Costumes and Completions

I tried, really tried to post this last night but there was a glitch in my internet service.

I was able to download one photo, but the other one no dice.

So, I decided rather than fighting with it, I would post today instead.

Obviously, I'm "painting" with fabric again!

My daughter in love, Jenna wanted a costume that was a carousel.

Little did I know it would challenge my engineering skills!

This one was fun to design with Jenna, and she's jumped right in to help.

She has gotten the majority of the carousel animals colored in and cut out.

She also helped pick out the fabrics from my stash.

Adding in some trims from my daughter Jessica and we're going to have a really cool costume.

The only things we've had to purchase were two hula hoops, and pom-pom trim for the hat.

Everything else has come from the fabric stash or the scrap heap.

I love it so far.

We'll be finishing up hopefully this weekend.

This is the skirt that hurt my engineering head!

It has really turned out just as I hoped.

It has a good bit of finish work to do still.

Together they look so cute.

I can't wait to add the carousel animals and work on the hat too.

It's going to make an amazing one-of-a-kind costume for sure!

Just precious.

Today I did the completion work on both of the five-piece Octopus and Turtles.

This involves a lot of work.

First, I covered my tables with the vinyl pieces I purchased from a yard sale 16 years ago.

They actually were cushions that I recycled into my banquet and the Gypsy wagon we built years ago.

I cut the edges off, and have used them as table covers.

They have a lot of history on them!

I then cut strips of tracing paper to trace off both edges of the canvases.

Each five piece has four seams, but eight edges to paint.

After tracing, I took apart the painting and transferred the drawings to the canvas sides.

It then took a couple of hours to paint the sides on both pieces.

Sixteen sides total!

A few years back the Holy Spirit jumped into the fray and gave me the perfect way to do these transfers.

I used to spend hours trying to draw the sides while looking at the painting next to it.

This way is so much easier and effective!

This one would have been especially difficult because the octopus has suckers that are right on the edge.

It would have taxed my brain trying to duplicate them on the sides without this new method.

I love when the Spirit speaks and gives me fantastic ideas.

I did fuss a bit though, because He let me struggle for a couple of years 

before making me see this method.

I guess I wasn't ready until then.

The completed octopus.

As you can see the painting marches right along, even on the sides!

Here are the completed turtles.

Chris helped today by putting the d-rings on and the wires.

A lot of cleaning up to do and erasing.

Then, varnish and in a couple of days, packing them for the show.

I also got a notification yesterday that one of our favorite shows for Spring has been cancelled.

This show, in Melbourne Florida is hands down one of our favorites.

The director had to step down because of family and I agree with her priorities.

The board then lost a sponsorship and no one wanted to take the reins to run the show.

The board voted to cancel the show.

Just makes me sad.

Of course, this show is in the middle of two other shows we do in Florida at the same time.

So, I scrambled to try to find a replacement show as I'm sure many other artists will be doing.

I've put in for two shows, hoping one will accept me.

One is near Amelia Island on the St. Johns River.

We've done the show once before and it was nice.

Hopefully it won't be as windy as it was that year.

The other show I applied for is a newer one.

This is only their 7th year.

They are already ranked in Sunshine Artist magazine in the fine art section at number 11 out of the 100.

They drawback is they are 12 hours away from Tallahassee.

It would also be a new state for us as the show is in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Right on the Atlantic coast.

Near the Ocean I love so much.

We would then head to Amelia Island.

I have also applied for another show on Mother's day weekend in Greensboro, S.Carolina.

This would be another new state for us to foray into.

God's hand is upon us and on these shows.

We'll see what happens.

I always remember Proverbs 16:33-"We throw the dice, but God determines where they land."

Every time I put in for a show, I'm throwing the dice.

God then plans the trip for us!

I hope you've enjoyed this bit of the Raccoon Retreat Studio behind the scenes.

Another day, another work of art!

Costumes and Completions, Acrylic on canvas and fabrics, 

Days 90 & 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Traffic jam

"Traffic Jam"

This one still needs to be traced off, transferred, painted on the edges, erased, varnished, and wired.

Still a lot to do before I can pack this one away!

I have started following a wonderful group of divers on Facebook that leave 

cameras in the ocean and just swim away.

They retrieve the cameras and they have wonderful action videos made by all the fish, whales, dolphins, and of course sea turtles.

I had forgotten how noisy the sea was until I started watching.

Whales calling, fish chirping, coral eaters crunching, shrimp snapping their claws are all things you can hear underwater.

Turtles don't make any sounds though.

They communicate by touch and sometimes by attempted bites.

A noisy, beautiful live action film!

I love to see the sea turtles come into the cleaning stations to have the 

fish remove dead skin and parasites from their bodies.

They actually get upset with each other if someone cuts in line.

So fun to watch.

I love the ocean and hope you do as well.

I really want to go snorkeling somewhere that I can immerse myself in the noisy activity of the sea!

I want to see the live corals, hear the fish and whales, but most of all I want to see my beloved turtles.

Maybe I can go there in my dreams tonight!

Traffic Jam, Acrylic on multiple canvas, 36 x 60

Day 89 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Pelicans and Cephalopods

Last night got away with me!

Actually, I had a long day of painting and I was simply tired.

I pray you'll forgive me for not posting yesterday.

Any way you look at it, this painting is so full of life.

Watching pelicans on the coast is a favorite pastime of mine.

Diving and dipping, fishing and eating so much they cannot fly.

I love to watch them while Chris is driving along, and they are flying so gracefully.

How such a gawky looking bird can glide so beautifully.

Only God knows.

Pelicans 24 x 24 inches

This is the painting for yesterday, day 87.

I made the photo for this one extra-large, so it is easier to see the details.

The five-piece paintings are still doing well.

We love them because they are easy to pack in a single bag, but they still have a big impact.

This one is 5 12-inch-wide canvases, ranging in size from 12 x 12 to 12 x 36.

36 x 60 inches

It makes an impressive work of art, especially when in a booth at a show.

This is what I call a showstopper.

These types of paintings bring people into the booth as they want to see the detail and the price.

Sometimes the price makes them run away, other times I'm told it's not enough.

Then there's the third option, I'll take it!

I've found the price that makes me happy with the amount of work they take.

This one was painted in one day, yes one long day for just the fronts.

It was a hard day's labor, and it is why I was tired last night.

It still has to be broken apart, traced off, and painted on the sides as 

this is what makes them really unique.

They then have to be erased, wired, and varnished.

So, a few more hours to go on this one!

The sides are a continuation of the front painting, allowing them to be spread apart, 

yet still have a complete piece of art.

People love to get next to them and look down the side to see the continuation.

It helps that I love to paint them!

I've got another one set up to paint that is the same size.

I'll reuse the bars then to make a really big one 

that measures 40 x 80 inches.

I'm still trying to decide if I want another pier on that one!

Another day, another painting, another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival

in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama!

Pelicans and Cephalopods, Acrylic on canvas, Pelicans 24 x 24, Octopus 36 x 60

Days 87 & 88 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Great Blues

"The Great Blues"

So many paintings are in my head and coming out from my brush.

This pair was incredibly fun to paint.

I always enjoy the process of these Shadowbox paintings.

It can be a challenge to make sure everything fits without looking totally weird.

Great blue herons are extremely territorial and because of this innate 

behavior can be really entertaining to watch.

Take for example the two we witnessed on the beach the other day.

Both were males, but I believe that one of them was the son and one was the father.

The dad was having none of the son encroaching on his territory.

We watched as he chased the other one down the beach and further away.

I don't know the exact area they defend as their own, but they do defend it rather exuberantly.

They do this with the most annoying sound too!

I would call it almost a growl of sorts as they fly through the air.

The son beat it pretty quickly as dad chased him down the beach.

I've also witnessed bluebirds in our own yard do this same dance.

We have one male that has his chosen box at the end of our pool, and he defends it rather heartily.

One year, the mated pair had three babies and all of them were males!

Woe is me is all that one of them could probably say as dad chased him from the favorite box.

Such flashes of blue beauty flying through the trees!

All three sons eventually found their own territory and happiness ensued.

I love to watch them sitting on top of the house, looking for their next bug filled meal.

I even leave fruit outside to attract the bugs for them to hunt.

We also give them meal worms as that is their favorite!

I absolutely love birds and painting them.

I pray you enjoy looking at them as well.

"Great Blues" Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24

Day 86 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

A little honey please.

"A little honey please."

This painting was an absolute delight to paint with my small group tonight.

We talked a good bit about honey and it's many uses in the Bible.

So many things are good for you in honey.

We had a great time painting this one!

"A little honey please" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 85 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Four days and a show!

The first of two pelicans painted while in Orange Beach for the Freedom Fest this past weekend.

This one was day 81 of the 100 days.

I painted in the camper while we were relaxing after we set up the tent and wall system on Friday.

This wall system is the main reason for doing this show to practice the actual building.

This is hopefully so we don't get into words at the Shrimp Festival in two weeks.

I knew that this weekend would be a hot one, but boy did we both underestimate the heat and humidity.

Chris forgot closed toe shoes, so he needed a new pair.

We forgot the batteries for the fans that go on our chairs.

We also picked up a couple of bottles of zero drinks with electrolytes and downed them.

I began getting sick to my stomach during set up.

Water is just simply not enough.

We will be bringing a case with us to the Shrimp Festival for sure.

Also, an ice chest that doesn't leak.

This painting was done on Saturday at the show.

So many problems cropped up this weekend that we both have made mental notes about.

The good news is we had delightful neighbors kept us laughing the whole Festival.

Even when we all felt like we were melting like the witch from the Wizard of Oz.

Friday night, we met up with our son and daughter in love.

We had a fantastic meal at the Steamer in Gulf Shores.

Chris and I shared a platter for two that was amazing and also too much to eat!

We met at our camper later that evening and started coloring the carousel animals for Jennas costume.

We turned in about 9 pm for some well-earned rest.

Saturday dawned and we ate breakfast in the camper.

Off we went to the show.

Every show is different, but each show is a learning process as well.

This one was a good lesson.

Several lessons actually.

Starting out, we had the things we forgot, the fans mostly and boy did we feel it all day.

The day was long, the sweat was real, and we looked forward to evening when we could shut down.

No sales at all that day.

None.

It's been five years since I've had a zero show and that one was because of heat too.

Maybe Sunday will be better.

We ended up getting dinner with our son and daughter at the Sunliner Diner in Orange Beach.

I had a large salad to help with cooling off from the long hot day.

 We finished by Chris and Jenna splitting a banana split and our son Jere' had a vanilla shake and I had the leftovers in the mixing cup.

We turned in, hoping that Sunday would be a better day.

We started out the day with breakfast with the "kids" at Ducks in Orange Beach.

(We eat out a lot when we're on the road and at shows, I cook during the week though!)

We split and then headed to the camper to pick up a couple of items and head to the show.

We only had five hours on Sunday thankfully.

Chris and I watched online church and really enjoyed what we could hear between the planes, golf carts, Loud cars, motorcycles, and music blaring over the speakers.

Church is always a challenge when we are on the road, but we make the effort.

The day progressed with the usual slowness of a Sunday, as people are hopefully going to church.

I had a woman come in and rave about my work the day before.

She said she was going to put me on her interior designers radar.

I usually take these people with a grain of salt because most of the time, nothing at all comes of it.

The woman from the day before came back and said her friend was dropping by in about an hour.

It ended up being longer, but she did finally show up and we had a lovely conversation.

I will be working directly with the lady who introduced us, apparently the designers communication skills are not real good.

We'll see how far that goes, as she is interested in large pieces for several condos she's designing.

Originals only. 

No discounts discussed. (That's a FIRST!)

The designer asked if no one else had me working for them.

I laughed and said I wish!

She may want murals too!

Praying this is a reality this time.

I have been contacted, talked to, and done presentations at shows before and 

never had anyone actually follow through.

After that excitement the day really slowed down with 65% humidity and 

temperatures feeling like 100+.

More people on Sunday, but not a single sale.

I am surprisingly calm about this, even though there is the loss of income and money spent.

We had a lovely weekend.

Break down was brutal though in the heat.

Not only did I not make any money but was rather warm even for me!

We headed to Walmart after breaking down to get large Zeros again to get the electrolytes back into us.

We cooled off in the camper and ate chicken salad I made with lettuce wraps.

We lazed around, got showers and hit the bed at 9pm.

Going to bed early was a problem for me later in the night.

I slept until 1, then fitfully for the rest of the night.

Started on Sunday, finished on Monday.

We got up at 6:30, and drank coffee while I did my Bible readings as I do every day.

We then went to breakfast this morning.

We tried to go to the Ugly Diner, but they were closed on Mondays.

We ended up at the Waffle House in Gulf Shores.

After breakfast we broke down the camper, I cleaned inside and Chris got things going outside.

I loaded up laundry and foodstuffs, ready for our homecoming.

I finished just as Chris did, and we hit the road.

We got home by 11 to a sink leaking and happy dachshunds.

Chris went to get items to repair the sink while I started laundry, and put away food and toiletries.

I replaced a lightbulb in the hallway while doing laundry.

I then determined I wanted to back up the trailer into the carport.

It took several tries, with Chris nervously giving directions, but I finally got it done.

We then closed the gates and released the hounds into the yard.

We unloaded the van from all the art, equipment, and storage system, putting everything away.

We then went to try and get the parts for the sink, a trip to the bank, a salad shared at Zaxbys.

A really full day, but laundry is done, food put away, and for the most part we're almost set for the next show which is the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Somewhere in there, was painting!

Four days and a show!, Acrylic on Canvas, each 6 x 24inches

Days 81, 82, 83, & 84 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

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