Faithfulness

Facebook has a weird way of bringing up memories from so long ago.

This group of 4 is from the early sepia series.

They date all the way back to when we lived in Mobile.

These pieces were all in shadowbox frames that I purchased from Michaels.

The frames were raw wood and required two coats of paint. 

One black, then one brown and quickly wiped back.

I literally went through dozens of them, ordering some from California at one point.

Peter Anderson had an entire wall of them one year.

The canvas all measured 12 x 12.

Anyway, that's when the sepia series began!

The year was 2010.

I never dreamed the series would last this long.

I apparently am on to something.

 I was neutral before it was popularized in 2013 by Chip and Joanna Gaines in their show, Fixer Upper.

I started the series after people kept telling me they loved my work;

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

I literally was beating my head against the back of my tent at the National Shrimp Festival.

"I asked God, what am I doing wrong?"

He said, "Not wrong, go neutral."

That was the beginning.....

And so, I continue.

Several years ago, I mixed the color a little more blue than brown.

People went wild over it for some reason.

We hear "I love the blue" frequently at shows.

The color has stayed "blue" ever since.

It is a carefully mixed color of Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna.

I make large batch, put it into a jar, then pull it as needed.

I love this series so much and so do my collectors.

Many of them own several pieces as it is easy to add to their collection.

No more frames, bluer in color, still neutral after all these years.

 I am so happy to announce I have five shows this fall.

National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama October 10-13, 2024

Jubilee Festival, Daphne, Alabama October 19&20,2024

Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts, Destin, Florida, October 26&27, 2024

Peter Anderson Festival, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, November 2&3, 2024

**Three Rivers Covington, Covington, Louisiana, November 9&10, 2024**

Covington is a new show for me and the first time we've gone into Louisiana!

So excited!

We've also just gotten back from a month in India visiting family.

It was a great month, with me able to put my feet in the Arabian Sea at Goa.

We also went to Bangalore and saw the Banerjee clinic there.

It is a lovely space, beautifully designed.

The clinic in Delhi is also new, with lots of space to see clients.

While there, we also had an epic Lego birthday party for both Neel who turns 6 on September 5th, 

and Dahlia who turned 3 on August 2nd.

A grand time was had by all!

I have not posted, but I have been intensely painting.

Not always for sale, as I spent weeks creating the Space VBS for our church before we left for India.

I also spent two days making LEGO outfits for both grandchildren, our daughter, and our son in love.

Always creating here at the Raccoon Retreat studio in Fairhope, Alabama

37 days until the National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores!

Lionfish on parade, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

Babies on board! II

More baby turtles!

These are also on the wood panel, surrounded by the beachy wood edge.

I am enjoying the smaller panels, as they are easier to paint and transport.

They will also be a little easier on the pocketbook as they will retail for $150.00.

These are headed to the Audubon Center in Mississippi for next month's show!

I'm really having a good time creating the show, lots of birds coming up!

We finally got the part for my pool pump today.

With the combination of rain, rain, and more rain, my pool has not been happy at all.

Consequently, neither have I been happy.

I love to relax for a while in the pool, floating and looking at clouds, or the planes dog fighting overhead.

Yes, you read right.

Dog fighting.

I have seen them chase each other, roll, spin, and go into clouds.

I've even seen one go straight up as hard as he could, then stall the plane only to restart it as it was falling.

Scary, very scary.

These apparently are Navy pilots, practicing manuevers in prop planes, so they can build memory as far as the guidance of the plane. 

They learn in the slow ones, so they can handle the jets later.

This has gone on for years, they got permission when the area was not nearly as populated.

It's interesting to watch though!

I pray every time I hear them.

Babies on board! II, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 inches round

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Babies, Babies, Everywhere III

Much to my delight, I received a phone message the other night asking 

about the baby turtles I first posted.

She wanted a price and size.

Problem is, they were already sold.

The first ones were part of a collection of pieces going to Orange Beach.

The second ones were commissioned as a birthday present for someone

that had lost out on baby turtles they saw at a show.

She will get her babies later this month.

I told the woman messaging me that I could get them done by next week.

That was a good compromise and we exchanged contact information.

Lo and behold, I got a bee in my bonnet and got them done earlier than expected.

Turns out she is on the Orange Beach Share the Beach team.

We have training and she will pick them up while there.

I am amazed that they are already sold, as they have not been cleaned, wired, or varnished.

God is so good to me!

He allows me to have income from something I love doing, and it makes people happy.

Speaking of happy, I am working on our church's Vacation Bible School.

Every year this is a challenge as it comes at a time when I am doing 100 paintings, watching a grandchild, normal household stuff, and getting ready for a one woman show.

It's always such fun to create the pieces needed for each year's theme.

This year is "On the case" and we are having a grand time making items guaranteed to 

amaze and make the kids think!

Crime "scenes", puzzles, evidence, and things to observe and report on.

I love giving the kids several areas they can have fun in while waiting to enter the main service.

It's so fantastic when the Holy Spirit starts throwing ideas at me in the studio.

Sometimes the ideas come at me so fast, I cannot process them all.

It is then when I ask the Spirit to slow down and allow me to catch up.

This year, I have a wonderful team helping me with the pieces needed to "dress up" our church for VBS.

These people helping are amazingly eager and we are getting so much done.

So much is getting done that I may not even need the second work week.

What a beautiful team of precious volunteers, young and old alike!

Photos will be taken during the event, and I will post.

Which brings me to the end of the day!

By the way, the blog started in 2009 and is closing in on 100,000 views!

Tell me what year the blog started on Facebook, and you'll get 5 bonus entries for the painting to be given away. Join as a follower, and share please.

I'm not Tik-Tok poster, but I would like to achieve my goal of 100,000 views this year!

Babies, Babies, Everywhere III, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 15 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022, SOLD! 

 

Babies, Babies everywhere! II

Another incredibly fun one to paint!

Although it is rather intense as it involves small brushes.

My hands are definitely feeling their age as of late.

But with breaks, I can handle the smaller brushes for a while at least.

These little guys were part of another commission and are already sold.

They are a birthday present for one of my collectors.

They bought two paintings this spring and her husband wanted to add to their collection as they had seen baby turtle paintings done by me recently that were sold.

Have mercy they do sell quickly!

I will be painting more, for shows.

There is one more commission piece though.

Last night after I posted the babies on my FB page, I received a message asking how much they were.

I had to tell her that they were already sold and the price.

She still wants one for herself.

She is already a collector, owning three of my turtles so far.

She is also on the team with us for share the beach.

Incredibly, I am able to paint these little guys fairly fast.

They do cause a lot of tension in my back as it is lots of small details.

Fortunately, I went to the chiropractor today and things are in place.

I also exercise and ice in an effort to keep pain at bay.

Such a joy to spread around the area!

Babies, Babies everywhere! II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 14 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Frequent Flier II

Today's painting was a joy to create. 

But I don't know if it's quite finished yet! 

I may add something to it later on. 

We also worked on a church project today for several hours. 

I also taught for 3 hours. 

Researched parts for a costume for grandson.

Cooked dinner.

Finished church project.

I'm done for today!

Frequent Flier II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x24

Day 94 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

Heron's way II

This series is going to be interesting, I can tell.

I love the way the drawer bottom cut off forma a shadowbox frame around the piece.

We are hearing of the destruction coming out of Louisiana and Mississippi.

There is also damage in Alabama as a result of a tornado spawned from Ida.

She is now wrecking havoc up to the Eastern coast of the USA.

Multiple power outages both in lower La. and New Orleans because the main grid is destroyed coming into the city.

I don't need to imagine the damage as we lived it here last year after 

Sally hit our town and surrounding coastal areas.

We were months before all the debris was finally removed.

Chris is starting to really turn the wood we salvaged from the landfill, 

making beauty from the ashes that once were magnificent trees.

I have also checked on numerous friends and fellow artists.

Some are without power and running on generators, but the urge to create is strong.

One friend is grateful for the generator giving her light and ability to dry the painting as she progresses.

Her chickens even laid eggs the next day.

Life goes on, but it may never be the same again.

But, that being said the things we miss are things of this world.

Everyone needs to hug the attitude of joy and find the positives in their lives right now.

I pray everyone can find their joy again very soon.

Still praying for Louisiana and all who are suffering along our stretch of coastline.

It is beautiful to live here, but we do have the threat of hurricanes.

That being said, I've lived in California and I'll take a hurricane over an earthquake or fire any day!

Take care of yourselves, help others, and pray!

Heron's way II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16

Day 64 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Seasonal visitor

It seems every year I paint a variety of crabs both in sepia and in color.

Blue crabs are always interesting to paint because they are so complicated.

I love painting them!

Meanwhile, we took new pieces to the Stewart Heath Gallery in Malbis today. 

The turtles, Two to Tango are now available there.

I also received an email telling me another piece sold at the Audubon show!

I am really pleased at both the turn out of people and the sales have been surprising to say the least.

I never expected this beautiful space to really sell too.

Susan does a spectacular job of promoting and using the space to it's best advantage.

I'm also very happy that they have already asked me to return for another show.

We are also getting ready to take the motorhome out to Lake Martin.

