My days are puppies!

This series is fun to create, but also challenging.

"Crabby" is 5 x 24 inches.

Some of them were painted while in India, some painted here after we got home.

I thank God every day I have a husband that thinks creatively too!

When I first made the series, they were in color and only 4 x 24.

Last year, Chris made them wider, and they are so much easier to paint.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The dolphins are so much fun and so full of life!

"Dolphin party" 5 x 24 inches

"Pod Patrol" Humpback whales

5 x 24 inches

"Turtle traffic jam"

Shadowbox, Acrylic on canvas 24 x 24

"A Turtles eye view"

16 x 16 inches 

Acrylic on canvas

"I'm coming out!"

Octopus Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches

I also managed to paint at church as well.

I teach a class called Scripts & Strokes on Tuesdays and 

we have a lot of fun doing paintings based on scripture.

This little guy is on an 11 x 14 canvas and was painted in about 2 hours.

Life here is crazy hectic.

I'm hoping to finish up my dad's estate soon, so I can put that behind me.

The Executor position is a large job taking many hours.

It also fills my brain with things I would rather not think about.

(Money, balancing checkbooks, insurance, and so much more!)

It has drained me frequently to the point of not creating.

As if that wasn't enough, we picked up TWO wire haired dachshund puppies last week.

I've wanted wire haired dachshunds for years and the opportunity for well-bred beautiful girls 

was just too much to pass up.

As I type, I hear our boy, Bandit (12 years old active senior) 

barking and the smaller yips coming from the girls.

We actually got the girls for him to play with.

Tootsie and Ruby are fitting right into our pack.

I am getting a frequent side eye from Divya and Trixie, asking "Mom make them stop!"

Fortunately, now they play hard, and sleep hard.

Puppy pads, puppy food, puppy proofing are all going on here at the Raccoon Retreat!

Oh, and in between running up and down the stairs to check on them, and play with them,

I am painting!

My days are puppies! Days 67-73 of the 100 days 2024

All works are Acrylic on canvas,

 

 

Do you know how to make God laugh?

I love rollercoasters!

However, the one I'm on currently is a little too much for me!

Do you know the answer to the title question above?

Do you know how to make God laugh?

Got it?

Read on for the answer to this query.

We should all remember God's plan is perfect.

 We don't always understand it.

We don't always like it. 

But HIS plan is perfect!

Case in point.....

When you last read the blog, I was on target to finish the 100 paintings in the 100 days 2023.

I was rapidly completing the sewing drawers and they will help reach the finish line.

I was caught up and confident I would complete the task.

Those were MY plans.

Then God stepped in and said here ya go!

My dad is quite elderly, and his health is not the best.

He does alright but insists on living alone.

He doesn't get enough exercise and his diet is well, not so great.

My brother and I were calling the house, and he did not pick up.

I live an hour away, so my brother drove over to check on him.

He found him in a sorry state, unable to stand or walk.

He had a similar health scare in March and April.

He told all of us to never call an ambulance again.

We said okay back then.

Then Sunday happened and it took two hours to convince him to call 911.

He did, and we got him to the hospital.

He was dehydrated, very weak, and upset at the time things were taking.

CT scan of head clear.

Chest Xray clear.

Blood work not so much.

Infection somewhere, bilirubin elevated.

Abdominal ultrasound clear.

Brought back to ER room.

He then had a seizure, apparently caused by his pacemaker kicking in because of tachycardia.

Nonresponsive for a few minutes.

Now he's admitted to hospital to figure this out! 

Cardiologists are now involved again.

Scary!

Needless to say, I have spent the last few days at the hospital with him.

He is now getting better, but still needs some surgery for his heart as he has not one, but two blockages!

Hopefully tomorrow will take care of his problem while in surgery.

More pelicans!

Dolphins!

Humpback whales!

Meanwhile, I'm trying to pack for the Shrimp Festival starting on Thursday.

So, as you can see, I am close to completion of the 100 days.

We were supposed to set up on Wednesday.

Bad weather moving in with high winds and heavy rain.

God's plan, Let's do Thursday instead.

So, show is delayed.

I can go to my dad's surgery.

We don't have to set up in the wind and rain.

God's plan, is PERFECT!

The answer to the question:

Do you know how to make God laugh?

"Tell Him your plans...."

Kinda funny, right?

Multiple days, Acrylic on Wood panel, each about 5 x15 inches

Days 80-91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Three days and end of 2022

I absolutely love painting whales.

This beautiful humpback pair of mother and baby whales are very simple.

They are on a 5 x 24 canvas.

The escapee.

Octopus are notoriously smart.

They have to be placed in special tanks so they cannot escape.

They can survive for a small amount of time out of water, but they must be in the sea to live.

They are beautiful creatures to watch while swimming.

Turtle Trio

The large series are still going strong.

Each time I paint a set, they sell eventually.

Sometimes, they sell before I can take them to a show!

I wish all of you many blessings for the new year!

When we wake up in the morning, it will be 2023!

New Year, new beginnings.

New works, new gallery in the late summer, new shows.

New creations from the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Bonding whales, acrylic on canvas, 5 x 24inches

The escapee, acrylic on shadowbox canvas 16 x16inches

Turtle trio, acrylic on multiple canvas 36 x 60 inches

Days 25,26, & 27 of the 100 days~100 paintings winter 2022 

 

Whale songsII

I pray I get a free pass today.

Today was jam packed with church, lunch with hubs, teaching a class, and dinner with our oldest.

You see, today is my birthday.

And I am feeling a little of my age because of the festival this weekend.

Lack of sleep too.

So, I am posting the painting I created in class today while teaching.

I'm also happy to announce we finally got booth numbers for the National Shrimp Festival.

I am in 265 & 266 located apparently on 182 near the beginning of the show.

Hmm, that could be really good or really bad.

Anyway, times a wasting and I need to sketch and paint!

Whale songs II, Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 20

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Whale songs

I am just so amazed that I get to have fun and then make a living while doing it!

I pray everyone finds a job they love, and then get paid for it as well.

I never dreamed I would be teaching and selling art.

God is so good!

I thank Him for the talent he gives me and the opportunities.

Whale songs was painted tonight while teaching a class.

I prepared and expected 12, but ended up with 14 in the class.

After 2 hours of solid running around and encouraging the class,  

14 people went home with a painting they love.

I painted these as a demonstration on a larger canvas.

Then, as a bonus, a gentleman taking the class bought two of my paintings as well!

It has been a long, successful day.

Goodnight for tonight!

Whale songs, Acrylic on canvas, 15 x 30 inches

Day 72 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Whale song

This is actually an example painting for a class I'm teaching at Stewart Heath Gallery.

The class is scheduled for September 8th in the evening.

Should be a fun class!

Sign up through www.stewartheathgallery.com

We delivered the three pieces to Mississippi today.

The owners were over the moon !

I am one very happy artist right now and they are happy collectors!

I also delivered three new works to the Audubon Center in Pascagoula.

We left the house at 1:30 got back by 7:00 with a stop for dinner.

Thanking God for a neighbor that stopped by to let dogs out for a bit at 5 pm.

Although, she saw something that kinda has me creeped out just a little.

She witnessed a person going into the house next door.

The house next door is pretty much abandoned.

She then saw the man come out with a white bag.

She confronted him, and asked what are you doing in there?

He mumbled something about renting the place.

(The house is in an advanced state of disrepair.)

I've contacted the owner of the house.

No response as of yet.

We are getting more solar powered lights for the front of our home in the morning.

Hope I can sleep tonight!

Whale song, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 20 inches 

Day 59 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Wonderful Whales

These two just make me happy!

It is a depiction of that moment when a calf is born and the mother pushes 

it to the surface for it's first breath of air.

Several years ago, I had a painting called "Bonding".

It was a beautiful piece, all in deep blues and grays.

Remember, when I first started painting, my colors were very strong.

So strong in fact that a lot of people would look at my work and say,

"I don't know if that color would go on my wall".

I became frustrated, literally pounding my head against the back of the tent while at a show.

I asked God what am I doing wrong?

God said you're doing nothing wrong, just go more neutral.

Neutral?

You see, this was before the days of Chip and Joanna Gaines.

The "Neutral" movement with furniture, walls, and accessories had not really started yet.

That's the year the sepias began.

That's the year my oldest daughter said "Mom I don't know if I like that. It's just not you."

I said let's give this a chance.

That series is still going strong 10 years later!

They have grown of course, to include shadowbox canvas and multiple canvas pieces.

It really helps to pay attention when God speaks!

I love listening for his voice on an hourly basis.

I'm asking, what would you have me do Lord?

Then I listen.

I pray a lot while I'm painting as well.

I love it when God speaks!

Anyway, this painting, was called "Bonding."

It depicted the protection of the mother and her calf.

I had it at a show in Mississippi, and a woman came into my booth.

She said "I was Wylands secretary for many years, and I just had to tell you, when I saw this painting I thought it was one of his."

Wyland, when I first started painting was one of the artists that inspired me.

So many years later, I now have peace with color, my color is more peaceful as well.

I still love painting in color, as you have seen these past weeks and months.

The sepias are still my favorite though!

We've had a wonderful day here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio.

Gypsy Gal pulled out of our driveway early this morning and is now safely at her new home.

We went to church and our souls were filled with a great sermon.

Chris worked in his studio and I helped make fidget pillows for seniors at the ESAC.

We also delivered a table to the someone from church.

A busy day indeed!

Wonderful Whales, Acrylic on poured background canvas, 4 x 12 inches

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Deep Waters

Deep waters is now one of my favorites for certain.

I just LOVE the way the poured background and bubbles came together almost seamlessly.

I actually saw this painting last night while teaching the Scripts & Strokes class at Celebration Church.

