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

 

Unfortunate visitor

Our unfortunate visitor comes to us compliments of probably a hurricane.

Or as it?

Many people think hurricane Andrew introduced them to the Atlantic.

A Scientist even wrote a paper stating that they were released from a private aquarium during the storm.

Andrew was 1992.

The first lionfish was caught in Dania, Florida north of Miami in 1985.

Kinda makes you think.....

There may have also been some releases from people discovering 

that they would eat everything else in their tank!

I know my dad threw ours into the garbage after it ate something in our tank in the Philippines.

There may have been some in the ballasts of oceangoing vessels 

releasing their home water into new territory.

Anyway, they seem to be here to stay.

They have no known predators.

They are the apex in the ocean.

However, not on land.

We can eat them after the spines are removed.

I've heard they are a delicate whitefish.

Nothing in the ocean wants to eat them apparently because of the spines.

They are venomous, but not lethal, at least not to us.

Their spines on their back will cause a very painful sting, akin to a bee or wasp.

Divers are having some fun removing spines and feeding them to sharks to convince them they are tasty.

When we travel, we look for lionfish on the menu.

Invariably, they are sold out!

I have yet to try one.

Lionfish are a problem because they eat the tiny gamefish just as they are starting to grow.

Their stomach can expand up to 30 times!

They also have extremely large mouths for their size, 

allowing them to eat something larger than you would think.

There is another problem, the females can lay up to 2 million eggs every year!

Now there's a real problem.

Divers can also clean a reef off of all the lionfish they see.

But they will be back the next day as they can swim deeper than we can.

Unfortunate visitor, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 19 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

l
 

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

 

 

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

 

A different kind of painting!

I am giving myself grace and space today.

Yes, I painted but it was a lot of preparatory work for a lot of projects.

We bought a full sheet of Luan at Home Depot the other day in preparation for the wood that goes on top of the rounds.

We had it cut into thirds, and I had Chris bring it to the studio.

Even though it is good quality wood, it must be prepped before the sepias go on it. 

A layer of Kilz, then two layers of white acrylic paint.

While I was in the mood, I decided to paint the rounds I had from Hobby Lobby as they are no longer available to purchase.

The four rounds from Hobby Lobby are now going to be a part of the dimensional series.

There are two other 12-inch rounds being saved for a couple of pet portraits that are due soon.

This will clear out of the studio the Hobby Lobby frames, clearing the way for others to step up.

I've also ordered a set of trays that are five pieces that nest. 

They will be a great addition to the dimensional rounds.

They also must be Kilz coated, then painted with white acrylic paint.

So, no actual painting for sale today, but a lot of painting nevertheless!

Never a dull moment around here.

We also went into the barn and painted some more of the dinosaurs.

They start out with masking tape covering the holes and holidays in the paper mache.

They are getting a coat of deep grey paint as a base for the detailing that will come later.

You can see the t-rex in the background here.

This is the velociraptor.

I'm hoping the team can paint him to look like "Blue" the raptor in the Jurassic movie that was more trained than the rest.

"Blue" after his coat of grey paint.

You can also catch a glimpse of the Pterodactyl off to the side.

We will be happy to get them to the church as they take up a LOT of room.

Lots of work, Lots of love, Lots of talent for His glory! 

A different kind of painting! Latex over foam and chicken wire base with paper mache.

Size varies from 10 x 4 feet to 5x 10 feet 

Day 14 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025