Venus Comb

 Venus Comb Murex

To say my parents were avid shell collectors is putting it mildly. I have vivid memories of them coming home from dives while we were living in the Philippines. Invariably, they brought home either shells or something for our fish tank. The process was always the same, they would come home and place the shells in the ant bed. The ants were fed handsomely, and in two weeks we had shells that were incredibly clean and beautiful. It was like Christmas, carefully removing the shells from the ant bed and finding the treasures held within.

If you've never seen a shell brought up from the depths of the sea, you'll be in for a shock. The shells caught live are beautiful with incredibly sharp spines. The clams are even sharper as their flutes are intact. Razor coral is sharp enough to cut you, even after drying out and even years later. The shells we see on the beach have been rolled in the surf and softened by the sea. I got my parents shell collection after they both passed away. They have brought back incredible memories of living in the Philippines and snorkeling for hours on end while my parents dove below. 

The Venus comb murex is known by its scientific name Murex pecten. They are large predatory snails that eat other mollusks. They grow 4-6 inches in length. The one I have is about 5 inches. It is the one I photographed and painted here. The spines are though to protect the shell from predators while they are hunting. The shell shape is considered to be elongated with a pronounced siphonal canal. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region and can be found from coral reefs to sandy bottoms. They occupy water depths between 0-1115 feet! They like tropical waters as the warm stable temperatures aid in their survival. Bottom dwelling using camouflage to hide among the rocks and corals.

It does face threats from overharvesting and habitat loss. My parents got theirs in the 60's. They were considered to represent wealth and status. They may serve as trade items or gifts. They are used in crafting sometimes, but the delicate spines break easily. 

I pray you've had a great day. Today was much better for me in the studio. I was able to paint and cut canvas for Chris to stretch on the bars he made for me. I am one happy artist! I painted this evening while dinner was cooking, and Chris stretched the frames and then we had dinner, cleaned up and got ice cream. I then headed up to the studio to finish this painting depicted here.

Venus Comb Murex, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24inches                                                                                   Day 86 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Well, this happened!

Well, this happened!

So many things happened this weekend.

I got several paintings set up to paint but never touched a brush!

My family had a boat when I was a teenager that my dad bought in Ohio.

He bought a trailer and a deep V hull boat for $25.00 in the fall of 1972.

We spent the winter scraping down the hull, repairing fiberglass as it had run aground.

Dad was able to repair the fiberglass, and we began on other parts of the boat.

When we lifted the bilgeboards, we found both a quarter and a penny.

So, her name was Quarter Penny.

Dad completely rebuilt the gunnels, dashboard, front deck and transom from Mahogany.

I remember parts and pieces of this boat all over the dining area of our base housing.

The varnish smell was overpowering for a while.

I even spent a weekend under the hull while it was up on sawhorses with my dad painting the inside

while the snow was falling on the hull.

He got the boat together, and frankly I don't remember it ever becoming

 water bound while we lived in Ohio.

I do vividly remember using the boat to carry all the camping equipment 

while traveling across country to California and our new base assignment in Riverside.

I spent my 13th birthday on the road camping in two tents.

One of which was a cottage tent that dad bought at an army surplus store.

We painted dog prints all over it, in an effort to close the holes in the canvas.

That thing was massive and heavy.

It was my responsibility to get it on the ground cloth, stake it, and get poles started on the sides.

I needed help with the ridge pole as the tent was probably 8 ft at the center.

My brothers and I stayed in the cottage tent. 

My parents had a separate small tent.

Anyway, we used the boat to carry all the equipment, stoves, lanterns, fuel, food, 

and toys for my brothers.

We even stayed at a Jellystone Park, I remember the beautiful blue of the

 Colorado river raging just outside our campsite.

The wind was so fierce that the guy lines to the poles of our tent hummed all night.

So, when got to California, we almost immediately started school.

This was 1973 and we lived in Sunnymead, just outside Riverside and near March AFB.

