Whale songs

"Whale songs"

Humpback whales will always be a favorite of mine.

They are wonderfully fun to paint and always sell.

I've put them on shadowboxes, sewing drawers, small and large canvas.

They've also been a part of poured backgrounds, in color and in sepia.

They also are a favorite of judges, earning me a merit award and judges' choice.

I love to listen to their songs when on marine life programs I watch.

All in all, a beautiful creature.

Chris built the stretchers I asked for today.

I ordered 16 x 24 canvas with an 8 x 12 shadowbox opening.

He built six offset and then he gave me one unusual, angled shadowbox opening.

More on this one later!

Chris is always keeping me on my toes for sure.

"Whale songs" Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches

Day 47 of the 100 days ~100 paintings 2026

 

Killer dolphins!?!

"Killer Dolphins"

Did you know that Killer Whales are actually a member of the Dolphin family.

I didn't, and now you know too!

Pilot whales are also a part of this unique part of the dolphin family.

These creatures are always fun to paint, now that I have actually painted them this summer.

I actually haven't painted them because I focus on Gulf of Mexico species.

People have asked for years, now I do!

Today was pretty quiet around here.

I painted the Kilz on the new rounds Chris built and found them to be quite rough.

I brought it up to him and he promptly took them back to the shop and sanded the daylights out of them.

They are much smoother now.

These 11 will wait until I'm in between Mattie Kelly and Peter Anderson.

By then, I should be needing some new ones to fill in.

The smallest ones will be interesting to paint.

Just as much work as the larger ones, but on a smaller scale.

The outer rim is slightly over 11 inches, but the center is only 8.

I'll have to ruminate on that for a while.

I have painted them with white acrylic and am waiting for them to dry before placing them on the shelf to patiently wait for the brush to transform them.

I realized today that two of the shows I am doing this fall are ranked in 

Sunshine Magazines top 200 shows for 2023.

I'm sure they'll be in the 2024 version as well.

I feel fortunate to be juried into these major art shows.

Covington Three Rivers and Peter Anderson here we come!

The blog has over 260,000 views now.

That is almost unbelievable to me, as it was just a few years back I was barely at 100,000!

I am grateful for everyone that reads, and especially comments on the blog and the painting.

You see, studio time for most artists is a lonely place.

Fortunately for me, I have a husband that makes me take breaks and naps.

That's pretty much it for today folks.

47 days until the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama

I bid you goodnight!

Killer Dolphins!?!, Acrylic on wood, 13 inches

Day 53 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Killers from the deep

What an incredible few days it has been.

A trip to Saraland to stay with our daughter, Jessica as she was having a surgical procedure done.

I stayed with her at the surgical ward during her surgery

I then brought her home later that day.

She was quite swollen and needed help navigating, getting medications, and ice packs round the clock.

Then came the night.

She seemed pretty well settled at 9pm so I made sure she had drink, ice packs, and medicine.

I tried to sleep, but this mama radar went off about 2am.

I went to check on her in their media room, she was attempting to sleep upright to keep down swelling.

I asked if she was okay, and she said yes.

I asked if she needed more ice and that was a yes as well.

I got her ice packs, put the used ones in the freezer.

I tried to go back to bed.

No sleep for the weary.

I read my Bible, did my devotionals, and started the day.

It was officially Archers birthday! 

  

Each birthday since my grandchildren were born, I have painted a piece for 

each of them every year on their birthday.

Archer now has quite the collection! (13 to be exact)

It started on the day he was born with a crab.

Over the years, he has gotten a lion, a gecko, a turtle, a rhino, a painting of his dog "Wolf",

a sailfish, a dolphin and turtle together, a monkey, and now Killer Whales.

He read what I wrote about them and saw my painting earlier this 100 days.

He mentioned he might want one in a sewing drawer, but his pieces are all white backgrounds.

As you can see, he was both happy and surprised.

Happy birthday Archer!

"Killers from the deep", Acrylic on Canvas, 6 x 24 inches

Day 42 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

 

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

 

Three days and end of 2022

I absolutely love painting whales.

This beautiful humpback pair of mother and baby whales are very simple.

They are on a 5 x 24 canvas.

The escapee.

Octopus are notoriously smart.

They have to be placed in special tanks so they cannot escape.

They can survive for a small amount of time out of water, but they must be in the sea to live.

They are beautiful creatures to watch while swimming.

Turtle Trio

The large series are still going strong.

Each time I paint a set, they sell eventually.

Sometimes, they sell before I can take them to a show!

I wish all of you many blessings for the new year!

When we wake up in the morning, it will be 2023!

New Year, new beginnings.

New works, new gallery in the late summer, new shows.

New creations from the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Bonding whales, acrylic on canvas, 5 x 24inches

The escapee, acrylic on shadowbox canvas 16 x16inches

Turtle trio, acrylic on multiple canvas 36 x 60 inches

Days 25,26, & 27 of the 100 days~100 paintings winter 2022 

 

Whale songsII

I pray I get a free pass today.

Today was jam packed with church, lunch with hubs, teaching a class, and dinner with our oldest.

You see, today is my birthday.

And I am feeling a little of my age because of the festival this weekend.

Lack of sleep too.

So, I am posting the painting I created in class today while teaching.

I'm also happy to announce we finally got booth numbers for the National Shrimp Festival.

I am in 265 & 266 located apparently on 182 near the beginning of the show.

Hmm, that could be really good or really bad.

Anyway, times a wasting and I need to sketch and paint!

Whale songs II, Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 20

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022