My sister, Lorene will be staying here, no doubt spoiling the dogs absolutely rotten!

Lots of packing, planning, and preparing to take artwork with me to work upon while on our trip.

Then the week afterward, will be teaching in the morning, creating at church in the afternoon,

then painting at night!

Life is fun at the Raccoon Retreat studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Seasonal visitor, Acrylic on canvas, 12x12

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Sandpiper, sandpiper

Today's painting is a beautiful blend of techniques.

This Ruddy turnstone was amazingly fun.

The poured backgrounds have been terrific this summer into fall and this one is no exception.

I really enjoy working until I can find the right animal to go on each piece.

I photographed this guy while on Coya Costa. (remember the ibis?)

This bird was almost aggressive in his begging techniques.

We were eating lunch when he landed right next to us.

We tossed him bits of bread and it came closer to us.

If I had been able, I could have touched him.

He was so close, I had to lean way back to photograph him multiple times.

So fun to paint too!

Sandpiper, sandpiper, Acrylic on Poured background canvas, 12 x 12

Day 98 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

Seahorse

I love painting these seemingly whimsical creatures

This one was a challenge though, as I had to draw the outline, fill it in with lighter colored paint, then transfer the details.

Not too difficult, but time consuming for sure!

Well now on to the show results.

Another long day in the heat that is our Southern Alabama in September.

I was optimistic this morning when we opened the tent for day two of the show.

By 9 am there were people already walking the venue before church. 

We set up an awning out front of the tent, in an effort o cut down on the heat. 

We also put a fan up in the roof blowing downward.

The fan did surprisingly well, while it was not cool in the tent, it was cooler than in the sun.

The sun itself was in and out today and there was a nice breeze.

Overall, beautiful weather in spite of the heat.

The ice cream vendors did booming sales this weekend.

Me not so much.

I have had my first (and hopefully only!) 

ZERO, (yes $0.00!) show.

This has been about 20 years in the making folks.

Am I disappointed, yes.

Am I devastated, no.

I am confident of my pricing, painting, and preparations for shows. 

God has great things in store for me.

 I just have to have patience.

Patience that God will take care of me in his own due time.

I just have to be persistent and consistent.

Persistent in creating and consistent in my quality.

I also must become more humble of my talents that he has bestowed upon me.

I must remember that God has always provided for me.

Then, God will open the storehouse for me!

I am blessed, not stressed.

On to the next show!

National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores, Alabama

October 10th -13th

Seahorse, Acrylic on poured background, 10 x 20 inches

Day 90 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Keeping a watchful eye

Today begins a new series of outdoor art pieces.

This one is on a piece of recycled Hardiboard from our porch addition this past spring.

Our house is only 1050 square feet, with 500 of the footage being my beautiful studio upstairs.

We live in 550 square feet. 

The porch added another 250 for outdoor living.

My studio area is perfect for me!

I have a half bath, sewing area, plentiful tables, storage galore, computer, printer, and easel for creating.

It's a lot of art fitted into a small space. 

I am extremely grateful for my large studio, at least compared to what others have told me they create in!

 thank God every day for a husband that loves me enough to give me space for creating.

I love him to the moon and back!

So much, I got rid of a ton of recycled art supplies and cleared space in the barn for his studio.

His studio fills the back of the barn, 12 x 24 feet.

He is a wood turner and he is so happy in his "Studio".

When we built his space, we added a mezzanine above for my recycled art supplies, 

decorations for holidays, and general storage for the girls.

Last year, he added the coolest ladder to get to the top. 

It can slide in flat, or angle out making it much easier to get things up and down.

We also have things up there for future projects, one of which was used just in the past week.

We had found a cabinet while "dumpster diving " last week.

I cleaned it up and told him, this is for cooking out, and BBQ.

I knew he wanted a sink out there, so we pulled a cabinet from the upstairs 

and added a sink we bought at a yard sale.

All told, the sink and cabinet were about $40 total.

Anyway I digress.....

The Hardiboard came from the back of our home when we did the porch.

I've had several people ask about outdoor art and this is my solution, using something that can withstand the elements. (and maybe not mildew like canvases will!)

Anyway, I did not smooth it out, (I have a friend that does with a slurry and a totally different style of art!)

I left the texture, so it looks like wood without deteriorating like wood.

My husband is contemplating putting resin on it.

Hmmmm......

I don't know about that, I may have to consult with my friend in Mississippi.

Still , a poured background and the holes from nails. (it is after all, recycled)

I drilled additional holes and will add a wire after we varnish or resin.

That's another day though!

