2 days, no paintings

The past two days have been intense.

I have been working hard on the Super Mario build for Celebration Church.

This is another major build, as there are multiple parts and pieces required to complete the sets that the children will be immersed in when coming into the program.

Mind you, this will only be the foyer.....

The stage will mostly be created visually on our church's large led screen in the main sanctuary.

I'm having so much fun creating these pieces.

I am immersed myself in the world of Super Mario, constantly getting ideas for how to build.

I pray as I create, and the Holy Spirit frequently answers me.

While working on the first couple of the mushrooms, I have to admit struggling somewhat.

Some help please!

The base of the large one was simply covered in paper and not making me happy at all.

The larger one is over 40 inches tall.

They need larger bases to keep them from toppling over, and I need a way to remove the caps to make them easier to paint.

The second one is the one in front and has a new design.

As I worked, the ideas started flowing and the new design was born.

I even rebuilt the larger one's base and cap attachment.

I am now much happier with the result, but I am going through massive amounts of cardboard.

Fortunately, I have a large amount from Sarah and her job at Bass Pro Shops.

Thanks Sarah!

(Hey I need more LARGE boxes!)

I still have an incredible number of coins, thwomps, bricks, boxes, and trees to build.

The trees are going to be quite large, with bases made possibly from pallets, wire pieces, and fabric.

Still mulling that one over in my mind.

There's also a motorcycle, two gates, and a main entrance.

Backdrops on the 28 panels we painted with over 3 gallons of Kilz.

(Thanks Chris! It took the two of us 4 hours, so I would've been 8 hours or more by myself!)

Fortunately, there is a week planned of youth painting the scenery.

I just have to get things projected and planned.

The new sanctuary is much larger than the space we decorated before!

Today was a full day of working on more mushrooms.

I'm afraid I may see them in my sleep.

My arm is reminding me of my age.

There is lots of razor cutting of double thickness cardboard.

I am in my element of creating, recycling, and just plain fun!

I will forge on because I am working for the Kingdom of Jesus. 

I will be filled with pure joy as I work.

Days 8 & 9 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

Cardboard, masking tape, hot glue, 16 hours so far!

 

Octopus for a sibling

An incredible day indeed!

This is the "Octopus for a Sibling".

This same octopus is a recreation of one seen at Chain of Parks in April.

Unfortunately, the first one was sold before they could come back to get it.

They also ordered the Manatees from yesterday.

This piece is larger than the original one they saw.

I am praying that it is everything they hoped for when Christmas comes with a wonderful surprise.

I am honored to be a part of the gift.

I am also incredibly happy to be done with the commissions part for the 100 days.

The rest of the paintings will be available after today.

I also was helped greatly by my husband today.

We painted the Kilz on all of the panels today for the VBS.

This preps the panels for the drawings and then the painting to begin.

This Summer surge will be incredible as it will be an immersive experience for the children.

They will enter the "Gate" and into the world of Super Mario.

There will be trees, mushrooms, a throne, a motorcycle, and probably more.

I have an incredible amount of excitement bringing things like this to the minds of children.

It brings me closer to God as well, because this allows me to work side by side 

with the Holy Spirit within me.

The Holy Spirit throws so much at me when I'm working, and I love it so much!

Sometimes though, I have to ask Him to slow down as I cannot keep up!

Each VBS is an incredible experience for me as I grow every time as an artist and set designer.

Thanks for coming along on the adventure with me!

Octopus for a sibling, Acrylic on wood, 16 inches

Day 7 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

All the chubby mermaids

Chubby Mermaids, Sea cows, or manatees.

How about all of the above!

I've heard them called by all of these names.

I've even had someone call them walrus!

Hint, no tusks....

This is another commission that I am working on.

This one is about the same size as their turtle they purchased.

The couple have requested two.

Manatees are their piece and an octopus that their sister missed out on at a show.

She came back to purchase it, but it was already sold.

They even grabbed a screenshot of the piece so they could ask for it to be recreated.

I am making it larger for her as I want everyone to have an original.

It will be an awesome Christmas present!

Another hint, if you like something at a show, ask the artist if you can put it on hold for an hour or so.

I typically do not take a deposit and only a phone number.

If someone comes in wanting something on hold, and the time is not up, I will call the person 

and give them first right of refusal.

But, a caveat, if you put it on hold and don't come back in time don't expect it to be there.

I had a guy ask how long it was on hold for and I told him until 3pm.

Promptly at 3 I was looking down at my logbook and then a voice said it's 3 o'clock as the money appeared under the brim of my hat.

"It's mine"

He happily tucked the work under his arm and walked away.

