Arrows

More specifically Psalm 91:5.

"Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night; nor the arrow that flies by day."

Even though the arrows and accusations may fly, we shall be in the refuge of the Lord.

We painted this in Scripts & Strokes at my small group tonight.

It was a lot of fun, and there was a lot of laughter as well.

We can rely on God to be our shelter, our fortress, our feathers that cover us.

In other words, he is our stronghold and protector against anything that comes at us. 

Won't you let Him cover and protect you with His Shield?

Today was a long day of laying out paintings.

I have several lined up to be painted.

I'm sure that they will all turn out, but sometimes the arrows fly......

Chris is trying to make me less stressed by cutting out the front pieces with the new saw.

I brought him four pieces and held my breath.

He brought back the turtle, and it was missing a back flipper and was not cut all the way.

I dug through the cut offs, and the flipper was not there.

I figured out how to recut the piece and have now remounted it in place. 

I'm praying it will look good when painted.

I was not happy at all at first when I realized what had happened.

I tried, really tried not to be the crazy artist and go off on a total rant as I was redesigning the piece.

Admittedly I came close but was able to stop it before it escalated completely.

Of course, our son witnessed the ticked off artist before I got control.

He thought it was funny.

I'm so sorry both to God and Chris.

I did tell Chris that if he really doesn't want to help, let me know.

He always adds "meat" where he thinks it's needed.

There is "extra" on the sailfish that will now have to be repainted.

Two artists working together is not always good.

We have a tendency to butt heads because each one thinks their way is right.

It's usually the same with my daughter as well.

Two creative minds are sometimes a recipe for disaster.

Hopefully this time I avoided the complete meltdown.

Another day at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama

Another day, another painting.

One day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores, Alabama

Arrows, Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 71 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

 

Octopus and Conecuh?

Some projects are just interesting.

This was one of them.

My daughter that I have made costumes with before, had a commission for the two of us.

With the permission of the Conecuh Sausage people, we had a project before us.

I helped Jessica yesterday from after church until just past midnight.

Approximately 12 hours.

Jessica had done a good bit of leg work and was making "sausage" when I arrived.

She put me inside, projecting the labels after determining the size we needed.

I spent the better part of the afternoon working on them.

They are hand painted and the large one measures about 18 inches square.

It features hand mixed colors.

The bar code works, but just not for the sausage.

The pig however if photographed and put into a Google search, brings up the Conecuh brand.

I spent about 6 hours on the two labels.

Jessica added the funny lettering after I finished painting.

This is the completed labels.

We then began the building of the actual costume.

The clear material is actually shower curtains.

Jessica went a little crazy with the glitter inside.

I had to design the sausage bag to hold it inside from going side to side and up and down.

The sausage is made from childrens tights.

They are carefully hand painted by Jessica.

This is the back and dress underneath.

So absolutely funny!

Jessica is making a hat to match!

It has ties to hold it in place.

So much fun to make!

The family seems to be over the moon.

Coming soon to a Party near you!

Such is my artist life especially with Jessica.

Never a dull moment!

Today I finished the background for the octopus.

I have also attached the octopus to the front.

Such a creative endeavor made together.

That's all for today.

My sleep was really disturbed after I got home last night about 1 am.

I pray I sleep better tonight!

Octopus and Conecuh?, Acrylic on canvas and wood, Octopus 14 inches

Costume size small

Days 69 and 70 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Dead men tell no tales VII

Whoa! 

This one almost did me in!

My back hurts, my neck hurts, my arm is sore.

This one actually took almost three days to complete.

A lot of drawing and moving things around to fit with my theme.

I also wanted this one to be offset as well.

Once transferred, the background took a day.

I started the front piece yesterday afternoon into the evening.

Part of it was painted live at Artwalk.

I also managed to tell people about the shows coming up, giving several lists of shows away.

I was very pleased to sell two small paintings, which will almost pay the rent for this month.

Shows are rapidly approaching as well.

I am both excited and nervous because of the uncertainty of the economy currently.

God has the plan, and I trust him to take care of me.

This little guy is something Chris is challenging me with currently.

He both drew it and cut it out. 

I had to correct the drawing while painting the piece.

It was fun to paint but needs a background to give it a home.

I also need to paint the edges. 

Interesting to say the least.

I'm worn out from focusing so hard on the Dead men piece.

I am going to have to get some electric stem therapy for my neck tonight for sure!

I am getting excited for the shows.

It's always so much fun to see the reactions of people as they enjoy the works.

I will be helping my daughter for the next few days at her house.

We are building a costume and cleaning her workshop.

For now, I am going to bed and get some needed rest.

Dead men tell no tales VII, Acrylic on wood, 

Days 66,67, & 68 of the 100 days ~100 paintings 2026

For now, this lady is going to bed.

 

Two paintings for two days

This was the painting we created at my small group at Celebration Church.

