Mighty Marlin

I really enjoy painting these big game fish.

Several years ago, I was commissioned to paint Miss Dulari's big catch.

It was to honor a member of the Mobile Big Game Fishing club that had passed away.

It was the cover of their book for that year.

The guy in charge bought the original and got a half sized Giclee' 

for the family of the man that had passed away.

It was one of the best commissions I had gotten at the time.

Today I don't know if I'd let it out of my studio!

I've grown so much as an artist as well.

Soon this pandemic will be over and we will all start 

back into the headlong rush of the world and large.

At least some of us may do that, I for one have enjoyed the slow down and reflection time this disease has afforded us.

Although I do miss shopping for the pure enjoyment of shopping, 

and movies in the theater, I really miss seeing movies in the theater.

Mighty Marlin, Acrylic on hardibord, 10 x 10 inches

Day 33 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Sailfish

A special request from a little boy who turned five today!

Our Grandson to be exact. His request when I asked him what painting he wanted for his birthday.

"I want a swordfish! With a big fin!" I countered, "Do you mean a sailfish?"

"Yes please"

So here we go, a sailfish.

I have had the opportunity to paint these gorgeous fish many times over the years. This one though, is special. Every year, on our grandsons birthday I paint something for him. I painted a crab the day he was born, each year since has been something different. He has a gecko, a lion, a pelican, a sea turtle, and now a sailfish. This is the biggest one yet for him. When he moves out of his parents home, he will have a collection all his own, all in sepia.

Until then, they hang in my studio.

Today also found Chris and myself sweating outside while painting the frames for the new booth set up. Mercy, they seemed never ending. We though they would take only a partial can of spray paint apiece, but turns out they each needed about a can and a half! They look great and we are both anticipating the set up in the booth for a new booth shot. Meanwhile, I am redesigning the straps to hold them in place. This entails ripping apart, stitching back together and adding a new strip of velcro. I want them to be easy to remove from the booth and since the buckles are difficult to find, I am hoping velcro will work at least temporarily.

Ah the artists life!

The never ending wild ride of creativity that God gives to us!

Sailfish, 18 x 24canvas, Acrylic

Day 42 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

The Chase is On!

     This one was really fun to paint! Lots of movement and action featuring Marlin and baitfish, this painting measures 2ft x 4ft. I still the love the aspect of one a day paintings becasue it has made me a better painter. I can also keep my pricing reasonable for collectors.

     This Friday I am part of a show at Eastern Shore Art Center for instructors teaching in the fall. The two paintings I chose to show are both one a day paintings. "Jamaican Dreams" and "Schiells Obsessioni" are both 16 x 40 and both are done in acrylic. Melinda tells me there are at least two people signed up for the one a day class. I am excited to present this fun way to improve your hand at painting! I am also scheduled to do a demonstration at the Art Center on Oak avenue on August 14th in the early afternoon. I am looking forward to showing people that it is possible to complete a beautiful piece of art in one afternoon.

     That being said, I am currently in the middle of one of the biggest art projects so far for Celebration Church. I am in charge of set design for the Vacation Bible School starting next week! The  timeline is tight with thousands of leaves placed on massive trees in a rainforest. There are backdrops of jungle to paint, signage, props to make or borrow, a talking mayan mask, a plane, and a bird large enough to swallow people! It has challenged my design skills, my engineering skills and my painting skills on levels not seen since set designs for theatre. Mrs Lois Jean Delaney would be proud! (She was my teacher in high school for speech and theatre) She was also instrumental in encouraging me until I became a member of the international Thespian Society and receiving a best supporting actress award at a state competition. I really miss her and her quiet ways, It has also brought to mind Mrs Daniels, (California) as well as Tom Gray and Fred Baldwin from Joe Jefferson Playhouse, and Tom Perez from South of the Saltline Theatre.  Oh the memories of Theatre!

The chase is on! 2ft x 4ft Acrylic on canvas~Currently showing at my facebook page and at Fairhope Connections (7 Section Street, Fairhope, Al) during artwalk this friday August 3rd from 6-9pm

Sailfish Play

I am never ceased to be amazed while watching animals at play. They all seem to do it, we just have to slow down enough to watch them ourselves. Anyone who has stopped to watch puppies or kittens at play has an endless source of joy. Just seeing them makes us smile. I love to watch my "girls" (3 dachshunds) in the backyard when they start to romp and chase. It usually starts with one just getting the "look" and suddenly, the jump, bite, and cut to the chase! They tear through the yard grinning from ear to ear, tougues flapping in the wind created by their sudden burst of energy. Take the time to watch, you are going to giggle a little. (Sometimes quite a lot) We had a sheltie that would play with our dachshunds when they were puppies. Soon the puppy would figure out that by getting under the ottoman, they could ambush the older dog.

When I teach a class, I encourage my students to play. This includes my adults too! Play means they must go home and in their favorite medium, experiment, push, have fun. I am delighted when students come back to the next class and show off their "fun" time. They know it will not be judged as being "art" or a finished piece. They do discover though that in having fun they are learning the medium and it's limits! They also sometimes discover that there are limits to what they are working with at the time. We all need to play,even if we are artists already! We can push ourselves to go into another medium and experiment~but most of all~PLAY!

Sailfish Play, 24 x 24 deep edge canvas, $295.00