Seahorse I

Well!

This is a hard one to post.

The National Shrimp Festival cancelled the show today.

I have to admit, it's taking the wind out of my sails for a moment.

The good news is, the other shows are silent so far as cancelling is concerned.

I get it, but this is seriously messing with my income for this year!

I prayed okay God, what are you trying to teach me?

TRUST!

Trust that He will provide.

Rely on His provision.

Understand His will.

Stand on His word.

Teach others about trusting.

The same message God gave me last year when the shows were all collapsing.

I now pass it on to you!

Worked hard on a Steampunk piece design today.

Paint to follow soon afterwards.

Life goes on here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in Fairhope, Alabama

Seahorse I, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 15 inches

Day 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Just the Blues III

We had a relaxing day today.

Our morning started later than normal as it was cloudy and raining.

Consequently, I didn't get out of bed until almost 8am.

SO out of character for me.

Typically I'm awakened by the sunlight streaming through the windows in the morning, 

usually around 6:30am.

I am very sensitive to light and cannot stay in bed much past daylight.

Anyway, I started with my Bible readings as usual and began the day.

My morning was hit hard by the loss of one of my Shrimp Festival family.

Ron Arnold was a fixture down at the show.

I have many fond memories of him.

He will be very missed.

We delivered pieces to Big Fish Trading Company today.

They are a local company in Foley, Alabama that has incredible hand finished, coastal style furniture 

in a variety of colors and finishes.

They are currently located at 21860 US highway 98.

The furniture and Art store are an amazing fit for my works.

The owners Amy and Jason are extremely sweet people that support their artists wholeheartedly.

They have been very patient with me, as their inventory of my works was down to three pieces.

Today their plate is full as she kept 25 of my works, removed one, and that brought her total to 27.

What's wonderful about this relationship is that Amy does not mind 

me removing pieces for a show over a weekend.

They always come and visit at the shows I go to locally as well, 

they get very excited when I have lots of sales!

We also discussed some larger pieces that will be arriving soon 

to the gallery after they move into their new space just up the road.

I am very happy to be a part of their Artist family.

We then bought lunch at Chris's favorite spot in Foley.

Culvers has become his go-to for a great hamburger and custard for dessert.

If you have never tried Culvers I highly recommend them.

The employees are some of the happiest I've ever seen.

Studio time in the afternoon.

Leftovers for dinner.

Church in the evening.

Life is so good!

Just the Blues III, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 15 inches

Day 72 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Just the Blues II

Just the Blues II

Another in the series of sewing machine drawers.

I am really enjoying the creation of this littles and I hope you are as well.

This series is finite though, as I made several last year and sold them all.

Unless I find another dilapidated sewing machine, or one really cheap!

These drawers came from a sewing machine our neighbor had that had been stored outside.

She wanted Chris to refinish it, but the veneer was just too far gone to save.

So, he stripped the wood off the iron frame and replaced the top part with solid oak.

The drawer veneer was an issue as well, so she said just throw them away.

These drawers will live on as frames for hopefully another 100 years.

Chris also stripped the sewing machine itself as it was completely locked up. 

The head became part of the weight under his lathe.

The sewing machine parts are very interesting and form part of my steampunk box to design paintings.

So, the parts and pieces of the machine will live on, just in other ways.

I love it!

We ran errands this morning, going to Lowes to pick up paint for the trailer.

 Chris is building a trailer to pull behind the RV when we go to shows.

IT is coated in poor mans fiberglass, using waterproof glue to hold sheets tight against the wood.

It will also have about 3 or 4 coats of paint.

Fingers crossed that it is waterproof, because it will be carrying all my equipment.

We are one month out from the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

It still could get the ax again this year because Covid numbers are still so very high.

I am praying fervently that is not the case for this year as it is one of my favorite shows.

It is also a fairly local show as it's only an hour from home.

Our plans are to stay down there this year because it could be very big as far as sales go and you have to stay open at night to take advantage of the concert crowds.

I also have two booths, so there will be additional challenges there.

I still have to finalize the layout for the double booth 

because the second booth is my steampunk paintings.

I had someone share the alligator last week telling her friend these were my "alter ego" works.

I kind of like that, "alter ego" works because it is so different from my normal marine life pieces.

It is also why we have a separate booth for the pieces as I want them judged as their own collection.

I have had them in the booth together before, but people get really confused.

 They are so radically unusual that folks find it hard to believe I paint them.

They are in shock when they look around several times, then ask while pointing at the steampunk.

"You?"

I nod and they are in disbelief because most of the time this is an art form that is for a younger generation.

Truth be told though, this art has been around in one form or another for over 100 years.

Think Jules Verne 20,000 leagues under the sea written in 1872!

His science fiction inspired many advances because people started thinking what if?

My steampunk is typically different as mine focuses on steam engines, but also has car parts, farm machinery, vcr gears, clockworks, vintage woodwork, and whatever else I can find to fit into my current piece.

People love to look at them, talk about them, and ultimately purchase them!

Speaking of which, I need to set up the next one!

Just the Blues II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 71 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Just the Blues I

Back to the sewing machine drawers!

I really enjoy using up paint when I have put out colors on my palette.

Because of this, I have used the colors to create "Just the Blues I"

The paintings are coming hard and fast now, with me sometimes completing two in one day!

These small guys are so much fun to create!

Not much other than painting happening here today.

Although we did have dinner with our friends that are back home from Africa.

It is good to catch up and hear about things happening there.

Water is a huge problem right now.

I f you could lift them up in prayer I would appreciate it very much!

If you are led to donate toward a borehole (well) at iroCK lodge, that would be amazing!

They are currently trying to raise $4,500.00

Donations can be made at www.teamafrica.com

This takes you to the Buy a Brick Foundation.

All money donated goes to help the people of Zimbabwe.

There are no administrative fees taken out.

I find that amazing don't you?

Just the Blues, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 70 of the 1000 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Tata Truck!

Today is Neels 3rd birthday!

I asked Christina what she wanted for his birthday and said "a giraffe.'

I said "I painted the stuffed giraffe last year."

She said "a toy truck or car."

I said, "These paintings are supposed to eventually be in his house when he's older."

"What about a decorated truck?"

I said "perfect", she sent photos.

"You only want the back of the truck?"

She had sent photos of the backs which typically say horn please or use dipper at night.

This is Indian tradition to honk when overtaking a truck.

"No, the whole truck."

I sent two photos and she picked this truck, which was my favorite!

The drawing is how I started out.

Why are the trucks decorated?

These men basically live in their vehicles 10 months out of the year.

So, the truck becomes their home away from home.

Outfitted with bunk beds and photos of loved ones, they are a reminder of home.

They have bangles on them frequently to remind them of their wives and children.

Sometimes the inside of the truck is as decorated as the outside.

The trucks allow the men to stand out.

There can be political affiliation, Bollywood figures, God's and Goddesses, and animals.

There may also be demon faces or shoes tied to the bottom to scare away the evil eye.

All on the outside of the truck along with lots of fringe and tassels, also to keep spirits away.

Sometimes the trucks are also sometimes ridiculously overloaded.

They are truly roaming works of art.

The art form is in danger of not happening anymore.

The families that have painted the trucks for generations are getting older and they are not encouraging the children to follow in their footsteps.

Decals and stickers are becoming more of the normal now.

This is one hour into the piece, blocking main colors.

This is the end of hour two, more blocking and some decorations

The end of hour three, starting to push values and decorate.

Finished painting after about four hours.

Interesting fact about New Delhi, the trucks are not allowed into the city until about 9:30 at night.

This is to cut down on congestion in the city which is horrendous.

Consequently, it means your delivery may be made at 10:00 at night!

Happy birthday Neel! I cannot believe you're three now!

Tata truck, Acrylic on canvas, 6x6 inches

Day 69 of the 100 days, 100 paintings, 2021

 

Loggerhead III

This sea turtle is the last of the trio of turtles in the sewing machine drawers.

When hung as a trio, they would appear to be swimming from left to right.

They were lots of fun to create.

I really enjoyed this morning.

Chris and I went looking for yard sales.

Not having any luck, we went to Michaels and Hobby Lobby for me to get tracing paper.

Using coupons and bonuses, I was able to get $50 worth of paper for less than $20.

Spending time with each other is the most fun!

I am also having a great week in the area of sales myself.

I am very surprised and pleased to have the talent to be able to make other people happy.

It makes me happy too!

I am grateful for the talent God has given me.

Loggerhead III, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 68 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Loggerhead II

Another sweet loggerhead.

This is another in the series that are framed by the sewing machine drawers from a vintage machine.

I am so glad to be able to use parts of this old machine for my steampunk and now frames.

The pieces are coming hard and fast now from beneath my brush.

I am happier than ever at what is coming out of my hands and heart.

This falls shows will be beautiful as a result.

We had artwalk tonight and I went and stood by my space.

I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of people about the works I have at the gallery.

 The rounds are being very favorably received.

So far I've sold 3 out of the 15 in the series. 

I'm sure there will be more to come.

We picked up the show in Mississippi today from the Audubon Center.

Such a delightful group of people to work with and so well run.

I never felt uncomfortable leaving my works there, 

even when a hurricane was bearing down on the coast.

I was delighted to also lock in the dates for next years show as well.

The show also has a name and some special requests for the pieces.

One entire wall will be local flora and fauna!

Hummingbirds, butterflies, and other local birds.

The rest of the show will be my usual fare of marine life works.

The name of the show?

"My Nature Odyssey"

Coming to the Moss  Point Audubon Center

August and September, 2022

Opening reception August 11th, 2022

How wonderful is that?!

Today is done here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I bid you goodnight!

Loggerhead II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 67 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021