Pelicans and Cephalopods

Last night got away with me!

Actually, I had a long day of painting and I was simply tired.

I pray you'll forgive me for not posting yesterday.

Any way you look at it, this painting is so full of life.

Watching pelicans on the coast is a favorite pastime of mine.

Diving and dipping, fishing and eating so much they cannot fly.

I love to watch them while Chris is driving along, and they are flying so gracefully.

How such a gawky looking bird can glide so beautifully.

Only God knows.

Pelicans 24 x 24 inches

This is the painting for yesterday, day 87.

I made the photo for this one extra-large, so it is easier to see the details.

The five-piece paintings are still doing well.

We love them because they are easy to pack in a single bag, but they still have a big impact.

This one is 5 12-inch-wide canvases, ranging in size from 12 x 12 to 12 x 36.

36 x 60 inches

It makes an impressive work of art, especially when in a booth at a show.

This is what I call a showstopper.

These types of paintings bring people into the booth as they want to see the detail and the price.

Sometimes the price makes them run away, other times I'm told it's not enough.

Then there's the third option, I'll take it!

I've found the price that makes me happy with the amount of work they take.

This one was painted in one day, yes one long day for just the fronts.

It was a hard day's labor, and it is why I was tired last night.

It still has to be broken apart, traced off, and painted on the sides as 

this is what makes them really unique.

They then have to be erased, wired, and varnished.

So, a few more hours to go on this one!

The sides are a continuation of the front painting, allowing them to be spread apart, 

yet still have a complete piece of art.

People love to get next to them and look down the side to see the continuation.

It helps that I love to paint them!

I've got another one set up to paint that is the same size.

I'll reuse the bars then to make a really big one 

that measures 40 x 80 inches.

I'm still trying to decide if I want another pier on that one!

Another day, another painting, another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival

in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama!

Pelicans and Cephalopods, Acrylic on canvas, Pelicans 24 x 24, Octopus 36 x 60

Days 87 & 88 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Four days and a show!

The first of two pelicans painted while in Orange Beach for the Freedom Fest this past weekend.

This one was day 81 of the 100 days.

I painted in the camper while we were relaxing after we set up the tent and wall system on Friday.

This wall system is the main reason for doing this show to practice the actual building.

This is hopefully so we don't get into words at the Shrimp Festival in two weeks.

I knew that this weekend would be a hot one, but boy did we both underestimate the heat and humidity.

Chris forgot closed toe shoes, so he needed a new pair.

We forgot the batteries for the fans that go on our chairs.

We also picked up a couple of bottles of zero drinks with electrolytes and downed them.

I began getting sick to my stomach during set up.

Water is just simply not enough.

We will be bringing a case with us to the Shrimp Festival for sure.

Also, an ice chest that doesn't leak.

This painting was done on Saturday at the show.

So many problems cropped up this weekend that we both have made mental notes about.

The good news is we had delightful neighbors kept us laughing the whole Festival.

Even when we all felt like we were melting like the witch from the Wizard of Oz.

Friday night, we met up with our son and daughter in love.

We had a fantastic meal at the Steamer in Gulf Shores.

Chris and I shared a platter for two that was amazing and also too much to eat!

We met at our camper later that evening and started coloring the carousel animals for Jennas costume.

We turned in about 9 pm for some well-earned rest.

Saturday dawned and we ate breakfast in the camper.

Off we went to the show.

Every show is different, but each show is a learning process as well.

This one was a good lesson.

Several lessons actually.

Starting out, we had the things we forgot, the fans mostly and boy did we feel it all day.

The day was long, the sweat was real, and we looked forward to evening when we could shut down.

No sales at all that day.

None.

It's been five years since I've had a zero show and that one was because of heat too.

Maybe Sunday will be better.

We ended up getting dinner with our son and daughter at the Sunliner Diner in Orange Beach.

I had a large salad to help with cooling off from the long hot day.

 We finished by Chris and Jenna splitting a banana split and our son Jere' had a vanilla shake and I had the leftovers in the mixing cup.

We turned in, hoping that Sunday would be a better day.

We started out the day with breakfast with the "kids" at Ducks in Orange Beach.

(We eat out a lot when we're on the road and at shows, I cook during the week though!)

We split and then headed to the camper to pick up a couple of items and head to the show.

