Octopus bowl

Octopus bowl

We are currently camping in Gulf Shores in anticipation of the Freedom Fest at the Wharf. Chris has gone to bed and I am still painting afterward while listening to a program on the TV. It's a particularly interesting program about the possible haunting of Fort Morgan. I enjoy learning about the Civil war and the fort. 

It breaks my heart to know the Fort is in peril of destruction. Hurricane Sally did a lot of damage and the water continues to be a problem. Eventually the entire fort may be in danger of complete collapse because the mortar is leaching out from between the bricks. Such a beautiful example of history possibly becoming lost forever.

Octopus bowl, acrylic on hand carved bowl by Chris Chavez, 8 inches round

Day 80 of the 109 days-100 paintings 2026

Caretta Caretta

"Caretta caretta"

Otherwise know as the Loggerhead sea turtle.

Caretta is a latinized form of the French or Italian word caret or carette 

which historically meant turtle or tortoise.

Another dimensional piece.

So incredibly fun to design and paint.

The other part of the work to make them

, not so much!

It's all a part of the process of creating.

I spent a good bit of the morning bagging everything up to go to the show this weekend.

There are a total of seven bags ready to go.

I think I have enough to make a good show and have it be presentable.

The main reason we are going to this show is to camp again, and to set up the French wall system.

The French wall gives me a door out the back of the tent.

Not that we'll need it this weekend, but I know we need the practice setting it up.

This is the system that injured me so badly right at the beginning of setup for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The very first time we set it up!

I lifted a bar to put it in place and the bracket slid down and bit me hard.

I let out such a deep moan that someone about 20 feet away asked if I was okay.

I held it tight, thinking blood was going to spurt if I let it go.

After a few seconds I released it and saw the blister.

It didn't break the skin!

Thank you Lord!

It raised a nasty blood blister that I can still feel the scarring underneath the skin.

It's going to be a busy three weeks ahead!

Multi canvas pieces and many shadowboxes are on the way.

Meanwhile, I'll paint at this show a few birds while waiting for crowds that will probably be rather light.

Always working so I don't get antsy.

It also helps to build inventory too!

"Caretta Caretta" Acrylic on wood, 18 inche round

Day 79 0f the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Behind the scenes

"Behind the Scenes"

This is a good example of what people don't see.

The classes we teach, the people we have community with on a regular basis.

I teach a class at my church called Scripts & Strokes.

It is my 13th year teaching this class, and it's always fun and interesting.

God brings us together in many ways, but painting isn't a typical avenue.

This fall, we're doing a lot of paintings from Psalm 119.

Tonight's piece has to do with two verses.

The first verse is from Matthew 7:13

"You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."

The second is from Psalm 119:65-72 NLT and is a little broader in its reach.

You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised.

I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgement and knowledge.

I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.

Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.

Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions.

My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

Lots of laughter and a little learning too!

Today found me erasing pencil lines and brushing the eraser shavings away.

I also had to clean the mats I use to keep my varnish and paint from ruining my table.

They get covered in wood pieces and still have sequins from January on them.

The mats have many, many projects on them from the past.

Christmas ornaments, pieces from church projects, decorations for parties, Mardi gras floats, 

and lots of white paint from coating canvases.

They also have a fair amount of varnish on them too.

They are recycled vinyl from cushions and are an excellent way to keep my table cleanish.

When not in use, they are rolled up in a garbage can in the studio.

After erasing the pencil lines, I have to clean the canvas to prepare it for varnish.

After varnishing, (and sometimes before) I also put wires or hooks on them.

They have to sit for a day or so before packing them into bags for shows.

What is the behind the scenes?

4 hours of work, not creating but simply finishing for shows.

Most people have no idea the amount of work that goes into doing a festival.

I also entered the jury process for four shows today that are not until spring of next year.

It's a lot that goes on behind the scenes.

You only see the finished pieces after all the cutting, measuring, assembling, stretching, stapling, white paint, drawing, painting, glazing, tweaking, erasing, cleaning, putting wires on the backs.

Do I have a smile on my face?

Yes I do!

Completed pieces mean I'm ready for a show!

"Behind the scenes" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 gate painting

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

A crabby situation

"A crabby situation"

Blue crabs are so plentiful around our gulf coast.

Although the people who crab frequently may say the numbers are down.

I've been crabbing and frankly I'm scared of them.

When we first got married, we went to a pier with our daughter in a playpen.

We went to go fishing and crabbing that night.

We did catch crabs that night and Chris told me to grab it from the back so it couldn't claw you.

I grabbed it just like he said and the darn thing reached under and grabbed me on the finger.

I threw that thing so far, we didn't catch it again that night.

I also didn't ever pick up one again.

I reserve my "crabbing" to eating them and painting them now.

I researched the habitat for the blue crab and found it in several places.

Sandy bottoms, but those leave them out in the open.

Seagrass and sargasso seaweed seem to be their favored places.

They will also frequent rocky places as it offers protection from rear attacks.

They are found primarily in the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Their range is from Nova Scotia, Canada, all the way down to Argentina!

Most of the time, people don't realize we have blue crab here.

When they look at my works, they think they are Maryland Blue crab.

I tell people no, these are blue crab from the Gulf Coast.

You can crab year-round in Alabama, there is no closed season.

The best catching activity is from March through November.

July through September brings the biggest crabs.

They must measure 5 inches across from point to point.

You can catch a bushel a day per person.

If you catch a female with eggs, you are to immediately release them.

"A crabby situation" Acrylic on wood, 18.5 inches

Day 77 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Cephalopod my cephalopod

"Cephalopod my cephalopod"

Incredible pieces are coming out of the studio now.

So much paint is being used that I am running out of the one jar of the color I use.

Fortunately, I have another jar in the wings.

When I mixed the color last year, I initially put out way too much Burnt Sienna.

Even after an entire tube of blue, it was still so brown!

When I first started that would've been great.

After all, they are called sepias.

A few years ago, I accidentally mixed it a little bluer.

People kept commenting on the color and said they loved the blue.

I didn't see the blue, to me it looked like a deep grey and almost black.

Back to the mixing....

Adding the Ultramarine Blue made a pile of paint that ended up becoming a little over 16 ounces.

Needless to say, that's a lot of paint!

Two large jars that I have worked from for over a year now.

At least I don't have to mix it again anytime soon.

This one has a few "Easter eggs" in the form of sea turtles.

"Easter eggs are commonly known from the Jeep brand and are things you can find on the vehicle.

They are now seen in television and movies too.

There are five of them in the painting.

Four are easy to see, one is hidden pretty well.

Any way, it lets me have fun while designing the paintings.

Hope you have fun finding them!

"Cephalopod my cephalopod" Acrylic on wood, 20 round

Day 76 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Freedom Flier

"Freedom Flier"

This one is the largest size I make in the dimensional rounds.

The backgrounds are painted first, then the dimensional piece is added later.

They are fun to design and even more fun to paint.

I have to lay the dimensional piece on top before permanently mounting it to the round.

I use the dimensional piece to help me determine where the background elements need to be placed.

This is why you can look above and below the front piece to peer underneath.

They are challenging to my creativity and ability as an artist.

Today marks day 75 of the 100 days.

Almost to the finish line of the Annual National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores Alabama.

I am happy with the show so far, but it is time to get really serious and make larger pieces.

The five-piece paintings are coming soon.

There will also be numerous shadowboxes being painted and presented for shows.

Freedom Flier, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

A big catch

"A big catch"

I really enjoy painting big game fish.

Several years ago, the sepias were in their infancy,

I was commissioned to paint several sailfish that would be given as prizes.

They wanted to give the paintings instead of their reels, as the reels were expensive.

It was my absolutely largest painting job ever.

The company was the Italian made reel called Everol.

I was honored to be a part of the project, and I even got paid for it!

It was so exciting at the time.

I opened up my inventory that I had in the studio today.

Surprisingly, I have several pieces that will help fill the booth at the Freedom Festival.

We set up for the Festival next week on Friday.

It promises to be a hot one, but I'll be painting and will push through.

I can't believe show season is starting up again so soon.

It just seems like last month that I was making the swing into Florida for three shows.

Which by the way, the entries for several shows in the spring are already out.

It's a never-ending cycle of enter, wait, pay, and pray!

I've even got reservations for camping near a show in Florida for May of next year.

A lot of work, for a lot of fun and most times profitable.

Life here at the Raccoon Retreat studio is humming along.

Thanks for coming with me!

"A big catch", Acrylic on wood, 19 inches

Day 74 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026