Simple shrimp and painting knives

Today's little painting is about all I have in me this evening.

I'm going to get some rest, as I am back hard at it again tomorrow!

Simple shrimp on poured background.

Meanwhile, in the studio......

In a brush holder from the other artists studio I found numerous painting knives.

I use them when teaching acrylic classes as I loan them out to students.

I love bent handled knives as they keep your knuckles out of the 

paint when mixing or laying paint on the canvas.

However, these had seen much better days!

They were covered in acrylic paint.

When I used a razor to remove the paint, I found some of them damaged in that they were broken in spots.

Que the husband.

Can you straighten and or reshape these.

"Let me see" was his reply.

I love his can do response.

I now have several usable knives again, somewhat shorter, but still functioning as knives.

Another day in the Raccoon Retreat Studio!

Simple Shrimp, Acrylic on canvas, 3x3 inches

Day 69 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

I'm taking an "off" day!

Well!

As promised I am posting the other side of creativity around here.

This was obviously Una Lou's birthday party held today.

I left the house at about 8:15, grabbed a bite to eat, then headed for the party venue in Mobile.

When I arrived, my daughter was not there, but I dove into bringing in the panels and setting them up because we were using them as a base for the decorations.

I used fishing line to secure them to the poles and zip ties to hook them together top and bottom.

By then Jessica arrived and the fun began!

She had the fabrics for draping, the coral pieces, the large padded shell, (pictured above) 

and the clam shell throne.

I moved on to assembling the throne, because it involved more zip ties, wood pieces 

and then the cardboard shell.

I then draped it with fabric, pulling it up into the assembly to make poofs 

at the edge where the base met the shell.

I then continued draping the present table, making a large shell, and bow from fabric.

So fun!

I built the padded shell this week, engineered and assembled the throne, and Jessica's dad cut the pool noodles into coral pieces and parts.

Truly a family affair.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Jordan went to become mermaids for the party.

I got a call a few minutes later.

Mom I need help with costumes!

I went to the apartment where they were getting ready and proceeded to basically assemble their costumes using dozens of  safety pins.

It went against every bone in my body to pin, but there was no time to sew.

I literally was pinning the costumes while they were putting on makeup.

Everything held during the party, and no mermaids were harmed in the process.

My beautiful daughter makes me feel young and energetic!

So fun!

The color palette was precious and pretty too.

The coral reefs were made in Baking pans, using pool noodles, mini cupcake papers, real shells, grasses, styrofoam balls, skewers, spray foam and paint. Painted with spray paint and glitter of course! 

They were weighted down with cups of water!

The birthday girl in her throne.

The shrimp are from when I did the Mystic Mutts parade as a mermaid.

This is the shrimps third go round!

The sea turtle is a costume that Jessica and I built that actually went to 

New Zealand for the World of Wearable Art competition about 10 years ago. 

The shell is on a backpack, the costume is black light reactive, and the head is a bicycle helmet!

An adult wears the costume on top of a full body suit and the flippers are 

moved with dowels that attach to them.

It was wonderful to see Myrtle the Turtle out of the box again!

After I got home, I crashed in my pool after I cleaned it!

However, the nap I wanted never showed up, and the hot bath I wanted was tepid.

We then took the rottens, (dachshunds) for their evening ride.

After dropping them off at the house, we picked up a chicken and sides from the store.

After dinner, I cut up the box of mat board scraps I got from the artist's studio yesterday.

I now have a large amount of 5x7s, 8x10s, and most importantly, 11x14s!

The rest will be recycled.

I love working so hard with my daughter in creative chaos.

Our lives are so unimaginably crazy, and I wouldn't take anything for them!

So, I hope you don't mind if I take an "off" day!

"Off" Day, Day 68 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019 

Three for one!

Today was interesting to say the least!

I started the day with coffee and Bible study, then on to the day!

We had an appointment to go to an artists studio that has gotten older and has moved closer to family.

The studio was left pretty much in place with large amounts of tables and supplies of all types.

The family has moved the artist, but given them 

supplies to still be able to create.

The rest is being given to a few select artists and I am fortunate to be one.

I am saddened by this artists turn of life, but I know we all will be in their shoes someday.

Looking through and touching so many items this artist touched, held,

destroyed and created with had me in tears.

I  have items from several artists that have passed on to a higher plane,

and I thank them every time I use their brushes, tools, or paints.

