Massive Octopus

This octopus is really big!

A couple of years ago, I started making the larger paintings using a 16 x 40 canvas as the center.

Chris makes two 16 x 30s and two 16 x 20s and then they are stretched.

Total width of this beauty is 80 inches.

They usually will fill a large wall.

I have been fortunate enough to sell several so far with different marine life.

They also are easier to carry as they fit into a single bag.

Massive Octopus, Acrylic on multiple canvas 40 x 80 inches

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

This design says it all!

I have a small group at my church called Scripts & Strokes

We do paintings based on scripture.

This one is a design for a large class at a women's retreat next week.

I may be teaching up to 30 women during this class!

So much fun, and such a great experience because anyone can paint these simple flowers.

The lettering is done easily with paint pens after transferring to the canvas.

For tonight though, I am giving it to God and going to sleep!

Scripts & Strokes floral, acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 79 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

 

A Dahlia for Dahlia!

A Dahlia for Dahlia.

I pray someday my grandchildren will cherish their paintings painted for their birthdays.

Our oldest Archer has several already as he is nine this year.

Neel just turned four yesterday.

Dahlia became the big one year old last month.

They are all characters in their own way!

This year though, Yaya was so busy she forgot to paint both Dahlia's and Neels painting on their birthdays.

This one is Dahlia's of course!

She truly is one lovely flower of a child for all of us!

Purple dahlias in particular represent royalty and dignity.

I love painting for them every year!

A Dahlia for Dahlia, Acrylic on canvas, 6x6 inches

Day 71 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Butterfly and sunflowers

Butterfly and sunflowers is one of the photos I'm using with permission from Debi Parnell.

I am having an enjoyable time painting while using her references.

This one is small, but still took a while to paint!

Several hours in fact.

I still enjoyed the piece while creating for the Audubon show.

Small but mighty.

I try to have pieces for the beginning collector as well as the seasoned collector.

Both are wonderful in my book!

Butterfly and sunflowers, Acrylic on canvas, 4x12 inches

Day 23 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Flying jewel box II

Today I painted the female of the pair.

She is the same size as the other one, 4 x 12 inches.

While small paintings don't fill walls, they can sit on a shelf, in between doorways, or windows.

I love painting small.

The show for the Audubon center is filling in nicely.

I may need to bring additional pieces from a gallery that lets me remove works for shows.

She lets me remove them, because she knows I will bring new works back in to replace them.

Things have finally settled somewhat here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio.

We had a bit of a Covid scare where we had to quarantine a few days.

Everything turned out fine though!

We also finally got the part for my swimming pool that I ordered at the end of June!

It has been two weeks of dumping massive amounts of chlorine shock treatments because my pump was not making chlorine at all.

The part came in, I changed it out, and started cleaning the algae out of the pool.

The combination of rain and a non-functioning pump has been a nightmare.

Hopefully, now things will get to where I can just enjoy it, and not constantly worry with it.

All in all, I love my saltwater system.

I loved it enough to buy another one when the first one got fried by a thunderstorm.

The pump they include with these above ground pools are an absolute joke.

The pool we bought used, but I already had the pump from last summer.

How manufacturers expect a cartridge filter to pump an 8,000 gallon pool is beyond me.

Enough about the pool, hopefully we can now just enjoy it!

In the meantime, I paint!

Flying jewel box II, Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches

Day 21 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Magnolias & Maintenance

The studio was full of activity today. I am still putting away things from the 

Africa trip, Summer classes, and Shepherds place.

This photo shows the large table in my studio covered 

with 19 beautiful shadowbox canvases ready and waiting for sketching.

In the meantime, all I want to do is paint, paint, paint!

I have been juried into the fall shows I've entered, 

so there is a need to create some inventory to offer at various venues.

There is a total of 5 shows, running from Destin, Florida to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. 

We'll be on the beach in October for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores. 

On top of this, I am already entering 4 shows for January of next year!

I've also received notification about the Gulf Breeze show for April 2020. I won an award last year, so I basically get to skip the jury process. I just had to accept and use a code to enter.

Now I have to pay a booth fee! 

Then there's the one woman shows, first at the Audubon Center next summer 

as well as the show at the Sway Gallery in December.

The Sway show will feature Steampunk pieces and my usual marine life offerings.

Already getting filled up for next summer as well with another planned trip to Africa!

I love my Artist life!

Can't you tell?

Today found me finishing up these magnolias in an effort to catch up from the Africa mission. They are painted from photographs taken all over Fairhope, with my husband grabbing tree branches and holding them steady for me to get a photo. They actually took the 4 days to create.