We only had five hours on Sunday thankfully.

Chris and I watched online church and really enjoyed what we could hear between the planes, golf carts, Loud cars, motorcycles, and music blaring over the speakers.

Church is always a challenge when we are on the road, but we make the effort.

The day progressed with the usual slowness of a Sunday, as people are hopefully going to church.

I had a woman come in and rave about my work the day before.

She said she was going to put me on her interior designers radar.

I usually take these people with a grain of salt because most of the time, nothing at all comes of it.

The woman from the day before came back and said her friend was dropping by in about an hour.

It ended up being longer, but she did finally show up and we had a lovely conversation.

I will be working directly with the lady who introduced us, apparently the designers communication skills are not real good.

We'll see how far that goes, as she is interested in large pieces for several condos she's designing.

Originals only. 

No discounts discussed. (That's a FIRST!)

The designer asked if no one else had me working for them.

I laughed and said I wish!

She may want murals too!

Praying this is a reality this time.

I have been contacted, talked to, and done presentations at shows before and 

never had anyone actually follow through.

After that excitement the day really slowed down with 65% humidity and 

temperatures feeling like 100+.

More people on Sunday, but not a single sale.

I am surprisingly calm about this, even though there is the loss of income and money spent.

We had a lovely weekend.

Break down was brutal though in the heat.

Not only did I not make any money but was rather warm even for me!

We headed to Walmart after breaking down to get large Zeros again to get the electrolytes back into us.

We cooled off in the camper and ate chicken salad I made with lettuce wraps.

We lazed around, got showers and hit the bed at 9pm.

Going to bed early was a problem for me later in the night.

I slept until 1, then fitfully for the rest of the night.

Started on Sunday, finished on Monday.

We got up at 6:30, and drank coffee while I did my Bible readings as I do every day.

We then went to breakfast this morning.

We tried to go to the Ugly Diner, but they were closed on Mondays.

We ended up at the Waffle House in Gulf Shores.

After breakfast we broke down the camper, I cleaned inside and Chris got things going outside.

I loaded up laundry and foodstuffs, ready for our homecoming.

I finished just as Chris did, and we hit the road.

We got home by 11 to a sink leaking and happy dachshunds.

Chris went to get items to repair the sink while I started laundry, and put away food and toiletries.

I replaced a lightbulb in the hallway while doing laundry.

I then determined I wanted to back up the trailer into the carport.

It took several tries, with Chris nervously giving directions, but I finally got it done.

We then closed the gates and released the hounds into the yard.

We unloaded the van from all the art, equipment, and storage system, putting everything away.

We then went to try and get the parts for the sink, a trip to the bank, a salad shared at Zaxbys.

A really full day, but laundry is done, food put away, and for the most part we're almost set for the next show which is the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Somewhere in there, was painting!

Four days and a show!, Acrylic on Canvas, each 6 x 24inches

Days 81, 82, 83, & 84 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

Turtle and Pelican

The best part about being a professional artist?

People wanting and collecting your art!

 I am so fortunate to have collectors that continue to add to their collection.

I was contacted this week by someone who has several pieces of my work in their home.

He was inquiring about something that still blows my mind.

Last year, I started the rounds in earnest and opened the National Shrimp Festival 

with over 25 of them on display.

I sold half of them in just the first day!

I was in shock but shouldn't have been.

You see, I had prayed about the new series and the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the rounds were the next big thing in my art career.

The Sepia series was the beginning, over 15 years old and 

before Chip and Joanna Gaines became popular.

I was right on the edge of a new decorating trend of neutral tones.

The first ones were in shadowbox frames purchased at Michaels, painted, and distressed.

There were 12 x 12 canvases in the frames.

The frames were fragile, hard to carry, and difficult to obtain.

I then prayed again and started the deep edged canvas and no frames.

Still white backgrounds, and sepia toned paintings.

I loved wrapping the edges with the sea creatures I created.

The next big thing came as an accident, but also after prayer. 

I had glanced at the shadowbox canvas at Michaels, 

but had dismissed them as too expensive for me to invest in.

Lo and behold, I went to Michaels again after a successful National Shrimp Festival 

and they were on clearance!

I couldn't believe the price, and I had the money to invest in them.

I bought all 22 they had on hand.

I painted them all and took them to Peter Anderson in Ocean Springs, MS.

We sold half of them that weekend.

My husband asked, can you get any more of these?

I said no, they're discontinued and no one else makes them.

(I had been looking ever since I purchased them.)

We still had a few left in the Spring and my wonderful husband came to me and quietly said,

"I think I can build them."

Such joy!

I told him, "I just figured out how to stretch them."

My precious partner in art has built over 500 of them so far and has innovated the designs, 

pushing me to greater works of art.

This year will bring new pieces on unusual sizes and offsets.

I then prayed again about a question I kept getting asked at shows.

"Why don't you paint bigger?"

This was when the multiple canvas works were started.

They are several years old and still going strong.

I then started the rounds, and I have been so amazed at their reception.

Which brings me back to the collector's request.

Another round.

Another Dead Men tell no tales.

This will be the fifth one in the series!

So fun to paint, but such a headache to cut out with all of its openings to the background.

Still incredible to me!

I've also been commissioned to do an extremely customized round that will go to England as a special presentation gift for a friend and business partner.

More on that one later!

Yesterday's piece was this turtle.

I love painting turtles and hope I never have to stop.

I'm really happy too as our area is finally seeing the results of so many years of protecting turtle nests.

There are over 80 nests this year on the coast of Alabama alone!

I painted this one today, in between church, cooking and designing the new works.

It's an amazing time here in the Raccoon Retreat Studio, here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Turtle and Pelican, Acrylic on canvas, 4x12 inches 

Days 33 and 34 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

King of his domain II

 Another great day in the studio. Another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This guy was fun to paint after a day with my daughter working on her Queens ensemble.

My daughter Jessica will be Queen of the Phoenix organization early next year. There is an incredible amount of crazy work to do in the meantime. I was a professional seamstress for years until a drunk driver changed the landscape of my body. I have two herniated discs in my neck, and nerve damage in my right arm. I am herniated on the right side but have found relief with a wonderful product called "Huggterra". This device is an incredible invention that vibrates, has heat, pressure points, and electric stim therapy. 15 minutes a day, and I am loosening up more and more. The Huggterra and Chiropractic care are helping a great deal. There are still days though.... Some days are diamonds and some days are dirt. 

Anyway, back to my personal Queen. She has designed her dress with help from another designer, and I am doing the main build of the dress, skirt, and train. To say it's complicated is an understatement, but that is typical of my daughter. She has the most spectacular ideas and expects me to execute them. I pray a lot, and the Holy Spirit answers a lot, allowing me to do things I never imagined. It's a lot of engineering, sewing, hand work, and prayer on my part. This design will be spectacular on a lot of levels. 

I am so grateful for the many talents God has given me. He allows me to do things I never dreamed of when I was younger. I've also been asked to do another mural at a condo in Fort Morgan. That's already on my schedule for January of next year along with getting ready for shows in the springtime. 

Painting, camping, showing, spending time with my best friend Chris! This is our artists life here in Fairhope, Alabama!

King of his domain II, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches                                          Day 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Not what I expected!

 Today was not what I expected. I was planning to paint more shells, but time was getting away from me, so I switched to the pelican for today. This guy was a pleasure to paint after the intensity of the shells the past two days. I love painting the detail of the shells, but they put such tension into my neck. Small details do that of course, but sometimes the little details are what counts big!

I've always loved painting pelicans. They are becoming quite the nuisance bird though, leaving their bird splatter everywhere. They can also be rather aggressive when seeking food from the fishermen on the dock. Don't even think you can toss a piece of a fish, it must be the whole thing, or they will spit it out. Where they congregate, they make a mess. Just look at the pilings they sit on. They are a beautiful bird though, especially in flight.

I went with Chris to Foley today to see the new thrift store that opened. I love that Chris enjoys thrifting, and he especially loves the books. I perused the clothing, not finding anything I really had to have. This store is new and particularly crowded, so we decided on going to lunch instead of shopping. I went to Hobby Lobby to get double sided blanket binding for my octopus themed pants. 

