Orinoco Flow

My artist friend Alfred from Zimbabwe actually named this one.

When he saw the photo he said it reminded him of the song Orinoco Flow by Enya.

It does have a sail away, sail away quality to the painting.

So much of a pleasure to create, it had it's problems.

When I began, painting, Chris said the Dolphin was too small.

I agreed and enlarged it by a full third.

I also enlarged the tail quite a bit.

I love how it flows together with the poured background.

I've been working on a commission piece for a collector that wants additional 

pieces to go with his shadowbox turtle.

It will be a spectacular work of art when they are all in place.

He has an original 24 x 24 and wants to add 2 12 x 12's , and 3 12 x 24's.

The reef pieces are coming along great, and the turtles are beautiful.

I will post them as soon as they are done.

The total artworks will measure 50 inches wide by 38 inches tall when complete.

Other than that happening in the studio....

We sold Gypsy Gal today.

She is going home to a delightful couple in North Alabama.

They are spending the night here, after a delicious meal and a hot shower.

We invited them to spend the night after a six hour trip turned into almost 9 because of traffic.

She is going to a great home, and I know she'll have many happy hours with them!

I look forward to seeing their adventures.

Orinoco Flow, Acrylic on Poured background, 20 x 20 inches

Day 96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Ibis III

Happy World Teachers day to all my teacher friends!

Ibis III was indeed a visit to our past trip to the Florida coast.

These beautiful birds were so unafraid of humans, so plentiful, and just plain fun to watch!

I enjoyed photographing them, and now painting them!

Today brought us together working on a table for friends at church.

My husband called it finished, but I pushed him a little into varnishing it one more time.

We sanded together, then pushed the polyurethane back and forth, achieving a beautiful glow.

This table is rather large and is meant for outdoor meals at their home on the river.

I hope they enjoy the fruits of his labors for years to come!

I know I would love one!

Meanwhile, the Gypsy Gal may be going to a new home tomorrow in North Alabama.

The couple is well aware of the weight, and the need for a large vehicle to pull it.

We sent them the video that the wonderful 

Richard Sites put up on youtube about her back in January.

The woman fell in love instantly.

I hope they are committed, they are driving 6 hours to pick her up Saturday afternoon.

I will be sad to see her go, but go she must.

Chris traded the truck that could pull her during the summer for a smaller Toyota.

We spent many a happy hour in the Gypsy Gal!

We now have Calypso and I am totally in love with her now.

Calypso is easy to pull with our Dodge Grand Caravan.

For those of you that don't know, Calypso is our vintage 1984 UHaul 

camper Chris found while walking the dogs back in January of this year.

I was in India visiting our daughter at the time and Chris was uncertain of getting it or not.

Through multiple texts back and forth.

Is the weight right? Yes.

Is the price right? Yes.

Can my van pull it? Yes

Can you repair what is needed to be repaired? Yes

Do you like it? Yes

Then what is the question?

I want you to see it first.

I told him, I trust your judgement, and if you think it's good for us, then get it.

Turns out there was a LOT more work involved than we originally thought.

The trailer was trashed in a lot of places.

Questionable repairs, a too large air conditioner, and hole where there should not be holes.

He ended up removing the camper from the trailer, then welding, blasting and replacing parts.

He then put it back on the trailer, and the fiberglass began.

That was a whole new learning curve.

Anyway, after lots of hard work we have a vintage camper that is so cute and coastal.

We are using it next week for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

I'm sure there will be lots of talk in the campground about her.

Speaking of Shrimp Festival, I got my booth assignment today!

I'm still on the main aisle coming into the show on the parking lot.

While the forecast is for rain chances, at least we don't have a hurricane charging the Gulf Coast.

My booth number is A18

I can hardly wait!

Ibis III, Acrylic on poured background, 4 x 12 inches

Day 95 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Ibis II

Ibis II brings me one day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival 

down at Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The weekend is looking like the possibility of rain in some spots, 

but probably not an all day wash out.

We will be putting up the tent we lovingly call "The Beast".

It is the second tent ever made by the Showoff company back in the late 80's.

The company was a merger between an aerospace engineer and an awning company.

The first tent was made for the engineer's wife, the second for her friend.

I got the tent from the friend several years ago.

She had used it for shows for several years and was getting out and needed to sell.

The tent is built from aluminum and is lightweight and easy to set up.

I have also owned a Flourish, but it was heavy, heavy.

I sold my Flourish, after I got the Showoff.

We have put the poles into a golf bag, as it makes carrying them easier.

I can carry almost the entire tent pole system in the golf bag.

Anyway, we call it "The Beast" because it has so many parts and pieces.

There are no less than  7 legs if you put up a french wall.

There are also stabilizing bars for the bottom.

Bars for the top and sides and a 5th one for the french wall.

Then there's the roof pipes in several pieces, we added even more when Chris built a system of PVC pipe that holds the roof taut, preventing leaks and puddles.

A roof with a sky light.

Four vinyl walls.

Four large 45 pound weights.

Sometimes we bring the bag weights as well.

Four covered walls for us to choose from, if we want a french wall or not.

We also have chairs, a wooden business center surround, flags, decorations, business roll around case that carries hooks, cards, shopping bags, tools, price tags, straps for the weights, stakes, baby wipes, and too much other stuff to mention!

Needless to say, it's a LOT of stuff to carry.

When we go out of town we carry an extra pop up tent in case something happens to the big one.

We learned that lesson here in Fairhope when The Beast was damaged during a storm that hit the night of set up a few years back.

We've carried an extra tent ever since. 

Then there is the artwork in a system of bags that I've purchased over the years.

We also added a platform made from shelving, making it easier to load the tents, chairs, business table, and weights.

We then have a cooler, clothes, food, snacks, and drinks.

Although sometimes we buy the food after we get to the show city.

Why do I tell you this?

Because it's not all sitting in our studio, raking in cash from sales.

It's a lot of sleepless nights caused by ideas that will not be quiet, concerns about not remembering to pack something, last minute varnishing before we leave, and packing an 

art bag of projects to do at the show.

Sometimes the shows are so slow, I can paint quite a bit unfortunately.

Artists carry lots of heavy equipment, and sometimes heavy thoughts about their works.

We also have to plan months in advance, I currently have entries for shows for May of next year.

I have campgrounds booked for two shows in Florida in late April and the first weekend of May.

They are already paid in full because that is what is required.

So it's a lot we go through to present ourselves before you, the collector even go to the shows.

Know an artist?

Tell them you know how hard they work and you appreciate their efforts.

Today found me laying out a project involving multiple pieces to go 

with a painting purchased a few years back.

He has his turtle, he now wants 5 other canvases set up in a 

particular way to surround the original piece.

He is excited to see them, and so am I!

Meanwhile I paint......

Ibis II, Acrylic on poured background, 4 x 12 inches

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Ibis I

Day one of the Ibis.

A few years back we took a wonderful trip to Florida.

On the West coast of Florida is the beautiful place called Sandia Island.

It is supposed to be one of the best shelling experiences in the country.

It did not disappoint me at all.

While I did not find a lot of different shells, I did find the Queen Scallops I needed for a project.

I needed a lot of Queen scallops as I was making necklace and earring sets for about 20 women.

I found what I needed and much more shells than I can ever describe in one post. 

On to the Ibis....

We took a ferry to the island of Coya Costa off the coast of Sandia.

It is a beautiful place, with primitive camping for the brave.

We may have to try it sometime.

What fascinated me was the Ibis.

Normally an elusive bird, they melt into the mangroves at the sight of humans.

However, on the Gulf of Mexico and a beautiful pristine beach there were dozens everywhere.

I've never seen so many Ibis in one area.

I took dozens of photos with my digital camera.

The advantage is that I did not have to print them all, but could look at them on the computer.

Digital is wonderful that way.

These birds were unafraid of humans, running in front of women walking along the beach.

