Dead men tell no tales IV

Dead men tell no tales IV.

This is the fourth one I've painted.

This one is a commissioned piece for a couple that saw one originally at a show.

Their daughter just graduated from college with a degree in marine biology, and while she was in school, working on a pirate ship doing tours!

Well at least this is the background for the newest piece.

I will also have to design and paint another one for fall shows.

I am honored for every dimensional piece that sell.

The dimensional pieces take an incredible amount of time to complete, but I still enjoy them a lot!

Sometimes the day gets away from me, and I cannot complete an entire piece in one day.

Grace and space allow me to not stress about it but wait for another day.

I've glued the blocks to the backs of the panels, and tomorrow I will mount them to the rounds.

The painting here is 24 inches round and features the sunken pirate ship on a reef with fish and sharks.

These backgrounds are always fun to paint and sometimes I get carried away.

My day started with going to Home Depot to get foam boards for the Summer Surge.

I was able to get 10 at a very reasonable rate.

Usually, you get a good price for buying 10 at a time.

I was able to get that price, then four of them at 50% of their original price 

because they are damaged on the ends. 

So, all told, I am glad I asked for the discount as I saved almost $100 for the church.

I was also able to get 5 gallons of white paint at Sherwin Williams because it was oops paint.

I've purchased 4 gallons of Kilz to paint the flats that are already at the church in preparation to repaint them for Super Mario.

This VBS will be another epic one for sure!

Just as we got back home, our son showed up asking to go to lunch.

We never turn down a chance to meet with our adult children.

It's always enjoyable, and we enjoy catching up on his day.

Of course, lunch.

Then invariably, a nap as my nights are not always restful.

We then went to the grocery store to get a few things as we are cooking a meal here while the 

guys are working on our sons camper.

Still trying to decide if we'll brave the crowds for the 4th of July at the bluff for fireworks.

We have four dachshunds that don't care for thunder and we are concerned 

about the noise of the fireworks. 

I may put the dryer on air, with several tennis balls as ambient noise.

We then went on a dog ride after they ate their evening meal.

Dinner, then I headed to the studio to paint and blog.

And here I sit, writing this tonight.

Thanks for reading, and joining with me on the 100 days~100 paintings 2026!

Dead men tell no tales IV, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches round

Day 4 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Excuse me!

"Excuse me!"

I imagine this Loggerhead coming up on a human and cutting his swim short.

Yet another of the rounds, they are making me really happy with my progress.

Each one is unique and beautiful.

The pricing is going to be tricky though, as there are several different sizes ranging from 11 to 24.

I'm pondering the lower tier of 11s and 12s will be the lowest priced ones at $195.00

Next would be the 13s, 14s, 15s 16s in the mid range at $295.00

Lastly, would be the 24 inch ones at $395.00

This means the majority of them would be at the $295.00 price point.

These prices enable me to have some wiggle room during a sale of multiple pieces.

We'll see, shows are coming up fast.

 I've been invited to another one on Amelia Island the first weekend in November, 

but I'm going to have to decline.

I would love to do the show, as it is honoring the Right Whales.

I just can't afford the time away from the studio after Mattie Kelly.

I may be having to build up inventory and that is very difficult to do on the road.

It would also be a grueling trip to Amelia and back on a quick turn around.

I don't do quick on a 400 plus mile trip.

When we travel with the trailer, we take our time and people can just go around.

We don't do 20 but we don't do 80 either!

We average about 60-65 when towing the trailer.

We also love back roads and have seen some of the most beautiful areas in Florida this way.

We also have seen quite a few prisons on one road in particular!

We still laugh about the "prison road".

I've also explored saving some of the 24 inch rounds that have not sold previously.

The pirate octopus is one of them.

I am working on one that had a Great Blue Heron on it and 

will soon be dimensional, as well as all white. (The original rounds had a worn beach frame)

It will still be a Great Blue, and I love it so far!

"Excuse Me!" Acrylic on wood, 12 inches round

Day 44 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Two days, two paintings

Ah! 

The pure joys of painting Dolphins and their playful dancing.

I love the way the brush just cavorts along with the playful jesters of the sea.

I really enjoy painting them so much!

Joyful Jesters 6 x 24 inches Day 35 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Yesterday, I spent 12 hours traveling, driving, and hunting for fabric with a Queen for one of the Mardi Gras organizations in Mobile, Alabama.

Our long day is why I didn't post last night.

It is an honor for me to be asked to do this, and I willingly jumped at the chance.

(Even though it involves another 15-foot train)

Since this will be my second experience, it should go easier since I have a game plan in place.

At least in my head!

January is going to come way too fast for me!

Today I painted this guy!

"Swimming along nicely" Day 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with going into the shop to cut him out.

That will have to wait until tomorrow when I'm rested 

as I don't want my fingers near the circle of death which is my scroll saw.

The circles are still really fun, and I am looking forward to an entire wall of them at the

 National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

They are really going to pop off the black walls.

Things are humming along here in Fairhope, Alabama

I pray things are humming for you too!

God bless and Goodnight!

Two Days, two paintings Acrylic on canvas and wood

Days 35 & 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Seahorses and Sirens

This is the completed seahorse dimensional painting.

It was an adventure to create and cut out the seahorse to fit.

This piece measures 15 inches.

I am still enjoying the works, just not able to post every day.

Last night I was just too tired to stay awake much past church.

It had been a long day of designing and tracing off pieces, then cutting them out to go on the rounds.

We then were off to the church for the breakdown of the Lost world.

It took eight hours to put into place.

Wednesday evening took two hours to break down.

The long neck and the tyrannosaurus rex have a home in children's church for the next two months.

Our pastor is also using 4 of the panels to decorate the stage along with two of the gates and sign.

Several of the plant decorations are being used as well.

The velociraptor and triceratops are going to the Daphne public library.

Unfortunately, the Pterodactyl had to go into the trash bin.

He was just too big and difficult to hang.

Excitement is already building for next year's Summer Surge.

This is the first year I've heard so much positive feedback from everything.

I've heard from both Pastors, their wives, and many parents.

I am amazed at what the Spirit allowed me to create.

Next year........

This one!

"Siren" is 14.5 inches and was interesting to paint.

You will have to see this one in person to really appreciate the detail and the cut-out portions.

The background was nearly a disaster as I forgot to paint it before gluing her down.

Fortunately, I was able to get my brush down into the back and make seaweed.

She is a lovely addition to the series.

More wonders to come!

Tomorrow is going to be a tough one!

It's a 24 inch piece, recycling an older octopus that I'm trying to salvage.

It's going to be pretty amazing.