Crustacean Celebration

I have yet to see a jubilee in person.

There are numerous photos and people that have seen one.

Jubilees happen in two places in the world.

Here in Mobile Bay and Tokyo, Japan.

Pretty cool huh!

We seem to have more here because of the shallowness of our bay.

Mobile bay is one of the largest in the United States.

It is 31 miles long 24-mile-wide estuary in Alabama.

Our bay is also known for the Battle of Mobile Bay during the civil war.

Several rivers feed into the bay, hence the name five rivers delta.

We are a major port for the United States.

We also were known for Naval Stores and tap and pitch production during the early part of our history.

I am having a bit of a jubilee here in the studio.

Large amounts of paintings that need to be varnished, wired, and packed for shows starting in about three weeks.

Crustaceans are defined by their exoskeleton, segmented bodies, jointed legs, and two antennae.

They must shed and regrow in a process called molting.

This is how we have soft shelled crabs.

As an invertebrate, they lack a backbone and a spinal column.

They belong to the Phylum of Arthropoda, this includes insects, arachnids (spiders), 

and myriapods (millipedes, and centipedes).

If you want to look a spider in the face, look at a crab!

Crustacean Celebration, acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Day 81 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Crabby indeed!

Crabby indeed!

Not me, the crab.

Blue crabs are such an iconic part of our Gulf Coast lives.

People see them when I paint them and if they're from up North they ask if they are Maryland blue crabs.

No, but they are very similar.

I don't know if they taste the same though.

I love a big plate of fried crab claws.

The broiled ones are pretty awesome as well.

I realized after posting this, I need to add the smaller legs on the underside.

That will be tomorrow for sure.

I got the call from the vet today.

Trixie doesn't have Addisons disease!

There are some other issues though that we are having to try and settle.

Her Cortisol and other numbers are high.

Possibly because of beginning kidney disease.

Such are the events surrounding a dachshund of 17.

So, no teeth cleaning for her at least for now.

With the vet's advice we are putting her on a kidney diet food.

Probiotics, and Ora chews for teeth.

Antibiotics 7-10 days per month.

She's already on Antibiotics for her wound that may have been an abscess.

I pray the Ora chews help her teeth get better.

She's still chewing quite well; they are just very dirty.

Which is confusing to me because I had her teeth cleaned within the past year.

She actually had to have one of her canines removed.

The one tooth missing causes her to sleep with her tongue poking out in the cutest way.

So far so good with her progress and hopefully health is coming back soon.

I finished booking shows for Spring of next year this morning.

I also called about camping in Melbourne, but we are still a month out from being able to make a reservation for next year.

I already have Little Talbot Island reserved and paid for almost a year in advance of the show.

Most shows have the ability to boondock in Artist parking, and we will do it if necessary.

Sometimes either the Campgrounds are ridiculously expensive, or so far away we don't even try them.

Boondocking is basically dry camping.

You use your water tank to flush the toilet, sink full of water to take a "bird bath" and brush your teeth.

All waste goes into either your graywater or blackwater tank.

You also have minimal lights.

Most artists have generators to run their campers.

We are fortunate to have invested in solar power and batteries.

This allows us to recharge phones, my square, and batteries for lights and fans.

We do it frequently when on the road.

Never underestimate large wipes used in hospitals for cleaning up.

But nothing compares to hook ups with hot running water for a shower.

Once, when coming home, we had both been cold for days.

I rented a campsite, we got hot showers, and we ran the fireplace for heat.

It was pure heaven on earth after days of being cold, wet, and shivering outside.

Such is the weather for outdoor shows.

We can never predict what will happen with weather.

We've expected warmth and got cold so bad the news centers were warning people to be aware of falling iguanas out of the trees!

We've expected warmth and had to go shopping at thrift stores hunting for clothing to wear in addition to what we had brought with us because the temperature dropped.

I've bought a bathing suit while on the road because it was warm enough to go swimming in January.

Chris only brought shorts one time, needed long pants.

I only brought one bra for a three-week trip and had to go to the store to buy two more!

We've brought cold weather gear, only to have to purchase short sleeves.

We look at the weather and pray we get it right.

Most of the time we do.

We cannot carry both warm and cool clothing as there is only so much room in the camper.

We do carry wet weather gear in the storage under the trailer.

We prepare, but as Proverbs 16:33 says "We throw the dice, but God determines where they land."