Within a short time, it was Halloween and my hand got shut in a door in the band room.

Nothing broken on me, just a split on the skin under my middle finger.

Needless to say, it made life interesting trying to play a flute.

I also was splitting wood for our fireplace the next month and 

caught the hatchet with my index finger on the same hand.

I was not happy with California.

But summer was coming!

The water project that stopped at a new man-made lake was finished in 1974.

Lake Perris was perfect to learn to water ski on because there was this 

wonderful area when you fell off, you could stand up.

I learned to ski on doubles but could never master the slalom ski.

I loved that summer!

Many happy hours spent on the lake and on Allesandro Island 

because we had a boat to get to the island.

My dad also got a 26 ft sailboat he called Quarter Penny two.

He drove that boat from California to Alabama.

Unfortunately, "my" boat had to be sold because dad couldn't haul two of them.

If I had known it was because mom didn't want to drive a boat across country, I would've begged to learn how to drive as I was 15 at the time.

So, I still miss the boat.

Chris has been looking for one for years.

He didn't really understand the deep V hull boat until I found a photo of one.

I don't have any idea what kind of boat Quarter Penny was, but the Larsen was pretty close.

Sunday found us driving to Destin Florida after church to look at a Larsen deep V hull boat.....

No painting that day because the trip to Destin and back was nearly 5 hours.

We looked at the boat that needed new stringers in the bottom, new bilge boards, 

and probably a transom.

The hull was exactly as I remembered, because my brothers could stand up in the boat and not fall out.

That's how deep this boat was in my childhood.

The gel coat was scraped in a couple of spots, but otherwise the paint was still shiny.

It had the original seats that would lay flat, so you cold sunbathe.

It was a little bigger than we were hoping for, and Chris was concerned about the wood rot.

He didn't know if he wanted to take on the project.

So, we came home without the boat.

He's still looking for a deep V hull boat.

I made him promise he'll take me to look when he finds one.

Today, I didn't paint either.

I cleaned in the studio, preparing for my daughter to come over as we were 

working on her Mardi Gras Queen outfit and train design.

We finally got on the same page with the design after much discussion.

She has something in her mind, and like me she sometimes 

cannot get what is in her head out onto paper.

We managed to design the under train that goes on the back of the dress.

All this without butting heads!

We also ordered Crinoline to stiffen everything.

It's going to be a spectacular project.

I drafted the pattern, then cut it out from scrap fabric to see if it was what she wanted.

We had much success and will get together Friday for another session.

After my daughter left, it was time to take dogs on their ride.

I then took my sister in love to a doctor appointment.

Came home, ate, and headed to the studio.

I reset the studio back to me after working with my daughter, 

folding all her stuff and placing it all in one spot.

I then rolled out my drop cloths and varnished 16 pieces that I erased this morning.

So here I am after a long day.

Not offering excuses for non-completed paintings.

Just letting you know a little about the world of an artist here in Fairhope, Alabama.

Well, this happened!, Varnishing day, multiple sizes

Days 83 & 84 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

I'm seeing spots!

I'm seeing spots!

You can see why too!

These guys were incredibly hard to finish in one day.

My typical shadowbox canvas, but not my typical sea creature.

They are incredibly beautiful and gentle giants.

And yes, they are in the Gulf of Mexico!

I would love to see one in person for sure.

This photo is from NOAA Fisheries and shows the amazing tracks these wonderful creatures take.

While you may not see one near Mobile Bay, it is possible to see them in the Gulf of Mexico.

Now, for some fun facts.

They are not actually whales but the world's largest fish species.

They can reach up to 46 feet and they can weigh 12 tons!

Thats the size of a school bus folks!

They are filter feeders, scooping up plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small fish.

They have more than 3,000 teeth, but they are not to eat with.

They can grow to be very old possibly to 100 years in age.

The oldest documented whale shark is 75 years old.

They swim slowly but can still travel long distances during migration.

They give birth to live young after an estimated pregnancy of 12 to 18 months.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature considers them endangered.

They can live in captivity and there are four of them at the Georgia Aquarium.

They are also a member of the Orectolobiformes also called carpet sharks.

I'm done for today!

I'm seeing spots! Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Day 79 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

A Circled Cephalopod

Today was another day of joy for me.

I started the day in the studio, working on backgrounds for the last two circles.

Don't worry they're coming back in late October, because I still have 11 more to paint.

I'm going to use them as "fill ins" after the first three shows.

As usual, this one was fun to paint.

What was not fun was trying to paint after a restless night.

I finally gave up and got up at 4am this morning.

I got my Bible readings done, painted a bit, then headed off to a Baby shower.

The shower was fun, but I was hungry for lunch.

The shower had only fruit and dip that I could eat.

I have apparently become Gluten intolerant.

I don't have violent reactions as some do, but it's bad enough.

I have what amounts to an allergy attack, phlegm, and sinus drainage.

Sometimes up to 24 hours later!

It's just not worth the tastiness.

So, I ate a leftover salad from the refrigerator and headed back to the studio.

The studio was quiet except for the dachshund that followed me up here.

The tippy tapping of her claws is cute, but then I worry when I don't hear movement.

Quiet in a dachshund is like a quiet toddler.

You better be nervous and you better go look.

With dachshunds they're usually in a garbage can, stealing tissues to shred.

I worked for a couple of hours then decided it was time for a nap.

The dachshunds and I piled onto the couch under a blanket and dozed off.

I needed that nap!

It was time to go back to the studio and after an hour or so, it was time for the afternoon ride.

I then cooked dinner, took grandson for ice cream and headed back into the paint.

A good day.

Now hopefully it will be a good night!

A circled cephalopod, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 61 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

10 years later....

10 years ago, I was painting a mural in a hyperbaric chamber room.

I don't even know if it's still there.

It was an amazing under the sea theme with lots of fish, Dolphin, and corals.

It was so the people in the hyperbaric chamber could see the mural as they passed time.

This week found me a delightful "job" in Pensacola Beach Florida.

This couple found me at the Gulf Breeze show in the Spring.

They have been searching for an artist over a year to paint their mural.

They have a long tradition of murals in their homes, now both in New Orleans and Pensacola.

They have patiently waited through my show season, a visit from daughter and grandchildren, and a massive dinosaur build for our church VBS called Summer Surge.

The first day, (Monday) we arrived at their condo and settled in quickly.

I was incredibly happy to see a wonderful scaffold as promised, with rails!

I got to work on transferring the pattern to the wall.

Chris settled in to chatting with the owners, Cathy and Randy, while I listened in and occasionally added a bit to Chris's stories.

Orange peel texture is incredibly difficult to paint on because it's so bumpy.

Not to be daunted, I got the pattern on the wall cutting it into manageable strips of six feet by 1 foot.

It took a couple of hours to transfer the pattern I had drafted.

I then excitedly started painting the farthest legs on the right.

I worked a total of 6 hours the first day.

I then took Chris to Peg Leg Petes for a delicious meal.

On Tuesday, I pushed until I got all eight legs done!

It was an adventure all the way fighting with the orange peel texture that was 

becoming easier with each stroke.

This was my point of view most of the day.

I would hang my legs over the edge, leaning into the strokes following the patterning.

Laying on paint, scumbling paint, removing paint.

Just like on the smaller canvases, except on a grander scale.

At this point Cathy was already texting photos to friends and family.

She kept saying it was so much more than she expected.

This is my absolute favorite thing to hear from a client.

I stopped again about 4 pm because I was hungry.

We had a delicious dinner, cooked by me of spaghetti made with deer meat and a lovely salad.

We enjoyed each other's company until later in the evening 

after Chris and I went and got Ice cream on the boardwalk.

Wednesday found me working on the head and rest of the body.

