King of his domain II

 Another great day in the studio. Another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This guy was fun to paint after a day with my daughter working on her Queens ensemble.

My daughter Jessica will be Queen of the Phoenix organization early next year. There is an incredible amount of crazy work to do in the meantime. I was a professional seamstress for years until a drunk driver changed the landscape of my body. I have two herniated discs in my neck, and nerve damage in my right arm. I am herniated on the right side but have found relief with a wonderful product called "Huggterra". This device is an incredible invention that vibrates, has heat, pressure points, and electric stim therapy. 15 minutes a day, and I am loosening up more and more. The Huggterra and Chiropractic care are helping a great deal. There are still days though.... Some days are diamonds and some days are dirt. 

Anyway, back to my personal Queen. She has designed her dress with help from another designer, and I am doing the main build of the dress, skirt, and train. To say it's complicated is an understatement, but that is typical of my daughter. She has the most spectacular ideas and expects me to execute them. I pray a lot, and the Holy Spirit answers a lot, allowing me to do things I never imagined. It's a lot of engineering, sewing, hand work, and prayer on my part. This design will be spectacular on a lot of levels. 

I am so grateful for the many talents God has given me. He allows me to do things I never dreamed of when I was younger. I've also been asked to do another mural at a condo in Fort Morgan. That's already on my schedule for January of next year along with getting ready for shows in the springtime. 

Painting, camping, showing, spending time with my best friend Chris! This is our artists life here in Fairhope, Alabama!

King of his domain II, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches                                          Day 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

King of his domain

It is so good to see the pelicans make a comeback. I know they can get annoying with the messes they make, but they are so beautiful in flight. They were at the edge of extinction as a result of the use of DDT. This pesticide made their eggshells so fragile that when they went to sit on the nest, they crushed the eggs. This species has truly made a roaring comeback. They are found along the West coast, but they are more yellow in their head area. They range from Oregon to below Mexico into South America. Their range is also Southern covering the Gulf Coast down into South America, Cuba, and the Bahamas. They also go up the Eastern seaboard as well. Most of the time, our pelicans stay locally for the most part. Some of them fly South for the winter. On the Pacific side, they leave the Gulf of California after breeding.

They eat small fish for the most part including menhaden, herring, anchovies, mullet and sailfish mollies. They fly and dive from up to 65 feet high. They tuck and twist to the left to protect its esophagus and trachea from the impact. Their throat pouch expands, trapping the fish with up to 2.6 gallons of water. They are typically found within 12 miles of shore. They can also feed from the surface of the water if it is too shallow and muddy to plunge. They will also steal from other birds and scavenge dead animals. 

Pelicans are awkward on the ground but are strong swimmers and powerful fliers. They are susceptible to oil spills as they nest near shipping channels. They are also still hunted and eggs are eaten on Latin American and Caribbean coasts. They are also endangered by fishing lines and lures. There are an estimated 700 birds that die from this alone. The birds themselves weigh about 8 pounds. Their wingspan is about 7 feet. They have no teeth either, their stomach does all the work digesting their fishy catch. They have two stomach chambers, the first secretes acid that softens bones and scales. The food then moves to the gizzard which further grinds the food into smaller pieces.

Now you may know more about Brown pelicans than you want to know. These guys are such a comical goofy bird on land, but there's no denying the grace with which they fly just above the water.

Kind of his domain, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches                                          Day 90 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Great Blue too!

Great Blue too! 

I say this because this is a "mate" to the other one that was already done.

I picked up another Great Blue Heron from the gallery this week.

Frequently, but not always folks want a left and a right of a particular creature.

So, here he is, ready for the show!

I am moving along now with the paintings completed, today is number 62.

I am behind because of our mission to Africa this summer.

38 more paintings to go!

I will not have the 100 finished by the Shrimp Festival.

I am however, going to continue to post and complete the 100 days.

When finished, I will draw for the winner of the painting valued at $295.00.

This will most likely coincide with the Peter Anderson show in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

First weekend in November will be the drawing.

I pray everyone understands.....

Great Blue too!, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches

Day 62 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Pelican Parley I

This is number 3 of the "happy accident" canvases.

Once I set them up, it's fun to paint them.

The set up is the hard part.

Getting in a groove now towards shows.

I have figured out the set up for the 2 new 15 x 30s and the 30 x 30.

Caretta carettas , they will be awesome!

Today has been a good day in the studio.

I was confirmed for another show in Florida in January.

Las Olas, and Del Ray Beach here we come!

But first, Fall shows.