She showed up 15 minutes later...

Stomped her foot and said I knew it would be gone!

I really hate it when people are disappointed. 

Hence why we have a sign in my booth that says, "I should've bought it when I saw it."

Whenever someone hesitates to put something on hold, we point to the sign.

I do enjoy it when something catches ahold of people and gives them the joy of ownership.

It's just hard to make a decision sometimes.

I really understand....

What I've learned to explain to people is this. 

 That you are buying a piece of my life I cannot get back.

That part of my life is contained in that work of art.

So, you literally own a piece of me!

We started the day with church and then a delightful ride on our 'new to us' boat.

The boat is aluminum and had over 22 holes that had to be repaired.

Chris sanded and sanded, then painted it a beautiful blue.

He built a windshield very similar to the one on the boat I remembered in my teenage years.

While sitting on her today, I was facing the wake and the shape of it made this beautiful V that I remember so strongly.

I had many happy hours behind the boat while water skiing and also while holding the helm while my 

father skied as well. 

I drove a boat from about the age of 14.

I've also really begun the VBS build in earnest now.

I went to Goodwill to purchase a barstool to build the motorcycle on.

And a chair to make into a throne for the girls to have photos in.

Each year I attempt to have interactive works for photo opportunities, and this year will be no different.

It's going to be amazing.

At least that's what I'm seeing in my imagination.

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

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

All the chubby mermaids, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 6 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Dead Men Tell No Tales IV

The front piece for "Dead Men Tell No Tales" is done!

I painted a lot today on the entire front piece for the painting.

I stopped and cooked dinner, then cleaned up.

My neck was making my head hurt today, so it was a difficult day to complete this one.

I am unable to quit, even when hurting, so I paint.

After cleaning up, I contemplated not going to fireworks but sucked it up and off we went.

I am not unhappy that I spent the time with my son and husband.

We rode bikes to and from so we beat most of the traffic coming home.

I was a nervous wreck while riding and took a deep breath when we got home.

Then I headed to the studio and finished the day's work.

I am tired and am going to bed after a shower.

It's been a long day!

I pray you like it!

Dead men tell no tales, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

100 days~100 paintings 2026, day 5

 

Dead men tell no tales IV

Dead men tell no tales IV.

This is the fourth one I've painted.

This one is a commissioned piece for a couple that saw one originally at a show.

Their daughter just graduated from college with a degree in marine biology, and while she was in school, working on a pirate ship doing tours!

Well at least this is the background for the newest piece.

I will also have to design and paint another one for fall shows.

I am honored for every dimensional piece that sell.

The dimensional pieces take an incredible amount of time to complete, but I still enjoy them a lot!

Sometimes the day gets away from me, and I cannot complete an entire piece in one day.

Grace and space allow me to not stress about it but wait for another day.

I've glued the blocks to the backs of the panels, and tomorrow I will mount them to the rounds.

The painting here is 24 inches round and features the sunken pirate ship on a reef with fish and sharks.

These backgrounds are always fun to paint and sometimes I get carried away.

My day started with going to Home Depot to get foam boards for the Summer Surge.

I was able to get 10 at a very reasonable rate.

Usually, you get a good price for buying 10 at a time.

I was able to get that price, then four of them at 50% of their original price 

because they are damaged on the ends. 

So, all told, I am glad I asked for the discount as I saved almost $100 for the church.

I was also able to get 5 gallons of white paint at Sherwin Williams because it was oops paint.

I've purchased 4 gallons of Kilz to paint the flats that are already at the church in preparation to repaint them for Super Mario.

This VBS will be another epic one for sure!

Just as we got back home, our son showed up asking to go to lunch.

We never turn down a chance to meet with our adult children.

It's always enjoyable, and we enjoy catching up on his day.

Of course, lunch.

Then invariably, a nap as my nights are not always restful.

We then went to the grocery store to get a few things as we are cooking a meal here while the 

guys are working on our sons camper.

Still trying to decide if we'll brave the crowds for the 4th of July at the bluff for fireworks.

We have four dachshunds that don't care for thunder and we are concerned 

about the noise of the fireworks. 

I may put the dryer on air, with several tennis balls as ambient noise.

We then went on a dog ride after they ate their evening meal.

Dinner, then I headed to the studio to paint and blog.

And here I sit, writing this tonight.

Thanks for reading, and joining with me on the 100 days~100 paintings 2026!

Dead men tell no tales IV, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches round

Day 4 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

More of the future is here

More baby turtles today. This year's 100 days began with four commissions. One of them was for baby turtles on the 6 x 24 canvas. I told the collector that I would paint two and he could choose one of them. This is the second one. Hopefully one of them is sold already. I really enjoy painting these little guys every time. Specifically, this collector wanted the ones coming out of the nest.

Today is a special day. It is our youngest daughter's birthday in India. A joyous day for sure when she was born. It was an incredible day that is burned into my memory.

Today is July 2nd. This is interestingly enough the apex of the year. There are 182 days before, and 182 days after. The first part of the year we climbed toward the middle and from now on there are less days in the year. Just an interesting fact that is really neat.

Christina, the one whose birthday is today was born on the second of July. My mother, (her grandmother called Manna) was born on May 2nd. My birthday is October 2nd. She was absolutely delighted that her daughter, Dahlia was born on August 2nd. Her birthday this year she will turn 5.

My day was filled with painting, sanding and going on a date with my husband. We went to see Young Washington and it was an incredible movie and story. Well worth the time to see it.

Speaking of well worth the time. I have a bit of history for my dimensional pieces that began in earnest last year. These works are a long process that begins with unfinished wood cut into circles with a router. These pieces are sanded carefully using a drum sander. They are then backed with a thinner layer which forms the background. They are glued and nailed around the edge. Each one is then painted with Kilz so that the glue layers are trapped beneath the painting layer. They are then painted again after more sanding with Acrylic paint. Chris gives me a piece of wood that matches the round, which allows me to draw the dimensional top piece. This piece has to also be painted with both Kilz and Acrylic. The top piece is then cut with either a band saw or my scroll saw. The scroll saw is used on more delicate works like lionfish fins and octopus legs. Most complex are the Pirate pieces because of all the open cut work allowing the base of the pirate ship and reef to be seen beneath. The dimensional piece is then sanded carefully from the back. The background must be painted first. I then take the dimensional piece and nail blocks underneath which are nailed from above and below. The edges of the top piece are painted on the edges, then the creature is then painted as well. I then varnish the back and the top piece to protect it. I add a hanging wire as well to finish the work. Almost 20 steps total!

So, when you're looking at a piece of art. 

There are hours of decisions, drawing and painting. 

In the case of the dimensional works many more steps are needed to complete the piece. I am grateful for the many people who have let go of their hard-earned money to purchase one of my works. 

The artist that you purchase from may really need the income or the 

validation that comes from creating.

I am so blessed to be able to create and actually make money with what I paint.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You!

More of the future is here, Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24

Day 3 of the 100 days!00 paintings 2026

Our future babies

 Is it possible to see anything more precious than a boil of sea turtle babies? When I first started walking with Share the Beach, I had never seen a boil happen. They truly do look like they are boiling up out of the sand. Each baby frantically climbing over the next in a frantic effort to reach the sea and hopefully safety. 

Share the Beach was started a long time ago, over 20 years and counting! It was started when a local that loved the turtles noticed they were going toward the lights of the houses and businesses in Gulf Shores. So many babies lost in the dunes, unable to get to the sea because they were confused by the lights. So many babies run over by cars that did not see them in time. Tired of seeing the destruction of life a group of people started Share the Beach. 

Volunteers now patrol 47 miles of beach every morning from May 1st through the end of August. They look for nests or activity of turtles, possibly signifying a nest. If an area looks promising, they carefully dig the nest up, leaving it if it is above the high tide line. If not above the high tide line, the eggs are carefully moved one by one into a bucket, counted carefully, then reburied further up the beach. Then nest is then covered with a screen, and sand placed over the top. The screen helps prevent foxes, dogs, raccoons, coyotes, and sometimes humans from accessing the nest. There is a perimeter placed around the immediate area, then a larger perimeter is established. It is a federal offense to disturb a nest. All nests that are found are carefully monitored, then the waiting begins. Towards hatching time, you will see a large group of people waiting and listening for the boil. It really is a sight to see. The monitors make sure the babies don't turn toward lights away from the sea. I've even been part of a group holding beach towels up along the track to shade them. If they insist on going the wrong way, they are carefully put into a bucket taxi and gently put into the sea and on their way.

Why go to all this trouble?

Most sea turtle nests have an average of about 100-120 eggs. Only ONE of those babies may survive into adulthood and produce more. Adulthood is over 30 years old. Scavengers, birds, fish, and other sea creatures may attack them on their way to the sargassum grass beds where they grow until older. Each nest is important as well as each baby.

The Eastern seaboard is having a banner year this year, with many turtles coming in for nesting. This year, our own Orange Beach team has FOUR so far! An amazing testimony to the hard work of all involved on our beaches from Orange Beach to Fort Morgan and Dauphin island. Our future babies indeed!

Our future babies, Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24inches

Day 2 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026