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

 

Scourge of the deep

Scourge of the deep.

My nemesis is a computer right now instead of a Lionfish.

It's acting wacky.

I turned it off, waited, and turned it back on and it seems to have repaired the glitch.

I'm much better with a brush than a computer!

Yesterday while cutting out the turtle, Chris removed a flipper purely by accident or possibly inattention.

My vote is inattention.

You see, our son was here waiting on an appointment while Chris was cutting out my dimensional pieces.

Jere was climbing around on the boat Chris bought on Monday.

Chris had mentioned to our son about the cotter pin holding the keel in place was needing to be replaced.

Jere apparently pulled the keel completely out of the hull so that Chris could refinish it and the replace the pin.

Keels are not lightweight.

Chris was quite shocked by this, but went back to the scroll saw in an effort to finish the pieces I brought to him earlier.

In his inattention, he accidentally removed a flipper.

Jere and Chris tried in vain to locate the cut off piece to no avail.

Chris brought the cut fronts upstairs and quietly disappeared.

I was matching up the fronts with their respective rounds only to realize that the flipper had been removed.

I let out a cry of what on earth happened?

As I came running down the stairs our son had a smirk while looking at his phone.

I suspected he had a hand in this disaster maybe.

Anyway I hurried into the shop to try and locate the piece as 

I've accidentally removed one before as well.

I was practically in the garbage can removing pieces of wood, but no flipper was to be found.

I recut new wood pieces to repair it.

I did tell Chris if he didn't want to help, please let me know.

What I didn't know, because he denied it was he realized his mistake and just hoped I wouldn't notice.

I said next time, let's work on it together.

Together....

Speaking of which, we both decided that this week we were getting equipment down.

The goal was to set up the tent, and familiarize ourselves with the French wall system.

I wanted to do this because I don't want us getting into a tiff at the National Shrimp Festival.

I went outside this morning to find Chris busily putting a tent together in the shop.

He couldn't figure it out.

I said this is why we're supposed to do it together.

I told him I came out to tell you I'm taking the girls to the vet.

He decided to go with me and get away from the tinker toy project that is the show tent.

(I just thank God we have a heavy duty pop up tent and not the Flourish we originally had with many parts and pieces!)

We got back from the vet and I went outside to try and figure it all out.

We had marked the majority of the poles, legs, and brackets, but some were not. 

He kept trying to put it together and we were fighting against each other.

Him pulling and yanking on supports, while I was trying to just visualize the brackets.

"I need you to go into the house Chris."

I needed to calmly figure it out, while alone.

I'm sure that's why he was attempting the same thing early this morning, to figure it out alone.

We really work well together, but sometimes each one has a thought and won't budge.

Chris went inside.

I figured out the brackets in five minutes.

"Hey I need your help"

We had to swap two of the supports and everything fell into place.

Problem was, it's been a year since we've done a double booth.

It looked as though we had lost four pieces of poles that go on the second tent.

We both puzzled about this for a bit and we decided to look up the Flourish company.

I looked at the Flourish website and could not see if there was supposed to be poles.

I then looked back at my photos from last year.

The second tent has only bottom sta-bars and not the ones on the top.

We simply used the straps to suspend the walls from the tent, and used the other bars for the bottom rail.

Problem solved, crisis averted.

Oh! AND I painted today!

Life with Chris is always an adventure because he keeps me on my toes!

Scourge of the deep, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Day 72 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

A wonderful day one!

Today, June 30th marks the first day of the 100 days 2026.

Each year, I do 100 paintings, projects, or plans to do them.

Most of the time, it will be a painting.

Sometimes it's just my hectic, wonderful artist life here in Fairhope with my husband of over 40 years.

There are also 4 dachshunds in the mix, adding to the chaos which can be so much fun!

This year again my church's VBS is smack dab in the beginning of the fray and only adds another dimension of art to the 100 days.

I've already been accepted into two of my shows and am awaiting answers to 4 more.

Another 6 shows to add to my fall schedule and hopefully my checking account as well.

Next year, 2027 promises to be even more fun as I am praying to get my African Son, Crecious 

here for at least 3 shows of his own before returning to Zimbabwe.

It will take a year of preparations and planning to make his shows a success as well as mine!

For those who are new to the blog, Welcome!

I am a professional Christian artist living in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I went back to painting back in 1993 after a drunk driver hit our family van.

I was working as a costumer at the time and had sewn all night to meet a Mardi Gras deadline.

We were headed to a parade that evening when we were rear ended from a dead stop at a light.

Unfortunately, I was turned sideways in the front talking to my husband when we were hit.

I don't have a typical neck whiplash, instead of being front and back, mine is a side-to-side injury.

I have two herniated discs in my neck as well as nerve damage in my right arm.

But God!

I began painting again because it was something I did as a child.

I did it to work through the pain and to give me a creative outlet as sewing professionally 

was not an option at the time.

Don't get me wrong, some days are diamonds and some days are dirt depending on the activities.

All of them are good days though, because I count it all as joy!

Today marks the beginning of 100 days 2026.

The blog began on July 1, 2009 with a painting of Middle Bay Lighthouse 

18 years of the blog, and my 32nd year of painting.

This year marks my 19th year since I started going to the Annual National Shrimp Festival at

Gulf Shores, Alabama in the month of October.

So many paintings, so many blog posts.

Come along with me as I paint, praise, and produce pieces.

Of course, today is a Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

My girlfriend refers to me as the Turtle lady!

This piece was started at Fairhope's art walk this month.

I finished it today in my signature Sepia color.

It is an impressive 24 x 36 inches and was so fun to paint!

Not my usual shadowbox canvas, or the new rounds from last year, just a flat canvas.

I'm looking forward to the wonderful creative journey this year.

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

A wonderful day one! Loggerhead sea turtle 24 x 36 inches

Day 1 of the 100 days 100 paintings 2026

 

Protective pod

"Protective pod"

Dolphins are beautiful creatures that are a lot like us in many ways.

Their pregnancy is long, 10-18 months depending on the species.

They have a live birth after a labor of several hours.

The calf is born tail first, so as not to drown.

As soon as they are born, they must be guided to the surface to breathe.

The calf drinks milk from mom as often as every 20 minutes!

They have special feelers in their mouths that close as the tongue curls to nurse.

The moms are almost constantly awake to take care of the calf aiding in breathing and nursing.

Once born, the calf and mother will join the pod of siblings, aunts, and other moms.

Once they join the pod, the mom can somewhat relax and rest.

The pod is their playground, their babysitter, and alert system.

They also practice courtship and hunting.

Juvenile and bachelor pods offer opportunities for independence.

The moms teach everything from swimming to hunting.

They also teach communication.

Dolphins sleep with one half of their brain at a time.

This allows them to be alert and aware of their surroundings.

Social structure and bonding are essential to all pods.

This is National Shrimp Festival week!

I have an incredible list of things to get done.

But this is why I make a list, so I can cross off items as they are finished.

I still have several paintings to varnish, a camper to pack with both clothes and food,

wires placed on paintings, gas for car, and camper, money for dog sitter, groceries, not to mention packing all the art.

Somewhere in there, I have an afternoon of sewing to do as well.

I also need to go to the gallery and change out pieces and pick up as well.

We plan to leave early Wednesday, hopefully dropping off trailer at the campground and setting up the camper with AC, water, and power, checking all the systems before we lock it and go to the Chamber.

We go the Chamber to pick up the artists packet, then head to show for the actual set up.

It's going to be a very tight week time wise.

"Protective pod" Acrylic on canvas, 12 x24 shadowbox

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Two for one!

Two for one!

And no, the painting background is not orange on one end.

It is white, the lights in my studio throw a warm glow so as to not hurt my eyes.

Anyway, this was yesterday's painting.

I just simply was tired at the end of the day and forgot to post after 2 hours at Artwalk.

Playful dolphins are so much fun to paint.

I photographed these guys in separate shots while on a dolphin cruise out of Orange Beach.

We went about 10 years ago, and the photos have stood me well.

Did you know that dolphin's bellies go pink when they're happy?

Now you do!

They also go pink when, ahem, making baby dolphins.

Interesting facts that stay in my head this many years later.

This is today's painting.

"Crabs Jubilee"

I also have dozens of photos of blue crabs I've taken over the years.

My swipe files are pretty full as well.

Swipe files are photos from the internet that are free, photos from friends, and sometimes students.

I essentially have two file cabinets full of photos, drawings, and calendars.

It's an incredible amount of reference material to have at my fingertips.

My studio is full of them, and they are used frequently.

Today was a kind of relaxed day although I woke up out of sorts.

I didn't know what I wanted to do today, besides paint.

The grandson is staying the weekend, so I chose to spend time with him and Chris.

This puts me in the studio later in the day than I want to be.

I asked Chris to take care of dinner tonight and he did!

We had salads with smoked chicken and a delicious piece of cake someone made for me.

We got the cake Wednesday night after service, and it was gluten free!

It was also incredibly tasty!

Multiple layers with raspberry filling and a strawberry on top!

We have frozen some for a later date.

Took grandson for ice cream, and I went back to the studio.

Now I'm done for today and yesterday.

4 days until set up for the Annual National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama

Goodnight!

Two for one! Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24, and 16 x 16

Days 95 & 96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Beauty in the Caretta caretta

Caretta caretta or loggerhead sea turtle, whichever you prefer.

I love the scientific name of this turtle.

I am beginning to find my pace in the 100 days.

Working hard to create every day.

Sometimes the paintings are easy to set up and paint, and sometimes they hurt my head!

Each day is a new adventure in paint!

I am still amazed that I get to create and even make money while doing it.

I truly believe the saying: Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life!

Finding what to paint can be a challenge though.

Some years Turtles are more popular; others it's the octopuses.

I've also painted manatees, alligators, pelicans, sharks, herons, 

seahorses, manta rays, and so much more!

Then, just when I think I have it all figured out, the rules change.

The neutral paintings have not slowed down even after 10 years.

I started the Sepia series when people would comment that the colors 

I would use might not go on their wall.

I prayed and the answer I got was go neutral.

To go from strong color to neutral was a stretch.

When they first started, they were browner.

Like a sepia toned photograph.

I purchased unfinished wood frames I bought from Michaels, 

hand painting them to match the sepia paint.

Then, a few years back, I mixed the sepia color bluer, and it's been that way ever since.

Anyway, today was a full day.

Helping others and then hitting the studio after getting blackberries, blueberries, and onions into the freezer.

Tomorrow, we bag them!

Beauty in the Caretta caretta, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24

Day 64 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Varnishing the world

This little guy is simply adorable.

I had so much fun painting him and his buddy.

One of the smaller ones, I painted it after a long day in the studio.

I began early, knowing I had a daunting task at hand.

My studio is on the second floor and consequently has a tiny bit of bounce in the floor.

Not a problem usually, but when you have paintings lined up along the wall of bookcases....

After so many days of paintings, there are 33 of them ready to attack.

Almost every time I would walk around my table there would be at least one or two sliding to the floor.

Then it became an organized battle plan with them sliding to the floor in shifts.

Sometimes as many as ten of them.

Needless to say, it had become a problem with only one solution.

I needed to get them finished with hangers and varnish.

This took the better part of the day to finish.

I will check them in the morning to be sure I varnished them correctly.

Sometimes I have a "holiday" (a spot that I miss).

If that has occurred, I will have to touch up the varnish and wait for them to dry.

I also have to cut the bags I bought to put them in for protection.

I bought heavy bags big enough to cut them in half to make two of them.

I will either tape the bottom or throw them through my sewing machine.

We will also have to go on the hunt for foam boards to cut and place in the bags with the pieces to protect the wooden dimensional parts.

Then I can pack them away, knowing they are protected and ready for the first show.

I've also got to make a "map" to facilitate placement in the booth.

The map will make set up much easier for both Chris and me.

This is almost all of them laid out on the table in the studio.

The Annual National Shrimp Festival choose their new poster and announced it.

The original one had a bit of controversy surrounding it, so it was pulled and replaced.

The new design is cute and a typical Shrimp festival poster.

I also have a commission down at the beach.

I am painting an octopus mural on a wall surrounding an opening in the space.

It will be very interesting to paint and get on the wall.

They are getting me a scaffolding to use as it is up high.

The wall is 10 feet long, and they want her to fill the space.

Design approved, starting next week!

Chris gets to stay with me so I will not be alone on the scaffolding.

The project should take about 4 days to complete.

They live in New Orleans and may not be at the condo while we're there.

This couple has been very patient and sweet.

They talked with me at Gulf Breeze back in April.

They have been waiting through the visit from our daughter and family, then the dinosaur build.

They are the next big project in line.

New things happening here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama

Varnishing the world, Acrylic on wood (manatee), 12 inches

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

Traffic jam

Oh the joys and headaches of getting ready for shows!

There are days I feel like these turtles, both coming and going!

Don't get me wrong, I love what I do.

I also love meeting all of you!

I already know about all the shows for fall and even some of the spots I'll be at those shows.

National Shrimp Festival~Double booth on end just like the past couple of years.(Look for the flags!)

Mattie Kelly~End booth, typically toward food trucks

Peter Anderson~Near Government street Market on Government street. (Near Dr Buntyns old office)

Three Rivers Covington Booth 433 Near Black Flower in between Gibson and Lockwood

So nice to know ahead of time to let collectors find me again!

I'm very excited for all the fall shows.

I am preparing hard for excellent presentations at all of them.

I endeavor for each show to have new works not seen at other shows.

This is why I paint so many paintings during the summer.

That, and I was created by my Creator to create!

Oh the joys of creating.

I get excited knowing there are collectors looking for more pieces, and new collectors finding exactly what they want and need to beautify their space.

I'm also happy with the new works and the way they are progressing.

The booths will be filled with beautiful art, lovingly created with the Holy Spirits help.

Each new series I have started have been the result of prayer and listening.

I was a very colorful painter, but after hearing numerous people say; 

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

I literally was in the back of my booth beating my head against the tent.

I begged ,"God tell me what to do, am I painting the wrong thing?"

I distinctly heard, "You're not wrong, just go neutral."

Neutral

I took pride in my colorful pieces.

I tried the neutral "sepias" on new shadowbox framed canvases.

They were very well received and I sold all of them.

I then pushed to have an entire booth wall full of them and they were also well received.

I was still painting color though, albeit a bit toned down.

Within a couple of years it was time to step up again.

"Okay God, What's next?"

The neutral pieces were selling well, but I knew it was time for a new challenge.

I had a really good National Shrimp Festival and went to Michaels to purchase 4x4 canvas.

To my surprise, the Shadowbox canvas I had been watching all year were on clearance!

I bought all 22 they had in stock.

I painted them, took them to Peter Anderson.

I sold half of them in a weekend.

I was on to the new thing, but now Michaels was not carrying them any more.

"Okay God, help us figure this out"

A few months later, I was at a show and my husband quietly said, "I think I figured out how to build them." I said "Good! I figured out how to stretch them."

We have been team building them for years now.

Chris has redesigned the canvases, giving me a wonderful challenge to paint with the offsets he builds.

So, shadowboxes, then offset shadowboxes.

After that, people kept asking for bigger works.

"How God can I do this without carrying a large canvas?"

The bigger pieces had to be easy to carry.

I figured out multiple canvas was the answer.

It enables us to carry a 3ft x 5ft piece in a single bag.

It's made of one 12x36, 2 12x24s, and 2 12x12s.

I sold the first two I painted at the first show I took them to in Florida.

The multi canvas pieces were begun before the photographers started doing it.

I now do even larger ones that require 2 custom built canvases to make it, it measures 40"x80"

It is a 16x40, 2 16x30s, 2 16x20s.

We've had a few years of multi canvas works and I'm still painting them.

"Okay God, What next?"

I went to Hobby Lobby to get canvas and here were these beautiful round 

wood pieces for making signs.

I instantly saw paintings on them.

They were on sale, so I bought a few.

They ended up being a great seller, but this year Hobby Lobby discontinued them much to my sadness.

Fortunately, I had a few left and have been able to locate some different style rounds in wood.

Enter this year.....

"Okay God, what next?"

I had a vision of the rounds with dimensional pieces added to them.

I took two to a spring show and sold one.

The other one didn't sell, but we kept asking people what they thought about them.

They loved them and so here we are.

I can't wait to see what God sends next!

Can you?

Traffic jam, Acrylic on wood, Dimensional 24 inch

Day 43 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Manatees and Completions

This is todays painting of the chubby mermaids.

Manatees if you will.

Always a wonderful animal to see, these gentle giants are in constant danger of boat strikes.

Herbivores they eat the grasses that can also get torn up by boats.

So many people just don't realize they are a close inhabitant of our coast.

This piece is one of the smaller ones, measuring only 11 inches.

Still a fun piece to paint!

Here is the completed turtle with the background added.

I was finally able to get into the shop and cut them all on my scroll saw.

Always a crowd favorite sea turtles are some of my best-selling pieces ever.

This guy is 16 inches round.

Finally, the background added for the manatee painted yesterday.

I love how they almost are like bumper cars when in the water, gently floating into one another.

Still need to sign this one I see though!

Each day is a new challenge, and a new solution found.

God gave me a very creative spirit and most of the time I can find solutions for issues that arise.

One issue right now in the studio is the sheer number of paintings.

I need to erase, varnish, and put hangers on them.

Then they will be packed away until the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

That reminds me!

Here is the show schedule if you want to see them in person.

I always love a sweet hello!

Loran Chavez

Fall show schedule 2025

*Annual National Shrimp Festival

Gulf shores, Alabama

October 9th,10th, 11th, 12th

9-5pm

*Jubilee Festival

Daphne, Alabama Lott Park

October 17th & 18th

9-5 Sat. 9-4 Sun.

*Mattie Kelly Festival of the arts

Destin, Florida

October 25th & 26th

9-4pm

*Peter Anderson Festival

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

November 8th & 9th

9-4 pm

NOTICE Peter Anderson typically held first full weekend in November.

2nd weekend this year because the Thunderbirds are doing a show on the first weekend.

*Covington Three Rivers Festival

Covington, Louisiana

November 15th & 16th

9-5pm Sat. 9-4pm Sun. 

Manatees and Completions, Acrylic on Wood, size varies

Days 36,37, & 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Yin-Yang turtles

This is the really large canvas with 5 pieces making a polyptych.

Greek for the word poly meaning many.

This is the beginning of the work, layering in skin wrinkles and outlines.

I also had painted the eyes, but they still needed shadowing and highlights.

The multi canvas series is several years old now, but this is the first time I've done one in color.

It is made with a canvas in the center that is 16 x 40 inches tall. 

Each one of the side panels is a 16 x 30 and a 16 x 20 on each end.

The entire piece when displayed is 7 feet wide.

I love the colored turtles; this piece puts me one step closer to the set up for the National Shrimp festival.

The show is 19 days away now, and I hope to complete several more paintings before the big day.

Each piece makes me happier than the one before.

I am grateful to God for the talent He's given me, and the ability to complete the tasks before me.

This second photo is while in progress.

I had started to add the colors to the flippers and the back of the shells.

There was still a lot of detailing at this point, although they look finished.

So much fun, making rapid decisions for color, detail, and shading.

So large I cannot photograph it in my studio, because I cannot put a back board behind it.

So, we took the beast downstairs and hung it on the fence to take a photo.

I love the combination of the weathered fence and the color of the turtles.

It makes a lovely presentation.

I took a photo of myself with the painting so you can see how big it really is in person.

And yet it seems small.

I have "maps" of the walls for the show, placing each piece where it needs to go.

It also gives me a good idea of how many more I have to make to have the look I want.

The show is really getting closer now and I am on hyper drive at this point.

I tell Chris, I am in "show mode."

This discipline is the only way I will have enough pieces to display, sell, and replace works that sell.

After we photographed the turtles, we took it apart while outside making it easier to take back upstairs.

I then spent a couple of hours painting the sides of the canvases.

This is so when viewed from the side, you still see a completed work.

I'm really excited to see what people think about them!

Yin-Yang turtles, Acrylic on canvas, 40 inches tall 72 inches wide.

Day 55 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

 

Mightiest Octopus ~ Mighty job!

Warning, Long post!

I am worn out today.

It has been a big week of hard work.

Let me begin by telling you that this is not a complaint.

My tired is an accomplished kind of tired.

You see, it's been a busy week of long days.

Not necessarily because of many hours, but because of the work involved.

Let me explain.....

The octopus you see is a flip of one I painted originally for sale at Big Fish as a request.

This gentleman was building a house and wanted a really big octopus 

as the house has an octopus theme.

I had designed this one in reverse and it was one I had been pondering for a while.

But it was only on paper.

I needed custom canvases to complete him.

Two 16 x 30 canvas and two 16 x 20, with a 16 x 40 in the center.

The entire creature is not even visible here.

There is slightly more to the top and bottom of the center canvas.

Put together, it measures 40 inches tall, and 80 inches wide.

Hang it, and it probably measures 86 inches wide.

Anyway, the gallery said go for it.

The gentleman couldn't decide and I told the gallery owner I was taking it on the road for shows.

(He ended up purchasing another octopus I already had at the store.)

I was not unhappy at all to take this beautiful octopus on a five-week swing into Florida.

Little did I know it would sell at the first show!

Gulp!

My biggest, most expensive piece was now gone, taking several square feet of wall art with it.

15.5 square feet to be exact.

I ended up painting another smaller five-piece octopus that week on the road.

(It was only 9 square feet, but still impressive.)

So, 5 months later I revisited him in reverse.

I try not to duplicate my works, but a reverse is still different.

My plan is to put him on the left side of the booth at the 50th Annual National Shrimp Festival this year.

On the right side of the booth will most likely be the reverse again in full color!

(Again, still an original)

I can see the booth in my mind, and it seems to be coming together very nicely.

Problem is, storing this beautiful beast after I finish it!

I am indeed blessed this week!

I was fortunate to have a collector pick up her three shadowbox pieces this week.

She ordered them while I was still in Africa on mission.

Two turtles and an octopus in sepia.

This makes a total of 9 pieces in her home that were painted by my hands.

I am so grateful!

Now, to the crab above.

Another piece ordered while I was out of the country.

She is headed to Amelia Island off the coast of Florida.

The couple originally purchased a turtle from me there and ordered this beautiful lady.

She measures 20 x 24 inches.

I am also sneaking in some time to work on the ornaments for this year.

I created while Chris drove to orange beach.

So grateful for a spouse that doesn't mind a little mess in the car.

This will be the last year for glass, unless it's special ordered.

I have already purchased and painted 100 wood discs for the flat ornaments this year.

I also have these really neat boxes that are the perfect size.

These shadowbox canvases are just part of the 26 we stretched this week.

They all have to be painted white, and I did part of that today.

Yesterday was another dozen, I just didn't have room on my table for more.

All are now ready for sepia or colorful creatures.

We still had lots of lumber available to make more, so I told Chris go ahead.

Problem is, now I have another large batch of 16 to stretch and paint.

Hours and hours keeping me from the easel, but very necessary.

Each canvas takes about an hour of work to complete, between cutting the wood,

making the frames, cutting the canvas, stretching them, then painting them white.

These custom canvases are part of my signature style .

I am so grateful to have a spouse who simply says, "I still have more lumber, what do you want?"

Even in the 100-degree heat here in the deep south.

I am such a lucky lady to have my husband Chris in my life.

I love you honey!

Tonight I stretched another 4 for the new octopus.

Two 16 x 30 and two 16 x 20, I already have the 16 x 40 for the center.

I then painted those 5, plus the other eleven 5 x 24 I stretched earlier.

So, it's been a long day.

Needless to say, I am tired and now typing what I hope is not gibberish.

I really enjoy my artist life here at the Raccoon Retreat studio!

Good night!

Days 25-29 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

Varying sizes