NOT a painting !

NOT a painting!

Obviously, right?

I still worked all day on the Little Rebel for a client of my daughters.

I'm praying that it is what she wanted.

It measures over 21 inches.

She uses the one she had before as a centerpiece for tailgating with flowers and other items.

I started by gluing multiple sheets of foam board using gorilla glue to make a block.

This is the same way we made the sea turtle nest that is at the Dauphin Island Sea lab.

The turtle nest has a 'bulletproof' coating of PVA paint, glue and sand.

It is really hard.

I spent several hours carving the foam into the shape needed.

I worked inside a box to try and contain the foam pieces from going all over the shop.

Of course, Chris wanted me to use big tools, but they kind of scare me.

I started with the band saw.

Tried the vibrating cut off tool.

Went to my flex shaft Dremel with a cut off wheel and ended up with a small wire brush.

Moved on to my trusty razors, changing blades frequently because the foam dulls the blade.

Some more wire brushing.

Some additional added pieces.

A dimensional mustache, beard, and nose additions were made.

I also filled out the brim of the hat.

Incredible amounts of removal to see the final piece.

There's a whole can of foam pieces cut off.

This one is intended as a topiary of sorts.

I don't think it photographs well at all.

There is a lot of detailing that cannot be seen because of the sphagnum moss covering it.

I used super 77 to glue the moss to him and that stuff is so messy!

Both the moss and the super 77.

It has also been given a light coating of satin varnish to help hold the moss in place.

Did I say it was messy?

I did all the work outside in the heat with a fan running.

Thank the Lord, it's done.

And BOY am I glad to take that one off my plate!

I pray she loves it!

Today marks 16 years since we received our Certificate of occupancy 

for the Raccoon Retreat in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

For those that don't know, my husband and I built our home together in Fairhope.

It is the second house we built, and the third one that was only renovated.

We built the house here in 2010 in about 6 months.

I was here on the job site every day during the build.

16 years of living in our own little paradise that is our home.

Happy home anniversary to us!

Tomorrow, I have to paint a LOT of canvases as Chris stretched while I painted yesterday.

26 more to create upon, including a couple of really unique ones!

That's all for today folks!

Thanks for dropping by!

NOT a painting!, Foam board, glue and moss, 21 inches tall

Day 50 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

Mario, mushrooms, motorcycles, and Manatees!

Oh, how the days are flying by!

I appreciate your patience more than you'll ever know.

I have been creating, just not a lot of painting for shows.

But these little guys!

I really enjoy small paintings, and I hope and pray you do as well.

These guys are 4 x 12 inches and are so much fun to paint!

The smaller pieces enable me to ease back into a groove which will allow me to get back to posting and painting on a regular basis.

They are a study for the round posted earlier.

Just before my world went into hyper speed, I got lost in Super Mario World.

I don't remember if our children even played this game, other than a beta version.

Don't ask, it was S L O W....

They may have played it on their hand-held device as well.

I cannot remember what they were called, maybe it will come to me.

Anyway, the past few weeks are a blur.

We took Archer camping and made memories for him for a few days after I got started on the 100 days.

I then jumped full force into Celebration Church Summer Surge.

So much building of cardboard pieces, mushrooms, motorcycle, a throne, and a boat with a sail.

So much cutting with a razor I could barely lift my arm up because it was sore.

I chatted with the chiropractor about it because I was concerned that I might need surgery on that arm.

(This is the same one I fell on while loading up dinosaurs a year ago.)

But God!

My chiropractor said no, just keep using it so it doesn't freeze up.

Boy, have I used it!

After coming home from camping, I jumped into the deep waters of building.

 The paintings were not on my radar, nor were they my own pieces for sale.

I am honored to use my talents for God's glory and if one child is reached through my artistry he gives me, then so be it!

I also oversaw a full week of painting with the youth at the church.

We went through GALLONS of paint, yards of fabric, many feet of wire, lots of lumber, and scads of time while completing the sets.

The combination of time with me, the adults, and the youth was well over 

500 hours just in the build week alone.

I am eternally grateful for the experience of working with these future leaders of our church.

Some of them will go very far, I'm sure!

Last Sunday found us doing the actual building of the sets in the new sanctuary.

I was nervous because I was concerned it might not be enough to fill the space. 

After 3 1/2 hours we were completely in place, and the space was filled with Super Mario.

The following day I went to see how the children reacted and was 

delighted to see so many parents enthralled as well.

 I could see the adults pointing out things to the children and 

reminiscing about their own childhood memories.

It did my heart glad to see the kids interacting and parents photographing as well.

Our church served over 450 children!

Then came break down day on Wednesday.

It all came down in 1 1/2 hours, with some being reused in our children's church for the next month.

One of the children witnessing the break down, said it looks so sad now.....

The boat and four of the mushrooms went to the Eastern Shore Repertory Theater 

for their production of Moana today actually.

I also had precious children requesting coins and stars to take home.

Two of the figures have been spoken for, with one of the youth requesting Bowser and our grandson wanting the Yoshi for his room.

Next year will be an experience for sure.

We were breaking down and I heard the pastor ask the kids do you want to know about next year?

My inner kid screamed YES!!!

I ran into the room to see.

I think the Teens watching me in the back thought I was crazy, 

fist pumping and yelling YES, YES, YES!

I don't think they've witnessed a grandparent age adult acting like that.

I need to pull my brother into it as he LOVES Marvel comic movies.

I will get immersed in that world for sure.

I can already see the Holy Spirit working on that one, with images ALREADY popping into my head!!!!

I must write them down, so they don't keep me awake nights planning for next year.

It's going to be another big year; I already can tell.

Manatees Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches 

Day 10 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026