Totally turtles VI

"Totally turtles VI"

I am a bit late in posting this tonight.

We decided as we were riding the dachshunds around for their evening ride that we would go to church.

We had delightful conversation, a meal, worship music, and an awesome sermon.

We may be beaten down, but death has no hold on us!

The Pastor, Ben Andrews was from Arkansas and had an incredible testimony about the power of God.

He had 2 1/2 YEARS of one thing after another happening to his family.

Yet through it all, God proved faithful!

And God is still faithful, even to any of us.

We can all have a testimony.

Tonight is one of mine.

God has been faithful to show up again and again in various times of my life.

I can assure you, He is there for you too!

This morning I got up early, preparing to finalize packing to go down to the National Shrimp Festival.

Various things from the bathroom, makeup bag, pillow, neck massager, food from refrigerator.

First, I had a doctor's appointment.

Appointment at 9, went at 8:20 to fill out paperwork.

At 8:26 a friend, who is on the Shrimp Festival committee as a volunteer messaged me.

Shrimp festival will be cancelled.

I'm stuck at the doctor's office and my phone which is on silent starts blowing up.

I handled several texts and finished paperwork.

Lots of friends and family messaging me.

I was brought back after 9 am to a room and was quickly seen by a doctor in training who did an extensive interview.

I'm just here for a physical but there is this problem.

My right arm, the arm that's given me fits the majority of the summer.

She finishes interview, doctor comes in and goes over everything.

He's ordered PT and I start next week on Thursday.

He also said the ibuprofen I've been taking for the pain in the arm 

may have been damaging the lining of my stomach.

No more ibuprofen for me.

Maybe that's why I have acid reflux.

Asked about gall bladder, recommended medication, no thank you.

I handle that with avoidance of fatty foods.

I haven't had another attack since 2022.

Doctor ordered bloodwork.

I waited a long time to get blood taken.

By this time, I am like a cat on a hot tin roof.

I cannot sit still and am getting annoyed.

I need to be down in Gulf Shores, taking down the two tents, walls, weights, 

and curtains we just put up yesterday.

Fortunately, the young lady taking the blood was amazing and I was out rapidly.

I then hurried home, changed clothes and out the door we went.

We got to Gulf Shores at about 12 o'clock to find people trying to zip down our sides.

They were already flapping in the winds that are picking up.

We immediately got to work breaking down everything.

We separated what we need for the next few week's shows.

Jubilee Festival in Daphne, AL.

That one is only three ten-foot walls.

So are the next four shows.

We packed up the French wall parts, and wall pieces.

We packed everything up within an hour and a half.

Chris and I were then visited by several volunteers from the show.

We felt hugs and love all around.

They are sad too for all of us.

We are all a little nervous about an approaching storm brewing up in the Gulf.

What is the testimony?

That God is good.

God has the plan.

We don't always agree with His plan, and that's okay!

My tents and other equipment are safe.

The art that I've spent three months creating is safe.

We are safe at home.

Having a not so happy Hurricane Isaias party with our dachshunds.

This is what Totally turtles looks like together.

Isn't it awesome!

100 days, not quite 100 paintings.

A million ways to be grateful because God is so good!

Totally turtles VI, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 6 x 24

Day 100 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Totally turtles V

"Totally turtles V"

It has been a really long day and I'm still going.

I woke up at 4 am to find Chris up too.

I started my Bible readings and Chris decided to go back to bed.

I was still doing my morning routine when he got back up.

The day began with us having breakfast and Chris keen to get on the road.

Me not so much.

I'm nervous about what's brewing in the Gulf.

I read several blogs, listened to both Mikes weather page and James Spann.

They keep showing all these models that have this thing coming into the Gulf Coast this weekend.

I asked my weather nut brother what he thought.

He says Cat 2 into Mobile on Friday night.

So many artists getting ready with no hurricanes this summer.

Isaias however may have decided otherwise.

I have been praying about this disturbance ever since I first heard about it.

Lord, we have way too many people that have worked way too hard.

I myself have been over 3 months working to get ready.

Any way, we headed down to the Gulf to pick up my packet for the show.

After getting the pass we drove into the show area.

Apparently, a lot of people have decided to opt in for the early set up day.

We drove to my spot on the end and started unloading.

Bags and tubs, pipes and walls, lights, and electric cords.

It's a lot to load out before we can separate it all.

My double booth typically has an opening to the back left side of the tent.

It's a French wall system that requires a lot of pipes and brackets.

There are actually two walls at the back of the tent, one five ft. and one seven ft.