50th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama

October 12th, 13th, 14th, & 15th

Jubilee Festival, Daphne Alabama

October 21st & 22nd

Mattie Kelly, Destin, Florida

October 28th & 29th

Peter Anderson, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Nov.4th & 5th

WAIT LIST Three Rivers, Covington, Louisiana

Nov11th & 12th

I was wait listed last year for Three Rivers, didn't get in.

Fingers Crossed!

Pelican Parley, Acrylic on Shadowbox Canvas, 12 x 24

Day 39 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Great Blue!

I don't think God created a bird with more attitude than a great blue heron.

They are fearless around fishermen, stealing fish off the hooks before the catch can be brought in.

They are protective of their territory.

Swooping down on anyone hapless enough to be in the way.

I've been a near victim of one once.

I apparently startled him while walking for turtle nests at dawn.

He flew straight at me.

Needless to say, I ducked and covered.

I didn't want the beak of that bird impaling me!

Loud, noisy, rude, and inconsiderate birds they are for sure!

But oh how beautiful!

Great Blue, Acrylic on sewing machine wood, 5 x 15inches

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022 winter

 

The Sentinel II

Another day, another painting!

I have been able to breathe today.

Hurricane Ian seems to be headed in another direction.

Unfortunately, that means someone else is going to be hit.

That place seems to be one of the areas we go to do shows.

Also, one of my favorite places in the keys may be deluged again.

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida has been there for over 25 years and does marvelous rescues of all types of sea turtles.

They sustained pretty nasty amounts of damage the last time the keys were hit.

So many friends, and collectors down that way!

I am praying for all concerned in the path of this horrendous storm.

In fact, I am praying for all of Florida. and others impacted by this monster.

Meanwhile here, the weather has turned to a truly gorgeous fall.

For the first time in months, we've had the back door open all day.

The dachshunds love it, because they can run in and out at their pleasure.

I've pretty much packed the show for this weekend, but I may add one more piece to the mix.

Tomorrow is another day!

The Sentinel II, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 92 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

The Sentinel

I just love painting birds.

They are such fun with all their feathers.

I enjoy adding texture to my paintings with lots of brush strokes.

I also typically pray while I paint, lifting others up with each stroke of the brush.

Today I am praying for those in the path of hurricane Ian.

The forecast keeps changing, and with it my nervous energy increases.

Nervous energy translates into more work done.

I have packed for the Freedom Festival show, with a few more pieces 

to be added as the week progresses.

I have also packed most of the steampunk for the National Shrimp Festival.

Ten days until the set up for that show!

Ten more days, we'll be camping, setting up, and getting ready for the biggest party on the coast.

Two booths, 6 walls to hang on, two completely different styles of art, 

prints and originals for one booth (steampunk), all originals for the other one (marine life sepias).

It's going to be a headache during set up, but hopefully we can do it without snapping at each other.

Powerade in the ice chest, snacks , and lots of love!

We also pick up the Audubon show on Tuesday the 4th in Mississippi at 2:30 pm 

after a reception for the Cruisin the Coast.

Wednesday the 5th is set up day for shrimp.

It's going to be an interesting week next week for sure!

Now, hurricane Ian just needs to fade away........

Prayers for Florida....

The sentinel, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Flying high

Flying high is a Great Blue Heron.

We have lots of Great Blues on our coasts.

They are a frequent visitor to many a fisherman's catch.

Some of them have become quite adept at stealing the local fishermen's catch.

No sooner do the people bring it onto shore or the deck and the unwelcome visitor appears.

I myself would be intimidated by the long beak presented by this prehistoric looking bird.

In fact, I disturbed one this summer while walking for turtles before dawn.

He was fishing at the water's edge and turned just as I was walking toward him.

This ginormous bird proceeded to fly straight at me!

I ducked and covered praying he didn't stab me with that beak.

He swooped away and I continued my walk.

My heart was beating fast, I'm sure his was too!

I varnished the steampunk prints today.

Tomorrow I will put wires on them and hopefully pack them for the shows.

My studio is getting almost impossible to walk around in with so many pieces on the floor waiting their final finishes of erasing, varnishing, and putting on wires.

People think "Oh I would love to be an artist!" 

Before you do join me in my journey.

Join an artist as they work a full-time job, then go home to create.

Join an artist as they're putting in applications and waiting, waiting 

to find out if they've been accepted, waitlisted, or rejected.

Join an artist as they're trying to motivate themselves to "go to work" each day.

Join an artist as they face a blank canvas and wonder what next to create.

Join an artist as they spend hours alone in their studios.