I'm just grateful to have a husband that doesn't mind tagging along on "adventures in show land".

That's enough for today.

Goodnight!

Crabby indeed! Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Crustacean station

Today's piece is a blue crab from our local bay.

Mobile Bay is one of the largest bays in the United States.

It is home to Middle Bay Lighthouse.

Famously Admiral David Farragut said, "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!"

This was during the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil war.

Problem is, torpedos back then were not as we think of torpedos.

They were bombs mounted from chains forming a formidable fence blocking the bay.

We commonly call them mines now.

Anyway he was charged with capturing Mobile Bay and he charged in full throttle.

There is a really good video somewhere of the mine system the 

Confederates placed at the mouth of the bay.

The battle was won and the Confederates lost Mobile to the Union.

Today's work is another one of the new series.

The legs are so delicate, I had a lot of fun (not!) cutting the legs and keeping them 

from breaking in the process.

These pieces are a challenge for sure!

Today found me using the heavy brad gun to secure the upper part of the cut-out art to the round.

I had already glued them down, so it should've been a piece of cake.

I just have to be careful to hit the wood correctly.

After I nailed them all, I filled in the holes with white acrylic that will 

have to be touched up with sepia after they're dry.

I happily nailed 5 of them.

Filled the holes.

I then decided to do the set up for the seahorse.

Now mind you, the seahorse was being put together with glue then nailed.

The seahorse kept sliding on the frame because the glue was wet.

I was alarmed and then realized there were no brads in the gun!

I had to reshoot all of them, and refill the holes again.

So frustrating.....

Chris doesn't want to nail them. 

(I think he's a little intimidated by the thinness of the wood.)

I don't blame him, I'm intimidated too!

We also rehung my space at the gallery in downtown Fairhope.

The gallery is located at 18 S. Section Street.

I love my space at the gallery!

Crustacean Station, Acrylic on wood, 13 inches round 

Day 7 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Another day?

As you can see, these are unfinished pieces.

Still needing their erasing, varnishing, framing, and hanger.

But I am 5 days closer to completion.

I was supposed to complete the 100 paintings today.

This brings me to numbers 92-96.

4 more to go!

One painted last night, then the other 4 during a hard day's work.

I enjoy these small works, as they are an affordable alternative to the large pieces I create.

I painted, because I stayed home today instead of staying with my dad in the hospital.

He told me yesterday to go to the show, and how much he appreciated how much time I spent with him.

But again, God's plan....

Dad did have his surgery today.

I was told by his nurse that he did well, and cardiologist said they got to do what they needed.

His cardiologist has yet to call me to tell me how it went.

I only know because I was proactive in chasing down information.

I painted rather than wasting the day doing nothing.

Plus, it helped keep my mind from racing thoughts about my dad, the weather, and the show.

About the show....

Yesterday afternoon I had been reading about large amounts of rain and wind coming in today.

I prayed the people in charge would move the show out one day, 

rather than have us set up in the nasty weather.

I was also calculating in my head how many hours it would take for us to set up the tents.

My plan was Thursday morning early (about 5 or 6am) for the opening at 10 am.

Little did I know my husband was having the same thought process about setting up Thursday!

On the way home I received an email telling us the show 

was being postponed until opening at 2pm Thursday.

No set up in 4 inches of predicted rain, and 40 mph winds!

At least set up was optional today.

If you wanted to set up today, you could.

We may head down to our campsite tonight after the system has passed through.

That way, we could get up at 5am instead of 4am for a 6 o'clock morning set up.

There were some people that took a chance though today.

I have seen too many destroyed tents and inventory to put mine at risk at this point.

Some of the ones that took a chance today did not fair very well.

My girlfriend headed down, and told me there are several flattened tents already, mangled frames, missing roofs, with inventory out in the weather.

There will be several scrambling to find tents tonight or tomorrow.

I don't have an extra one, or I would put it out there.

We sold one of my heavy tents after a storm system hit Arts and Crafts here in March of 2022.

Maybe the husband will agree to go down tonight!

Such is the Artists life, at the whim of the weather.

Proverbs 16:33 We throw the dice, but God determines where they land.

Every time we enter a show, we are throwing the dice.

God determines if it is favorable for the most part!

Favorable for my dad today, favorable for me because I got to paint!

Another day? Acrylic on wood panels, approx. 5 x 15 inches

Days 92-96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Colors, canvases, and completions

Days and days since I've posted!