Keeping a watchful eye, Acrylic on Hardiboard, approx. 12x 12

Day 80 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Deep Waters

Deep waters is now one of my favorites for certain.

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

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

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

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

This painting just makes me happy.

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

The preacher talked about people and their faith.

He likened Christianity to people swimming.

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

You are scared to get in yourself.

The people are having lots of fun and enjoying themselves.

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

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

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

Up to our knees, still in control but curious.

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

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

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

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

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

Maybe I'll start making friends.

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

Up to my waist now, less in control.

The water supports me almost.

Maybe I'll join a small group.

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

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

Maybe I'll go on a mission.

It is glorious here!

Such a delight!

The water is Jesus Christ, our brother.

Set in place by our Father God.

I am really enjoying the swim now!

Are you up to your ankles?

Are you up to your knees?

Are you up to your hips?

Are you up to your waist?

Or,

Are you swimming?

Come on in, the water is glorious!

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

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

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Shrimps, Ships, and Whales

Yesterday's paintings.

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

Fun little paintings, quickly created on tiny poured canvases.

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

Then there's today.....

Does life ever seem to be on fast mode?

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

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

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

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

Chris wanted to bathe all 5 dogs.

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

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

I then started in on the couch.

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

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

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

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

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

I hope it does well for both of us!

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

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

We painted a whale depicting Isaiah 43:2

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

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

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

Mercy that is a lot of running around. 

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

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

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

A good, good, albeit long day!

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

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

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

I'm taking an "off" day!

Well!

As promised I am posting the other side of creativity around here.

This was obviously Una Lou's birthday party held today.

I left the house at about 8:15, grabbed a bite to eat, then headed for the party venue in Mobile.

When I arrived, my daughter was not there, but I dove into bringing in the panels and setting them up because we were using them as a base for the decorations.

I used fishing line to secure them to the poles and zip ties to hook them together top and bottom.

By then Jessica arrived and the fun began!

She had the fabrics for draping, the coral pieces, the large padded shell, (pictured above) 

and the clam shell throne.

I moved on to assembling the throne, because it involved more zip ties, wood pieces 

and then the cardboard shell.

I then draped it with fabric, pulling it up into the assembly to make poofs 

at the edge where the base met the shell.

I then continued draping the present table, making a large shell, and bow from fabric.

So fun!

I built the padded shell this week, engineered and assembled the throne, and Jessica's dad cut the pool noodles into coral pieces and parts.

Truly a family affair.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Jordan went to become mermaids for the party.

I got a call a few minutes later.

Mom I need help with costumes!

I went to the apartment where they were getting ready and proceeded to basically assemble their costumes using dozens of  safety pins.

It went against every bone in my body to pin, but there was no time to sew.

I literally was pinning the costumes while they were putting on makeup.

Everything held during the party, and no mermaids were harmed in the process.

My beautiful daughter makes me feel young and energetic!

So fun!

The color palette was precious and pretty too.

The coral reefs were made in Baking pans, using pool noodles, mini cupcake papers, real shells, grasses, styrofoam balls, skewers, spray foam and paint. Painted with spray paint and glitter of course! 

They were weighted down with cups of water!

The birthday girl in her throne.

The shrimp are from when I did the Mystic Mutts parade as a mermaid.

This is the shrimps third go round!

The sea turtle is a costume that Jessica and I built that actually went to 

New Zealand for the World of Wearable Art competition about 10 years ago. 

The shell is on a backpack, the costume is black light reactive, and the head is a bicycle helmet!

An adult wears the costume on top of a full body suit and the flippers are 

moved with dowels that attach to them.

It was wonderful to see Myrtle the Turtle out of the box again!

After I got home, I crashed in my pool after I cleaned it!

However, the nap I wanted never showed up, and the hot bath I wanted was tepid.

We then took the rottens, (dachshunds) for their evening ride.

After dropping them off at the house, we picked up a chicken and sides from the store.

After dinner, I cut up the box of mat board scraps I got from the artist's studio yesterday.

I now have a large amount of 5x7s, 8x10s, and most importantly, 11x14s!

The rest will be recycled.

I love working so hard with my daughter in creative chaos.

Our lives are so unimaginably crazy, and I wouldn't take anything for them!

So, I hope you don't mind if I take an "off" day!

"Off" Day, Day 68 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019 

The young upstart

The young upstart is another of the poured background pieces.

In case you can't tell, I am in love with this method!

The backgrounds are adding another dimension to the pieces that is so fun to watch happen.

My husband watched me do the pouring the other day on these brown, grey, 

and gold pieces and even he was fascinated!

It's so hard to imagine covering the backgrounds of so many canvases in so little time.