I painted while I was there, but nothing really sellable as I am listed as an Acrylic painter when I enter shows.

There are some nice watercolors though, and I may put them at the gallery here in Fairhope.

The Magnolias are each fairly small, easily completed pieces that usually sell fairly quickly.

It's the Artists life for me!

Magnolias & Maintenance, Acrylic on canvas, each 6x6 inches, $45 each

Days 41-44 of the 100 days~100 paintings Fall 2019

Lilies with Scripts & Strokes

Today was as usual a busy day. We are both up to our necks in things to do, and we would have it no other way!

My husband Chris is hard at work on our
new/old little Uhaul camper. He has started fiberglass repairs on various parts that need fixing in the worst way! Holes cut where there should not be holes, Spider cracks, and tail light spaces to be covered up and then replaced. He is doggedly working at the project, knowing we need the camper by the fourth weekend in March. Today he started on the interior floor. It was really bad in some spots, and not even touched in others. He is removing the bad wood, adding fiberglass to the bottom of the camper, then putting fresh wood on the floor and adding fiberglass again. Lots of hard work, I am so grateful he is a very capable and hard worker. It seems everything he puts in his hands is creatively and beautifully done. I am so grateful God has put our paths together!

Today's painting is based on Proverbs 8:17
I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.
When we spend time in the word, our souls are refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated. I make an effort every morning to read the bible and I have enjoyed the journey very much! I have read it cover to cover several times now. The story God puts in our hands is a pure Love story written just for us as his children. I learn from it more and more each time I open it, and write notes in mine when something speaks to me. It's okay to write in your bible, because years down the road, the stories become familiar family histories. Proverbs are the easiest way to start, there are 31 proverbs, one for each day of the month! They also contain a wealth of information on how to act as Christians, our marriages, and humans in general. Start today on your journey of diving into his word!

Lilies, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24
Day 81 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019

Mixed bag!

Life gets in the way sometimes.

Especially here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio!

The days are screaming by as of late, I thought our later years were to slow down and enjoy life.

We are enjoying life for sure, but the slowing down thing has not happened as of yet!

Chris & I stay busy with projects for us, for me, for others. Sometimes donated, sometimes paid.

We are both enjoying his retirement completely!

Anyway, between the computer, the internet, and my just plain fumble fingers the paintings have not been posted as of late. Today catches me up as far as I can see on my calendar.

These Magnolias are different from the others left in India as gifts.

I really enjoy painting them!

This is one of those things we start as artists, that get pushed to the side repeatedly. Imagine one day, you are in the studio (house, garage) and you stumble over something that just needs to be completed. This one is that project. It was part of a series that sold in the gallery downtown. The multiple 

fleur de' lis and crowns I painted previously have all found homes. 

I am glad to put this project in my rear view mirror!

Last but certainly not least, Elle est Forte. 

She is Strong (although my musical friend reminded me Forte also is for Loud!) 

I totally forgot that from my musician days.

 This is the first painting for my Scripts & Strokes small group at Celebration church. This semesters paintings are based on Proverbs and Psalms, two of my favorite books from the bible. I have to admit, 20 years ago, I could not tell you anything from the bible. I read parts of it, but since I have read it several times now from cover to cover it has come to life in my hands. There are multiple passages that have spoken to me and parts of the book are underlined and starred. I have a creative bible, that I am keen to use and decorate.  I just can't seem to let go of my old faithful, battered, starting to fall apart pages that have spoken to me so often. 

It helps to read the bible daily, once you start, the soul becomes hungry for the word and you might find yourself drawn to it's beautiful stories and lessons.

Don't think you have time?

Read a Proverb a day there are 31 of them, one for each day of the month!

Amazing how that works isn't it?

Magnolia V, Magnolia VI, Magnolia VII, Magnolia VIII each 6x6, Fit for a Queen 10x10, 

Ell est Forte 11x14

Days 70,71,72,73,74,& 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019

Playing some serious catch up folks!

Boy what a week it has been!

While I don't think I've had some jet lag, I guess I have.

I've been creating, just not painting as much.

Today ended all that nonsense. While the crab was painted today, the magnolias 

were actually painted while in India and given away as gifts. I will have to paint more though, as the gallery in Fairhope has sold a couple lately as well. These four paintings will catch me up to this past Wednesday.

The hold up? 

Putting our bedroom back together after Chris built a fabulous storage bed!

AND

Chris and I have purchased a new trailer for camping.

I convinced him to purchase it sight unseen for me, while I was in India. 

He wanted to wait for me to come home and look at it, but I told him I trusted his judgement.