The studio has been a hive of activity as of late.

I have been too busy to post, but today I am bound and determined to get this done!

Both of these pieces are 24 x 24 inches and so fun to paint.

I really enjoy these sepias and shadowboxes.

The booth is coming together very nicely on paper, hopefully it will look the same on the walls.

These are some of the partial color paintings.

The walls of the booth will gradually go from sepia to full color, 

left to right if you're standing in front of the space.

I'm enjoying the process for sure!

So much to do in the next three weeks before the Annual National Shrimp Festival.

The turtles are a continuation of works I do for Big Fish Trading Company in Foley, Alabama.

These will be in my booth though and not at the gallery.

Sea turtles are always some of my favorites to paint. 

The octopus is another partially colored piece.

I love the surprise of color in the eye area.

We shall see how they do at the show!

The crab is for the far right wall at the festival in October.

Full color is interesting on the shadowboxes, adding a degree of difficulty.

Challenging yes, but not impossible to paint.

I do love a challenge too!

The three following pieces are the unusual canvases Chris built.

Two 15 x 30s and one central 30 x 30, making for one large work of art.

The challenge was the set up and arrangement of the turtles.

I decided to have a total of 7 turtles spread across the 3 canvas.

7 turtles for the 7 days of creation.

Truly a wonderful piece of art!

This is the tryptic on my fence, because I cannot set up and photograph in the studio.

The work measure 30 inches tall and 60 inches wide.

It really will look great in the booth for sure!

Colors, canvases, and completions, Acrylic on canvas, varying sizes

Days 41- 50 of the 100 daya~100 paintings 2023

 

Crabs for two

Crabs for two!

Two days, two crabs.

I enjoy painting these guys, their faces are so interesting.

Good thing I enjoy painting them, they are always sold fairly quickly.

Anyway, this pair is on another 24 x 24 shadowbox.

They make for a bit of a headache while painting around the box and edges.

I still find them fascinating.

I also painted several canvases today for 5-piece paintings.

The multi canvas works are a popular item in my booth.

I have sold so many I have lost count.

I am so grateful God gave me the idea a few years back.

They make for an interesting painting, and they are impressive to look at.

Most popular are turtles, then octopus.

The first one I sold was an octopus to a contractor for a house in Pensacola, Florida.

It is in the front door as you walk in the house.

It is absolutely gorgeous there.

I sold the turtles at the same show to a realtor from Gulf Breeze.

We love them, because they fit in a single bag, stacked together.

I have now designed a rather large octopus that will be available this show season.

Typically, the works are 3 x 5 ft. 

The new work will be 40 inches by about 84 inches.

It will be on 16-inch-wide canvases, with two of them having to be built.

The 16 x 30 are not available commercially, so they will be custom made.

The octopus will be impressive for sure!

This crab is on another custom canvas.

These works are on 5 x 24 inch canvases.

They are very interesting to create!

Normally these are 4 x 24, but Chris apparently measured the inside, instead of the outside/

This makes them about 5 1/4 wide.

I have a total of 7 to work on for shows.

It's definitely an adventure working with my woodchuck, Chris!

Chris and I have our 44th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

So many wonderful memories and things we've done together.

We've also raised three great children, who have families of their own now.

We've also built two houses together and renovated one too!

Not too many marriages can relate to building together, unless they've actually done it themselves.

Crabs for two, Acrylic on custom canvases, 5x24 and 24x24

Days 22 and 23 of the 100 dasy~100 paintings winter 2022

 

Miniature blue

Today was a full painting day.

Several pieces started, and one finished today.

This one is on a portion of a New Home Sewing machine.

One of the most beautiful wood machines I think I've ever seen.

These drawers are different in that each one has a solid wood base in them.

This is one of these bases. 

I carefully taped off the edges and painted the white in several coats.

There was something in the finish that kept bleeding through.

It took two coats of Kilz before using the white acrylic for three more coats.

The crab was then transferred to the wood and painted.

So much fun to paint!

Miniature blue, acrylic on wood, 5 x 15 inches

Day 16 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022w 

 

Days 5,6,&7

Wow!

Still painting, but the days got away from me!

Two are 12x12s the large one is on wood panel.

I really enjoy painting on wood, because it offers a smoothness that canvas cannot.

Unfortunately, that wood is also too smooth at times.

The paint just behaves differently, sliding around a little more than I want at times.

It is challenging my painting prowess for sure!

I am very deep into a Mardi Gras train as well, spending several hours a day sewing.

The main base is pretty well done, but much like a house slows down in the process of the finishes, 

the train is doing the same right now.

I am in the process of "icing the cake" so to speak.

Yard after yard of rhinestones.....

I never dreamt 2 years ago when I said yes of course I can do that, that my art would be doing so well.

I am enjoying it as much as I can, because this one is for a family friend of over 30 years.

This train will probably be the only one I ever create too!

I already have over 160 hours in it, with many more to come.

We've also ordered many yards more of the rhinestones that have to be stitched in place by hand.

I'm having a love hate relationship with it.

I am having to be very disciplined to do my painting, then work for several hours on the train.

It's the only way I can get it all done!

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

Blue crab mania! Acrylic on canvas and wood panel.

12 x 12 canvases, and 15x30 wood panel, Days 4,5,&6 of the 100 days~100 paintings

 

Another 100 days!

This fall was an incredible season with over 50 paintings sold at the shows.

The sales at the galleries have not slowed for me as well. 

Now my inventory is very low.

A great problem to have indeed!

Then there's the "problem" of winter shows.

I have two winter shows coming up in January down in Florida.

Starting with March Arts & Crafts here in Fairhope, we have a total of 7 shows for Spring as well. 

I have also been waitlisted for one show. 

Spring show season was wonderful earlier this year, with over 80 pieces sold.

So, I begin again with 100 paintings~100 days 2022 winter version.

The plan is to blog and post every day until Arts & Crafts.

Once again, I'll be giving away a painting valued at $295.00 at the end of the 100 days.

Join me in this rocking, rolling, wonderful life we call art here 

at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Middle bay lighthouse Day 1 SOLD, a crabby situation! Day 2

100 days~100 paintings 2022w Days1 & 2

Feeling crabby

Feeling crabby.

Yes, I was admittedly feeling very crabby this afternoon.

After weeks of getting ready, today was set up day for our first show.

It was a battle from the beginning.

First, the tent roof was tight after not being used for several months.

Then we just haven't put it together, so we had to remember how to put it together.

It's a pop-up tent, so it should be easy, right?

Not so much. 

We love this tent because of its ability to withstand wind.

However, trying to set up in the wind is a problem. everything is a kite.

The roof, the wall covers, and my covered Flourish walls all became sails in the wind.

The weather said the wind gusts would be up to 29 mph.

They were definitely not 29, but closer to 40.

We put up the frame and roof.

When we added the walls, the tent began to move in spite of about 200 pounds of weights.

I became extremely nervous and asked Chris if the show people had any sand bags available.

The answer was no.

He immediately turned into my knight of shining armor.

He walked to the parking lot at the rear of the show and found two old sandbags.

We put these on the windward side of the tent.

It was still moving.

He then showed up with pieces of concrete to weigh down the other legs.

I finally felt comfortable enough to put the artwork onto the walls.

We got finished in about three hours total.

We still have to put on pricing and hang an outdoor wall with steampunk prints.

I'm excited about this first show!

Feeling crabby, acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Crab II

Looking very similar to yesterday's crab, this one really is different.

More face, claws moved, legs changed.

I didn't realize they were so alike until I put them side by side.

Oh well, I'm sure someone will want them.

Just maybe not as a pair.

Today was interesting.

I painted of course and set up canvases for future pieces to be completed.

The studio is a real hub of activity these days.

Lots of paint, canvas, wires, and varnish.

I am also being more or less forced to stretch canvases that are waiting.

I have two shadowboxes left, and 24 to be stretched.

I am also getting commission works lined up for after show season already.

Fortunately, people are patient and willing to wait for their works.

One of them may not wait though.

I may have a large shadowbox piece 48 x 60 inches going to Cape Coral, Florida.

A glorious octopus!

The couple is driving from Colorado back home to Florida and may want to pick up on the way.

The kicker is, they will be driving through our area about the 3rd or 4th of October.

They are measuring their vehicle to see if it will fit.

Sure would help me if the piece will fit in their car.

I would not have to bring it to Florida in January when I come for a show.

Carrying all the equipment we carry in addition to a huge canvas is not a good combination.

Fingers crossed on that one!

I also took three steampunk pieces to my printer today.