They were also playing in the surf, dipping in the water with their beaks searching for mussels.

When a bird finally got one, the fights ensued with lots of squawking, nipping, and finally taking flight.

It was quite the spectacle and one I hope I don't forget!

Ibis I, Acrylic on poured canvas, 4 x 12 inches

Day 93 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Mystical Mermaid III

Mystical Mermaids continue!

Today finds the backside of one swimming away!

I really enjoy painting these.

What I don't enjoy is conflict.

I posted something that two people disagree with 

on a popular website.

Your first guess on the website is probably right!

Anyway, I seem to have ruffled feathers with the Global Warming post about Greta. 

For the record, I believe we need to do something, 

anything to help out our planet.

Yes the United States is working on it, but we could still do more.

Yes Children today grow up differently from how we did.

We grew up drastically different from our parents and grandparents!

We are slowly but surely destroying our planet with our garbage, chemicals, and lack of sound conservation practices.

On the other counts, I guess I'll have to respectfully disagree!

I am ready for the show this weekend.

I hope to see some of you there, even if just to look!

Mystical Mermaid III, Acrylic on poured background, 4 x 12 inches

Day 87 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Sea below

Yet another poured background is the basis for this piece.

I am praying they will be successful when we start actually doing shows.

This one was the main painting poured, with several smaller ones coming from the excess paint.

I am trying to be a good steward of my supplies, so I don't want to let any paint go to waste.

Consequently, I have a lot of backgrounds poured already.

Small and large some in between.

The studio is filled with them and shadowboxes!

I can barely move in my space to work.

Today's piece, "Sea Below" is a testimony to my favorite animal, the sea turtle.

See the Sea Below the beauty.

We need to take care of our seas, they provide a lot of oxygen, and tons of food.

Unfortunately, our seas have become a place of toxic wastes.

Runoff from fields going into streams, causing algae blooms that kill the animals that live within.

Excess garbage, that is carelessly tossed, ending up in our oceans.

The amount of plastic in our seas is staggering, almost incomprehensible in it's sheer volume.

We are using more plastic than ever. 

BTW, every single piece of plastic ever produced is still on our planet in one form or another!

8 million pieces of plastic end up in our oceans every single day.

Take that in folks!

Two thirds of it comes from land based sources.

Litter dropped in cities, industry spills, badly managed garbage sites or flushed down the toilet.

The rest is fishing gear or containers washed overboard from ships.

What plastic that is not floating is resting on the bottom.

Microscopic particles are finding their way into our food chain.

1 in 3 fish caught for human consumption now contain plastic.

Kinda sobering to me.

I teach kids about plastic recycling and making art from refuse instead of simply tossing it.

My precious husband is also becoming more recycle conscious.

I have started small, refusing straws as much as possible.

There are about 390 million straws used in the US every day.

The next step for us, will be refusing foam food containers as they will never degrade.

I plan to start bringing my own containers when we go out to eat.

I have also started using Norwex products, in an effort to make a chemical free home.

Small steps now, becoming larger steps later may begin to turn the "tide".

Eco friendly containers may become Christmas presents this year as well.

Sea Below, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 inches

Day 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

The conchs have it!

 The conchs have it!

At least around here for the time being. The top one is a horsehead conch, the other is a regular conch, often used for conch fritters. (BTW, I don't care for them at all!)

My first Show at Orange Beach  started today. Chris helped me set up yesterday on his birthday and then we went to Art Walk in Fairhope in the evening. We brought BBQ Deer meat sandwiches and they were a hit! I also brought mini cupcakes that were eaten by several adults and children. Happy birthday Chris!

Today found me alone at the show, because our son came over to help with the wiring on the UHaul camper. We are coming close to the deadline for using it and I for one am grateful that one more thing can be checked off the list. Well, at least part one. The AC is all wired up, but the DC is still to be done. Next weekend Jere' will come back and finish the job. We have new LED brake lights and running lights. The new lights inside will all be LEDs as well because they pull so little   power and can be used with the Battery so we can boondock for shows.   Coming closer to reality. Now, if we could just sell the Gypsy Gal to help finance this adventure! I still have yet to begin the interior design of the UHaul, I know a lot of it will be baskets inside the bins, upholstery in the dining area, curtains for the windows, the list gets longer by the minute! So fun, designing the new interior with a sea theme. 