We came home and I went to the studio. I managed to add the border to my octopus print pants, put Velcro on the curtains, and hem a pair of shorts for Chris. I also finished the painting for today. It was then I realized I had forgotten to get something else I needed from Hobby Lobby. We had a dinner get together at 6:30 so we left early for me to go back to the store to get paper rolls to lay out the queen's train for Mardi Gras. I ended up buying three rolls because they were reasonable and I don't want to have to try and get more later. I will tape it all together to get a sense of the scale of the elements of the train and sketch it all out. 10 feet wide and 15 feet long is going to be one rather large piece of paper!

We finished dinner and here we are back home after driving through a heavy rainstorm in Daphne. It was not even raining in Fairhope when we arrived home. Unloaded the car and here I am posting for today.

A busy, not so busy day. Another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Twelve more days until set up. I'm in full blown show mode now! Making lists, checking them off and starting to pack clothes, items for the camper, artworks, and equipment. This will be my 16th year of the festival!

Not what I expected, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24inches                                                                                   Day 88 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Stretching, painting, and Middle Bay Lighthouse

Day 75!

I am sorry to say this is it for today.

I stretched one 24 x 24 shadowbox and 10-6 x 24s.

The stretching took a while as I had to get out all the equipment.

Compressor, Staple gun, bucket of tools.

LOTS of staples too.

Razor, square, scissors, canvas cut to size.

Stretching took a couple of hours.

Then I put away all the tools.

By then it was lunch time.

Our son, Jere was taking us out on the pontoon boat at 1.

By the time we finished eating, Jere was here and loading up.

His girlfriend Jenna had never seen the Middle Bay lighthouse in person, so off we went.

It is so sad to see her in this condition.

It is one of the few remaining lighthouses entirely surrounded by water.

Unfortunately, since Captain Hal pierce passed away in 2020, Middle Bay 

seems to have lost its champion.

He coordinated efforts to repair and keep the lighthouse painted by using the Seabees, 

who gladly took on the job.

He made sure the lighthouse was beautiful in 1985 for its 100th anniversary.

The pilings are especially in bad shape.

Flailing, rust, and a barge hit have all taken their toll.

At one point, there was a movement to move it to the battleship grounds.

This would allow thousands of school children to tour it and learn about 

the 23 children that called it home at one time or another.

Unfortunately, it was voted down to move her.

It is now a glorified weather station and day beacon.

After looking all around the light we stopped off at the Blind Tiger restaurant on the pier.

It has such a great view, and the foods pretty good too!

While we were at the lighthouse there were several sailboats in a race.

They took a turn around the light then headed back to harbor.

They were probably out of dog river.

It is where Chris and I would come out after leaving Alba Club for a sail.

We would stop at the Mariner restaurant and eat before going home.

Great memories and wonderful seafood!

When we got home after going out on the boat, we fed the dogs.

They were a little late getting their evening meal.

That didn't stop them from wanting their afternoon ride!

After we came home from the ride, I made salads for dinner.

Cleaned up the kitchen, then did some quick shopping for items needed in my studio and at home.

Then, I watered plants and dachshunds.

The wirehaired dachshunds will not let us water the yard or plants without them having a lot of fun.

They will bite at the water and will tear into plants if you don't spray them.

This spraying is of course exactly what they want!

They resemble Lipizzan horses with their leaping antics.

They are fun to watch, but then they are soaking wet.

Fortunately for us, simply throwing a towel on the floor will start the rubbing to get dry.

These two are absolute comedians and make us laugh frequently.

After making sure they were getting dried off, I went into my studio.

I broke out the paint and painted all the canvas I stretched today white with acrylic.

The actual painting took less than an hour.

It allows me to grab and paint them without having to wait for the white to dry.

 

Pelicans on the derelict pier next to the launch.

Closer shot of the pelicans

                                        

Middle bay used as a turning point for a race, likely out of Dog River.

Stretching, painting, and Middle Bay Lighhouse, Acrylic on canvas, multiple sizes

Day 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Pelican line up

What a day!

Not that it was hard, but it was intense.

Chris is happily using up scraps in the shop now.

He cut up the Luan-plywood I bought the other day into smaller pieces that are easier to handle.

This bad boy used up a scrap that was rather large, as this round is 24 inches.

I was cutting it this morning on the scroll saw and I saw Chris photographing while I was working.

This sawing takes intense concentration to make sure the piece doesn't slip into cutting off something you want to keep! (Fingers, pieces of wood, etc.)