This artist has such an abundance, that I could never use it all.

I will be taking items to gift to other artists, as well as things to use with children, and my seniors art. 

Nothing will go to waste in my studio.

I have been able to teach for months, nay years now from items I am cleaning and clearing out of my own space.

There will also be lots of seniors benefiting from the generosity of the family that so graciously called me.

I thank them with a grateful artists heart.

We went home, with plans to come yet another day next week.

My plans were to help another artist with a major project.

This artist is our oldest daughter and I am helping here with a huge project she has very little time to complete for a child's birthday party tomorrow.

Grabbing my high heat glue guns and glue sticks. 

I started out for our daughter Jessica's home about an hour from here.

Once I arrived, I was immediately placed on clam duty.

Our daughter has this grand plan for a mermaid themed party, and making a little girls dream come true.

I soon confronted the clam she had worked so hard upon, trying to figure out how to attach

 it to a chair and make it safe.

Basically I didn't have a clue, and neither did she!

I tackled the lower portion first, figuring out how to make the shell pieces appear like she is sitting in the shell.

I used parts from my grandsons old easel, combining zip ties and drilled holes in the cardboard with a wire running between them to keep them from destroying the structure. 

The bottom of the chair finished, I moved on to securing the heavy, cumbersome, large upper structure.

After some thought, and a lot of prayer, I had a plan!

I took large pieces of cardboard, cutting them in a curved shape that would lift the shell above the chair.

I glued pieces with the cardboard running in two directions.

Then I sandwiched the shell structure between the two double pieces using hot glue.

The hot glue was not enough, it kept popping out of place and not holding together at all!

I used the glue as a temporary hold, then drilled and zip tied the structure to my pieces.

Once assembled, it became strong and actually stood above the chair safely!

Thank you Lord for my artist's/engineers brain!

My daughter will be painting it tonight, with me going to the party and helping assemble it in place.

I promise there will be photos tomorrow!

This party will be epic!

I then headed home, 30 minutes later than I wanted to be on the road.

The time spent with my daughter is priceless though, and I would not take anything for it!

The interesting part is the two of us side by side, sometimes butting heads, always enjoying the process!

Anyway, headed home I called my husband and he was cooking dinner!

Thank you Lord for this man of mine.

I was going to have to cook, clean up and go to artwalk in Fairhope.

Now, I just had to eat and get ready.

I am so grateful for my artist's life!

Yes, I did find time to paint early this morning too!

Three for one! Acrylic pour and paint, each 4x4 inches

Day 67 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Three days.......

Ghost crab III Day 64

Unbelievably , the past three days are a blur!

I received a phone call from our oldest begging for help on a birthday project for a friend next weekend.

I went and helped on Tuesday and Chris joined me at the house.

Chris puttered in the yard, getting small projects done with our grandsons zipline and rock wall.

I did what I could with our daughter Jessica, sewing primarily.

After the day, Chris and I went home in the evening.

I sewed several yard of ruffle for the mermaids at the birthday party for Saturday.

I went back the next day,(no Chris in tow) Wednesday with more sewing on the docket.

I realized that Jessica did not know about duct tape not sticking to cardboard and it really threw a monkey wrench into our plans, because the other products would not stick as well.

We stepped back and figured out a solution.

Things are getting done, just not as quickly as we both would like.

The mom and child are delighted with the projects so far,

A giant clam shell.

4 mermaids.

A coral reef.

Backgrounds provided by my grids that will be sold afterward.

(more on this later)

Anyways, a busy two days with two ghost crabs thrown into the mix!

Ghost crab IV Day 65

Neel's kitty Day 66

Today's painting!

This cat is our grandson Neel's favorite when Christina reads him the book in India.

He invariably tries to kiss the cat!

When I asked Christina what she wanted for Neel's birthday painting, she said the cat.

And so, here he is....

All 6x6 inches of him.

I hope he likes it!

Today is Neel's first birthday. 

It's hard to believe that one year ago Chris and I were both in India, 

celebrating the birth of our 2nd grand!

Today's September 5th was totally different!

I found out about some free stretcher bar frames at our Foley Habitat for humanity restore.

Chris came back from walking the dogs, and I asked if he wanted to go on an adventure!

We deposited money at the bank, then headed to the store in Foley.

We got there before they opened, but the frames were in a huge pile out in the back.

