The Mechanics of Alligators II

The Mechanics of Alligators II

Why two?

I looked this guy up and I first painted a version of him in 2014.

I remember this because I sold him at the Grand Festival on the grounds of the Coastal college.

The gentleman that bought him, bought my tarpon too.

At the time, I was painting rose paintings for Christina's wedding 

in a little over a month in India.

The little roses were gifts to family members along with Luzianne tea and Pecans from home.

We had enough to make 25 trays to give away.

Any way, another one.

Yes, this one is a reverse of the original Alligator and has a lot more detail.

The coloring is also very different, as there is more gray's in this one.

I love painting the steampunk pieces and I am happy to offer this one as my painting for today.

Even though it is my painting a day, he definitely was not painted in one day.

He took a total of five days,

Painting an average of 6-8 hours a day.

The Mechanics of Alligators II, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40

Day 65 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Fly away!

Fly away is another in the Hardi bord series.

I am kinda enjoying them, getting the images just so for the new outdoor pieces.

However, what I did not enjoy today was the official cancellation of the 

Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, October 8th-11th.

This is one of my favorite shows, and this year was going to be a surprise!

I was going to have a double booth, one side for my marine art, 

the other would've been a display of nothing but steampunk art.

There's always next year....

Do me a favor please............

WEAR a mask!

My brother had a scare Sunday, calling me to tell me that he was sick 

and the doctor had tested him for Covid.

I prayed Monday, Tuesday, and all day today.

Fortunately his test came back negative, but there have been false negatives before.

He is exhibiting a lot of the symptoms, but so far so good.

If he is not better tomorrow, he plans to go to the doctor again, 

I only pray they test him again too (he has too many symptoms pointing straight to the virus!)

Anyway, this is one of our stresses this week.

Our Governor just today mandated a mask in all businesses 

and gatherings of 10 or more people.

This is NOT about taking away your liberty, it is about protecting everyone

around you. Walmart has now mandated masks in all their stores as well.

Please for those with compromised immune systems, COPD, 

the elderly and many other illnesses, just wear one!

I know my husband and I do!

MY main concern is lack of income for the next few months.

With the ANSFestival cancelling, I'm sure others will be following shortly.

Typically this time of year, we have 5 shows, 

with minimal travel to both Florida and Mississippi as well as our local festivals.

I am anticipating all of these cancelling as well.

I will continue to paint, even though it will be difficult to focus.

I do still have galleries that are selling, although both one woman shows have cancelled.

I will need to supply the galleries and the local collectors that come my way!

There are a couple of things new on the horizon.

I will be starting a collection of art that will be offered online in print form.

They will include both marine and steampunk pieces!

I will be building my website soon as well with ability to purchase online.

Look for this exciting adventure to start very soon, just in time for fall decorating, 

Christmas decorating and gifts.

New horizons, new challenges, new art!

All coming your way very soon!

Thanks for keeping up with me and my crazy artist life.

Fly away! Acrylic on hardi bord, 10 x 10

Day 17 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

King of the food chain

The American Alligator is a beast that can grow up to 11 feet!

 I cannot imagine coming upon a gator that large. 

The one they call Chuckie at the Gulf Coast zoo actually escaped 

for a time after hurricane Ivan. 

I've photographed him and he is huge!

Alligators can reach 1,00 pounds as well. 

They love to congregate but cannot regulate their own temperature. They must bask in

the sun to warm up, or go in the water to cool down.  Speaking of water, they can travel 

up to 20 mph while swimming, but only 11mph on land. I once worked with a guy that said they got taught how to outrun a gator by zigzagging. 

The females lay 10 to 50 eggs and stay nearby to protect them. When it comes near the time for hatching, the female will uncove the nest to make it easier for the babies. 

They come out at about 6 to 8 inches and are full on eating machines.

I have eaten alligator as well and if cooked correctly they can be a harvested meat. I've had it done well, and also eaten it tough to chew. The first time I had it was in Louisiana and I have not had any to compare since then.

King of the food chain, 24 x 24 shadowbox canvas, Acrylic

Day 20 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018   

Later Gator!

I am finishing up a long day spent with my husband Chris. Of course we spend every day together now that he is retired. We don't regret a day of him taking retirement  now rather than later. We enjoy spending time together, talking about plans for the wagon he's now building. The wagon is a smaller version of the tiny house so it will be easier to pull to shows. It will still have a full bathroom, even  though it is much more micro sized. More on that later.

I finished a pair of palazzo pants today to wear to shrimp festival that I have had cut out for 2 years now. It seemed like the thing to do since I was still in a sewing mood. But, I still need to paint as well!

Alligators have a lot of texture that is fun to paint.  Their  belly reminds me a lot about sea turtles.  All procrastination aside,  this guy was fun to paint! However, I  have a busy day tomorrow so I had better get a shower, read, and most of all rest!

Later Gator! Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, Day 90 of the 100 days 100 paintings 2017

Don't be fooled by my toothy smile!

Yet another shadowbox canvas leaves the easel today. I am delighted to be able to paint another alligator. The last one I painted on a shadowbox sold before I could even photograph it! While not a common species in the sea, I have seen them swim in the brackish waters of our Mobile Bay as well as the Mississippi sound off the coast of Horn Island. For that reason I include them in my marine life  this year. I once tried to get my husband to Kayak over to about a 4 ft juvenile near 5 rivers so I could photograph him. 

He wanted nothing to do with that adventure!

(Same scenario with a caribbean grey reef shark in the Florida Keys. He never lets me have any fun, but he keeps me out of trouble......) Love ya honey!

I also ordered a dozen 24 x 24 canvases today. They are on a deep sale, and we cannot build them that inexpensively! A dozen more! It's a good thing I love painting them!

Don't be fooled by my toothy smile! , 24 x 24 inch canvas with a 12 x 12 opening, 

Acrylic , Day 4 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings