Pod Party!

"Pod party"

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have seen a pod of dolphin's play is indeed blessed.

Their antics of chasing the fish or simply playing can be a joy to behold.

Chris and I were fortunate enough to actually see a hunt by a pod near one of the piers.

The pod was large with little ones in their midst.

They were after a school of fish, but the little ones were not able to keep up.

The largest one, (we assumed a male because he was huge) started swimming around the group.

This scared the fish into the center of the pod and the party was on!

Everyone started jumping and diving into the ring and eating their fill.

It was so fun to watch!

We also wrapped up the youth helping today at the build for the dinosaurs.

I've never had so many adults curious about VBS.

They hear about the dinosaurs and have to come see them in person.

I am so happy that the kids are excited, the adults are excited, and the staff is excited too!

The best part is, the dinosaurs seem to have a home possibly touring Baldwin County in the libraries.

Two of them will stay at the church until October for the series the children's Pastor is teaching.

There is also an individual interested in possibly homing one or two.

The panels have all been painted, 16 of them twice, once for background, again for details.

The youth of KOTC and others have worked incredibly hard on this project!

Sarah and I will be putting details on the creatures on Friday, hopefully finishing up early in the day.

Sunday is set up day!

Whew!

For now, I'm putting this tired body into the shower and then the bed.

Goodnight.

Pod party, Acrylic on wood, 17 inches

Day 24 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

The load in that almost didn't happen!

Tomorrow begins a long week of painting and finishing up the dinosaurs.

Today though, we were loading up the paints, brushes, trays, cups, and tarps

We were having to move the dinosaurs again, for the twentieth time.

We had to move them to get to the paint.

Once in the corner, a paint can fell over spilling almost an entire gallon onto the floor.

All over boxes of art projects to be done, my extra tile for the bathroom, and just plain everywhere.

Using two dustpans, I scooped up most of the paint and put it back into the bucket, sawdust and all.

We then used newsprint and a wet t-shirt to get most of the mess.

My skins not so lucky, I have dried paint all over my legs, hands, and arms.

I then chose the paints I wanted to use, and we loaded up the van.

The van also has the Velociraptor inside.

We then got the trailer from the side yard to pre-load the dinosaurs for morning.

Once we got the trailer, we started up with the triceratops.

I was fine going up, but coming down my Keen shoes slipped on the grating.

I went down of course.

In the process of falling, I put out my right hand and felt the blow into my upper arm and hand.

As I sat there praying, "Lord please don't make this bad!"

Chris yelled out "Loran! are you okay?"

I said, "I think so", he was still supporting the dinosaur on the trailer.

"How did you fall?"

The Keens have become slick and hardened on the bottom.

I may put them in the garbage tonight, so I can't get them back out.

They really are my favorite shoes, and I have several colors.

I was shaking my hand, wondering how I was going to paint with a broken finger.

The shoulder is squeaking too, so I think Ibuprofen will be my friend tonight.

Needless to say, an exciting evening.

Good thing I painted earlier today!

The finger, I'm typing with it as we speak.

I expect it will be jammed up tomorrow.

I pray it is not!

"The enemy within the ocean" Acrylic on wood, 16 inches round

Day 20 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Are you game?

Are you game? 

I am!

I am willing to try almost anything.

I will not skydive, however.

(Why someone would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane is beyond me.)

I also will not jump off a bridge in Zimbabwe.

(Don't even ask Gib! I will not!)

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy thrills, but I am protective of my body.

I also get paranoid of my hands this time of year.

And I'm using a scroll saw!

 My husband laughed at me the other day when I referred to the circular wire protecting the blade

as the "circle of death".

I really don't want to cut myself now or any time.

But accidents happen, I just pray not to me!

Most accidents happen because we become complacent and careless.

I feel like referring to the wire as "the circle of death" reminds me to be careful.

I did cut this guy out today and he is delicate!

So delicate, I can't brad nail him to the edges.

The multiple glue points should be enough to hold him in place.

The beard and the point on his nose also have a bamboo skewer glued to the back of them and painted.

Interesting ways to do art here in the studio!

Interestingly enough, I was talking to my son, Crecious in Zimbabwe today.

(We "adopted" him and his sister a few years back.)

We provide some support for them while they are going to school, 

keeping them from bad job situations.

They will be self-supportive next year, and we couldn't be prouder.

They are in their 30's and both parents have passed away.

They call us mom and dad.

He asked if dad was cutting the wood for me.

I said no, all me.

Chris doesn't have the patience for tiny, delicate, cuts.

Crecious couldn't imagine me using power tools I suppose.

I sent him a sarcastic video of me cutting on the scroll saw.

I guess he believes me now.

It was worth the laughter.

Yes folks, I cut them out myself after designing them.

I also worked on the VBS today for a period of time.

I made the stands for the torches on the gates for the Jurassic sets.

This VBS will be epic!

I said that last year too!

Meanwhile,

Chris was working out in the "barn" painting and cutting foam for stands for leaves.

We have lots of leaves to cut and make for the sets.

Chris gave me the blessed gift of working on the show in my studio for October.

I love that we work together, even when we are not together physically.

Are you game? Acrylic on wood, 18 inches round

Day 16 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

The End of the 100 days 2023!

I cannot express the feelings I'm having now! I have finished the hundred days in actually less than 100 days. It has been a journey this year with wonderful people pushing me along. Thank you so much! On to finishing the show!