We had brought the truck, and started digging.

One of the women that works at the store said take what you want, just restack what you don't.

We said sure, no problem.

Lots of shallow frames, but we can stack them with glue and nails and they will be a nice deep edge.

There were a few deep edge ones, particularly three very large ones!

We quietly dug through the wood, stepping carefully around the palettes of  frames.

Before we left, there was another artist that showed up and started his own pile.

Another artist talked with us while in the store inquiring where the stretchers were.

Our truck was full!

We then headed to the fastener store to get something for Chris.

We also went to Hobby Lobby to pick up a roll of canvas to start stretching.

We ended up getting lunch at Calverts too!

A very fun morning.

We got home, emptied the truck and Chris headed inside for a nap.

I decided pool time was in order, so I cleaned the pool and then chilled a bit.

When Chris came out, I came inside and got a shower before heading to the studio.

Chris modified the bars on the biggest stretcher bars slightly, 

giving them an edge that will allow some spring when I paint.

We stretched the canvas together, making new folds at the corners.

The canvas took 1/3 of my canvas roll I had just bought!

There is a piece 21 inches by 6 feet that was cut off and will be used later.

That's a LOT of canvas. 

It will be gorgeous though, I have plans for life size sea turtles!

BTW, it measures 3 ft 7 inches by 5 ft 7 inches.

Not the biggest I've ever done, but pretty large, especially in my studio!

I have a good sized studio, but the ceilings are angled inward, making large pieces difficult at times.

I then painted the kitty this evening after dinner.

WHAT a wonderful day!

Three days, Acrylic on canvas, Ghost crab III, Ghost crab IV, Neel's kitty

Days 64, 65,  and 66 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Geez! The weekend got away from me!

We had friends come down this weekend with their baby girl!

Paintings done for the past three days, just not posted!

We went to the zoo, the beach, the splash pad at the park, and Mr Gene's Beans.

All in all a fun weekend helping the young ones relax some. 

The tiny house was a hit again too!

Here ya go!

The poured backgrounds continue with this one.

I loved punching up the highlights so the seahorse would show up against the background.

My best friends daughter also came into the studio, fascinated with the poured paint!

So we dove in and created for her to take her beach pieces home. 

Lots of paint, so I have several canvases to paint on as well.

I pray you're not tired of the backgrounds, I promise there will be some with some beautiful blues soon!

I must also get on the shadowboxes as they are the best sellers.

19 of them await my brushes sooner rather than later!

My wonderful husband also spotted me some money up front to be able to purchase canvases on sale for Labor Day. The pricing was really good, the selection not so much!

It's a good thing that I still have a very good supply on hand of the larger ones...

You see, my husband calls me a hoarder of canvas.

He says I have too many on hand, but when they're on sale for 70% off and I have money....

He knew today I am tapped out of funds, before my next show at the end of this month in Daphne, Al.

If I am a hoarder, he's an enabler!

I love him so much, I think I'll keep him!

I had a great time with the ghost crabs as well.

Or are they sand crabs?

I don't know, I just know I don't like them running across my feet at 5:30 am  while looking for turtles!

I am scared I am going to step on and crush one of the little guys one day.

They run faster than the sandpipers!

Fun to watch, and even more to paint!

Anyway, the day is winding down, I am still praying for the people affected by hurricane Dorian.

The Bahamas have been hammered for over a day now!

Fortunately the USA seems to be going to be spared a direct hit on the East coast.

At least not as a Category 5.

I can only imagine the Bahamas right now.

The things I think about in my studio, praying for others with each brush stroke.

Seahorse, Ghost I, Ghost II, Acrylic on canvas, 4x4 inches

Days 61, 62, & 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

The young upstart

The young upstart is another of the poured background pieces.

In case you can't tell, I am in love with this method!

The backgrounds are adding another dimension to the pieces that is so fun to watch happen.

My husband watched me do the pouring the other day on these brown, grey, 

and gold pieces and even he was fascinated!

It's so hard to imagine covering the backgrounds of so many canvases in so little time.

Much like the bubbles in watercolor, there is very little control in how the pieces will turn out, 

but it is still a fun process.

Today found us driving across the bay to pick up pieces from a show at Southern Art and framing.

I love the girls that run the gallery, and they are always easy going.

I was very surprised though when we walked in to see a few pieces have actually sold!

There were empty hooks from at least 4 of my elongated canvases from the spring.

There is also a possibility of a shadowbox sale as well.

All is good in my Art world!

We also visited my Aunts at the nursing home.

 They were delighted with the visit and I was equally delighted to see them. 

Both of them are very dear to me and we don't visit often enough! 

I must make more of an effort to go over there. I brought them a copy of the Sandpiper post and they loved it as well. I also gave them each a print of the Jesus vision painting that my Aunt Margaret had after her accident two years ago. I was very nervous about painting it, but she was absolutely delighted with my results. I will not, and have never have claimed to be a portrait painter, but the piece turned out lovely enough for her. They both loved the prints I brought them in the nursing home.

We talked a lot about my Africa mission too!

Aunt Margaret is progressing beautifully after her stroke a little over a week ago, talking is hard, but she is determined!

The trip to Mobile was an adventure to say the least.

There was a  major accident on I-10 on the bayway. When I saw the car, I prayed for whomever had been in it. The car appeared as though there may not have been a survivor and sure enough I found out later that the woman was thrown from the vehicle and drowned in the bay. I am praying for her family and the trucker that hit her by accident as her car was disabled on the side of the road. 

I know I would be devastated if I caused someone to die, even by accident.

Because of this accident, all traffic was bypassed onto the causeway, causing major traffic jams.

Even though we spent several hours in Mobile, we went North and over the "Dolly Parton" bridge to get to 225 to go home. 

The sea turtle is today's painting!

The picture below is just a small part of the turtle team at the excavation of the green turtle nest last week.

I am in a blue hat and Chris is behind me to the right. (My left)

We are a happy bunch, but sad turtle nesting season is over tomorrow!

The young upstart, Acrylic on canvas, 4x12 inches

Day 60 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Are you a sandpiper?

Are you a Sandpiper?

Am I a Sandpiper?

Today was my last day for this year to walk the beautiful beach looking for a sea turtle nest.

You think about lots of things while walking a mile in the darkness just before dawn.

I was alone with my thoughts today as Chris was having a tooth pulled later this morning.

My thoughts wander a lot while walking.

This morning though I felt as if God was speaking to me about the beauty 

he provides in this world we live in and he created.

This morning it was sandpipers, seagulls, and Blue herons providing the background for my thoughts.

I was on the first leg of my one mile walk, and I had my sights focused on the sand above the wrack line, looking for sea turtle tracks. 

However, the sandpiper was just ahead of me, in my peripheral vision.

I glanced off and on at the little bird ahead of me, rushing with the edge of the water.

He occasionally poked his beak down, searching for the mussels that could become breakfast.

He passed up lots of little fish that were getting washed up along the shore.

In the meantime though he kept a wary eye on me, looking furtively back every few seconds.

His feet moving so fast, he rushed on ahead still looking back frequently.

He dipped his beak searching for a meal and I got too close for his comfort. 

The bird decided to change tactics and ran into the water toward me, 

then cutting past in a brown and white blur.

His feet were moving so fast, I could not even see them.

I snickered to myself, that he was so worried I was going to hurt, eat,

 or possibly kill him while he was rushing along.

That's when God spoke to me.

His human creation (us) are the sandpipers.

Stick with me here.

We rush along, searching for the next big thing.

We miss the little things he places in our lives every day.

Searching for the next big thing. 

We are constantly running along, instead of taking advantage of the  obvious.

Meanwhile, we are running, looking back to make sure that something doesn't catch us.

We run first in one direction, then the other trying to escape.

Sometimes we miss the big waves, or the tangled fishing line that the devil throws in our way.

We are constantly running, scared to death that life is going to catch us and throw us for a loop.

We are looking back at our past lives instead of focusing on the here and now.

We also forget about our future life, what we were created for.

But what if God is the one chasing us?

What if he is working so hard to catch you, but you won't stop.

We all think we can fix our lives, our past, our present, our future.

Be still and listen for him, he will talk to you.

His son Jesus (your brother!) is right next to you, pleading for you to just stop and give God the time of day.

We were all created for a purpose, to love and serve God in whatever capacity he chooses to give us.

Give him the time out of your day.

To Pray.

To Walk with him.

To listen.

To learn.

Are you a sandpiper?

I'm pray I am not!

I constantly listen for him to speak to me.

Are you a sandpiper? Acrylic on poured background, 4x12 inches

Day 59 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019