We kept hearing the Blue Angels practicing, and I came down just in time to see a pass by and an incredible lift while barrel rolling high into the air.

What a thrill to watch.

I worked until lunch, then Chris and I went to a restaurant on the water for BBQ.

I told Cathy and Randy to please look for anything that bothered them on the octopus.

When we came back, I swung into action doing the final shading and touch ups.

Chris and I then joined the owners out for a relaxing dip in the sound.

Relaxing that is, until the fish started biting us.

Randy and Chris went in with Larry to take down the scaffolding.

I chose not to go in as there was a bit of a problem the first day just dropping the floor down to facilitate me walking back and forth while painting.

I was too nervous to watch it come down.

Chris had a part of the floor dropped on his head that first day.

It's always his head!

Lord!

Anyway, they took the scaffold down and we got showers while Cathy and Randy returned the equipment back to the store.

I realized I had not signed the piece, so Chris and I got out the ladder and I signed it in the bottom right curl of the leg.

We had dinner together again, eating the leftover spaghetti and a new salad.

The owners are very happy with their piece of art!

They are trying really hard to come up with a unique name.

We spent the evening relaxing, chatting, and finally going to bed.

I love it when collectors become friends!

We came home today, with them waving goodbye from under the condo after walking us to the car.

I almost didn't want to go home....a lot of work, but so relaxing.

I believe they went back home to New Orleans today too!

I came home, unloaded the car, unloaded the bags, greeted the dogs and then went into the studio.

Chris and I got lunch at Rouxsters in downtown Fairhope.

That was an adventure in itself, going around all the detours to get to the restaurant.

We had leftover chicken salad with a salad for dinner, using up all the chicken I made.

These guys were cut out, but not sanded, edges painted, mounted, then painting both the background and the dimensional dolphins.

It's been a long day, but a productive one!

I pray Cathy and Randy; our new friends made it home safely to New Orleans.

10 years of adventures here in Fairhope since the mural.

I've painted several since then both at church and another hyperbaric chamber.

Adventures!

Kind of has a nice ring to it!

Goodnight!

10 years later...., Acrylic on wall and wood, Octopus 6 x 12 feet, Dolphins 12 inches round

Days 56,57,58, & 59 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Manatees and completions

I spent time today to finish both the sea turtle painting and the octopus with pirate theme.

I don't have a photo of the background for the turtle; it's just a reef with coral.

I am pleased with both of them, although I still have cutting to do on the turtle.

The weather has not been cooperative, making it difficult to get to the scroll saw to cut out the pieces.

So, I paint them and will cut, sand and finish the edges afterwards.

Obviously, it's better to do finish work first so the mounting to the tray can take place.

After mounting, the holes must be filled in and painted if needed.

It's a bit of a challenge, but I think I'm up for it.

This tray is another 16-inch tray ready now for its dimensional piece to be added.

I am always happy with manatees, the sea cows of the water.

They are just so majestic in their floating.

So comical with their faces.

So still in danger from boat strikes and cold stunning.

They are amazing creatures to watch and I'm happy to paint them!

Manatees, Acrylic on canvas, 16inch round

Day 37 & 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Two days, two paintings

Ah! 

The pure joys of painting Dolphins and their playful dancing.

I love the way the brush just cavorts along with the playful jesters of the sea.

I really enjoy painting them so much!

Joyful Jesters 6 x 24 inches Day 35 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Yesterday, I spent 12 hours traveling, driving, and hunting for fabric with a Queen for one of the Mardi Gras organizations in Mobile, Alabama.

Our long day is why I didn't post last night.

It is an honor for me to be asked to do this, and I willingly jumped at the chance.

(Even though it involves another 15-foot train)

Since this will be my second experience, it should go easier since I have a game plan in place.

At least in my head!

January is going to come way too fast for me!

Today I painted this guy!

"Swimming along nicely" Day 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with going into the shop to cut him out.