I also have some surprises in store for the interior as well! 

The show went very well today! Last year, I did not even make expenses. This year was totally different, with me making expenses (and then some!) before the show even opened at 10 am. I had some frustration with my square though, a new phone may become a must before too long. I am also pleased to report I got a patron award as well! So fun, and the gentleman choose a painting I dearly loved, but has not sold in several showings. He very happily went home with the Manta rays shadowbox tucked under his arm. The new elongated paintings are very well received, although I only sold one of them today. Several people said they had to go home and measure before they could decide on pieces. Tomorrow is another day, a day to spend with Chris, a day to paint, a day to sell, a day to be thankful to God for the blessings he bestows upon me. I am indeed humbled and honored that people want to buy my pieces for their homes and offices. I am so grateful too, that I get to play in the paint and then sell what I create!

Needless to say, the next few days before Arts & Crafts will be a flurry of activity in the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

The conchs have it! Acrylic on canvas, each 6x6 inches

Days 92 & 93 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019                                                            

Playing at the gulf

A few months ago, I cleaned my palette off on to a canvas. I am not one to waste paint, and there was just too much to throw away! So, I coated the canvas with the leftovers and waited to see what would inspire me to complete it. This little girl was totally perfect. I added the shoreline with wave action to the all blue canvas. Some, sand, some waves, a little girl playing in the water. 

Just makes me want to go to the beach!

I also worked on this Lichtenstein inspired piece. I completed it today with my Atelier class at the Eastern Shore Art Center. The parents are having almost as much fun as the kids when they see their wonderful works of art completed during the class.

Playing at the Gulf, 16 x 40 , Acrylic on canvas

Day 93 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Playful Dolphins

Playful Dolphins is another of the multiple piece series started this spring. 

This one is actually for a client that was disappointed recently when Big Fish Trading Company sold the set she was originally looking at to purchase. I assured her I could paint another equally as lovely, but not the same pose. I try not to recreate the same pose over and over, thereby keeping my work as fresh and new as possible. We made arrangements to meet and I brought the Dolphins with me for her to have them in her space. After I toured her gorgeous new home, we unpacked the dolphins. She loved them, but wanted her husband to see them as well. I left them at her home on approval overnight. 

The next afternoon, her husband had some questions, one of which was,

 "Do you ever paint in color?" He also wanted to know if I was on the same page as far as hanging them. Additionally, we discussed the color to be added that would remind them of their honeymoon. They also have the cutest photograph of them with dolphins in the Florida Keys!  There is a  beautiful teal blue green cabinet that is near where the painting will hang.  This couple already have a collection of art that includes a wonderful mosaic piece done by a friend.  

This is Playful Dolphins with color added. I have done this with several of my sepia paintings, sometimes by request, others on my own.

I hope they enjoy them in their home as much as I enjoyed painting them!

Playful Dolphins, Acrylic on canvas, 2 16x20 and 1 24x24 canvas, 

Total piece measures about 5ft by 2ft

Day 13 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings 2017

Way too many days!

"Just Beachy"

Way too many days to post individually. Things have been hopping around here with paintings, commissions, and turtle hatchlings. (more on the turtles later!)

Just beachy is an oil painting made from leftover paint for a client. I don't paint in oil often, because I find I get nasal issues afterward. I love the feel of oils though, may be I'll paint them outside!

"Can we talk?"

Our crabs here on the gulf coast are beautiful and tasty! I am sure they would love to discuss themselves becoming dinner, but I'm too hungry!

 This piece is a four piece painting taking 4 days to paint of course!

It is on 4~12 x 12 canvases.