The seven-foot wall is about two feet in front of the five.

Problem is there is a large chance of rain.

Bigger problem is there is a dirt pit right where my door is to get out of the tent.

Chris says that we'll have to flip it to the other tent.

Easier said than done.

I have to replace the poles over into the other tent.

The seven is now on the right instead of the left.

It took a while to wrap my head around the situation before I could lay pipes where they were needed.

Chris also shortened the seven-foot wall support bar by about 3 inches,

 So now we aren't fighting to get it into place.

We got the pipes in place, the walls attached, and the lights hung.

We put the rest of the equipment inside, zipped down, and headed for lunch and home.

After we got home, I went straight to the studio.

I had several paintings to varnish, wire, and pack.

Varnish is first.

Wiring tonight.

Pack maybe later tonight.

While the varnish was drying, I went to get my business license.

I also went to pay my rent at the gallery, then back home.

We took the dogs for a ride in the car, then we headed to the grocery store.

We picked up several things, especially my gluten free items.

Once we got home and loaded it all into the camper, it was past dinner time.

For us way past time to eat.

We ate at 7:30.

I mixed up muffins to take with us and set them to baking.

I finished getting all my clothes together.

I also got my makeup together.

Clothes in the camper, makeup tomorrow morning.

Still a lot going on here at the studio!

This is the layout for the Totally turtles collection.

It's going to be an awesome showcase of turtles!

This 6 x 24 is one of the ones at either the top or the bottom.

Long day here, an even later night, so my mind is not racing about what needs to be done.

It will simply BE done.

I am so grateful my small group Scripts & Strokes understands me.

They graciously allowed me to cancel the class for tonight so I could finish getting ready for the show.

"Totally turtles V" Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches

Day 99 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026 

 

Totally turtles IV

"Totally turtles IV"

These guys have all been fun to paint.

This one features a photo from one of our trips to The Loggerhead Marine Center.

Their tanks are so cool.

The turtles move around in the large tanks that have windows, so you see them swimming.

I actually could stay there all day, just watching them.

It's a good thing we don't have a rescue near here, or I would be volunteering all the time!

I have been invited to the one over in Mississippi, I really need to go.

Well, we've had some really gnarly weather the past few days.

Heavy rainfalls and flooding in some areas.

It's supposed to move out of here soon so we can dry out some.

However, in the Gulf.....

There is a storm system that is threatening this coming weekends show.

I am praying that the highs in the Midwest will push this Invest over into Florida.

(Sorry, not sorry Florida!)

I have too many friends that have invested so much time and effort into their works 

and getting ready for this show.

I really think God's got this and will push it all out of the way or well below us before the weekend.

That being said, I got a text today that we could set up the tents on Tuesday.

I think we're going to take them up on that offer!

We'll drive down, set up the tents, walls, table, rain gutter, lights, and every weight we have.

Chris is keen on setting up tomorrow.

Then Wednesday we go to the campground and bring the art.

It should make Wednesday much easier.

I've gotten my booth assignment as well.

I will be in Fine Art again on the end in booths 443 & 444.

Here we go!

2 more days until the paintings are done!

Totally turtles IV, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 24

Day 98 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Totally turtles III

"Totally turtles III"

I am really having an incredible time painting these pieces.

They are going to be beautiful together!

I am rapidly getting to the end of the 100 days as well.

It's bittersweet, because I won't have to worry about blogging and posting.

I'll just be painting again alone in my studio.

I'll still post paintings to my Facebook pages, just not the blog.

So much fun to paint these guys!

I've also decided the last two paintings which are turtles as well.

They will all be a part of the fantastic "Totally turtles" piece in the booth.

The weather is really getting the artists stirred up for next week's show at the National Shrimp Festival.

The forecast so far is for rain almost every day of the show.

But that being said we are a rain or shine event.

The show will go on unless there is really gnarly weather.

Very high winds or lightning will be enough to shut the show down.

Large amounts of rain can close it as well, because we all have power in our booths.

We did arrive one year to a downpour, and we were prevented from entering the show.

The show was delayed for three hours until things could dry out some.

That year, several artists lost their tents as well.

This is not for the faint of heart, these shows.

Although I have been known to take down all my art and put it on a cart to protect it with heavy rain curtains over the cart and tied down.

My tents are both rated for 70mph winds, so I am not terribly worried.

We will also bring every weight I own to help keep things steady.

Rain curtains, rain gutter, and art to paint while sitting at a show will be a necessity as well.

I am praying I am very over prepared.

I'm also believing that God's got this!

Totally turtles III, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 24

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Totally turtles II

The second in the series Totally turtles.

This one is so fun with the turtle peeking out from the shadowbox.

The sea turtles are a favorite of mine to paint.

I'm always fascinated with the incredible number of textures they have on them.

The whole piece with multiple canvas is going to measure 42 inches wide by 50 inches tall.

It will be an incredible addition to the booth for sure!

The birthday celebration continued with family members at a local steakhouse.

It is always incredibly fun to see both my brothers.

They both seem to be doing well, but we are all getting older for sure.

Jere and Jenna joined us as well.

We'll be getting together with the Price crew on Monday.

Jessicas wedding went way over time wise.

There was also a wreck on I65 that involved an overturned tractor trailer 

blocking all three lanes of traffic going Southbound.

They live slightly North of us in Saraland.

Not wanting our daughter, son in love and grandson Archer caught in traffic and heavy rain, 

I asked them to put off until Monday.

Painting, packing, and planning.

All part of getting ready for the biggest party on the coast!

The 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The Coastal Alabama Business chamber is our host for this event.

I'll be posting more information about parking, and where I'll be located soon.

Totally turtles II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 24

Day 96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Totally turtles

"Totally turtles"

I simply love painting sea turtles.

I pray you can see the love I have for them.

This is one of the unique new canvases that Chris has built.

He managed to build a total of seven.

One of them is the tilted canvas that I painted an octopus on.

The next few days will feature turtles, making a large piece that will measure about 

50 inches tall and 42 inches wide.

It will have six canvases, featuring 4 of the 16 x 24s and two 6 x 24s.

I think it will have a large impact at the shows.

The pieces could be sold all as one work of art, but they can be sold separately.

I'm really enjoying the process of completing of the 100 paintings.

I am so close to the end next week.

It's always a kind of happy and sad time too.

But the pressure to create will continue at the studio, just maybe not blogging as much.

The paintings done after the 100 will still be posted, just maybe not to the blog as well.

I pray you'll stay with me for the end.

"Totally turtles", Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 24

Day 95 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Super Mario Chronicles

If you have been following the blog, you know I have the opp"art"unity to create sets for our VBS at Celebration church.

If you have not been following, now you know.

I LOVE using my talents for God's glory.

I thank Him every day for the talent He has given me.

Anyway, I make large sets with the help of a lot of people for our three day VBS.

This years theme was Super Mario.

It was an incredibly fun set to build, with numerous parts and pieces.

The Pastor also used part of the sets for his series at Kids church.

This is part of the Mario and Luigi scene.

It had an additional part added to the top made of foam.

This has been removed in preparation for the next series.

Kingdom Chronicles.

The scenery I was asked to create was from the Chronicles of Narnia.

Today was the day.

I had a doctor's appointment that was scheduled a month ago this morning.

The office called because the doctor had a personal emergency and had to cancel.

I tried, really tried not to be irritated because it threw a glitch into my plans for the day.

I called to reschedule.

Next week on Wednesday at 9 am.

Wednesday is set up day for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores.

You know how to make God laugh?

Tell Him your plans.

I also wrote in my journal today about adjustments.

Those are the little things that get in the way of what you have planned for the day.

Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.

I changed out of my going to the doctor clothes and put on paint clothes.

I gathered the paints, brushes, ladder, and my brain to go to the church and began painting.

First step Kilz and beginning of the trees.

I would discover that the trees were not big enough to cover the space.

Hours number one and two.

Additional layering of background of the sky using gray, sky blue, and a deep rich royal blue.

I then added more trees in both foreground and back behind the path.

Hours number three and four.

I took a break, going to lunch with Chris at 2pm.

I came back and started adding the snow on the trees.

I was loving them at this point.

When I first started adding the snow, I was just incredibly awed by the talent God has given me.

It reduced me to tears in gratitude.

Hour five.

More snow on blue foreground tree.

Then came the part I was dreading.

The light post.

I used a piece of paper as a makeshift ruler to sketch the lamp post in place.

I then used the dark gray to lay it on the canvas.

I put white in the light area, but it just wasn't enough.

As I walked over to the church, I realized I was crashing the steak night for the men.

Too late now!

I'm trying to finish a job today.

I went into my paint box for some yellow paint.

It was the finishing touch to the light.

I them added more white to the path, making it disappear around the corner.

I'm incredibly happy with the way it turned out.

Not bad for 6 1/2 hours of work.

Thanks GOD!

Narnia Chronicles, Acrylic house paint on canvas, 8 x 12 feet

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026