamber people were wonderful, offering me the chance to back out of the show.

I told them I would give an answer by 8pm that evening.

The phone calls started coming in.

I was still at peace on the way to my fathers side.

I asked everyone that called what they thought about the show.

Incredibly they all said, do it!

She would be mad at you if you didn't

So true!

So began a weekend of witnessing to others the peace that had been given to me!

Such a joyful weekend that my heavenly father rescued me from the depths of despair.

People were in utter disbelief that knew of my relationship with my mother.

She was indeed my best friend.

Peace.

Have you asked for yours today?

Phillipians 4:7

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Peaceful, Acrylic on poured background, 12 x 24

Day 79 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Silent Swimmers

I made this photo extra large because in real life it is very big for me!

If you remember the other day, I managed to snag a truckload of stretcher bars for free.

This one is on those bars, with some Chris Chavez thrown in for good measure!

My husband Chris, is my rock and the absolute best thing that has ever happened in my life. 

He makes things happen when I ask him if he can do them.

This instance, he added an angled piece of wood to the bars 

so they could have the spring necessary for painting.

He also gave me a lot of help in stretching this rather large piece.

It measures 3 ft 7 inches x 5 ft 7 inches.

It was a challenge to bring and paint in my angled ceiling studio as well.

He also helped me horse it up to be able to photograph it tonight for you to be able to see it!

I will take it outside for a proper photo tomorrow, so it can be seen better for possible prints.

I am amazed at the talent God has bestowed on me, 

I thank him daily for the ability to paint and create!

I really should not be able to do the things that I do.

Our family was hit by a drunk driver in 1993.

For the most part, the rest of the family is okay, but I have permanent damage.

I have two herniated discs in my neck, and nerve damage in my right arm.

Some days are diamonds, some days are dirt, but all of them are creative in their own way!

I pray for the driver that hit us, every time I have a headache,  

or a brush comes out of my hand because it has gone numb.

I pray for others hurt in accidents, childhood tragedy, friends, family, or marriages 

with every stroke of my brush.

I tell you this, not because of a need for sympathy, but out of a need to tell you about the 

grace that God gives us.

Grace that allows me to paint.

Grace that allows me to make money at what I love to do!

Grace that helps me through the pain on days I don't think I can.

Grace that allows me to teach.

Grace that allows me to mentor.

Grace that allows me to give to others.

Grace that has taught me how to receive.

Grace that has made me learn humility.

Grace that reminds me I am a sinner.

Grace that allows me to forgive because I am forgiven.

Grace.

Have you received yours today?

Silent Swimmers, Acrylic on canvas, 3 ft 7 inches by 5 ft 7 inches

Day 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

I'm taking an "off" day!

Well!

As promised I am posting the other side of creativity around here.

This was obviously Una Lou's birthday party held today.

I left the house at about 8:15, grabbed a bite to eat, then headed for the party venue in Mobile.

When I arrived, my daughter was not there, but I dove into bringing in the panels and setting them up because we were using them as a base for the decorations.

I used fishing line to secure them to the poles and zip ties to hook them together top and bottom.

By then Jessica arrived and the fun began!

She had the fabrics for draping, the coral pieces, the large padded shell, (pictured above) 

and the clam shell throne.

I moved on to assembling the throne, because it involved more zip ties, wood pieces 

and then the cardboard shell.

I then draped it with fabric, pulling it up into the assembly to make poofs 

at the edge where the base met the shell.

I then continued draping the present table, making a large shell, and bow from fabric.

So fun!

I built the padded shell this week, engineered and assembled the throne, and Jessica's dad cut the pool noodles into coral pieces and parts.

Truly a family affair.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Jordan went to become mermaids for the party.

I got a call a few minutes later.

Mom I need help with costumes!

I went to the apartment where they were getting ready and proceeded to basically assemble their costumes using dozens of  safety pins.