That will have to wait until tomorrow when I'm rested 

as I don't want my fingers near the circle of death which is my scroll saw.

The circles are still really fun, and I am looking forward to an entire wall of them at the

 National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

They are really going to pop off the black walls.

Things are humming along here in Fairhope, Alabama

I pray things are humming for you too!

God bless and Goodnight!

Two Days, two paintings Acrylic on canvas and wood

Days 35 & 36 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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Killer whales in the Gulf!

Hard to believe, but absolutely true!

For years I've had people ask if I paint Killer whales.

I responded that "I usually don't as they are not in the Gulf of Mexico."

Folks, I stand humbly corrected as of this year.

There are Killer whales in the Gulf.

They are not seen frequently, as they are further into the Gulf than most folks go.

They have been studied (when they could find them!) for 26 years!?!

The scientists have identified 49 individuals with photographs.

There have been noted long term relationships of 16 years.

Our Killer whales have a different DNA from their cousins.

Most recently, they have been spotted off the coast of Destin June 5th, 2024.

They also seem to have a saddleback on them, making them distinct from other killer whales.

If you want to read more, the Frontiers website has more scientific data.

Killer whales in the Gulf!

Who knew?

Now you do!

This series is definitely different and so lovely.

I got another 10 Trays in the mail today, so I'll be painting them white shortly.

Behind the scenes work is real here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio.

I worked really hard to make "Black" Flourish sides this spring to use during the Isle of eight flags Shrimp Festival in May.

They were okay, but my dream was to have the real deal.

They are black mesh, with a black covering that lets wind go through.

We searched while in Florida to no avail.

We even made an hour and a half trip, only to find they were not what I wanted.

In my readings online, I discovered that they were the elusive unicorn as far as finding them.

Apparently, they were backordered frequently.

So, I called Flourish to see if they were still making them.

Sadly, they were not.

The person that had made them for years, suddenly retired.

I was asked if I wanted to be put on a waiting list and I said yes!

I knew they would be expensive and a serious investment in my business.

I got a call today!

Sage said I was the only artist that answered the phone!

After a lengthy conversation with Sage, (great designer btw with Flourish Company).

I ordered enough sides to do the double booth at the 

Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

I will also have sta-bars that fit my tent as well! 

I've had the bars, but the brackets have been an issue since getting the Hex legs on the Extreme tent.

There will be 3-10 ft sides, a 5 ft side, and a 7 ft. Enough to do a double booth with a French wall.

The walls will work for Peter Anderson as well, allowing people to walk in from both sides of the tent.

I am so happy they are coming soon.

We'll have to set them up before the show to get our heads around the framework.

That way, we won't be bickering at the show hopefully.

As you can see, the paintings are shown on a black background that really makes them pop!

I cannot wait to see how elegant the booth will be.

After we get them, I'll be selling the old flourish sides at a good deal for someone that needs them.

 

Killer whales in the Gulf!, Acrylic on wood, 16 inches round

Day 15 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Great pacific

Occasionally, I want something a little different.

The Great Pacific Octopus is much larger than most other cephalopods.

I love them though.

The textures and colors they can achieve are astounding.

They are also fun to paint!

This one was particularly interesting because of the detail cuts necessary to create it.

Today found us going to church of course in the morning.

We then went to the grocery store to pick up a few things.

After that, we headed home.

I needed to work on the dinosaurs today, but the heat was very oppressive.

Temperatures in the 90s but feeling much more warm.

Not a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Chris suggested we wait until evening, so we did.

Much cooler, especially with the fans running.

This freed up my afternoon to go to the studio.

I painted this octopus and worked on the trophy for the Summer surge.

The trophy is turning out really well.

It was also made much easier to construct using an old lamp and a globe that spins.

Adding paint, a triceratops, and other elements make for a really cool trophy.

This VBS is so fun for my creativity.

Great Pacific, Acrylic on wood, 14 inches round

Day 13 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025