"Wagon"

While not a painting, this design is for our new Gypsy wagon camper we are building for an extended road trip next year after Chris retires. We have long discussed building another camper and this one will be a beauty when finished. This is the color scheme Chris wants, although I think I would rather have all white trim rather than the wood. The bottom is corrugated metal, with plywood sides and battens added for interest. My hope is the front door will have dachshund cutouts. Our windows will be hand built, with plexiglass instead of glass. I have worked hard on the inside design as well, but it is still a work in progress. The designs took several days to create with several revisions. We have already purchased our tub for the shower, and I found a beautiful copper bowl for our sink in the bath! More on the camper later.

The Commissions cannot be shown because they are another artists work. They were in a state of disrepair and the owners called the original artist to work on them. The artist declined, telling them they don't do that anymore. I got the works and spent several days to scrape off the faltering paint and finish. Then began careful wire brushing and enamel paint finish. The owners were very happy with their finished pieces and now proudly hung them back in their boat house. 

All told, several days of work, with very little to sell at shows! Kinda Scary considering it is less than 50 days until the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

One of my collectors has now called as well. He wants another Buddha painted in a couple of weeks so he can donate it to a temple in Mobile.

On top of it all, I received a call from a mural design I did a month ago. We are a go on the mural now, starting either today or Tuesday next week! The moral of this story is, be careful what you pray for, you may be given a lot! Not complaining though, this is just what I wanted, a happy art filled life here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!  

EEEEEEEK! 

"Just beachy" 12 x 24, Oil on canvas

"Can we talk?" 24 x 24, Acrylic on 4 canvases

"Wagon" Colored pencil on Cardstock design for camper 

Postings with Apologies

"Pier Pelican"

Whew!

What a summer it has been! 

I have had more wonderful things thrown at me in the past few weeks than I can hardly stand!

I have had commissions, classes, and chaos! Mediacom has been iffy at best, with internet floating in and out at will!  Apologies to you all, my readers and followers for my not being diligent in my duties as a blogger and painter. I have been painting constantly, but not posting a painting a day. 

Thus begins the second half of the 100 Days~100 Paintings. It is now about 50 days until the National Shrimp Festival, and this year we are moving to the street outside of Fine Arts and into the world of Arts & Crafts. My friends have pestered me for years to move out there and so I have! Hopefully, we will be near our friend, George Kearney, as this will make Christopher's booth sitting a more enjoyable experience. Those of you who do outdoor shows will understand you can request placement, but there are no guarantees! I have also received congratulations letters from our usual shows for the fall, so we will be busy from the end of September til December.

Enough said, on to the real meal, the paintings! 

For the next 50 days I am painting and posting 2 a day so I can catch up and have enough inventory for all the fall shows.

The Pelican above is our local bird that hangs out at the public pier. He is always caging for a meal, looking for hand outs from the fishermen and cast netters. Recently, there has been a small battle between him and a Blue Heron that has decided to move in on the Pelicans easy pickings.

"Pier Pelican" 8 x 10 , Acrylic on Gessoboard Day 51 painting 1 of the 100 Days

"Chris is a turtle!"

This guy is one of the turtles rescued by the turtle hospital in Marathon Florida. He has lots of tumors on him that are not depicted here. We walk every Saturday during turtle nesting season to look for nests. On the way back, we pick up the myriad of parts and pieces of plastic that are so deadly to these beautiful creatures. I love painting turtles and probably will always have a few in my shows. 

"Chris is a turtle!" 12 x 12 , Acrylic on canvas, Day 51, painting 2 of the 100 Days.

"Sea Shells, She Shells"

I have seen this so many times on the beaches on and near here. Buckets in tow, they pick up every shell they can find, until moms gently remind them to leave some for others to discover. Our children would do this as well, and this little girl reminds me of both myself and our own children.