It went against every bone in my body to pin, but there was no time to sew.

I literally was pinning the costumes while they were putting on makeup.

Everything held during the party, and no mermaids were harmed in the process.

My beautiful daughter makes me feel young and energetic!

So fun!

The color palette was precious and pretty too.

The coral reefs were made in Baking pans, using pool noodles, mini cupcake papers, real shells, grasses, styrofoam balls, skewers, spray foam and paint. Painted with spray paint and glitter of course! 

They were weighted down with cups of water!

The birthday girl in her throne.

The shrimp are from when I did the Mystic Mutts parade as a mermaid.

This is the shrimps third go round!

The sea turtle is a costume that Jessica and I built that actually went to 

New Zealand for the World of Wearable Art competition about 10 years ago. 

The shell is on a backpack, the costume is black light reactive, and the head is a bicycle helmet!

An adult wears the costume on top of a full body suit and the flippers are 

moved with dowels that attach to them.

It was wonderful to see Myrtle the Turtle out of the box again!

After I got home, I crashed in my pool after I cleaned it!

However, the nap I wanted never showed up, and the hot bath I wanted was tepid.

We then took the rottens, (dachshunds) for their evening ride.

After dropping them off at the house, we picked up a chicken and sides from the store.

After dinner, I cut up the box of mat board scraps I got from the artist's studio yesterday.

I now have a large amount of 5x7s, 8x10s, and most importantly, 11x14s!

The rest will be recycled.

I love working so hard with my daughter in creative chaos.

Our lives are so unimaginably crazy, and I wouldn't take anything for them!

So, I hope you don't mind if I take an "off" day!

"Off" Day, Day 68 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019 

Great Blue

Great Blue

Heron that is!

Our herons are an ever present large bird on the Gulf Coast. 

They are also some of the biggest thieves and hunters, not to mention just plain fun to watch!

Great Blue herons are about 4.5 to 5.5 pounds and up to 4 1/2 feet!

I have seen them everywhere, on the beach, tidal pools, marshes, and ponds.

They are quite the parents, having 3 to 7 eggs. Both parents feed the babies and they are capable of flight at about 60 days. The fledglings leave the nest around day 65. Our Great Blues down here in the deep south can have up to 2 nesting seasons per year. 

I have photographed them in the Keys harassing fishermen. At the Gulf following a hook into the water or stealing the bait from the shore! I've gotten great shots of one eating a snake at Perdido key while vacationing. We even have some that hang around here in Fairhope at the pier. One in particular has taken to perching on the purple martin houses in the water, much to the consternation of the martins! Imagine a bird 4 1/2 times your size and so much heavier than you showing up on your roof. The martins go crazy flying around and harassing the giant bully. 

We also saw one in the duck pond area the other day, carefully walking and suddenly grabbing a tiny turtle from the water. 

We've also seen one here in the cooler months sunning himself in the afternoons. It had a strange way of holding it's wings, almost in a supplication of sorts to the sun warming his body. I hope to catch him in this pose later this year with a proper camera. We only had a cell phone and it just did not do the bird justice.

Another day, another photo, another bird!

Great Blue, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 6

Day 39 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Osprey

Osprey or Fish Eagle?

My husband calls them Fish Eagles frequently. 

I love to watch them while they are fishing. They have such grace and beauty coming in low just above the water talons outstretched. Barely touching the water, the hapless fish rapidly becomes breakfast or dinner. 

This beauty was photographed by me while out with Chris in the 

kayak up at 5 rivers off the causeway. The 5 rivers park is worth the visit. With static displays and changing exhibits, it is a feast for the senses. The boat launch is a little tricky, but well worth it. Once on the water, you quickly lose sight of the highway and the sounds of the water becomes a wonderful sound. We saw Blue Herons, Green herons, White egrets, Osprey and an alligator. 

I tried to get Chris to paddle toward the reptile, but he was a no go. 

It was the same with the Caribbean reef shark once while we were skin diving in the keys. 

He wasn't going to play the game of capture the photograph!

Oh well, we still managed to paddle toward this osprey right after he got his catch of the day. After taking it to the top of a piling, he rapidly dispatched with the head of the mullet. We got fairly close, but it then decided we wanted a piece of his dinner and he took off. 

That is when I got this beautiful photograph.

This is not our first encounter with an osprey. We went to Ship island one year with the Orr Museum and had a delightful time while on the island. Chris created pottery, and I worked in pastels on sanded pastel board. One afternoon we were walking on the Gulf side of the island and the wind was pretty hard out of the North. We watched as this beautiful osprey captured a huge fish out of the Gulf. It had difficulty picking it up and started to fly back. We stood amazed as this graceful bird was in the fight of his young life to get back to it's nest with babies on the island. Not only struggling with the wind, the seagulls noticed it having trouble flying and proceeded to harass the osprey. 

We thought the osprey was going to lose the battle, getting pushed back 

time and time again, the wind battering the exhausted bird. 

The beauty is the bird never lost it's hold on the prize.

Finally making it back to the nest, it's mate made way for him to land and feed their babies.

Chris and I both finally took a breath and cheered!

Success!

May we all be as tenacious as this bird when battered by the storms this world sends our way!

God willing, I'll always remember the strength and beauty of this magnificent animal. 

It reminded me of Isaiah 40:31

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not grow faint.

Osprey study, Acrylic on deep edge canvas, 8 x10 

Day 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018 

Startled

I can only imagine what a turtle thinks when he sees a diver underwater.

Although there a viral video of a diver actually being harassed by a sea turtle wanting ahem,

apparently a  little amore. It is rather fun to watch, because the diver is clearly surprised, then carefully pushing it away, then getting annoyed just a bit. 

I have been surprised by a turtle myself twice while paddle boarding in the bay. 

The first time, I was quietly enjoying my morning paddle the morning of the National Shrimp festival set up a couple years back. The sun was just coming over the trees and everything had that beautiful sunlight washing everything in it's path. I was  headed toward the pier and admiring the light, when a head popped up out of the water. The light coloring on the neck was all aglow and I got eye contact. Then, just as soon as it appeared, it disappeared under the surface. I thanked God for the encounter with one of his beautiful creations and continued my morning. 

The second time was really startling to me. I was about 20 minutes into my  paddle adventure. I had come out early in the morning to get a head start on my day. I had paddled under the pier, around the end, and was headed to the end of the beach where the duck pond is located. I changed sides and was about to dip when the juvenile turtle came up right next to my board, took a breath and slipped beneath the surface. I was absolutely elated that I had the opportunity 

to see this beautiful creature up close. 

We all have had these close encounters, 

the bird flying toward your car so suddenly you duck because you think he's about to enter the car and do a fly by! A turtle crossing the road, that you help along on his journey. The red tailed hawk crashing into a tree after a squirrel. Human encounters that take your breath away, like the woman that admires your dachshund shirt and you end up having a delightful conversation about her fur babies long since passed. She was in a wheelchair, and was shocked I took the time to squat down, talk and listen to hear in the middle of Target. I get the human encounters frequently as I talk with people while they are painting and I learn a lot!

Our opportunities are everywhere, we only have to open our eyes and ears to the messages God is trying to send us, to talk with that person, listen to the child, to help someone load their groceries into their car, to pay for someones groceries when the father is 

frantically looking for his wallet left at home. 

I love it when God uses me!

Startled, 24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas

Day 19 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Retail $325

Come Play with Me!

Of course this one was fun to paint!

If you have never been on a dolphin cruise, I highly recommend it! The sheer beauty and playfulness of these beautiful creatures has no equal on this big blue marble we call home.

I thought about putting color on this pair, but decided that sepia was the way to go! The sepia's are by far my best sellers and have been for several years now. This whimsical pair is on a canvas that is quite large, 2ft x 4ft. I am taking it to the Artists gallery on South Section St. in Fairhope next week along with some more of the new ones from the 100 days. 

"Come Play with Me!", Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 48 inches

Day 20 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Playtime!

We took an amazing dolphin cruise a few years back down at Orange Beach. It was a delightful time for all on board, as the dolphins were particularly happy that day. They put on quite the ballet show, leaping and jumping in the wake of the boat. How do I know they were happy? They had this beautiful pink glow on their bellies! Such a pretty pink! I got an incredible amount of beautiful photographs, perfect for references and lots of paintings. I work from photographs a lot, it's hard to get any sea creature to sit still for a portrait! 

This shadowbox is one of 2 12 x 36 that I purchased and I wish I had gotten my hands on more! It's such a lovely size and the opening works well with the outside edge. I've painted this as a reference and mock up for a much larger piece in the works. 

That painting will be on three canvases measuring an incredible 9 1/2 feet total. I am actually looking forward to the challenge of painting such a large piece in a smallish studio. (My main studio is 12 x 16 ft of pure heaven!) I am creating it as a possible piece for a collector with a very large space above her double doorways going into her incredible screened porch. 

The total space is 3 ft by 15 ft. 

I only hope the  painting will be big enough! It is on 3 canvases, 2 at 24 x 36 , and one at 30 x 40

A caveat though, I could add 2 more 18 x 24's canvas and fill the space more!

We'll see what this new adventure brings!

Tonight is artwalk in Fairhope as well from 6 until 8pm. Weather permitting, I'll be outside painting at the gallery. 18 South Section Street. Hopefully I'll see some of my readers there tonight!

"Playtime!" 12 x 36 Shadowbox canvas, Acrylic , 

Day 5 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2017

Octopus my octopus

Octopus my octopus is the latest of these beautiful creatures leaving my easel and studio. Measuring a rather large 2ft x 4ft, it was a challenge to finish in one day, so I took two! I started it on one day and finished it today. This octopus as a whole really fascinates me and I am always enthusiastic to start painting one. The added bonus is that they sell too!

Each summer, I mix up a large batch of Sepia paint to use for that year. The sepia color leans more towards the blue side this year as people seem to be happier with that range rather than the warmer brown.

Octopus my Octopus , 2 feet x 4 feet. Acrylic on canvas. 

Day 2 of the 100 days~100 paintings 

We can't control the wind........

"Pelican box"

There are things in our lives we simply cannot control. The people that God chooses to allow in our lives are sometimes there not for uplifting, but for tearing us down. Tearing us down, so we can uplift others in with our own painful experiences.

I have experienced painful times in my life, but have only recently realized that God's hand was on and with me always. He protected me from further harming myself while dealing with my past. 

Once I realized this protection, 

I then had the opening of my mind to the reality that God is my father. 

He allows us biological parents while on this earth, but they are not my true family. 

God is my father , Jesus is my brother, and the Holy Spirit is that part of God that he gives to us. He wants only the best for all of us, he sees all that we do, and cares so much for us that the human mind cannot wrap around the love he has for all of us. I have always been a Christian, but only in the past few years began actually reading, studying, and listening to the bible. It's a rich heritage of family for all of us as followers of Christ, God's precious son.

The things I pray about and listen to in the stillness that is my studio! 

Every brushstroke is lifted up in prayer, for the people God has put into my life, for the world around me, and too many things to mention here.

Know in your heart of hearts dear reader if you have gotten this far, that I pray for you too! 

Not that I become famous, or rich, but that you will find the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

The peace that only Jesus can bring to all.

He is standing at the door of your life, knocking to come in. 

Won't you open the door of your heart and allow him to take your burdens and give you peace!

Mahi I & Mahi II boxes

Blue Heron box

This completes today and yesterdays postings. 

Thanks to my internet provider, I could not post last night.

Mahi I & II, Pelican, Blue Heron, Acrylic on wood, Paintings 15, 16 ,17 &18 of the 100 Days

This is the 57th and 58th day of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Savvy Seahorse

Seahorses are peculiar creatures to say the least! They seem so calm, cool, and collected in their movements. I love to watch them swim, even when they are as awkward as you can get as far as swimming is concerned. They seem so out of balance, using their fins on their heads and backs. Even more unusual is the fact that the male seahorse is the one who carries the babies. 

This one came from the photos in Tampa, Florida taken while on a trip there with friends to a national convention we attended annually. This trip was a fun one, none of us had a job to do, so we were pretty much free to move about. I painted our members bags for identification purposes and did not realize the commotion it would cause. Before I was through, with the help of my friend and cohort, I would have painted about 75 bags! The money we collected paid for my trip and bought me some pretty awesome jewelry too! I never could have completed the late nights, near midnight run to get extra paint, without the helping hands of both my mother and Barbara Kynaston. (A true friend indeed!) I am wonderfully blessed to call her a friend. The seahorse painting at this point in the 100 days was her idea. After she read the story about the turtle, she reminded me about the seahorses. She then inquired if I was going to paint one this year. Barbara, this day is dedicated to you, a friend indeed!

"Savvy Seahorse" 20 x 20 Acrylic on canvas, Day 3 of the 100 days~100 paintings 

Silently, so silently

If you've ever met me at one of the shows, you know my love of sea turtles.

I was in a lean-to tent in the Philippines at night on the beach when a sea turtle came in to nest. I was trying to go to bed like my mother told me, (and being a military kid you'd better listen!) She was on the beach with the villagers and my father was night diving. I went dutifully to my beach towel and tried turning my back to the light from the burning barrel that guided the divers back to the beach. I felt sand flip on my back, and thinking someone else came in, did not turn over. The next time I felt sand, I still did not turn over, but said "Hey you're getting sand on me!" When it happened yet a third time, I turned over to give the person a piece of my small mind. (I was about 7 at the time). I said "Would you please stop!" Barely getting the words out of my mouth, I ran to my mother and told her the event playing itself out in the tent. She did not really believe me and thought I was simply dreaming. After some convincing, she went with me back to the tent and saw the mother turtle busily digging her nest. Needless to say, she was surprised to see the mass of turtle taking up half the lean-to area.

I have been privileged to be near these creatures a few time since then. Brief glimpses going under a sailboat in the keys, aquarium experiences, and the turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida. I seem to be fascinated by these beautiful animals and sometimes the encounters are breathtaking. One of the takes your breath away moments was in Tampa Florida at the aquarium. We were in a big room with a wall of glass that was part of one of the bigger tanks. I had spotted a turtle and hoped to get a photograph by carefully placing my lens against the glass. The turtle in question was swimming around and passed me a couple of times. I shifted my stance, trying to be patient and that is when this turtle turned around came back and looked me eye to eye. I frantically photographed, hoping to get a shot. My mother was sitting on the benches behind me and noticed the encounter. I asked her what she thought, and she said the turtle definitely changed course to come back to me. It really did take my breath away! 

More recently, I have have had contacts here on Mobile Bay. My husband bought my a paddle board for my birthday last September (early birthday present). The morning of the set up for Shrimp festival that afternoon I was marveling at the beauty of the bay. I was also amazed to be on the water in the middle of October because it was so warm. The light was absolutely gorgeous, just coming over the ridge of trees on the bluff overlooking the pier. As I was looking under the pier, I saw a juvenile turtle head pop up out of the water, get eye contact with me and then slip beneath the surface. I thanked God for the encounter, and went headlong into my day. I paddle frequently, and most recently had another quiet encounter one morning. I was about halfway through my routine and I look around my board frequently for objects floating in the water. It was at that point of looking by the board that I saw the juvenile again, but this time right next to me! It gulped the breath of air it needed then calmly swim into the depths of the bay. I nearly wept with joy at seeing this little guy, giving me a glimpse of his watery world. 

As a side note, I have asked the other boarders if they have seen them, but they have not. I pay closer attention to the area around my board than most, and it has given me more delightful encounters. I have seen jellyfish, needle fish, jumping mullet, stingray and most recently, a very large fresh water turtle. This turtle is so big, he is not scared of much. He stopped and stared at me for at least 30 seconds as I stared back! I never know what I'll see, and I'll treasure each moment on or in the water.

"Silently, so silently" Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24

Shells, Longitudes, Latitudes and Clowns!

Sand Dollars are a rarity along the coastline now, although my mother told me you could find them all over when she was younger. I have found literally dozens of tiny baby ones early in the turtle nesting season. It is a joy to see them, but also tinged with sadness. Usually by the time they wash up onshore, they are most likely no longer alive. They will live on in my paintings because I will never tire of painting them!

Sand Dollar Day 90 of the 100 days 10 x 10 acrylic on canvas.

Turbins, I have always called them this, because of the way they coil onto themselves. I love to paint them, draw them, and find them. Some day I will get the shell collection from my parents home and display the treasures from the sea that fill my childhood memories

Turbin, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10, Day 91 of the 100 Days

I have always called these cones, because they resemble the cones shells in the Philippines. The cones in the ocean there are deadly poisonous, so I learned to never pick them up. My father once tried desperately to save a girl that had been stung, but sadly she died. He held me a little tighter after that experience, because she reminded him of the fragility of life.

Cone Shell, 10 x 10 Acrylic on canvas, Day 92 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Horsehead Conch, so called because of it's shape. I have not been lucky enough to find one here, but I have found them in Florida. Sanibel Island is the best place for shelling in the United States. I plan on going back one day and staying on Coya Costa, primitive camping in a cabin, and just unplugging from the world.

Horsehead Conch, 10 x 10 , Acrylic on canvas, Day 93 of the 100 Days

Enough said, Longitude and Latitudes for our local area. I plan on distressing these before they make it to shows on the coast. I am also putting them on Cigar boxes as a different way of storing items. I may add a compass rose and coastline map as well, still sketching in my mind!

Longitudes and Latitudes, each one 3x9 inches, acrylic on canvas, Day 94 of the 100 Days

Wanting something happy to paint, I started a series of Clownfish. I have joyous memories of Clownfish, as they were one of the fish dad brought home from his dive trips.

Clownfish 1, 16 x 16, Acrylic on canvas

Actually a rework of one of the paintings from last year, This Clown has had more anemone added and fins made more black. 

Clownfish 2, 16 x 20, Acrylic on canvas

This guy was fun and happy to paint! I could watch them for hours, playing among the anemone. They have a wonderful relationship with the Anemone, helping to guard them and clean them.

Clownfish 3, 16 x 16, Acrylic on canvas

The completed set all together. 16 x 52 inches. Each one is a stand alone painting, but I hope someone wants them all!

Clownfish Trio, Acrylic on canvas, Day 95 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Scallop & Butterfly~Oh my!

Scallop is a 12 x 12 painting that was really fun to paint! I love all the colors that are on shells and they make great subject matter as well. I will be painting a lot of shells I think for the fall season. My husband has nudged me into purchasing 43 wooden boxes for the show offerings to the patrons that frequent our booth. They are all sanded and primed with multiple sea glass colors, patiently awaiting their various decorations over the next few weeks. 

Scallop 12 x 12 Acrylic on canvas, Day 66 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Today's offering for the 100 Days is a butterfly fish. If you have been on a reef at least snorkeling, you have missed a real treat. We have one of the largest reefs in the United States at John Pennencamp (sp?) in the Florida Keys. You can take one of the many boat trips down there to see the coral, fish, and maybe spot a turtle, shark or lobster along the way!

