What a day!

What a day indeed!

The day was filled with dinosaurs of course for the Summer surge at the end of the month.

We've been working hard to create them from a combination of recycled and purchased materials.

I purchased newsprint, and glue, (more glue donated from the shop, studios, and a friend as well!)

I also bought chicken wire to cover the frameworks.

I have been doing large scale paper mâché' ever since I was a young child.

My dad taught me how, using wire coat hangers to build frames for the chicken wire.

We soldered them together after careful wiring to hold the solder in place.

I became familiar with the smell of rosin and solder making a strong bond with the wire hangers.

We would then carefully cover them with chicken wire, 

wrapping the wire under so it wouldn't poke through the covering.

Then came hours and hours of flour and water, combined with torn strips of newspaper begged from every neighbor for the entire block.

The newsprint was of course printed and consequently left lots of ink on our hands as we molded the paper into place.

It was a messy, smelly job.

It also attracted hordes of flies because the wet flour smelled like food.

It was all in all a messy fun experience and a part of my childhood.

The first one we made together was a giraffe for me when I was about 11 years old.

We then built a bunch of them for trick or treating at Halloween.

My dad outfitted an entire Campfire girls troop with those.

Each girl picked out her creature, so dad built several different ones.

Mine was a "SNARK", a made-up creature with a really long nose and light up eyes!

I did the same kind of work building in later years as a costumer. 

I made a very large lobster costume for a business owner in Mobile, Alabama.

It was paper mache'd but also covered in fabric.

Envision if you will, a ten-foot-tall lobster.

I've also built a ram, Dalmation, and a buccaneer.

So fun to create!

The dinosaurs are different and yet the same.

I am using patterns to make skeletons of the dinos, then covering them in chicken wire.

The skeletons were made using the 1-inch foam from a church conference.

All told, there has been a total of twelve 4x8 sheets of foam used.

The paper is purchased newsprint on a large roll then we tear into strips.

The glue is just that! 

Glue!

I've never used glue before, but it is a game changer.

60% white glue 40% water and mix.

Very few flies and the smell is pleasant.

Although I am wearing gloves and long sleeves.

I don't like having to scrub glue off my arms and watch.

Now if I could just figure out my hair situation.

My hair is quite long, and the weather even warmer than normal.

Between the heat, the sweat trickling down my back, and my hair falling into the glue, life is interesting.

Oh well, such is the life of a Christian artist.

Using your talents willingly to further the kingdom of God!

Now, to today's work of art.

This is one of the rounds for this fall show season.

I am delighted with the process, although it takes a while to draw, cut, sand, paint the creature, and the background, then mount it all together. 

Somewhere in there, I have to varnish too!

This one is 16 inches and is beautiful to see.

Of course, photos don't do it justice, so you'll have to wait to see them at shows.

All in a day's work here at the Raccoon Retreat studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Goodnight!

Octopus dreams, 16 inch round wood, carved wood, Acrylic paint

Day 2 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

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Another 100 days begins!

Another 100 days indeed!

I'm praying this year I can actually accomplish the task.

Last year, computer issues and just plain life got in the way.

I gave myself grace to not post, even though the paintings were completed.

Today marks 100 days until the set up at the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

This year begins with preparation, preparation, preparation.

The sepia series is turning sweet 16 this year.

Most series do not last that long.

Either the artist gets bored, or the collectors stop collecting.

I am fortunate indeed that neither of these scenarios have produced themselves.

So, I keep painting them!

Which brings me to today's post.

Preparation.....

As you can see, this requires a lot of paint! 

Unfortunately, I can't seem to remember the mixture from year to year, and I always put out too much Burnt Sienna. This year I emptied the brand-new tube and had to scramble to find enough ultramarine blue to drop it into the color needed. Consequently, I have over 12 ounces of paint. 

Let me tell you, it is hard to mix that much paint at once.

It goes everywhere, your knuckles, your clothes, the table, the jar you're trying to fill.

My paint is ready for the next year of works leaving my studio.