"Sea Shells, She Shells" 24 x 24 , Acrylic on canvas, Day 52 painting 3 of the 100 days

"Battered, Beached, and Broken"

We've all been there a time or two haven't we? Battered, thrown up on the Beach, Broken beyond repair. I have learned much in this journey of painting. Each of my brushstrokes is frequently a prayer for others while I am creating. I contemplate on their plights, give thanks for all God has done for me, then gratitude for a piece when it is completed and allowing me to use my talents for others. 

I photographed this jumbled, beautiful, mess one Saturday while walking for turtles on Orange Beach. After some research, I discovered that this species is a Speckled Crab. Normally a deep & cool water crab, the storm that brought this beautiful creature from the depths must have been violent indeed! This piece took more than a day, more like 5 days, but I am displaying it here for those who may need it for solace. It is an easy painting to get lost in, looking for all the different pieces and parts that make up the sandy beaches we all love so much!

"Battered, Beached, and Broken" 24 x 24, Acrylic on canvas, Day 52 Painting 4 of the 100 Days

"Breakaway!"

"Breakaway"

This post begins the 100 days~100 paintings for 2015

Hard to believe this will be the 7th year doing 100 pieces in 100 days to get ready for fall shows. I have already been accepted into the National Shrimp Festival in October. This year at my request, I am in the Arts & Crafts area. Hopefully on the Street with friends George Kearney and  JuJu Bee's. I have also applied for several shows I regularly appear in on the coast. We also have one new show in Florida for which I am awaiting the jury process. This show will be in late October. 

This year promises to be a real adventure, with lots on my plate even now. Teaching for the Eastern Shore Art Center, Daphne Art Center, Mobile Museum of Art, and a week at Celebration Church. God has indeed been kind to me, filling my calendar with classes for lots of little ones, as well as adult classes in the fall already lining up! Whew!

On to this, the first of the 100 Days~100 paintings for 2015. 

"Breakaway" has been a while in the making, as the background for this piece was leftover paint I was not able to just throw away. It has called the studio home for over a year now, being moved from spot to spot while I ruminated about what to paint on it. The painting presented itself while I was going through photos on my computer and saw this little boy. The afternoon sun was setting and his mother decided to take him to the beach for a walk. He decided otherwise, opting for a run to the waters edge to play. His mother gently pulled him back, telling him he was not dressed for the water and it was too cool to get wet. He walked by his mom for a bit, then the breakaway! In typical toddler fashion, he giggled and starting kicking water everywhere. His mom did not want to get wet, and he took advantage of her hesitancy in catching him. He started running as fast as his little legs could carry him, splashing and laughter filling the air. Finally his mother gave up and started taking photos of his fun instead of "Takeaway" the experience of "Breakaway"

This painting is headed for "The Art of  Making Miracles-To Romania with Love", a fundraiser for Romanian children in September at the Venue in Fairhope, Alabama. This is an Artist Invitation only event for artists to showcase their works. I am honored to be asked to participate.  I can set a reserve price, and if it does not sell, I can take it home that evening. The advantage of this show is that I get to take home 50% of the selling price. This is a Win/Win benefit show and I am looking forward to participating!

"Breakaway" Day number 1 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings for 2015

Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40.

Peaceful Waves

     Peaceful Waves was  part of a demonstration during the Painting a Day class at the Eastern Shore Art Center. The classes are in their third week, and I am still pushing this group to their limits. They are learning a great deal during class, but are struggling with the concept and execution. Some are not putting enough paint on the canvas, some too much, some are lifting paint off the canvas when they add another layer. There is lots of gnashing and whining going on during the class, but all are saying they are having fun and learning.

     Most of all, I have to keep telling them that I can give them everything I know, every brush I use, the paints, the mediums etc, but I cannot give them one thing.
Time...........to paint. Time..............making mistakes. Time........figuring out the mistakes and fixing them. Time.................behind their brush. The only thing that will make you a better painter is time behind a brush! Go home after your class you paid for and paint the same thing again! You may make mistakes, but you will learn how to figure them out. Dig yourself into a hole, then fill it back up and just plain PAINT, PAINT, PAINT! Only then will you improve and make yourself proud!

"Peaceful Waves" 24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas