Archers Lion

Today is Archer's birthday.

Archer is our first grandchild, and he is an amazing young man.

He turned 13 today.

I have a teenaged grandson.

It seems like yesterday when he was born.

I barely got to Mobile when our daughter and her husband rushed out the door because she was in labor.

We all went to the hospital and the waiting began.

I was glad I had a painting to work on while waiting.

I painted him a crab the day he was born.

Each year, he gets a new painting added to his collection. 

The first few years I choose the painting.

The last few, he has chosen what he wants for his painting. 

This year I had been working on the lion as a demonstration piece.

I asked Archer if he wanted it for his 13th birthday.

All his other paintings are on flat canvas.

This is his first shadowbox.

The paintings are supposed to stay with me until his 18th birthday, but they are starting to take over.

He mentioned he wants them in his room now.

Soon he will have all of them, ranging in size from 4 x 8 to 18 x 24 inches

I will help him hang them.

He has a wide range of pieces from a gecko to a sailfish, a rhino to a portrait of his dog.

They are all in sepia, so they all go together.

Each one has the date and the year on the back.

A funny aside today.

I asked for a 12 x 36 shadowbox with a 6 x 18 opening.

When I saw it, I realized my huge mistake.

The opening was too small.

It will make an awesome blue crab though!

I needed a 12 x 36 with a 6 x 30 opening.

He provided that today.

I also asked Chris if he could build me some 6 x 24 flats as they are a popular series and I am out.

I went to work in the studio, Chris went to the shop.

I worked for a couple of hours, then decided to fix something for lunch.

Tuna fish sandwiches with chips would do nicely.

No chips.

No sweet relish either.

I went out to the shop to tell Chris I was going to the store.

He proudly showed me 5 12 x 24 shadowboxes.

I said nothing, went to the store purchased the items I needed, then came home.

We ate lunch, then we went to pick up some art supplies I found online.

In our conversation, I asked if he could build the 6 x 24s now.

He started laughing.

I thought you wanted 12 x 24s.

I said no, I told you I had plenty of shadowboxes, I needed the 6 x 24s.

He thought it was so funny that he apparently heard 6 and 24, 

but thought I wanted shadowboxes 12 x 24.

The 12 x 24 shadowboxes have a 6 x 18 opening in them.

I now have 5 extra 12 x 24s.

More to stretch and stack up in preparation for more paintings!

And now I'm tired and ready for bed.

Goodnight!

Archer's Lion, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Day 44 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

I want to wrap my arms around you!

"I want to wrap my arms around you."

This beauty was started last night at Art Walk.

It measures 18 x 36 inches.

So many textures, so many little crevices.

This one was fun to paint. 

Every painting is fun to me because I love what I do.

God definitely created me to be a creator.

I truly love my 'job'.

I pray that I never lose the love of art and painting.

So many times, people tell me that the paintings I do are exactly what they have been looking for.

I never know what people want; I just want to create and keep my art fresh for the future.

That is why the sepia series has been going for so long.

The sepias came about as a result of multiple people coming into my booth saying;

"I just love your work, but I don't know if that color will go on my wall."

I literally was beating my head against the back of the booth and asking,

 "God, what am I doing wrong?"

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

Keep in mind, I was a very strong colorist at the time.

My oldest daughter did not think they would do well at all.

They started out in shadowbox frames that I bought from Michaels that were unfinished.

I had to paint them black, then brown and quickly wipe them back to finish them.

Then they had 12 x 12 canvases in them that were a trick 

to get one to fit as the frames were not consistent.

The first seven I did were a surprise with all of them selling in a reasonable amount of time.

I then made up my mind to have a bunch of them for fall shows.

Problem was, getting the unfinished wood from the store.

I had a really great manager from Michaels that worked with me and found 35 of them and had them shipped from California.

The next problem we had was transporting them.

They took up a lot of room in the van!

I ended up with an entire wall of them and had a spectacular show.

The show went so much better than I expected with several people coming back to get pieces, 

only to be disappointed when they were sold.

The year was 2010.

16 years for a series is unusual to say the least.

Most series for artists last 2 or 3 years before it becomes boring, 

or they've explored all they can or think they can.

I keep exploring, growing, and making the series fun for me and my collectors.

I am so grateful to God for the ideas and talents he blesses me with.

My work became neutral, before it was a trend!

