All I've got...

All I've got...

This is all I managed to paint today.

I spent all day in the studio with the exception of a lunch break.

I have "set ups" for several paintings, including the one with the baby turtle pictured in my hand.

As you can see, it is small.

Because of its tiny size, it was a challenge to paint.

The set ups take a while to draw because they have to fit within the framework of the painting.

So, an entire day of drawing, researching my swipe files, and drawing.

After lunch, I needed a nap because I woke up at 4 am.

After the nap, we went on a dog ride because that's what they do every day.

I went back to the studio for a bit, then realized it was time to cook dinner.

Dinner cooking and clean up took two hours.

I was happily going to the shop to cut out the wood pieces I designed today.

A text from India changed that in an instant.

When are you coming to India?

Have you booked tickets yet?

Chris and I took the time to book the tickets for December.

I finally went to the barn at 8:15.

I happily cut pieces until I came back in at 9:21.

I

Painted

One

Whole

Baby

Turtle

Today.

That's it, because life gets in the way.

Well life, and children, and grandchildren.

We've bought tickets to India!

All I've got..., Acrylic on wood, 3 inches

Day 39 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

Manatees and Completions

This is todays painting of the chubby mermaids.

Manatees if you will.

Always a wonderful animal to see, these gentle giants are in constant danger of boat strikes.

Herbivores they eat the grasses that can also get torn up by boats.

So many people just don't realize they are a close inhabitant of our coast.

This piece is one of the smaller ones, measuring only 11 inches.

Still a fun piece to paint!

Here is the completed turtle with the background added.

I was finally able to get into the shop and cut them all on my scroll saw.

Always a crowd favorite sea turtles are some of my best-selling pieces ever.

This guy is 16 inches round.

Finally, the background added for the manatee painted yesterday.

I love how they almost are like bumper cars when in the water, gently floating into one another.

Still need to sign this one I see though!

Each day is a new challenge, and a new solution found.

God gave me a very creative spirit and most of the time I can find solutions for issues that arise.

One issue right now in the studio is the sheer number of paintings.

I need to erase, varnish, and put hangers on them.

Then they will be packed away until the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

That reminds me!

Here is the show schedule if you want to see them in person.

I always love a sweet hello!

Loran Chavez

Fall show schedule 2025

*Annual National Shrimp Festival

Gulf shores, Alabama

October 9th,10th, 11th, 12th

9-5pm

*Jubilee Festival

Daphne, Alabama Lott Park

October 17th & 18th

9-5 Sat. 9-4 Sun.

*Mattie Kelly Festival of the arts

Destin, Florida

October 25th & 26th

9-4pm

*Peter Anderson Festival

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

November 8th & 9th

9-4 pm

NOTICE Peter Anderson typically held first full weekend in November.

2nd weekend this year because the Thunderbirds are doing a show on the first weekend.

*Covington Three Rivers Festival

Covington, Louisiana

November 15th & 16th

9-5pm Sat. 9-4pm Sun. 

Manatees and Completions, Acrylic on Wood, size varies

Days 36,37, & 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Manatees and completions

I spent time today to finish both the sea turtle painting and the octopus with pirate theme.

I don't have a photo of the background for the turtle; it's just a reef with coral.

I am pleased with both of them, although I still have cutting to do on the turtle.

The weather has not been cooperative, making it difficult to get to the scroll saw to cut out the pieces.

So, I paint them and will cut, sand and finish the edges afterwards.

Obviously, it's better to do finish work first so the mounting to the tray can take place.

After mounting, the holes must be filled in and painted if needed.

It's a bit of a challenge, but I think I'm up for it.

This tray is another 16-inch tray ready now for its dimensional piece to be added.

I am always happy with manatees, the sea cows of the water.

They are just so majestic in their floating.

So comical with their faces.

So still in danger from boat strikes and cold stunning.

They are amazing creatures to watch and I'm happy to paint them!

Manatees, Acrylic on canvas, 16inch round

Day 37 & 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Two days, two paintings

Ah! 

The pure joys of painting Dolphins and their playful dancing.

I love the way the brush just cavorts along with the playful jesters of the sea.

I really enjoy painting them so much!

Joyful Jesters 6 x 24 inches Day 35 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Yesterday, I spent 12 hours traveling, driving, and hunting for fabric with a Queen for one of the Mardi Gras organizations in Mobile, Alabama.

Our long day is why I didn't post last night.

It is an honor for me to be asked to do this, and I willingly jumped at the chance.