She is going to photograph them, print proofs, and then get me ready for the National Shrimp Festival.

Two booths!

What was I thinking?

I've been planning this adventure for 3 years now.

The steampunk has been shown, taken awards, and generally had very good reviews from people

I've also sold both prints and originals.

It's just so different from my other works that people almost don't believe I paint them.

This will be the first time they won't be just on an outside wall.

They will have their own booth.

This is going to be interesting folks! 

22 days until set up day at the National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama!

Crab II, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 x 12 inches

Day 79 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Crab I

Oh the mighty crab!

Delicious and hard to clean.

I love eating crab when the opportunity arises.

Of course I love the local blue crab, but my favorite is Alaskan King Crab.

I also have beautiful memories of King crab and my mother eating them with me.

The memories are the best part, reminding me that she is still with me if only in my mind.

Her ability to shell and eat them was legendary.

Funniest part of all was her long, extremely clean fingernails scooping out the tiniest of bits.

I did not get the grace of those nails of hers.

God gave me paper thin, easily broken, fingernails.

Hers were able to be used as screwdrivers!

I can still close my eyes and see those red nails flashing when she was talking.

I miss her so!

Crab I, Acrylic on board, 12 x 12 inches

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Wonderful Blue!

Wonderful Blue!

Crabs are so much fun to paint!

My mother once asked me if I would ever get tired of painting them.

I told her no way, I love them!

This is a show stopping piece measuring 40 x 40 inches.

I still need to break it apart and paint the sides as well.

Why large pieces?

For years I had people ask, "Why don't you paint bigger?"

I would answer that "Everything I bring fits into a PT Cruiser."

"Tent, walls, chairs, artworks, show box."

"I can't paint bigger."

God stepped in and showed me how by breaking the paintings apart.

It would allow me to fit large scale works into smaller bags.

Larger paintings can get broken, dented, or scratched because of fitting them into a small space.

The first two I painted were an octopus and sea turtles.

Both paintings sold in the beginning of the show.

I was astonished.

Since then, I have created several multi piece canvases.

Every one has since sold.

Sometimes the sale of one leads to another sale.

Last year, I had a four piece crab at the Audubon show.

The piece sold almost immediately, but they left the artwork there until the opening reception.

There was a couple that wanted one, but the crab that was there was too big.

(It was on 4-24x24 canvases)

They wanted a slightly smaller version, the same size as here.

There are 4 piece crabs in restaurants, a bank, private homes and businesses.

I will never tire of painting them!

Wonderful Blue!, Acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 inches

Day 70 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Somewhat Crabby II

Somewhat Crabby II

I am not crabby today myself.

We all have things we want to do, and things we have to do!

We want all our money, but we need to give our tithe.

Trust me, tithing is fun, we get to play with the other 90 percent!

We want to stay up late, because the creating is so good.

We have to get up early though, because there are mouths to feed!

We want to buy something, but we have a bill to pay.

Don't pay the bill, don't eat, have a roof over your head, or gas in the car.

The invitation comes, you accept.

Then you realize you can't go because of...........you fill it in.

Last night we had an event I wasn't feeling like going to.

I made food and went anyway.

I really enjoyed myself, and so did my husband.

Sometimes life is just that way.

Do the thing, go to the event, pay the bill, give your tithe.

Somewhat Crabby II, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 inches round

Day 67 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Somewhat Crabby

Somewhat Crabby.

Not me, the painting.

Although if I cannot sleep better at night, I may become crabby too!

I can go to sleep with no problem.

It's staying asleep that is my issue.

I typically go to bed at 10 pm.

I awaken almost every night at anywhere from 12:30 to 2:30am.

I am then sometimes able to go back to sleep.

Most nights though, I am awake for about an hour or two.

Consequently, this broken sleep makes for a disjointed day.

It is what it is though.

Some nights are diamonds, some nights are dirt.

Some nights I paint, other nights I read.

Hopefully tonight, I sleep!

This year marks the 12th year for the sepia series!

When I started these so many years ago, I never dreamed they would go this far or long.

Fortunately for me, I listen when God speaks.

You see, 12 years ago, he said to go neutral.

My daughter did not like them at all at first.

I'm very happy they're still going strong!

Somewhat Crabby, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 inches round

Day 66 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

A Crabby Pair

I don't like it when I'm so tired I forget to post!

Anyway, here is a two for one.

These are male and female blue crabs.