I heard him behind me working on something as he revved up the screwdriver as he was walking toward the front of the shop.

I kept happily working.

Out of the blue I heard a loud snap as something hit the floor.

Unfortunately, I let a "Damn!" out of my mouth before I could stop it.

I checked the saw first then quickly turned to see a piece of lumber that had hit the floor.

Chris was happily screwing a piece of plywood to the wall for the radio.

I didn't say anything at that moment as I was mulling over my response.

I finished cutting, and I quietly asked Chris to come over.

I then asked him, "remember my childhood?"

He shook his head not really.

I then asked if he remembered the movie, "I can only imagine"

 where the dad hits the kid in the head with his plate.

He again said not really.

I then told him, when the wood hit the floor, it elicited a trauma response in me.

As a child, (NO I don't hold it against them! AND I have forgiven them!)

my father's favorite way to discipline was to hit me upside the head.

My mom let him.

As if that would knock some sense into me....

I told Chris when the wood hit the floor, I ducked as if struck.

I wanted him to know I love working with and around him, but I need some warning in the future.

Getting older is definitely slowing us down, becoming more thoughtful in our actions.

Also, more thoughtful in our words, I hope.

Years ago, I would've blown things way out of proportion and been yelling at him instead of calmly explaining, hey please don't do that again.

I've also found a groove this year.

The paintings are coming fast and furious.

I already have the next two cut out and ready to begin.

Do you have something you want to see in the rounds?

Please tell me soon!

Pelican line up, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

A pelican parley

Oh my!

These guys were so fun to paint!

Well, I guess they're all fun to paint for me.

The hardest part of these paintings is finding a way to make the upper wood piece fit on top 

and actually, make sense.

There is an incredible amount of wood pieces going into them.

This one however, was from a scrap of wood from another piece.

Waste not, want not.

I thought I needed to buy more wood to use, 

but I think I'll be okay as far as the upper parts are concerned.

I'm still trying to find a source of the 20- and 24-inch rounds though.

This makes me nervous as I really want the big ones as well.

I have two 24s already and are working on the designs for them.

I also worked on the VBS today for a bit. 

I painted the brackets for the torches on the gates both for the front and stage.

We also picked up more masking tape, screws, and found a gallon of Dark blue paint to mix and make sky blue for the flats behind the dinosaurs.

The sets will be amazing for the kids.

Hopefully their imaginations will be set on fire for the majesty that is the creations of God.

Very hot, very busy, very close to completion for the church at least.

Each day is a day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama in October.

A Pelican Parley, Acrylic on wood, 14 inches

Day 17 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

Do you know how to make God laugh?

I love rollercoasters!

However, the one I'm on currently is a little too much for me!

Do you know the answer to the title question above?

Do you know how to make God laugh?

Got it?

Read on for the answer to this query.

We should all remember God's plan is perfect.

 We don't always understand it.

We don't always like it. 

But HIS plan is perfect!

Case in point.....

When you last read the blog, I was on target to finish the 100 paintings in the 100 days 2023.

I was rapidly completing the sewing drawers and they will help reach the finish line.

I was caught up and confident I would complete the task.

Those were MY plans.

Then God stepped in and said here ya go!

My dad is quite elderly, and his health is not the best.

He does alright but insists on living alone.

He doesn't get enough exercise and his diet is well, not so great.

My brother and I were calling the house, and he did not pick up.

I live an hour away, so my brother drove over to check on him.

He found him in a sorry state, unable to stand or walk.

He had a similar health scare in March and April.

He told all of us to never call an ambulance again.

We said okay back then.

Then Sunday happened and it took two hours to convince him to call 911.

He did, and we got him to the hospital.

He was dehydrated, very weak, and upset at the time things were taking.

CT scan of head clear.

Chest Xray clear.

Blood work not so much.

Infection somewhere, bilirubin elevated.

Abdominal ultrasound clear.

Brought back to ER room.

He then had a seizure, apparently caused by his pacemaker kicking in because of tachycardia.

Nonresponsive for a few minutes.

Now he's admitted to hospital to figure this out! 

Cardiologists are now involved again.

Scary!

Needless to say, I have spent the last few days at the hospital with him.

He is now getting better, but still needs some surgery for his heart as he has not one, but two blockages!

Hopefully tomorrow will take care of his problem while in surgery.

