Mighty Marlin

I really enjoy painting these big game fish.

Several years ago, I was commissioned to paint Miss Dulari's big catch.

It was to honor a member of the Mobile Big Game Fishing club that had passed away.

It was the cover of their book for that year.

The guy in charge bought the original and got a half sized Giclee' 

for the family of the man that had passed away.

It was one of the best commissions I had gotten at the time.

Today I don't know if I'd let it out of my studio!

I've grown so much as an artist as well.

Soon this pandemic will be over and we will all start 

back into the headlong rush of the world and large.

At least some of us may do that, I for one have enjoyed the slow down and reflection time this disease has afforded us.

Although I do miss shopping for the pure enjoyment of shopping, 

and movies in the theater, I really miss seeing movies in the theater.

Mighty Marlin, Acrylic on hardibord, 10 x 10 inches

Day 33 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Octopus all around

This day..........

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband that supports and loves me so much!

He said lets go!

When I expressed a desire for drawing and watercolor papers.

So, off we went!

Like the octopus, my mind is everywhere seemingly at once.

I am praying for several people now, some who have requested prayer and others that have not.

I pray for healing for some, basic human needs for others (food and shelter), and now for an aging and elderly couple with a special needs adult that is about to be released from a group home 

into a world she does not and cannot understand.

Praying for them to find a solution to their real world problems.

I pray for my children, their spouses, and our grandchildren.

I pray for brothers, and sisters in Christ that they can continue on their journey to Sanctification.

I pray for our government, our police and fire fighters, nurses, doctors, and anyone else responsible for others

 care. I miss helping at Shepherds place, giving Senior adults an opportunity to create something they are proud of to take home. I miss teaching and I pray for teachers and bus drivers about to start a very uncertain school year. I pray for students and children, that they are comfortable in our world as it stands today.

I pray for foreign governments and their finances that their countries don't collapse under the strain of the pandemic. I pray for local government as well, that people can make sound decisions about voting this year and not vote a popularity contest.

I pray for other artists, that they can find and keep their talent and income intact in this uncertain time.

I also pray for our planet, that we leave something worthwhile for our next generation.

I pray for our church leaders, our church "family", and for people that still watching online because of health concerns.

These are things I pray about.

These are things I am grateful for as well.

I am grateful I live in a country that allows us to pray for and with others, both online and in person.

I will fall asleep in prayer tonight and every night.

Octopus all around, Acrylic on hardibord, 10 x 10

Day 32 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Heron hunter

Herons are peculiar birds.

They're gawky, ungainly, and yet possess a grace when stalking something that is second to none.

Silently, quietly, walking with their big feet carefully landing each step.

Their expression is frozen and they will stop when they think their prey has spotted them.

Then the ever so slight turn of the head, keeping their prey in focus.

Then comes the snap, and the prey is plucked from the water.

Watch them, they are fascinating!

Heron hunter, acrylic on hardi bord, 11x14

Day 31 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Three Amigos

Three Amigos is a trio of our brown pelicans.

We have a plentiful amount of pelicans now, the numbers are very different from when I

 first arrived back home in 1976.

Back then, the pelicans were few and far between.

The reason? DDT

The pesticide being used made their eggs so fragile that they could not even 

sit on them to hatch them without breaking.

It broke my heart to know these gawky, raptor looking birds that are a symbol of the waters of the deep south might die out because of man.

Man in our ever present quest to grow bigger, better, crops.

Fortunately, DDT was banned, the pelicans have now recovered to the 

point of almost becoming a pest.

At least if you have a dock they have decided to roost upon.

I find them to be magnificent birds, seemingly unable to fly, yet graceful in the air.

I watched them today as we rode the dogs at the park, acrobatic performers in the skies.

Dipping, diving, splashing, then popping back up to do it all over again.

We have seen them repeatedly dive when there is a school of fish they have found.

Diving until they cannot leave the water again because they are so full of fish.

They bob a while on the water, then they pop up and gracefully fly away.

We made a trip to Stewart Heath Gallery today.

I was taking replacement turtles for display and possible sales.

There may be a possible BIG commission piece as well.

If it occurs, it will be the largest multiple canvas piece I've ever attempted.

The frustrating part, The couple is from Gulf Breeze.

One of the shows cancelled this spring.

At least they found me at the Gallery!

I convinced Chris to bring his wood turning as well to see if they would be a fit into the gallery.

He brought and Stewart kept 8 bowls for display.

Welcome to the gallery Chris!

Three Amigos, Acrylic on Hardibord, 10 x 10

Day 30 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020 

 

Sea Turtles for Two!

Well now!

Yesterday (Sunday) was incredibly jam packed.

We watched church online and started our day.

Delightfully, Alfred finally got the funds we were trying to send to him for a while.

He immediately went to his Landlord and paid rent for both July and August.

That done, his family also got some groceries to be able to eat.

I received a delightful photo of Praise with sausage and sazda piled up to eat.

They all went to bed, singing God's praises with full bellies and happy hearts.

Meanwhile, my Sunday remainder was spent at the desk, trying to pound out 

more of the illustrations for the book. 

I am trying to get drawings done for approval from the author, then start on the paintings.

As a side note, I met with the author today and she loves the drawings so far!

I am still trying to finish them before we would have left for Africa on August 9th.

They will be done in watercolor, so they should go fairly quickly.

Anyways after a long day at the desk with breaks few and far between, I was too tired to post!

Why turtles again?

Saturday I got a message from Stewart Heath Gallery.

