Death in a snail shell

 "Death in a snail shell"

 This is a cone snail shell from the Philippines.

My dad was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the country.

Mom and I arrived a few months later around Christmas time.

It was a happy time for me as my parents did a lot for and with me.

I had started first grade at E.R.Dickson in Mobile, Alabama.

When we moved, I started back to school. 

My parents eventually started their scuba diving as a hobby.

With the scuba equipment designed by Jacques Cousteau, my parents were able to go into the undersea world that became my later obsession.

My six-year-old self was able to spend many hours in the arm of the bonka boat owned by Tony Bahalana. As long as I stayed in the arm of the boat, I could swim and watch my parents below. I played in their bubbles and relished the shells my parents brought home from the sea. We had an ant bed near our home that they would put the shells into, and the ants did an amazing job of cleaning them. 

I am not certain how the cone shells were procured and cleaned without my parents becoming victims of the shells. I only know my parents collected many cones in various designs. They became my fathers obsession, as well as him identifying them and placing carefully written names. He put a label in this one that identified it as a Radiatus-1.

He got the Radiatus part correct. I suspect the #1 as the first of his Radiatus he captured. Radiatus or Rayed Cone. Also called Conus ochroleucus.

These are marine gastropod mollusks belonging to the family Conidae.

They typically inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans, they often bury themselves in the sand near coral reefs or shallow coastal waters. The death part, they can be beach collected if they are empty.

Live cone shells are highly predatory and very venomous. They use a harpoon like tooth to inject potent neurotoxins that can be fatal to humans. I remember one of the children from the village getting stung. The ensuing panic in the village had my father trying to save the child, and my mother rushing me away from the scene so I didn't see what happened. 

Needless to say, my parents had a long talk with me about not picking up any shells on the beach like this child did. My dad was deeply saddened over this child and not being able to save her. Later on, he was able to save another child with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Life lessons learned at an early age.

Death in a snail shell, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches

Day 58 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

A pearl of great value.

Scripts & Strokes started back for our Fall small group session.

We had an incredible time bringing our pearls to life.

First, we talked about and heard from Psalm 119, the longest book of the bible.

 Psalm 119 is often referred to as a string of pearls.

Psalm 119 is a series of sections, each representing a Hebrew letter.

Each verse has its own independent story and valuable lesson taught therein.

We then spoke about the lessons about wealth from Psalm 119.

Pearls at that time were worth more than emeralds or sapphires.

When looking for wealth look no further than Psalm 119.

Psalm 119:14 "I have rejoiced in your instructions as much as riches."

Psalm 119:72 "Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver'

Psalm 119:127 "I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold."

Psalm 119:"I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure"

The we enter into the Parable of the pearl.

Matthew 13:45-46 " Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it"

The merchant found heaven, he was willing to sell everything he owned to procure this pearl of great value.

The pearl is Christ himself.

True salvation.

We search for this pearl.

Maybe we discover this pearl.

Are we willing to sacrifice everything we own to purchase this pearl?

Following Christ means we have to give Him our all, after all He gave His life for us!

"A pearl of great value" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 inches

Day 57 of the 100 days~100 paintngs 2026

 

Still crabby

"Still crabby"

This one was intense.

Intense because of the detail involved in creating the piece.

This is the canvas I had asked Chris to build for me.

I told him I needed a 12 x 36 with a 6 x 18-inch opening.

I needed the canvas for a shark, specifically a Great White.

Problem is to match the other canvas's; the opening needed to be 6 x 30 inch.

When I saw the canvas stretcher bars, I said okay....

A short while later, I realized my mistake.

I apologized and told Chris yes, you made exactly what I asked for.

It was still usable and beautiful though, and I knew exactly what I wanted to paint on it.

He also built the one I actually needed.

The Great White is coming soon too.

I also heard from Paul and his friend Jeff in Oxford England.

Jeff recorded and incredible message to me that really touched my heart.

Paul commissioned the piece on August 6th called Epic Goals.

Jeff actually completed the swim of the English Channel.

I've been invited to join in on a zoom call Wednesday, where Jeff will explain the process of the swim.

I am looking forward to the experience.

Epic goals indeed. 

I know both men's story will make it into the book I'm writing that includes my journals.

The book will feature stories from my life experiences as well as my journals.

Jeff already said he wants to read it!

The message that Jeff gave me made me weep with the pure love of God.

"Still crabby" Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 36

Day 56 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Dead Men Tell No Tales VI

"Dead Men Tell No Tales VI"

SIX!

Number six.

I am in awe of the talent God has given me that allows me to create incredible works of art.

At least I think they're incredible.

The first one last year sold almost immediately along with a mermaid painting as well.

I was in shock because I never dreamed that something I created could actually be in demand.

I will definitely have to have more than one on hand, 

which means there will be a number seven on my easel soon.

These are an incredibly intense piece with lots of hours to create it.

Approximately 20 hours to be more precise.

20 hours and 20 years of experience behind a brush.

The couple from Tallahassee came yesterday and picked up their Dead Men 

for their daughter who is now a Marine Biologist.