Much like the bubbles in watercolor, there is very little control in how the pieces will turn out, 

but it is still a fun process.

Today found us driving across the bay to pick up pieces from a show at Southern Art and framing.

I love the girls that run the gallery, and they are always easy going.

I was very surprised though when we walked in to see a few pieces have actually sold!

There were empty hooks from at least 4 of my elongated canvases from the spring.

There is also a possibility of a shadowbox sale as well.

All is good in my Art world!

We also visited my Aunts at the nursing home.

 They were delighted with the visit and I was equally delighted to see them. 

Both of them are very dear to me and we don't visit often enough! 

I must make more of an effort to go over there. I brought them a copy of the Sandpiper post and they loved it as well. I also gave them each a print of the Jesus vision painting that my Aunt Margaret had after her accident two years ago. I was very nervous about painting it, but she was absolutely delighted with my results. I will not, and have never have claimed to be a portrait painter, but the piece turned out lovely enough for her. They both loved the prints I brought them in the nursing home.

We talked a lot about my Africa mission too!

Aunt Margaret is progressing beautifully after her stroke a little over a week ago, talking is hard, but she is determined!

The trip to Mobile was an adventure to say the least.

There was a  major accident on I-10 on the bayway. When I saw the car, I prayed for whomever had been in it. The car appeared as though there may not have been a survivor and sure enough I found out later that the woman was thrown from the vehicle and drowned in the bay. I am praying for her family and the trucker that hit her by accident as her car was disabled on the side of the road. 

I know I would be devastated if I caused someone to die, even by accident.

Because of this accident, all traffic was bypassed onto the causeway, causing major traffic jams.

Even though we spent several hours in Mobile, we went North and over the "Dolly Parton" bridge to get to 225 to go home. 

The sea turtle is today's painting!

The picture below is just a small part of the turtle team at the excavation of the green turtle nest last week.

I am in a blue hat and Chris is behind me to the right. (My left)

We are a happy bunch, but sad turtle nesting season is over tomorrow!

The young upstart, Acrylic on canvas, 4x12 inches

Day 60 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Are you a sandpiper?

Are you a Sandpiper?

Am I a Sandpiper?

Today was my last day for this year to walk the beautiful beach looking for a sea turtle nest.

You think about lots of things while walking a mile in the darkness just before dawn.

I was alone with my thoughts today as Chris was having a tooth pulled later this morning.

My thoughts wander a lot while walking.

This morning though I felt as if God was speaking to me about the beauty 

he provides in this world we live in and he created.

This morning it was sandpipers, seagulls, and Blue herons providing the background for my thoughts.

I was on the first leg of my one mile walk, and I had my sights focused on the sand above the wrack line, looking for sea turtle tracks. 

However, the sandpiper was just ahead of me, in my peripheral vision.

I glanced off and on at the little bird ahead of me, rushing with the edge of the water.

He occasionally poked his beak down, searching for the mussels that could become breakfast.

He passed up lots of little fish that were getting washed up along the shore.

In the meantime though he kept a wary eye on me, looking furtively back every few seconds.

His feet moving so fast, he rushed on ahead still looking back frequently.

He dipped his beak searching for a meal and I got too close for his comfort. 

The bird decided to change tactics and ran into the water toward me, 

then cutting past in a brown and white blur.

His feet were moving so fast, I could not even see them.

I snickered to myself, that he was so worried I was going to hurt, eat,

 or possibly kill him while he was rushing along.

That's when God spoke to me.

His human creation (us) are the sandpipers.

Stick with me here.

We rush along, searching for the next big thing.

We miss the little things he places in our lives every day.

Searching for the next big thing. 

We are constantly running along, instead of taking advantage of the  obvious.

Meanwhile, we are running, looking back to make sure that something doesn't catch us.

We run first in one direction, then the other trying to escape.

Sometimes we miss the big waves, or the tangled fishing line that the devil throws in our way.

We are constantly running, scared to death that life is going to catch us and throw us for a loop.

We are looking back at our past lives instead of focusing on the here and now.

We also forget about our future life, what we were created for.

But what if God is the one chasing us?

What if he is working so hard to catch you, but you won't stop.

We all think we can fix our lives, our past, our present, our future.

Be still and listen for him, he will talk to you.

His son Jesus (your brother!) is right next to you, pleading for you to just stop and give God the time of day.

We were all created for a purpose, to love and serve God in whatever capacity he chooses to give us.

Give him the time out of your day.

To Pray.

To Walk with him.

To listen.

To learn.

Are you a sandpiper?

I'm pray I am not!

I constantly listen for him to speak to me.

Are you a sandpiper? Acrylic on poured background, 4x12 inches

Day 59 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019