I need turtles ASAP!

I was taken aback as I had just delivered turtles the week before.

Then the photo popped up on my phone of the sale of one of the turtles I had brought previously.

What a problem to have!

I have a gallery that is making sales!

I am SO grateful that Stewart Heath nudged me into coming to her space.

She has actually pursued my work since before opening almost two years ago.

Recently she messaged me and asked again.

After prayer, I was led to go and leave some pieces with her.

She has given me a rather large space and I love it!

These turtles are for her Gallery to sell.

www.stewartheathgallery.com

Sea Turtles I & II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24, $325.00 each

Days 28 & 29 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Just a little crabby

It has been another day on this earth that never fails to amaze me.

I am talking with Alfred in Zimbabwe on a daily basis.

We have sent him money to help with rent and food for his family.

It still has not arrived, and he is so patient.

I pray it arrives sooner rather than later, I don't want his family to go without food or shelter.

Each day we talk after I have sent him one of my readings for the day from the Bible.

He looks forward to them so much!

We are discussing each day his walk with God.

He is becoming closer than he has ever felt with his Maker and loves our discussions.

He is still creating, he is just much slower than I am.

He is also experimenting with new materials and textures.

I am really looking forward to seeing his new works coming from the pandemic and his own experiences with hospitals while fighting tuberculosis.

He believes his TB is completely healed through the power of prayer warriors here.

Why am I so impressed with him?

He has told me he was a gang member for years and realized it was not the path he wanted to take.

He left the gang, but wandered aimlessly in his path to Christianity.

I am so grateful to be a part of his conversion.

He loves God so much and believes there are better things to come.

I am working hard on the book as well.

I am determined to complete this task and complete it well.

Time will tell, I am frustrated on a daily basis.

Today, I just could not take my light box that Chris built about 20 years ago any longer.

It is heavy, bulky, hard to turn on and off, has screws in the way, and is too dark for my needs.

So, off we went to Hobby Lobby to purchase a light box. 

Now is when I miss Alabama Art Supply.

We used to sell large light boxes, this one is small but usable.

It is also MUCH brighter!

Stewart Heath Gallery sold another piece today.

Before I knew I had sold something, she sent me a text, I need turtles ASAP.

I was thinking, I just brought you two!

She sold the large one today.

More turtles.............Shadowbox ones too!

Coming soon from the Raccoon Retreat studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Oh!

And I painted a crab today!

Just a little crabby, acrylic on hardibord, 10 x 10 inches

Day 27 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Splendid Day!

You ever have one of those days?

Not a bad one, but one of the good ones?

Today was one of those days.........

I taught a class last night and was too tired to post the jellyfish.

This was the first class I've taught in months, and it felt SO GOOD!

We had 9 lovely watercolor turtles leave the Stewart Heath Gallery saying they'll be back for more!

Such a fun class, although a bit awkward teaching in a mask and not touching other peoples brushes.

It's all a learning process!

The jellyfish are also hanging at the Stewart Heath Gallery along with the Herons in love II.

The gallery also sold one of my sepia paintings today.

The octopus found a new home!

This is today's painting.

I am absolutely entranced with these hardi bord pieces.

This background is pearl and ivory and is just lovely.

The sepia paintings will be very pretty on these bases.

A couple of days ago, (Wednesday to be precise) this popped up in marketplace.

I asked Chris if he thought this would be pretty on the back porch.

He agreed yes it would.

I loved the copper and metal contrast.

The price was $25.

I asked if it was still available and it was pending.

I was disappointed, but sometimes you just miss out on the good deals.

This evening I received a message asking if I still wanted it.

I asked for the address in Spanish fort and off we went!

I knew it was large from the photo that showed a measuring tape next to it.

We arrived, and I got my mask and was greeted by a precious little dog running in the yard.

I saw the turtle on the porch and went to the door.

Not wanting to leave cash outside, I rang the bell.

She took the money and said do you want the other turtle, you can have it.

They were both heavy, and a quick glance looked like they were handmade.

I put them in the back of the car, Chris handed the lady her dog. 

(She was trying to go with us!) 

Off we went.

I was very happy with my purchase.

I told Chris I thought they were handmade.

He said "No I doubt it."

I was no less pleased with my purchase.

Then we got home after picking up ice cream.

After arriving home, we unloaded the turtles into the house and I examined them.

The one with copper was SIGNED!

PA Blackwell 11/2011

I looked at the other turtle, but while I could make out that it was signed as well, 

it was very hard to read.

In the meantime, I looked up Blackwell.

Fine Art America

The turtle like this currently sells for $400.00!

Looking at the signature, I believe the PA stands for Peter Anderson because the date is 11/2011.

The other turtle had me very curious now.

I took it to the sink, and looked again.

After careful peering I found the area that looked like a signature and turned it in the light.

I knew it was 06,  because that was easy to see.

When I finally realized what the signature was, I let out another whoopie!

Frank Ledbetter.

This is one of his earlier pieces as it is made of steel, not aluminum like they are now.

It is also hand painted with enamel paint I think.

His pieces are harder to nail down price wise, but we bought a smaller turtle 10 years ago for $100.00

Needless to say, I am one happy artist!

TWO art pieces for the price of ONE!

I will go to sleep with a smile tonight for sure!

Dreaming of sea turtles................

Blackwell piece

Frank Ledbetter piece

Jellyfish, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 14 x 36

Day 25 

Sepia sea turtle, Acrylic on hardibord, 10 x 10 inches

Day 26 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020