More pelicans!

Dolphins!

Humpback whales!

Meanwhile, I'm trying to pack for the Shrimp Festival starting on Thursday.

So, as you can see, I am close to completion of the 100 days.

We were supposed to set up on Wednesday.

Bad weather moving in with high winds and heavy rain.

God's plan, Let's do Thursday instead.

So, show is delayed.

I can go to my dad's surgery.

We don't have to set up in the wind and rain.

God's plan, is PERFECT!

The answer to the question:

Do you know how to make God laugh?

"Tell Him your plans...."

Kinda funny, right?

Multiple days, Acrylic on Wood panel, each about 5 x15 inches

Days 80-91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Pelican parley

I love painting these guys.

They are so incredibly interesting to create.

So much to do, so little time left before the big show starts next week.

The 50th National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores, Alabama.

I have all the paintings done to fill the double booth and am now working ahead.

I am really excited to see how the booth looks with it going from sepia to full color in one space.

Tonight was Artwalk in Fairhope.

I was painting live while it was going on from 5:30-8:00 pm.

I actually worked on two miniature paintings for the sewing machine drawers.

They make a really great presentation for the paintings, giving them the shadowbox effect.

Two whales done, lots of people chatting about my works.

Hopefully conversations lead to sales.

I also spent time setting up the rest of the sewing drawer paintings.

So, I know what to paint.

I have the patterns ready to transfer and then just create!

Our pelicans here are an incredible work of God.

To see such a gawky bird fly so gracefully is beautiful.

They dive so hard, going after fish.

It's a wonder they don't die with how hard they hit the water.

You always know when the fish are in the bay, because there will be pelicans sitting on the water.

They're sitting because they can't fly because they're so full of fish!

Pelican Parley, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 69 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Flying high, but how low can you go?

The paintings are so much fun to create and see the final product.

I am really getting excited to see the booth in place at the National Shrimp Festival.

One week from today we'll be down in Gulf Shores!

These pelicans are such characters.

Their diving, eating until they are so full, they can't fly!

Trying to swallow things that are too big to eat.

Gawky when they walk, graceful when they fly.

I love painting them!

"Flying high", Acrylic on shadowbox canvas 24 x 24inches

Octopus are peculiar creatures indeed.

They can regenerate an arm.

They have nine brains, one in their head and one in each arm!

They can change color on a whim.

They have a beak like a parrot!

They can fit through a hole with their entire body, if their beak goes through.

They can unscrew a lid from a jar if the jar has food.

Slippery, intelligent, sometimes creepy, always peculiar.

Most of all, fun to paint!

"How low can you go?", Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Days 66 and 67 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Colors, canvases, and completions

Days and days since I've posted!

The studio has been a hive of activity as of late.

I have been too busy to post, but today I am bound and determined to get this done!

Both of these pieces are 24 x 24 inches and so fun to paint.

I really enjoy these sepias and shadowboxes.

The booth is coming together very nicely on paper, hopefully it will look the same on the walls.

These are some of the partial color paintings.

The walls of the booth will gradually go from sepia to full color, 

left to right if you're standing in front of the space.

I'm enjoying the process for sure!

So much to do in the next three weeks before the Annual National Shrimp Festival.

The turtles are a continuation of works I do for Big Fish Trading Company in Foley, Alabama.

These will be in my booth though and not at the gallery.

Sea turtles are always some of my favorites to paint. 

The octopus is another partially colored piece.

I love the surprise of color in the eye area.

We shall see how they do at the show!

The crab is for the far right wall at the festival in October.

Full color is interesting on the shadowboxes, adding a degree of difficulty.

Challenging yes, but not impossible to paint.

I do love a challenge too!

The three following pieces are the unusual canvases Chris built.

Two 15 x 30s and one central 30 x 30, making for one large work of art.

The challenge was the set up and arrangement of the turtles.

I decided to have a total of 7 turtles spread across the 3 canvas.

7 turtles for the 7 days of creation.

Truly a wonderful piece of art!

This is the tryptic on my fence, because I cannot set up and photograph in the studio.

The work measure 30 inches tall and 60 inches wide.

It really will look great in the booth for sure!

Colors, canvases, and completions, Acrylic on canvas, varying sizes

Days 41- 50 of the 100 daya~100 paintings 2023