 After 40 years of marriage, I should trust his judgement! 

Chris has been looking for a new project and this trailer presented itself to him while he was walking the dogs one day. He is not a bold person, but he inquired about this little trailer and found out it is a rare U-Haul camper. Approximately 2,000 of these were created in 1984 and 1985. They were rented by U Haul until 1992 and then sold off to the public. Some are in better shape than others! 

Ours is a 13 foot and I could not be more in love. After a lot of back and forth, messages, and talk, I convinced him to go ahead and get it. The weight is perfect, as it only weighs about 1200 pounds. My van can pull it with ease! We will have to be careful in loading her up though.

Anyway, the past week has been a lot of dreaming on both of our parts. Lots of forums, lots of parts hunting, and the removal of the trailer body from the frame. The frame could be in better shape, but for a 35 year old trailer it's okay. There is fiberglass work to do as well, but only a small amount.

Needless to say, it will be a work in progress especially for the next few weeks as we need it for a trip to Gulf Breeze, Florida the weekend of the 23rd of March.

Playing some serious catch up folks!

Acrylics on canvas, Magnolias I,II,III,& IV, Blue crab, crab 10 x 24

Days 65, 66, 67, 68,& 69 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019

Fences, Fervor, and Friendship

Fence~ To mark a boundary.

In our case, it was a canvas waiting to be painted!

Several weeks ago, my friend Linda Scott called and asked if I would be interested in helping with a fence mural she had been asked to create. While it is based on one from the internet, we decided to put our own touch onto the piece. 

But first, 

I had to finish teaching this summer!

Fervor~passion, intensity of emotion.

Linda has wanted to paint a mural with me and here was our chance.

Linda was patient, and fortunately so was the client. 

Linda has followed a couple of my mural exploits and was keen to learn the process.

Murals involve design, execution, and completion and sometimes a little extra.

(Our extra is seven ladybugs scattered about the piece.) 

We are more than pleased with the end result and so is our client!

We have already received a message from her apparently gushing about the completed fence.

It is visible from her gorgeous dining area and is placed to be viewed from the windows.

It took a total of 20 woman hours to complete over the course of two days. 

First sketching it out, then under painting with Kilz paint.

We then purchased high quality outdoor paint to use along with some 

soft body acrylics for accent colors and shading.

One of the owners apparently enjoyed watching it come together as the day progressed.

He sent photos to his wife, and received thumbs up!

I enjoyed hearing that she liked what we were doing. We got all the base coating done between 9 and 1pm, when we broke for a much needed salad and air conditioning for an hour.

After lunch, we added finishing touches and the ladybugs.

I love how it turned out!

Friendship~a relationship of mutual affection and good will.

God knows how much I love and appreciate Linda "Foxy Lu" in my life.

We met each other while working for a company together and hit it off so easily it was like we've know each other all our lives. 

You know those sort of people with like minds, similar interests, and just a joy to be around. 

She challenges me, and I challenge her to grow and stretch beyond her own expectations. 

I believe I've called her friend for at least 10 years, but it seems as though we're sisters of sorts. 

I am always so glad to be in her company and wish it could be more often, but we are

 professional artists that are both in demand.

I was so very happy to be in her company these past few days! 

Love ya!

Fences, Fervor, and Friendship, 6 ft x 16 ft collaboration

Day 24 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Wow! What a week!

       Is it possible to take a breather? Not when you live the artists life. We are constantly bombarded by the world that surrounds us, bringing us images that take our breath away, and inspire, no compel us to create.

       I have had people ask me how do you find 100 things to paint? I ask how do we not? I have a folder that is crammed with items I want to paint, some one a day, some for classes, some longer pieces that are more complicated. I imagine I will never run out of ideas, or not be asked to stretch my art in ways I never dreamed would happen. I the past few months I have taken on set design and execution, worked abstractly, worked realistically, created furniture from trash, (more on that in a later post), started a business teaching with a girlfriend, and built a turtle nest from clay, foam and sand. I love the act of creating and I am extremely grateful to be able to pay for supplies to help me create even more! I am even more grateful for the blessings bestowed upon me by my creator in the various forms of my talents.

       Fall shows are coming up and I could not be more excited. This painting shows what I put my hope in every day! My faith is strong, and I am hungry to learn more. This is one of three pieces celebrating the God who supports me and allows me to set my sights high. I know that there is more to come, and the horizon is bright. The other two pieces are hope and love, two things I live and thrive with every day.

These paintings are going to be available for Art Party to You. The fun part is, they can be customized to the colors in your home!