 Join an artist in their studio as they're getting ready for a show, 

creating that one last piece before they hit the road.

Praying they have enough supplies to carry them through.

Join them as they're packing for the show, obsessing over every little detail.

A lot of us make lists, only to forget them on the table at home.

Join an artist as they're setting up for a show, sometimes in pouring down rain!

Don't forget the bug spray, or the sunblock either.

Join an artist as they're nervously waiting for the judges to come around, 

wondering if they will enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Join an artist as they sit or stand for long hours at a show with very little or no sales.

Trying to remember how much money did I spend to get here?

Join an artist as they're sitting at a show with the sweat rolling down their back, smiling so you don't know the sweat feels like it's run all the way into their shoes.

Join an artist as they sit in the freezing cold, wondering why did I pay to be here?

Join an artist as they pray their partner in this adventure enjoys what they do for them.

We watch weather, protecting our art and equipment with a vengeance that will make us go against the show leaders thinking and use our instincts to pack up.

We pay taxes, and more taxes before and after shows.

It's a lot of work, long, hours, serious investments, and believing in yourself.

I did not dream of being an artist, after a while of creating, working, wondering, and believing,

I simply became an artist.

Pray you can find someone to help you, this road can be lonely alone, I'm sure.

I pray constantly that my husband, Chris (my favorite A.S.S.) 

(Artist Support Services) never gets tired of the shows.

I pray he never gets tired of building frames for me,

wracking his brain to figure out how to add height to a trailer he so lovingly built for us.

I pray he enjoys the travel, the friendships, the laughter, the fun, the food and the tools.

I pray he forgets the having to push a cart half a mile to get to the show.

I pray he realizes the awards I get are because of him.

I pray for myself and others while I create, while I sell, and when we travel.

I love this artistic life of ours!

Flying High indeed!

Flying high, acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 88 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Pelican III

The Raccoon Retreat Studio is a hum of activity as of late.

I am painting and also working with my daughter on a Mardi Gras train for next year.

It's hard to wrap my head around Mardi Gras right now as it seems so far away.

Pushing to get things done.

I've already used over 1,000 yards of thread making appliques so far.

The appliques are a large part of the train with two of them measuring 

3 feet and the other two measuring 3.5 feet!

Lots of sewing, trimming, then having to clean my studio from the fabric remnants.

Such is the life of an artist, especially one who sews.

But, before anyone asks I don't sew professionally any more.

Too many headaches and time I really don't have right now!

Somewhere in there, I painted too!

Loving these rounds!

Pelican III, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Pelican II

What an amazing day to day was for me!

I started out by doing my Bible readings.

Then we went to church.

I came home then went to My Daughter in loves house in Mobile for a tea party.

It was a very well-done party and they had so much food.

They even had gentlemen to serve tea and other beverages.

So fun!

I drove back home to spend time with Chris.

We had a late lunch together and then we both took a nap.

Chris's nap was much longer than mine of course!

The late afternoon was spent working on a project for and with my daughter.

We are making a train for a Mardi Gras organization.

It's going to be an incredible work of art, as well as a lovely train fit for a queen!

Somewhere in the middle of creating, I finished a painting too!

Such a fun one to do!

I love the smaller rounds.

Pelican II, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 inches round

Day 48 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Heron mother

Loud and obnoxious.

Scary when flying toward you.

I am really respectful of that massive beak!

So, I learned something about bird behavior.

Great Blue herons lay their eggs a couple of days apart.

This means that they hatch a couple of days apart too.

The first one laid is the first to hatch.

It has a couple of days to get a head start on their siblings.

If you're the third egg, the first one is much larger, louder, and gets in the way of food.

Needless to say, it's a hard life.

Not all make it to adulthood.

Such is nature at its finest.

We had the reception today at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.

There were not as many people this year as last.

Several that bought last year did show though.

The show let go of three small sewing drawers today.

Baby steps, this brings the total to six sold so far.

I've also been invited to come to the Hummingbird Happy hour on September 22.

Another chance to sell and talk about recycled art as well as marine and bird conservation.

I am enjoying the ride so far!

Heron mother, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 15

Day 45 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Flying jewel box VII

I don't know if I'll ever tire of painting hummingbirds.

However, unless commissioned to do more this is it for the series.

Such beautiful little birds, so fun to paint!

I am forever in debt to Debi Parnell for the use of her photographs.

Today was turtle walk day.

I like many others walk the beach looking for sea turtle nests.

I found none today.

Our beaches seem really quiet as far as turtle activity is concerned.

I have probably decided not to walk next year.