This was also before Chip and Joanna Gaines became popular with their fixer upper series.

Their first episode was May of 2013 and started the neutral palette of colors for decorating.

God works like that, when you listen and act upon His guidance.

I was fortunate to have given my parents two of my pieces from that first year.

After my dad passed, I brought them home.

I'm still trying to figure out where to hang them.

Lionfish, who knew they would become an invasive species....

Apparently, I did, because I painted them way back then too!

Notice two things about these guys.

They are browner, sepia toned if you will.

My signature had not changed by then.

That happened in 2013.

I always considered myself to be a Christian Artist, but that year my signature started showing it.

They are still beautiful to me, and I hope to you as well.

God bless, I bid you goodnight!

I want to wrap my arms around you, Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 36 inches

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Mario, mushrooms, motorcycles, and Manatees!

Oh, how the days are flying by!

I appreciate your patience more than you'll ever know.

I have been creating, just not a lot of painting for shows.

But these little guys!

I really enjoy small paintings, and I hope and pray you do as well.

These guys are 4 x 12 inches and are so much fun to paint!

The smaller pieces enable me to ease back into a groove which will allow me to get back to posting and painting on a regular basis.

They are a study for the round posted earlier.

Just before my world went into hyper speed, I got lost in Super Mario World.

I don't remember if our children even played this game, other than a beta version.

Don't ask, it was S L O W....

They may have played it on their hand-held device as well.

I cannot remember what they were called, maybe it will come to me.

Anyway, the past few weeks are a blur.

We took Archer camping and made memories for him for a few days after I got started on the 100 days.

I then jumped full force into Celebration Church Summer Surge.

So much building of cardboard pieces, mushrooms, motorcycle, a throne, and a boat with a sail.

So much cutting with a razor I could barely lift my arm up because it was sore.

I chatted with the chiropractor about it because I was concerned that I might need surgery on that arm.

(This is the same one I fell on while loading up dinosaurs a year ago.)

But God!

My chiropractor said no, just keep using it so it doesn't freeze up.

Boy, have I used it!

After coming home from camping, I jumped into the deep waters of building.

 The paintings were not on my radar, nor were they my own pieces for sale.

I am honored to use my talents for God's glory and if one child is reached through my artistry he gives me, then so be it!

I also oversaw a full week of painting with the youth at the church.

We went through GALLONS of paint, yards of fabric, many feet of wire, lots of lumber, and scads of time while completing the sets.

The combination of time with me, the adults, and the youth was well over 

500 hours just in the build week alone.

I am eternally grateful for the experience of working with these future leaders of our church.

Some of them will go very far, I'm sure!

Last Sunday found us doing the actual building of the sets in the new sanctuary.

I was nervous because I was concerned it might not be enough to fill the space. 

After 3 1/2 hours we were completely in place, and the space was filled with Super Mario.

The following day I went to see how the children reacted and was 

delighted to see so many parents enthralled as well.

 I could see the adults pointing out things to the children and 

reminiscing about their own childhood memories.

It did my heart glad to see the kids interacting and parents photographing as well.

Our church served over 450 children!

Then came break down day on Wednesday.

It all came down in 1 1/2 hours, with some being reused in our children's church for the next month.

One of the children witnessing the break down, said it looks so sad now.....

The boat and four of the mushrooms went to the Eastern Shore Repertory Theater 

for their production of Moana today actually.

I also had precious children requesting coins and stars to take home.

Two of the figures have been spoken for, with one of the youth requesting Bowser and our grandson wanting the Yoshi for his room.

Next year will be an experience for sure.

We were breaking down and I heard the pastor ask the kids do you want to know about next year?

My inner kid screamed YES!!!

I ran into the room to see.

I think the Teens watching me in the back thought I was crazy, 

fist pumping and yelling YES, YES, YES!

I don't think they've witnessed a grandparent age adult acting like that.

I need to pull my brother into it as he LOVES Marvel comic movies.

I will get immersed in that world for sure.

I can already see the Holy Spirit working on that one, with images ALREADY popping into my head!!!!

I must write them down, so they don't keep me awake nights planning for next year.

It's going to be another big year; I already can tell.

Manatees Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches 

Day 10 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Great Blue II and a birthday too!

The day started simply enough.

My Bible and Coffee, journaling, and messages around the world.

Well at least London England, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe Africa.