Why mix so much?

I try to keep the mixture the same from year to year.

This allows me to pull from the large jar, keeping a continuity along the works for that year.

This also allows collectors to come back to add to their collection.

As you can see, it took a while to get the mixture correct.

The one on the far left is the last of 2024, for me to color match.

The plate was very full, once everything was mixed properly.

Two jars ready to go!

Preparation....

I am officially starting a new series this fall, 

to be completed for the National Shrimp Festival in October.

This series was introduced in the spring.

I did two paintings, and the response was incredibly positive to feature them in future shows.

I sold the turtles and still have the octopus.

They are labor intensive, requiring a lot of thought and work to make them beautiful.

They are works on round wood, much like the series that has been stopped because of availability of the round wood signs from Hobby Lobby.

Each round has to be painted white several times and them has a carefully drawn, cut, and sanded dimensional piece of wood mounted on the edges of the rounds.

They have such personality and depth!

I'm working hard to make an entire 10-foot wall of them in several sizes.

Today I laid out several of them which will require several hours of scroll sawing and dremel tool work.

I'm excited to show them to you this 100 days.

The plan is for a total of 24 of them ranging in size from 12 inches to 24 inches.

New series, VBS Dinosaurs and sets, grandson.

It's going to be a busy summer, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Another 100 days begins, Day 1 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025 

 

Massive Octopus

This octopus is really big!

A couple of years ago, I started making the larger paintings using a 16 x 40 canvas as the center.

Chris makes two 16 x 30s and two 16 x 20s and then they are stretched.

Total width of this beauty is 80 inches.

They usually will fill a large wall.

I have been fortunate enough to sell several so far with different marine life.

They also are easier to carry as they fit into a single bag.

Massive Octopus, Acrylic on multiple canvas 40 x 80 inches

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

This design says it all!

I have a small group at my church called Scripts & Strokes

We do paintings based on scripture.

This one is a design for a large class at a women's retreat next week.

I may be teaching up to 30 women during this class!

So much fun, and such a great experience because anyone can paint these simple flowers.

The lettering is done easily with paint pens after transferring to the canvas.

For tonight though, I am giving it to God and going to sleep!

Scripts & Strokes floral, acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 79 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

 

In case you don't know, I love octopus!

They are such fascinating creatures.

They have 9 brains, one in their head, then one in each arm!

As I said, amazing...

This one was painted while we were in India.

So, it is on a flat canvas instead of my typical shadowbox.

It found its way home in my suitcase!

"Follow the arms" Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24

Day 76 of the 100 days~100 paintings

These lionfish turned out really pretty.

I still love painting them although they're an invasive species.

They are just such a beautiful fish.

We had one in the Philippines for an evening stay.

My dad brought it home after a dive to put in our tank.

After acclimatizing it to the water, we added him to the tank with our other fish.

To our absolute horror, it started eating everything in its path.

My dad said nope!

Scooped it out and it went to fish heaven.

Fortunately, the invader only got a couple before it was dispatched. 

My dad was very proud of his tanks.

We had several while I was growing up.

"Invasion" Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24

Day 77 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

 

Cephalopod my cephalopod

One of my favorites to paint, a cephalopod!

Octopus are fascinating creatures.

If their beak fits, the rest of their body will go as well.

There is a really cool video that shows fishermen catching a large octopus.

It found the scuppers on the boat and slithered its way off the vessel.

Meanwhile, the wood is flying here in the studio.

We bought several pieces of lumber the other day to make new shadowbox frames.

Chris, my husband of almost 46 years is a master builder now of these frames.

I couldn't make my signature pieces without his help.

He has brought up 6 of each of my sizes, varying from 12x36 to 16 x 16.

All of the sizes sell well, and I am grateful for the frames he's built.

Now on to canvas stretching, which is a whole other day of hard work.

I already have the canvas here at the studio to stretch every single one.

Now, about the canvas.....

I bought canvas while I was in India.

I've bought canvas while there before, but this time was on another level.