I have patrolled for 10 years this year.

We have to get up at 4:30 am in order to get on the beach and patrol before sunrise.

It's a lot of hours out of my day, even though it's only twice a month.

I also painted a lot today.

Getting works done, now I have to varnish and wire again.

The Audubon show has already sold pieces and I need to replace them.

I will be bringing smaller works to fill in when I go to the reception tomorrow.

The dog is hanging in there so far.

She seems brighter and happier as well as more active.

She started her liver medicine and homeopathic therapy as well.

That makes me happy too!

Flying jewel box VII, Acrylic on Wood panel, 5 x15 inches

Day 44 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Flying jewel box VI

So much fun, and so much beauty in a small package.

I love to watch them.

Now I love to paint them too!

Today was a good day.

The laundry got done.

The dogs behaved themselves for the most part.

That is except for the phantom puppy pooper in my bedroom. 

The poop that was found by my robot vacuum cleaner.

Cleaned up that mess.

Cleaned the vacuum cleaner that sucked up said poop.

Cleaned the stove where I cleaned the vacuum cleaner.

Cleaned the sink after I cleaned the stove and the vacuum cleaner.

Such is life with senior dogs.

I just pray the vacuum doesn't find poop or pee again!

The dogs may have to stay outside for a while during vacuuming.

Studio time was good, I got a lot done today.

I put a couple of coats of Kilz on the latest sewing drawer projects.

The color kept seeping through, so another layer of Kilz.

Finally, I was able to put white acrylic on them to prepare them for artworks.

I also painted today for several hours.

Dog feeding time, then the afternoon ride.

Dogs are happy, husband happy.

Laundry done.

Dinner cooked and cleaned up.

Time spent with husband in early evening.

Then lost myself into the studio for a couple of hours.

Going to be now, 4:30 am comes quickly.

(Walking for turtles in the morning.)

Such is the artist life here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Flying jewel box VI, Acrylic on wood panel, 5x15 inches

Day 43 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Flying Jewel box V

Incredibly beautiful these little birds are for sure!

I am looking forward to taking them to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center later this week.

Thursday is the reception, and I am so excited to hang them at the gallery.

They have already sold 3 pieces at the show!

I hope to replace them while there as well.

So many things happening here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in Fairhope, Alabama.

Chris has built a stack of shadowbox frames for me to work on soon. They still have to be stretched, painted white, and sketched then painted.

It's a never-ending cycle of wonder here.

I wonder how I get it done.

I wonder if I'll get it done.

I wonder when I'll get it done.

I wonder if people will like them.

I wonder if people will purchase them.

I wonder most of all at the talent God has blessed me with!

Flying Jewel box V, Acrylic on wood panel, 5x15 inches

Day 42 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Flying jewel box IV

I know the names are cheesy.

I've never thought of them as anything other than Flying Jewelry boxes.

These birds coloring is a sight to behold.

That something so small, so incredibly shiny, so fast.

God made a lovely creature when he made the hummingbird.

So fascinating to watch, and so fun to paint!

I will forever be in Debi Parnell's debt for her allowing me to use her gorgeous photography!

Today being Sunday, started with us going to church.

I am so grateful for my church family.

Our Pastors are pretty incredible people as well.

Such a great place to call home, Celebration Church in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I am still fighting with my swimming pool.

I thought I had figured out the problem.

The pool is still turning green even though the pump is running regularly.

I just don't have time to figure it all out.

I wish I could find someone that knew about saltwater systems and could fix it.

I'm really tired of wanting to swim but I am having to scrub for an hour to remove algae.

Every stinking time.

I just want to be able to relax for a bit.

We've also had a 16 year old dachshund not doing well.

After having a tumor removed.

Finding out her liver numbers are sky high.

Her gall bladder is very enlarged and possibly causing high liver numbers.

We did find out through an abdominal exam that she does indeed have Cushing's disease.

I have another one with similar symptoms.

Unfortunately, this is common with older dachshunds.

Ours are 18, 16, 14, and 10 year old siblings.

Five times the fun, five times the vet bills.

Five times the love as well.

Painting, painting, painting here in the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Flying Jewel box IV, Acrylic on wood panel, 5x15 inches

Day 41 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

 

Flying Jewel box III

I am having a great deal of fun working both on birds and in color.

But, to the sepias I must return because I love them so much!

For now though, colorful birds fly from my brushes.

This series are encased in vintage sewing machine drawers from treadle machines.

My precious husband is able to dismantle the machines that are typically rusted and locked up.

He uses the base to make beautiful tables.