She worked on a pirate ship while she was attending college.

The painting is apparently a gift for graduation.

We also delivered another one Friday to a gentleman that wanted one for his wife's birthday.

It was a completely new design with a new blunderbuss and sword.

They already own three of my pieces and their fourth makes them officially collectors now.

This latest one is a reverse of the fifth one. 

The very first one was actually a rerun.

Last year was the first year that we started making the rounds in earnest. 

I took an original octopus piece, painted the edges white, and reimagined it.

I designed the front panel with a Dead Men theme.

This piece also had angled wood pieces that made the transition from the front piece to the octopus.

Obviously, the Dead Men series has already grown by leaps and bounds.

At least to me they've come a long way.

I really enjoy designing and painting them.

I pray you enjoy them too!

I also painted 5 of the last shadowboxes white today.

I have rearranged the studio to accommodate the canvases that are stacked up 

awaiting my pencil and brush.

Lots of work ahead in the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

"Dead Men Tell No Tales VI" Acrylic on Wood Round, 23 inches round

Day 55 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

 

Crazy Cephalopod

Somewhere in the midst of my brain and trying to paint my husband will throw something at me that does indeed make me go cross eyed. (Or at least roll my eyes.)When he brought me this canvas I wasn't sure what I was going to put on it, or if I even wanted to paint it. This is one of the new sizes that we're going to be bringing this fall. They measure 16x24 in with an 8x12 opening in the shadow box. He brought me six others that are the regular rectangular shape with rectangular shape shadow boxes. He did bring me opposites so that I can do pairs. Then he grins as he presents this one! As I said I wasn't sure what I was going to put on to it at first. As I was painting the canvases white, and octopus appeared in my minds eye. 

Here ya go!

I also wasn't sure what to call it. Drunk octopus came to mind, but I don't drink. I also kicked around Kooky octopus too. I ended with Crazy Cephalopod, it seems appropriate especially since I just finished reading Remarkably Bright Creatures for the third time. If you haven't read the book, at least see the movie with Sally Field. It was an incredible movie and the actor they had playing her costar was very good.

That's it for tonight as far as painting goes. 

Chris and our son Jere drove to Florida to look at and then purchase a new to me scroll saw. Chris got to use it first, finishing the Dead Men tell no tales front piece this afternoon. I'll pray for the family every time I use it. The saw belonged to the gentleman's dad and is part of the estate they're liquidating. Chris got the saw, stand, and a bunch of blades for $150. It has a longer throat than the one that broke, so things will be easier to manipulate under the blade. It does have a finger guard too, although I may try the one from my other saw to see if it will fit 

I will put all of it to good use, I'm sure!

Goodnight folks!

Crazy Cephalopod, acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16*24 inches

Day 54 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2026

Behind the scenes

"Behind the scenes"

This is the background for the latest Dead Men Tell No Tales.

This one is the 6th in the series.

I never dreamt that a series about pirates would become so popular.

I've already painted the front piece for this painting.

The front piece took a couple of days itself.

Chris is lending a hand helping by doing some of the cut work.

In the middle of the cutting, the scroll saw just quit.

No power going to the saw itself.

We've tried several different things in an effort to fix the problem.

We bought it used from a cousin's father-in-law for $75.

It has been a great tool for several years.

Chris and I went and looked at a new scroll saw at a local hardware store.

It was $275, not bad but Chris has found another one.

Marketplace is a familiar place in our house and our son especially.

We looked at several scroll saws online and have been in contact 

with a man about the one he has for sale.

Tomorrow morning Chris and our son Jere are going to look at and possibly purchase this newish one.

It looks brand new in the photos.

The videos I've seen look like it's a nice addition to our workshop.

Another tool to create!

I have to stay here, because the fifth Dead Men will be picked up in the morning.

Everyone that has picked up their pieces have been thrilled with their art.

The Little Rebel was picked up today and she was very happy.

I look forward to seeing photos of Little Rebel in place at the tailgating party.

Never a dull moment around here!

Tomorrow, a new saw probably.

I am going to stay with our grandson in Saraland about an hour from here.

We'll go to church together hopefully.

Then home, and back to work!

Behind the scenes, Acrylic on wood, 23 inches round

Day 53 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Sometimes all I do is paint canvas

Sometimes all I do is paint canvas....

A LOT of canvas.

I painted a total of 20 canvases today.

Lots of white acrylic paint.

Brushes and rollers.

Tops, sides, and edges.

It all has to get done before I can actually create something to sell.

All a part of the process.

All a part of my artist life here in the Raccoon Retreat studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I also gave myself a headache trying to enter shows that don't occur for 9 months!

Well 2 are in January maybe.

The other one is Mothers day weekend in South Carolina.

Reading the prospectus, it is an intense show to get into!

After I enter the shows, I need to get camping places as well.

Artist fees, jury fees, booth fees, camping fees.

All in advance, all paid in full.

Sometimes, Acrylic on multiple canvas, varying sizes

Day 52 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026