Butterfly fish 12 x 12 ,Acrylic on canvas, Day 67 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings 

Wow! What a week!

       Is it possible to take a breather? Not when you live the artists life. We are constantly bombarded by the world that surrounds us, bringing us images that take our breath away, and inspire, no compel us to create.

       I have had people ask me how do you find 100 things to paint? I ask how do we not? I have a folder that is crammed with items I want to paint, some one a day, some for classes, some longer pieces that are more complicated. I imagine I will never run out of ideas, or not be asked to stretch my art in ways I never dreamed would happen. I the past few months I have taken on set design and execution, worked abstractly, worked realistically, created furniture from trash, (more on that in a later post), started a business teaching with a girlfriend, and built a turtle nest from clay, foam and sand. I love the act of creating and I am extremely grateful to be able to pay for supplies to help me create even more! I am even more grateful for the blessings bestowed upon me by my creator in the various forms of my talents.

       Fall shows are coming up and I could not be more excited. This painting shows what I put my hope in every day! My faith is strong, and I am hungry to learn more. This is one of three pieces celebrating the God who supports me and allows me to set my sights high. I know that there is more to come, and the horizon is bright. The other two pieces are hope and love, two things I live and thrive with every day.

These paintings are going to be available for Art Party to You. The fun part is, they can be customized to the colors in your home!

Faith,Hope, Love, each 5x7 Acrylic on gessoboard. Days 54,55,&56 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Fleur De Lys are some of my favorite things to paint and this simple one was an enjoyable evening spent curled up on the couch while hanging out with my husband, Chris.

Day 57 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Rose I is part of the series I am taking to India for our daughters wedding later this year. 

6x6 Acrylic on canvas Day 58 of the 100 Days ~100 Paintings

Rose II 6 x6 acrylic on canvas day 59 of the 100 Days

Rose III 6 x 6 Acrylic on canvas day 60 of the 100 Days

Rose IV 6x6 Acrylic on canvas day 61 of the 100 Days

Rose V 6x6 Acrylic on canvas day 62 of the 100 Days

Rose VI 6x6 Acrylic on canvas day 63 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

If you have managed to get this far, you are probably a regular reader of the blog and I apologize for not having posting daily. The past week has been filled with set design, set painting, tree building, furniture design, sanding and priming 43 cigar boxes for painting. I have also cleaned in the studio, condensed paint in preparation for classes as well as creating pieces for sale! The internet problems seem to have finally been repaired on a permanent basis. I just simply have been slammed with various things making me so tired at the end of the day that I have not been able to open  the computer and compose my thoughts on the keyboard. I will be doing a better job at this now that I am not completed frustrated by an internet connection that was spotty at best. 

Back at creating, composing, and craziness at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in Fairhope, Alabama!

Fairhope Sunset

       Fairhope Sunset came about as yet another demonstration for a student. One of my watercolor students from the beginner class is very keen on learning all he can! He has come to several classes here at the Raccoon Retreat studio and we both have a very enjoyable time. He is very inquisitive and constantly asking questions, and I love it. He always leaves telling me he learned so much that day.

       Today's lesson was brought about by his query on how would you approach this piece? He had already attempted it on his own, and had muddied up the colors in his sky quite a bit. We had a discussion on color and the use of either transparent or opaque colors in a painting. We also talked about complementary colors and how they gray down or neutralize their complements. I suggested using the warms only at the very end to add pops of color. This piece does not have any warm color added at all. I painted it in three colors, Hansa Yellow PY3, Ultramarine Blue PB 29, and Permanent Rose PV19(also called Quinacradone Violet).
These are all three transparent (at least to me) cool (to me as well) and mix well with each other. Toward the end, I wanted a little more richness to the sky blue and added a touch, (a touch mind you folks!) of Pthalo Blue PB15.

     So four colors, lots of layering later, (and a lesson in patience! I'm getting a lot of those lessons lately!) Waiting for mine and his to dry while working on another at the same time. I always advise my students to have more than one piece if they are impatient. Wait for one to dry while working on another (this is so you don't end up with mud, folks!)

       Patience, I'm learning a lot of that lately............... The internet shut down for me no less than 14 times today while working in the studio! (I know this only because I have Pandora on and I put a tick mark every time it happened!) Repair day, July 10th cannot come soon enough!

      Ah lessons in patience... pray for me tomorrow in the morning, I am having a paddleboard lesson from the same student to see if I like it before we invest in the time making one! I'm excited to learn a new skill, I just hope I don't embarrass  myself falling off a dozen times!

"Fairhope Sunset" 9 x 12 matted to 11 x 14 Day 9 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Attitude

     Sadly enough, I had to get an attitude myself today. I normally am very patient and willing to wait for an appointment from our cable provider (even though it still is not for several days!). But today was the absolute last string cut from my puppet. I had worked to get my blog post ready and when I went to post it to the internet, the connection was lost yet again. When the connection was established, my entire post was gone from the screen.

      I called my cable provider, went through the automated system, and once again 'she' determined there was a problem with the line. 'She' placed me in touch with a young man that sounded foreign. Once again, I had to explain my problem to yet another person, and this time the frustration was mounting. I told him I know that this is not your fault, but this is utterly ridiculous and I was fed up with spotty problems. "I see mam you have an appointment." he said probably from the script. I said yes I have an appointment, but the young man I talked with previously had said he was going to try and get it moved closer. I need to be able to research and blog I mentioned to no avail. "Mam you have an appointment" He said yet again. He had me restart the computer and unplug the cable box,(the automated system had already done this earlier), he then said I am checking the box, can you tell me what you see? One light, two, three blinking, then 4, wait that's connected! Can you go to an address on the internet for me. I did and he said it seems to be working now. I said, for the moment, it may last an hour or a minute, then it was gone again.

       He then suggested  "Mam you could upgrade and get a new box and faster service."
(Wrong thing to say young man.) Trying to maintain civility,  I told him WHY would I want to upgrade, when what I have is not working now! Even now, as I write this, the connection is gone, the lights are blinking, and I have a knot in my stomach from the distress this is causing me. God is testing my patience, I can feel it!

        I am over technology, I bought a recharge device that overheated my phone, my phone died right after I finished paying for it in full, it was replaced, but then the screen went black when I dropped it in the road while walking the dogs. I now have a new computer (phone) that I am trying to learn about, (but I cannot get on the internet to pull up the tutorials.) The computer I am working on is about 6 years old, has the Vista program on it, and it is running slow. I could run the grime fighter I purchased from Avast! but I need to be connected to the internet. (Do you see dear readers, where this is going?) The cable box has multiple lights blinking for the moment, but by the time I go to post, there may be no "Connection"

     "Attitude" watercolor on paper, matted to 11 x 14, Day 6 of the 100 Days~ 100 Paintings

I'm ready for my close up!

    I am so humbled and honored when people purchase one of my pieces. Recently Fairhope Connections, the gallery that represents me in Fairhope and Orange beach sold several of my pieces in one day and in both stores! Two of the pieces purchased, (one a turtle and the other a grouper, both Sepias) are making their way to Boston, Massachusetts to live with a fellow artist. I was really surprised to have her purchase, because surely she could paint her own. I would love to think she is like me, I can paint my own pieces, but I collect others works. My husbands favorite pastime at the festivals is to pick out the trade pieces we swap at the shows. We have several lovely works of art that I would not otherwise have gracing my walls.

     This heron is one of many to leave my easel as of late. I love painting herons and for the time being, I seem to be on a color kick! I am sure that the sepias will come back soon though, they still are my best sellers!

I'm ready for my close up!~5 x 7~Framed Acrylic on canvas