Our son uses the machine itself to make steampunk lamps.

Some of the internal workings of the machines are in my studio for steampunk inspiration.

I am able to use the drawers, slides, and pulls to make miniature shadowbox frames.

My husband takes each drawer, and cuts them into thirds.

Typically each machine gets me 24-28 frames.

They are then backed with recycled wood panels from a skateboard ramp.

Painted with Kilz, then painted white.

Some of these machines have not seen the light of day for many years.

Some have veneer that is in rough shape.

Most are in storage, covered in dust.

They are receiving new life as little pieces of art in a recycling way.

I love them!

I hope you do as well!

Flying jewel box III, Acrylic on recycled wood, 5x15 inches

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

What's for dinner?

What's for dinner?

Not so commonly called out around here anymore.

When we were younger and had small children.

The "What's for dinner?" was usually followed by, "do I have to eat it?"

"If you don't want to go hungry, yes you have to eat it." was typically our reply.

Otherwise, after sitting at the table stubbornly refusing to eat, the chorus of I'm hungry came from out of the mouths of our children.

I didn't let them go hungry, there was usually a peanut butter sandwich made before bed.

Ah Parental frustrations.

I don't miss them.

Oh wait, now our grand pulls the same stunt.

Thank God for peanut butter!

This pair of parents must work hard to feed their hungry mouths.

In most nests, the eggs are laid a few days apart.

Hence, they hatch a few days apart.

It's not uncommon for number one to become the only one because he was there first.

He's had a couple extra days to learn the routine and leave the sibling in the dust.

Or at least a hungry belly.

What's for dinner?, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40

Day 33 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

Raptor Mania

Sometimes a photographic image is such that it does not need words.

This is one of those images I have been privileged with permission to paint.

I have taken photos of Osprey myself, but this one by Debi Parnell really caught my eye.

She is an amazing photographer, both of landscapes and animals.

If you want to see some more of her work, head on over to her website,

https://www.debiparnell.com

I feel honored to call her friend, fellow Christian, and Artist.

I am rapidly getting ready for my show which hangs next week.

I still have an incredible amount of erasing, varnishing, and wiring to do.

I will have to get some of that done before Friday as our daughter is coming here on Saturday.

We are working on the Mardi Gras Train for a local queen here in the studio.

Yes, sometimes Mardi Gras comes early on the Gulf Coast.

(At least the deadlines for them!)

I love working on these with my daughter, because it gives us quality time together while creating.

The creating we do is incredible, although it does lead to some creative differences sometimes!

Especially when Mardi Gras and a One woman show collide!

One step at a time.....

It's really all I can do at this point!

Raptor Mania, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40 inches

Day 30 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Dinnertime!

We came upon this osprey while kayaking and photographing several years ago.

I talked Chris into being the paddle, and I took numerous digital photographs.

I photographed this Osprey, several Great Blue Herons, Pelicans, and even a Green Heron.

I tried to get him to go over to an alligator I spotted, but he drew the line there!

We paddled toward it, but before we could get close the alligator slipped into the depths.

I then spotted the Osprey having just landed and killing the mullet on top of a pole.

We headed toward him, but he took off, and I got this shot of him in full flight.

I have already loved this photograph and now I've finally captured him in paint!

The beauty surrounds us here on the Gulf Coast.

We only have to slow down, quieten ourselves, and open our eyes.

I will never cease to be amazed at the diversity and beauty that is South Alabama.

Dinnertime!, Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 36

Day 27 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Bring home Dinner!

"Bring home Dinner!"

These magnificent birds do eat a lot every day, up to two pounds of fish!

I've personally seen one swallow a baby turtle and an eel!

The Great Blue Heron is an amazing creature.

They can stand up to 45-54 inches tall.

Their wingspan ranges from 65-79 inches in width.

They can live for 15 years.

They live in a colony of up to ten birds, but only one breeding pair.

The thing I find most fascinating, is that they have specialized feathers on their chest 

that grow continuously and fray into a powder.

This powder can be used to clean off fish slime!

I know you've seen them, especially if you fish.

They can be very aggressive, taking fish off the line as you're reeling them in!

I am intimidated by their sheer size myself.

The most amazing thing is, there is one just like it in Zimbabwe, Africa.

I was teaching while on mission one day and saw a large bird out the window.

Turns out, this bird is called a Goliath Heron!

They are browner in color than ours here on the coast.

Isn't it wonderful how God works?

A bird exactly like ours shows up in Africa while I'm teaching on mission!

I'm still shaking my head on that one!

Bring home Dinner!, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40

Day 26 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022