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

 

Flying higher and higher

This one was started as a drawing while we were on the road back in April and May.

I did manage to paint another 5-piece (octopus) while on the road and it sold at that weekends show.

I always have the question, what do you call a five piece?

I had researched several times, and it was called a polyptych.

A polyptych is a hinged piece of three panels or more.

That worked for me.

I looked it up several times and got the same answer.

Just now I looked again, and they are actually called a Pentaptych.

And now, spell check is screaming at me to correct the spelling.

The word comes from the Greek word "ptyche" which means a fold.

Add the prefix "penta" and you have pentaptych.

Words are so interesting, but Lord now I have to learn how to pronounce that one!

It's always interesting to paint larger works while in a camper. 

I really have to break them apart after drawing them, then paint.

The pieces are then put on a table outside to make sure the edges match.

I am then able to paint the edges to complete the piece.

We love them, because are a large piece that fits in a small bag.

Always interesting to paint!

Flying higher and higher, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 60

Day 74 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2024

 

Yin-Yang turtles

This is the really large canvas with 5 pieces making a polyptych.

Greek for the word poly meaning many.

This is the beginning of the work, layering in skin wrinkles and outlines.

I also had painted the eyes, but they still needed shadowing and highlights.

The multi canvas series is several years old now, but this is the first time I've done one in color.

It is made with a canvas in the center that is 16 x 40 inches tall. 

Each one of the side panels is a 16 x 30 and a 16 x 20 on each end.

The entire piece when displayed is 7 feet wide.

I love the colored turtles; this piece puts me one step closer to the set up for the National Shrimp festival.

The show is 19 days away now, and I hope to complete several more paintings before the big day.

Each piece makes me happier than the one before.

I am grateful to God for the talent He's given me, and the ability to complete the tasks before me.

This second photo is while in progress.

I had started to add the colors to the flippers and the back of the shells.

There was still a lot of detailing at this point, although they look finished.

So much fun, making rapid decisions for color, detail, and shading.

So large I cannot photograph it in my studio, because I cannot put a back board behind it.

So, we took the beast downstairs and hung it on the fence to take a photo.

I love the combination of the weathered fence and the color of the turtles.

It makes a lovely presentation.

I took a photo of myself with the painting so you can see how big it really is in person.

And yet it seems small.

I have "maps" of the walls for the show, placing each piece where it needs to go.

It also gives me a good idea of how many more I have to make to have the look I want.

The show is really getting closer now and I am on hyper drive at this point.

I tell Chris, I am in "show mode."

This discipline is the only way I will have enough pieces to display, sell, and replace works that sell.

After we photographed the turtles, we took it apart while outside making it easier to take back upstairs.

I then spent a couple of hours painting the sides of the canvases.

This is so when viewed from the side, you still see a completed work.

I'm really excited to see what people think about them!

Yin-Yang turtles, Acrylic on canvas, 40 inches tall 72 inches wide.

Day 55 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

 

Commissions and more!

What a year this has been indeed!

I have barely caught up from the spring shows, getting new works to the galleries that carry my works.

I finally managed to "catch up" in early June.

Then I got phone calls asking about commission works.

I have been able to get several done, with a few more in the works.

The octopus here is one of those commissions.

This beautiful soul saw my octopus at the Melbourne show.

When she came back to get the piece, it had already sold.

Melbourne was crazy with it being my best show yet!

I also took an award at the show for the shadowbox canvases.

GO Chris! It was as much his award as mine!

He works so hard building these beautiful stretcher bars for me.

I am so grateful he shares his talent for woodworking with me. 

Anyway, back to the octopus.

The collector called me and asked if I could recreate him for her home.

I replied that I try to give everyone an original so I advised her to go to the blog and find one she liked.

She came back with a very specific day from the blog.

Can you color the eye please? Yes mam.

Can you ship? Yes Mam.

A couple of weeks later, she asked if I was working on him, and I replied not yet.

I'll start next week.

Long and the short of it.

He is finished, colored eye and all.

Legs moved so she has an original piece too.

Varnished, wired, and shipped to Melbourne, Florida.

One down, several to go.

I am painting double time, so I can get enough for the  Audubon show that hangs in 24 days!

"My Nature Odyssey" is going to be beautiful!

That is, if I can get the commissions out of the way!

Octopus on five canvases, 3ft. x 5ft., Acrylic on canvas

Day 12 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022