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

 

A Conus Textile

"Conus Textile"

Otherwise commonly known as a Textile Cone.

I much prefer the other common name, "Cloth of Gold Cone".

Such a pretty name for such a deadly creature.

I am amazed at the sheer amount of cone shells my parents brought home from the Philippines.

Back in the 60's it was common to collect shells as mementos.

My parents took it to a whole new level I believe.

I am looking forward to visiting the razor corals, fan coral, turbans, 

scallops, and auger shells, and yes more cone shells.

So many memories coming back as a result of visiting these beautiful reminders of my adventures with my parents in a foreign country.

Little did my mother and I know that dad was setting up things for the Air Force in 

Vietnam while we were there in the Philippines.

My dad was in a heavily classified position, so he didn't talk much about his job.

All I knew was when he went to Vietnam, I had a special set of wheels made from cassette tape reels that were my code breaking key when coded letters arrived from the base.

It was all very exciting to my young self and gave me a fascination for codes and word puzzles that sticks with me to this day.

Ah the memories of childhood.

Tropical islands, breezes, and salt water.

I long for the sea still.

I guess I'm still a mermaid deep in my heart.

I visit the sea with my brush daily, and yet I don't get wet!

Thanks for coming along with me.

A Conus Textile, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Day 60 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Just a little white paint today

"Just a little white paint today"

Actually, I got a lot of work done besides the painting of the rounds and flat pieces with two coats.

I also had two fillings done first thing this morning.

The entire right side of my face was numb for the better part of the day.

Also holding my jaw open so wide gave me a headache as well.

So, painting the rounds white gave me a small amount of something done towards art.

I also transferred a few more shell paintings to 6 x 24s.

More cones and other shells all showing front, back, and top views.

More paintings laid out to be completed on later days.

I'm also needing to figure out what to paint on several canvases.

If you have any ideas on what you want to see, let me know.

Anyway, tired of fighting the headache, so I'm going to go to relax a while 

before turning into bed for the night.

"Just a little white paint today", Acrylic on wood, size varies

Day 59 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

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