Faith,Hope, Love, each 5x7 Acrylic on gessoboard. Days 54,55,&56 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Fleur De Lys are some of my favorite things to paint and this simple one was an enjoyable evening spent curled up on the couch while hanging out with my husband, Chris.

Day 57 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Rose I is part of the series I am taking to India for our daughters wedding later this year. 

6x6 Acrylic on canvas Day 58 of the 100 Days ~100 Paintings

Rose II 6 x6 acrylic on canvas day 59 of the 100 Days

Rose III 6 x 6 Acrylic on canvas day 60 of the 100 Days

Rose IV 6x6 Acrylic on canvas day 61 of the 100 Days

Rose V 6x6 Acrylic on canvas day 62 of the 100 Days

Rose VI 6x6 Acrylic on canvas day 63 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

If you have managed to get this far, you are probably a regular reader of the blog and I apologize for not having posting daily. The past week has been filled with set design, set painting, tree building, furniture design, sanding and priming 43 cigar boxes for painting. I have also cleaned in the studio, condensed paint in preparation for classes as well as creating pieces for sale! The internet problems seem to have finally been repaired on a permanent basis. I just simply have been slammed with various things making me so tired at the end of the day that I have not been able to open  the computer and compose my thoughts on the keyboard. I will be doing a better job at this now that I am not completed frustrated by an internet connection that was spotty at best. 

Back at creating, composing, and craziness at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in Fairhope, Alabama!

Sweet Magnolia II

      Today's piece is another flower for the wedding gifts we are taking to India. I am painting flowers at the suggestion of my daughter's future mother in law. They are universal, everyone loves them, and these small originals are the perfect size for a tabletop or small space. I hope the people who receive these as gifts appreciate them as much as I am enjoying painting them!

Sweet Magnolia II, acrylic on canvas, 6 x 6

Sweet Magnolia

I am going to have a busy rest of the summer and fall! Not only am I getting ready for shows along the coast, we are also planning on a wedding in New Delhi, India. Our youngest daughter is getting married to a wonderful young man who calls India home. Our daughter Christina calls it home too as she moved there to teach last summer. The proposal came later and now the plans for the wedding are rapidly coming together. The vast majority of the work involving the ceremonies are being handled extremely well by her mother-in-law to be. The ceremonies are going to be beautiful and we are looking forward to the adventures! 

Now, as to this painting, Sweet Magnolia is one of about 25 paintings that will be gifts for the family at the wedding. I really enjoy painting flowers and actually started out as a still life painter. The still life's were interesting and fun to paint as well as enjoyable to set up! However the sales were slow at best in the beginning of my art  "career". I got juried into my first National Shrimp Festival  in 2007 and started painting marine life and beach scenes. The rest, shall we say, is history. I think I am going to enjoy the flowers that will come from my brushes in the studio during the next few weeks, and hopefully they will become treasures in India as well!

Sweet Magnolia 6 x 6 Acrylic on canvas~headed for India later this fall!

Rangoli Star & Rangoli Butterflies

                      The post for today is a catch up day because my life just can't get more complicated. I am finding the time to paint, but not finding time to post. For those of you that read the blog, I offer sincere regrets. On to today's and Friday's posts!

                      Rangoli Star is another in the series of paintings that is for the show at Blue Velvet Gallery in Mobile, Alabama. It is the one at the top with the lavender background. The show at BVS went well on Friday night with bolly wood music playing and lots of friends old and new coming out to see what was happening. Artwalk was wet, but that did not slow down the crowds that came. I am always amazed at what people like to see as art and we showed them  a new form with pigment throwing at models wearing white outfits. The people attending had great fun getting the models covered in pigments, althought the dry paint did not stick well on the models dry clothing. Oh well, live and learn, maybe it will go over better the next time (if there is one!)

                      Rangoli Butterflies is one of my favorites with lavender and reds contrasting nicely with the golden yellow background. The rangoli have been fun to paint, but I miss my sea life and I can't wait to visit the sea again! Soon dear readers soon, my thoughts will come home from India and the wonderful colors offered by the paintings based on Rangolis.

                     Rangoli Star & Rangoli Butterflies both 8x8 acrylic on canvas.

A Robin for Robin

One of our great customers at Paint and Pals requested this little guy. Several weeks back I had posted three bird paintings on the blog and this client requested a robin. Here he is in all his splendor, perched atop a vase full of dogwood blossoms. This painting is in Oil and was delightful to create. I had the vase painted from a previous USA class and added the bird and blossoms to show my students how to use their vase paintings.
Thanks Robin for the suggestion!
"A Robin for Robin" 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas Panel $125.00