How do I know?

Scientists have determined that the female paint their "nails".

That's right, the girls are red, boys are blue for the most part.

You can also tell by looking at their shell on the bottom.

However, the last time I did that, I was soundly pinched.

That crab got flung into the water.

Which was probably what it wanted anyway!

I am still working and focusing on the steampunk piece that I am currently working on.

It's going to be awesome, but it is taking a long time because of all the detail.

But I do believe I can finish it this week!

Then I need to decide on the next one.

I really need another sea turtle, sea horse, or possibly skull.

Which one do you think?

I've painted each of these before, but I could really use another original for the booth in October.

I already have a pelican, nautilus, dachshund, blue crab, alligator, and the new one.

Hint, the one I'm working on now is not a marine themed one!

Coming soon, a mascot one!

I also taught a class today after going to church in the morning.

It's been a full day.

Time with Chris, Time with my church family, time for art.....

It's been a good day.

A Crabby Pair, acrylic on wood panel, 12 inches round

Days 61 & 62 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Crab trio

I have sold a version of this painting last year, at the Jubilee Festival (I think!)

This past year of sales has been good to me, allowing me to bless others and tithe to my church.

I can then purchase equipment needed to make the canvas stretcher bars.

Brad nail gun to put frames together.

Stapler and compressor, and thousands of staples.

The air stapler came about because I kept destroying electric staple guns, either burning them up or they just bounced too much leaving a staple sticking up.

The I had to pound them down using a hammer, taking more time and causing much noise.

Chris's solution was to get me an air stapler and compressor.

The compressor is really loud, but I wear ear protection while using it.

Then comes canvas to cover them.

I typically buy 6-yard rolls, so that I can get several canvases from the roll.

Each canvas takes an average of 30 minutes just to stretch it.

I then paint them white using acrylic paint.

Then they are carefully stacked with plastic in between to keep them from sticking.

I then select the one I want, draw and paint on it.

This typically takes a day.

The resulting artwork then has to be varnished and have a wire put on it.

It's a long, complicated process, that I could not do without my 

beloved husband and partner of almost 44 years.

This spring the shadowboxes even got an award in Florida!

The painting was of humpback whales, but the judges loved the uniqueness of the canvas.

I had Chris pose with me for a photo, because the award was as much his as mine!

These guys are fun to paint, albeit a little tricky.

The blending of the back of the piece with the front and the sides fascinates people and gives me a pain in my neck. 

I do love these canvases so much!

I really didn't expect them to last so long as a series.

But I didn't expect the sepia series to be going on ten years either!

Crab trio, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 19 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Crab escape master

I don't know about you, but we have a lot of blue crab here along the gulf coast.

These are a tasty addition to our seafood fare here in Alabama.

Getting close to the 100 paintings being completed.

However, I will have to go on and paint more as the galleries are selling.

Hopefully this weekend, I'll sell too!

Freedom Fest is happening at the Wharf and I signed up for a booth.

The entry fee was negligible, only $100.

However I do need to go get my license for the county to be legal again.

Usually, we can renew our license at the National Shrimp Festival, but we know where that went!

I am excited and a little nervous as the festival is one day only.

We can set up the tent on Friday, show on Saturday.

Praying it all goes well.

I am still painting, creating and dreaming of what can be shows on the coast for this year.

Freedom Fest, Orange Beach, Al at the Wharf October 9th, 2021 9-4pm

Jubilee Festival, Old town Daphne, Oct. 16-17th 9-5pm daily

Mattie Kelly Festival of the arts, Destin, Florida, Oct 30-31st 9-5 daily

Peter Anderson, Ocean Springs Mississippi, Nov.6-7 9-5pm daily.

Crab escape master, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x24

Day 98 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The mechanics of?

Long time working today on this one!

Sorry all I've got to show for it is a piece of the next steampunk painting.

Although, I imagine you can tell what it is going to become.

I'm really happy with how it's coming together though.

I should be able to work on it tomorrow after I create a dream costume for my grandson!

Today Christopher was a big help, putting wires on several pieces.

Then he helped with varnishing!

I checked behind him, because he said he never does it right!

I am so grateful for the helping hands.

All completed works are varnished now, once dry, they'll get bagged up for the show next weekend.

Freedom Fest, Orange beach, AL October 9th, 2021 at the wharf 9-4pm

The mechanics of?, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24

Day 96  of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021