I knew I had this background in my studio, and had been trying to figure out what to paint on top.

I had asked for guidance from the Holy Spirit and here ya go!

This painting just makes me happy.

Deep waters reminds me of a sermon I heard while attending a church in Birmingham, Al.

The preacher talked about people and their faith.

He likened Christianity to people swimming.

When you first begin as a Christian, you stand at the water's edge watching the people swim in the water.

You are scared to get in yourself.

The people are having lots of fun and enjoying themselves.

We get in, but only up to our ankles, maybe going to church some.

Mind you, we still want to be in control of our lives, mustn't drown!

But the people further out seem to be enjoying themselves so we go deeper.

Up to our knees, still in control but curious.

The water begins to swirl around our feet, maybe pulling the sand from beneath us slightly.

We start reading the Bible some, in addition to church becoming more of a need than a want.

The people out in the water swimming though, laughter fills the air from their activity.

Maybe I'll go deeper, at least up to my hips.

At this point, the water is a little harder to move in, and we are starting to feel the push and pull more.

Maybe I'll start making friends.

My friends start calling to me, come on in, the water's great!

Up to my waist now, less in control.

The water supports me almost.

Maybe I'll join a small group.

My friends calling to me to swim is stronger now, because I am close enough to them to see them clearly.

I finally lift my feet and join them fully surrounded by the water.

Maybe I'll go on a mission.

It is glorious here!

Such a delight!

The water is Jesus Christ, our brother.

Set in place by our Father God.

I am really enjoying the swim now!

Are you up to your ankles?

Are you up to your knees?

Are you up to your hips?

Are you up to your waist?

Or,

Are you swimming?

Come on in, the water is glorious!

Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

Deep Waters, Acrylic on top of poured background, 10 x 20

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Shrimps, Ships, and Whales

Yesterday's paintings.

There were actually 7 of the little guys, but the odd number doesn't photograph well.

Fun little paintings, quickly created on tiny poured canvases.

They each measure 3x3 inches and are just plain fun!

Then there's today.....

Does life ever seem to be on fast mode?

Ours is really going by so quickly, the days are filled with things to do, and places to go.

My to do's today were to change the sheets on our bed,  repair our couch, deliver a painting to Big Fish Gallery, ship a painting to Georgia, sketch out canvases for class, teach the class.

Getting them all done was a challenge, especially when we added bathing 5 dachshunds into the mix!

Anyway, the bed stripped and sheets washing, I moved to the next task.

Chris wanted to bathe all 5 dogs.

They don't appreciate warm water and soap, but the task was done with the two of us working in tandem.

I moved on to pulling out the couch I bought about 3 years ago, cleaning the area on both sides, washing windows, baseboards, walls, and floor.

I then started in on the couch.

Chris has been looking for a new couch because his end is sinking down with age.

We flipped the couch forward onto the coffee table and began the process of deconstructing.

We found the problem, repaired it with a thin sheet of wood placed in the cushion, and put everything back together.

We then released the dogs into the yard, and drove to Big Fish.

I took the rather large painting to them, and they are delighted and excited. 

I hope it does well for both of us!

Getting lunch, coming home, building a box and making a shipment rounded out the early afternoon.

I sketched, cooked a quick dinner and went to teach a class.

We painted a whale depicting Isaiah 43:2

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

God is with us all the time, even when we don't feel his presence near.

The class seemed to enjoy this one, we had a group of 12!

Mercy that is a lot of running around. 

I thank God Chris is willing to come lend a hand, replacing water, cleaning brushes, getting paper towels.

I could not teach a class that large and get finished by 9 pm.

Almost everyone wanted the verse on their painting, and it went quickly once we started.

A good, good, albeit long day!

Shrimps, Ships and Whales, Acrylic on canvas, Whales 11 x 14

Days 76 & 77 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

A Whale of a tail

Bonding Box

Whales box

Today's entries are studies in simplicity. Both are Cigar boxes (I'm almost finished with them!)

The top one is a mother whale pushing her baby to the surface after birth for that first breath of air. The others were just for fun!

Bonding and Whales, Acrylic on Cigar boxes, Paintings 30 & 31 of the 100 days

Bonding

In case you have not realized, I adore the sea.
It all began with living in the Philippines and was strengthened by watching the Undersea World of Jacques' Cousteau. The undersea program was the only one I was allowed to stay up late and watch on a school night. My mother and father were both divers and I longed to be with them. The program gave me a chance to be underwater with divers and made me ever mindful of our impact on this planet. I wonder what Cousteau would say about the Great Pacific Basin and the tragedy unfolding before us with our wasteful ways. (It is a sea of plastic some 150 miles off the coast of California) Every piece of plastic ever manufactured on this earth is still here in some form or another.

This painting is about bonding, the bonding that occurs between mother and baby and the beautiful way these gentle giants guide their young to the surface for air. I hope to see them in person some day even if I am only snorkeling.
Humpback Mother and Baby "Bonding" 30 x 30 Oil on canvas.