Each day I send messages to people that have requested them about Jesus's love for us.

They also receive my journal entry for the day.

We got a birthday call from London this morning!

Bappa, Christina, Neel and Dahlia all said happy birthday!

Somehow, we managed to play hide and seek too!

Such a fun call from the Banerjees!

Shortly after 9, we headed to Celebration Church to repaint the backdrop for CK kids.

It started out as backdrops for the dinosaurs, who have now found 

temporary homes at the Spanish Fort Library until next summer.

I was going to do it alone, but Chris tagged along to help.

It's my birthday and he wanted me to get done quickly.

Don't let Chris fool you, he enjoys helping me. (At least I think he does!)

I worked on the bottom, and Chris worked on the top painting leaves.

We both worked quickly and got the backdrop done in about 2 hours.

It was easy to add color to the wonderful work the youth did back in July.

This is the backdrop after.

Not a bad job!

Once the mural was done, we headed to lunch as we were both hungry.

I also received a phone call from Bangalore, India saying happy birthday. 

Dr B called me along with his wife to wish me happy birthday.

I then came home and finished this guy!

Another 6 x 24 ready for the shows.

I have a lot of varnishing to do this weekend for sure!

We then completed the day with a birthday dinner with the kids at a local restaurant on the causeway.

My brother, Ben Thomas wanted a photo of the three generations.

He thought it was funny we are ten years apart.

I turned 65 today, Ben turned 55 in March, and Jessica (our daughter) turned 45 in June.

I graduated high school in 1978, Ben in 1988, and Jessica in 1998.

It is kind of neat, this 10-year difference between us.

My birthday also falls on the same day as Ghandi, such a beautiful soul.

We had a lovely meal together as a family.

Sean, Jessica, Archer, Jere, Jenna, Lorene, Ben, Allison, Chris and myself.

Turning 65 has been fun so far!

Great Blue II and a birthday too! Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24 inches

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Dinosaurs and more!

Our small group at Celebration church was not so small tonight!

Scripts & Strokes has grown through the years, and I still love teaching the scripture paintings.

13 years and counting!

I have several that have come year after year as well.

Tonight, we had four guests as well as the regulars.

It's always fun to see people painting and enjoying the group.

Everyone had a great time tonight!

Good lesson, even better fellowship and community.

The younger ones were so well behaved too!

This morning found us loading up the dinosaurs and taking them to the Spanish Fort Library.

The Library is still very excited to have them and I am so happy they are not in a land fill!

The stares we got while going down the road were comical.

The wind was bad though, the dinosaurs kept moving and we had stop to tie 

them down several times while driving.

We also brought a van load of greenery to put around them next summer.

Sarah and I will be busy repairing them, and touching up paint.

Next summer will be epic for them!

Another day, another painting, another adventure!

8 days until set up at the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores,Alabama

Such is life here in Fairhope

Dinosaurs and more, Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 inches

Day 92 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Send in the clowns!

Tonight, our small group met, and boy did we have fun!

We all painted the clown fish you see here.

They all looked pretty great too!

This was after a long day.

Not all of my day was in the studio, however.

The studio time in the morning was taken up by putting wires on all the paintings varnished yesterday.

I then sketched off nine paintings for tonight's class.

If you don't know, while I am working, I keep my phone on silent for the most part.

So, while I was drawing in the bathroom for tonight's class, 

my sister in love was trying desperately to get in touch with me.

Turns out, she got a call from the doctor's office about her test last night.

They wanted her to go to the emergency room immediately.

They saw a possible brain bleed.

When she couldn't get me, she called her sister in Mobile who called Chris.

All this while I was quietly transferring the drawings to canvas.

I came out to seven missed calls in the space of 20 minutes.

Chris picked her up and took her to the emergency room.

Then, Chris called me to tell me what was going on.

I was preparing to go to the ER when our son called and wanted lunch.

I went with him to lunch and picked up something for Chris to eat.

We exchanged food in the hallway, and Chris went home to eat and hang out with dogs.

I spent the next few hours trying to calm my sister in love and asking questions.

We pretty much were left alone and without a whole lot happening.

Once it was all said and done, the ER physician said he didn't see a brain bleed.

Neither did the Neurologist.

This is the second time this has happened but it's in a different area now.

I'm glad she's okay and at home resting.

That was my scare for the day!

Tonight's class was so much fun.

All of the ladies had really neat looking fish by the time we were done.

We also spent two hours that just flew by!

Psalm 104:25 "Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small."

The clownfish is unique in that they can hang out with the anemone and not get stung.

Gods covering is like that, covering us with his presence and protection keeping us from harm.

Bring in the clowns, Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 85 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Happy artists, happy art!

Mermaid reflections

"Mermaid reflections"

I wonder what is going through her mind about this funny looking thing from the wreck.

I'm sure like "The little mermaid" there are lots of things in her stash of collectibles.

A little caveat.

Our "African son" asked me about mermaids.

It seems that people there think they are real spirits that are not very nice.

No son, they are fantasy here not real.

Curiously strange.

This is the last of the rounds for a while.

I have 11 more to paint, awaiting my brushes.

I will probably paint them in between Mattie Kelly and Peter Anderson.

Peter Anderson has sent out booth numbers and I am 656.

I asked to please be placed back near the Government Street Grocery.

The booth should also be near our wonderful parking. 

We park Friday night, and don't move even to load out or in.

I am so grateful for the spot we stay in during this show.

I asked to be moved because we were across from a popular place and people were constantly cutting through our booth to get to the restaurant.

We were also cut off from people seeing us because of the line from the restaurant.

So, we'll see how it goes this year!

This mermaid was fun to design and paint.

It was also incredibly hard to cut out.

Thankfully Chris is willing to help out frequently.

His band saw has a really thin blade he discovered while cleaning, so he's able to get pretty intricate.

There are still some things I would cut differently, but I am grateful for the extra hands and help.

I also had to use my Dremel on the dolphins recently as there were two spots that weren't removed.

The Dremel is the same one I used to make ornament push molds carved into wood.

We make a wonderful team.

I am so glad God placed us together as man and wife.

So, now I have to check my inventory here at the house and come up with a plan of what to paint.

There are several shadowboxes lined up and ready to go.

I am also going to make at least one 5-piece turtles for the far wall.

I'm really looking forward to the new booth set up with black walls.

The white backgrounds will really pop off of them.

I just pray the booth won't be too dark inside.

I may have to invest in some serious lighting that's easy to transport, not too fragile, and able to run off my battery pack.

That sound like a tall order to me, although I'm all in as far as investing in myself and my business.

The next order of business is a website other than this blog.

The blog has increased my presence on the web but has not increased my sales.

I just need to stop long enough to build it and post photos.

I had a website before, when I had oodles of time to build it through a company.

I was happy with it, but it was taken down by the company when my debit card wasn't able to pay.

I also wasn't able to simply reinstate the website.

So much work lost, and now I have to carve out time to build another one!

So much to do, so little time on my hands as of late!

To God be the glory though, because I usually get it all done!

Just another day at the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Mermaid reflections, Acrylic on wood, 20 inches

Day 62 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

A Circled Cephalopod

Today was another day of joy for me.

I started the day in the studio, working on backgrounds for the last two circles.

Don't worry they're coming back in late October, because I still have 11 more to paint.

I'm going to use them as "fill ins" after the first three shows.

As usual, this one was fun to paint.

What was not fun was trying to paint after a restless night.

I finally gave up and got up at 4am this morning.

I got my Bible readings done, painted a bit, then headed off to a Baby shower.

The shower was fun, but I was hungry for lunch.

The shower had only fruit and dip that I could eat.

I have apparently become Gluten intolerant.

I don't have violent reactions as some do, but it's bad enough.

I have what amounts to an allergy attack, phlegm, and sinus drainage.

Sometimes up to 24 hours later!

It's just not worth the tastiness.

So, I ate a leftover salad from the refrigerator and headed back to the studio.

The studio was quiet except for the dachshund that followed me up here.

The tippy tapping of her claws is cute, but then I worry when I don't hear movement.

Quiet in a dachshund is like a quiet toddler.

You better be nervous and you better go look.

With dachshunds they're usually in a garbage can, stealing tissues to shred.

I worked for a couple of hours then decided it was time for a nap.

The dachshunds and I piled onto the couch under a blanket and dozed off.

I needed that nap!

It was time to go back to the studio and after an hour or so, it was time for the afternoon ride.

I then cooked dinner, took grandson for ice cream and headed back into the paint.

A good day.

Now hopefully it will be a good night!

A circled cephalopod, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 61 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Babies, babies everywhere!

Today's piece was after a long day.

My youngest brother was having surgery, so I drove to Mobile to sit with him and my sister in love at 6:15.

I spent the day waiting and chatting with her.

We talked a lot, prayed a lot, and even cried a little.

Then the doctor came out and said it was tough removing the knot as it was full of scar tissue.

We'll find out results later next week.

I finally got to see him again as he was being wheeled out from his outpatient surgery.

Surprisingly about 1 pm.

Too late to go home to Fairhope, too early to pick up grandson from school 

as he is spending the weekend with us.

So, I got lunch at Tazikis.

A lovely salad with chicken and fruit.

I then drove to my daughter's house, and she gave me a hair trim!

Yahoo no more bangs in my eyes!

I could hear my grandmother saying, "get those bangs out of your face!"

It's like when I get dirty fingernails or paint.

I have to clean them, or I'm nervous.

My dad would whip out a very sharp knife and dig the dirt out if I didn't do it.

This is why I have a nail brush by the sink, to scrub.

It's also why I don't care for the artist look of dirty clothes covered in paint at a show.

I just don't feel it presents yourself professionally.

So, I'm always neat, clean, and wearing pretty clothes at shows.

The drive home was interesting to say the least.

The traffic was unbelievable and it took over an hour and a half to get back to Fairhope.

Anyway, I came home to french fries and chicken nuggets that my husband heated up at my request.

I ate, then came upstairs to paint.

I painted these guys in between my grandson asking questions about the books

 I want to sell out of my studio.

I have quite the collection of books on drawing, painting, and references galore.

His research found some of my books are rare and somewhat valuable.

I told him he could have a cut in exchange for photographing, posting, and researching pricing.

We agreed to 20 percent of the profit after sale and shipping.

I have a very interested tweenager in the studio now!

Babies, babies everywhere!, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 60 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

 

 

All over the place!

Today was a very busy day.

I had several pieces to sand and paint the edges.

Not the least of which was this guy!

He was incredibly difficult to cut out and to finish the edges.

It seemed like every time I thought I was done sanding or painting the leg edges, I found out I wasn't.

It felt like there was a lot more than eight of them!

Anyway, once I got to painting, this one was fun.

The delicacy of the legs, to his spotted body was so interesting.

To give you an idea of the complexity of this one!

Here is the cut out against a black background.

Very visually interesting to me and I hope for you as well.

I am really in a groove now, finding my way closer to the halfway point in this year's pieces.

I am also closer to painting a large mural inside a condo down at the beach.

I may also get some beach time as well.

Lots of hard work, lots getting accomplished here at the Raccoon Retreat studio.

Another beautiful hot day on the Gulf Coast in Fairhope, Alabama.

All over the place! Acrylic on wood, 20 inches

Day 48 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

Killers from the deep

What an incredible few days it has been.

A trip to Saraland to stay with our daughter, Jessica as she was having a surgical procedure done.

I stayed with her at the surgical ward during her surgery

I then brought her home later that day.

She was quite swollen and needed help navigating, getting medications, and ice packs round the clock.

Then came the night.

She seemed pretty well settled at 9pm so I made sure she had drink, ice packs, and medicine.

I tried to sleep, but this mama radar went off about 2am.

I went to check on her in their media room, she was attempting to sleep upright to keep down swelling.

I asked if she was okay, and she said yes.

I asked if she needed more ice and that was a yes as well.

I got her ice packs, put the used ones in the freezer.

I tried to go back to bed.

No sleep for the weary.

I read my Bible, did my devotionals, and started the day.

It was officially Archers birthday! 

  

Each birthday since my grandchildren were born, I have painted a piece for 

each of them every year on their birthday.

Archer now has quite the collection! (13 to be exact)

It started on the day he was born with a crab.

Over the years, he has gotten a lion, a gecko, a turtle, a rhino, a painting of his dog "Wolf",

a sailfish, a dolphin and turtle together, a monkey, and now Killer Whales.

He read what I wrote about them and saw my painting earlier this 100 days.

He mentioned he might want one in a sewing drawer, but his pieces are all white backgrounds.

As you can see, he was both happy and surprised.

Happy birthday Archer!

"Killers from the deep", Acrylic on Canvas, 6 x 24 inches

Day 42 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025