(Even though it involves another 15-foot train)

Since this will be my second experience, it should go easier since I have a game plan in place.

At least in my head!

January is going to come way too fast for me!

Today I painted this guy!

"Swimming along nicely" Day 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with going into the shop to cut him out.

That will have to wait until tomorrow when I'm rested 

as I don't want my fingers near the circle of death which is my scroll saw.

The circles are still really fun, and I am looking forward to an entire wall of them at the

 National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

They are really going to pop off the black walls.

Things are humming along here in Fairhope, Alabama

I pray things are humming for you too!

God bless and Goodnight!

Two Days, two paintings Acrylic on canvas and wood

Days 35 & 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Dachshunds are our life!

This is a gift for my sons' girlfriend.

She wanted one of the smaller rounds that I have left in my studio.

Hobby Lobby no longer offers these rounds, so my series with them is having to end.

I have enough left to do this for her birthday.

I'm not sure if it is finished, but I may revisit it at a later date.

He is a cream-colored dachshund, so the sepia may not be the best choice.

We also unpacked, uncovered, and separated the old Flourish sides from my equipment.

I now have 2-10ft walls in the old style, along with a 5ft wall. 

This makes a complete tent set up, great for a beginning artist doing shows.

There are also 2-10 ft walls in the newer style along with a 7ft wall.

This set includes the bottom Sta-bars with new clamps to attach them to the legs.

I'm also including the framework we built for the 7ft wall. 

I'm kind of sad to see them go, because they have been with me since 2007.

The older walls were from another artist that gave me an incredible price on them.

The newer ones came from another artist in Mississippi.

Knowing what they cost now, whew!

Dachshunds are our life! Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 34 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Flourish's, missing parts, and a unicorn!

Today is Dahlias Birthday in India.

She has turned the big 4 today.

Each year, each grandchild gets a painting for their birthday.

My hope is someday they will cherish the paintings that are pieces of their lives.

Archers birthday is next on the 12th of August.

We got the delivery of the new Flourish sides yesterday.

The brackets work beautifully with the Extreme X6 tent.

I now have proper Sta-bars for the tent.

I also have the wall parts for both a 7 and a 5-foot wall.

This gives us a beautiful doorway with no visibility to the back of the tent.

We had lots of "discussion" while building the walls the first time on Friday.

The heat was unbearable and the sweat rolling down our backs 

did not make for terribly polite conversation.

It definitely was a challenge as the paperwork sent was not very helpful.

It was difficult to determine which part was which and getting a correct count of brackets and poles.

We adjourned for the day as I painted at Artwalk last night.

We tried and conquered on Saturday as you can see.

Just as I imagined, the pieces look spectacular against the black.

They really pop!

I am sending our feedback to the company.

We are also missing a male pole that belongs to the Sta-bar for the second tent.

That was a part of the problem.

Photo showing the missing pole.

We also have to come up with some sort of storage system for the large number of pieces and parts.

These poles are heavy to say the least because they are made of steel. 

My other Sta-bars are aluminum and much lighter.

Chris wants to build a box out of wood. (more weight!)

I would rather have bags.

This will be our next "discussion".

We don't get angry, but we both believe we are right.

 I try to explain the pros and cons of my point, Chris just says let me build it.

Box or bag?

Both are viable options.

Flourish's, Missing parts, and a unicorn! Acrylic on canvas, 6x6

Day 33 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

A Pirates life for me!

This one still has a little tweaking to do, but I'm done for tonight.

In the morning when I'm fresh I'll add some more shadowing and shading.

The drawing alone took a solid day of moving things around until I was happy with the design.

Now that I've painted most of it, the angle of the blunderbuss maybe should've shifted slightly.

Too late now I suppose.

I started painting the upper panel at ArtWalk tonight and people were fascinated to watch.

Lots of talking and handing out show schedules because they want to see more.

Any way I look at it, it was a very long day.

The Flourish sides arrived today with all their pipes and pieces.

I thought I was past all these tinkertoys, but here we go again.

We plan to set up one tent tomorrow and use them on the frame.

So many pieces to figure out.

And then their drawing because I am using them slightly different from their ''normal'' set up.

I am really looking forward to seeing the canvases and rounds against the black fabric.

I'm sure it will be stunning to say the least.

I also met with a queen today for the design of her dress and train.

This one will be spectacular in both scale and color.

I am looking forward to the challenge.

A Pirates life for me! Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 32 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025