We talked about and painted the widow's mite.

About how her tiny offering was worth so much more because she sacrificed to give it.

We also discussed the wealthy people that gave from their surplus, while she gave her all.

It doesn't have to be money.

We can give time, talent, or treasure.

The point is we give it willingly and completely.

All or nothing.

Not just some, or sometimes.

Most of us struggle to even tithe because we're afraid we won't have enough at the end of the month.

As a believer I can say without a doubt.

You cannot outgive God!

Another shell from my parent's collection.

This one is another type of snail.

The actual shell is about two inches in length.

My dad identified it as a Cerithium Obeliscus.

Google says it is a Cerithium muscarum, or flyspeck cerith.

Either way, it's a pretty shell.

They are a gastropod grazing on algae in shallow tropical waters.

Such a lovely painting.

Now it's late and time for bed for me.

Goodnight!

Two paintings for two days, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Days 64 and 65 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Laevistrombus Canarium

Laevistrombus Canarium

Also called a Strombus Canarium

The Canarium I think is because it has a yellow tinge.

Anyway, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

This tiny guy is only about an inch in length, although they do get larger.

This is another non-poisonous shell from the collection out of the Philippines.

I just love them all.

So many happy memories,

Especially when it came to the day we actually lifted the shells from the ant bed 

and got to see them in the light of day.

I think it looks a lot like our conch shells here in the Gulf of Mexico.

I don't know if you've had the opportunity to eat conch, but I find it quite chewy.

I didn't care for it at all when the villagers offered it to me.

I ate it, because that was polite, but I didn't like the texture.

Reminded me of clam chowder.

Another day of clearing and cleaning in the She Shed with my daughter.

I pray this helps her on her efforts to clear the clutter from her life and allows her to create in an atmosphere of calmness.

Tomorrow I'm home.

Today is one step closer to the end of the 100 days for 2026.

I pray you're still with me, let me know somehow.

I know people are curious as the numbers keep going up.

Thank you for that, I am blessed by your being here to read the blog.

We all want to have left something more than footprints on a sandy water washed shore,

 that the waves wash away.

Stay blessed and know that I am praying for and with you!

Strombus Canarium, Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24

Day 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

 

Clypeomorous Bifasciata

Clypeomorus Bifasciata

Better and more easily pronounced, Double Banded Creeper

The scientific name is a mouthful, isn't it?

This little guy is an algae eater, slowly creeping along the bottom.

Hence the name, creeper.

This is another shell from our collection out of the Philippines.

Today found me helping my daughter in her "she shed"

She is trying to clear the decks for a project we are working on, but also just attempting to have room to move as she has a LOT of stuff to create with.

I'm trying to be rid of items in my studio; she is holding on for dear life to the things she has acquired.

I know that in organizing and shedding excess the mind becomes clearer.

I am going to try and help her realize this too.

The last time she asked for help, we did shed quite a bit of items into several sources that needed them.

Hopefully this time will be the same scenario.

This shell was interesting to paint because of the texture.

Most of these shells seem to have areas on them where the shell has experienced some type of hardship.

These hardships on the shells translate into patterns that are visible to the naked eye.

We are like that as well.

The wounds we carry constantly remind us of the hard times, 

but there is nothing visible to the general public.

They just wonder at the possible outbursts that are directed at them.

There is a cure for our wounds though.

That cure is Jesus and our fellowship with him.

Unabashed, complete, surrender is all he asks of us.

Trust God through his Son Jesus.

I can promise you that He is the Great Physician able to heal all our wounds.

He's healed mine, and he'll heal yours too!

"Double Banded Creeper", Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Day 62 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Omaria cone

Today's painting is another cone shell.

I am again surprised at the number of cones that my parents collected.

This one is called Conus O Maria, or Omaria Cone.

The patterns on these shells are quite complex. 

They challenge me to create paintings that are visually interesting.

I pray that you are not getting tired of the collection that my parents accumulated over a short span.

The cones are different, yet you may see some similarities with the "Cloth of gold" one.

They are very similar in color as well as shape because they are cones.

Yesterday I tried to complete a survey for Sunshine Magazine while I was cooking dinner.

I got to the end and was adding photos.

I pressed a button and it was totally gone in an instant.

30 minutes of carefully prepared, grammatically correct, properly spelled answers just gone.

I was determined to complete the task as I have answered their surveys before and got my photos and answers published. 

While the meal was finishing, I went back upstairs to complete the task.

I gave myself a time limit of 20 minutes with a timer.

I told Chris when the alarm went off, I had a few more questions to answer and photos to post.

I'm much better with a brush than a computer!

I completed the survey, added photos, and went back downstairs to finish the meal preparation.

Never a dull moment around here!

Another day in the Raccoon Retreat studio located in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Omaria Cone, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Day 61 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026