I had our daughter order me two smaller rolls of 10oz.canvas before I got there.

I also ordered white paint and coated the canvas before cutting.

I was delighted with the canvas and started researching a larger quantity.

I found 10oz 84inch canvas, 10 meters long for less than $50.00, because they were on sale.

I ordered two rolls.

They were incredibly large when they arrived in their protective cardboard tubes.

I can only imagine these things being carried down the street on the way to the Banerjee residence.

I opened the tube that night and started cutting.

Chris helped me to take the canvas and cut it into 30 x 84inch strips.

30 inches, because they will fit into the suitcases.

We got a lot of strips that all made it home safe and sound.

Why so much?

The canvas I typically purchase here is 7oz and is a 73inch by 6yd roll.

This roll costs me just under $100.

I got triple the amount for about the same as one.

It took some creative packing, but we got them home allowing me to keep my pricing affordable.

Now, if I could just find some lumber in a dump box somewhere....

Cephalopod my cephalopod, acrylic on canvas, 5 x 24 inches

Day 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

 

Flying higher and higher

This one was started as a drawing while we were on the road back in April and May.

I did manage to paint another 5-piece (octopus) while on the road and it sold at that weekends show.

I always have the question, what do you call a five piece?

I had researched several times, and it was called a polyptych.

A polyptych is a hinged piece of three panels or more.

That worked for me.

I looked it up several times and got the same answer.

Just now I looked again, and they are actually called a Pentaptych.

And now, spell check is screaming at me to correct the spelling.

The word comes from the Greek word "ptyche" which means a fold.

Add the prefix "penta" and you have pentaptych.

Words are so interesting, but Lord now I have to learn how to pronounce that one!

It's always interesting to paint larger works while in a camper. 

I really have to break them apart after drawing them, then paint.

The pieces are then put on a table outside to make sure the edges match.

I am then able to paint the edges to complete the piece.

We love them, because are a large piece that fits in a small bag.

Always interesting to paint!

Flying higher and higher, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 60

Day 74 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

 

My days are puppies!

This series is fun to create, but also challenging.

"Crabby" is 5 x 24 inches.

Some of them were painted while in India, some painted here after we got home.

I thank God every day I have a husband that thinks creatively too!

When I first made the series, they were in color and only 4 x 24.

Last year, Chris made them wider, and they are so much easier to paint.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The dolphins are so much fun and so full of life!

"Dolphin party" 5 x 24 inches

"Pod Patrol" Humpback whales

5 x 24 inches

"Turtle traffic jam"

Shadowbox, Acrylic on canvas 24 x 24

"A Turtles eye view"

16 x 16 inches 

Acrylic on canvas

"I'm coming out!"

Octopus Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches

I also managed to paint at church as well.

I teach a class called Scripts & Strokes on Tuesdays and 

we have a lot of fun doing paintings based on scripture.

This little guy is on an 11 x 14 canvas and was painted in about 2 hours.

Life here is crazy hectic.

I'm hoping to finish up my dad's estate soon, so I can put that behind me.

The Executor position is a large job taking many hours.

It also fills my brain with things I would rather not think about.

(Money, balancing checkbooks, insurance, and so much more!)

It has drained me frequently to the point of not creating.

As if that wasn't enough, we picked up TWO wire haired dachshund puppies last week.

I've wanted wire haired dachshunds for years and the opportunity for well-bred beautiful girls 

was just too much to pass up.

As I type, I hear our boy, Bandit (12 years old active senior) 

barking and the smaller yips coming from the girls.

We actually got the girls for him to play with.

Tootsie and Ruby are fitting right into our pack.

I am getting a frequent side eye from Divya and Trixie, asking "Mom make them stop!"

Fortunately, now they play hard, and sleep hard.

Puppy pads, puppy food, puppy proofing are all going on here at the Raccoon Retreat!

Oh, and in between running up and down the stairs to check on them, and play with them,

I am painting!

My days are puppies! Days 67-73 of the 100 days 2024

All works are Acrylic on canvas,