Dead men tell no tales V

I love it when someone gives me free rein to do a commission.

Pretty much all he told me was like this one and sent me a photo of Dead men tell no tales IV.

This is it below.

This is the one painted last month, that calls home with a marine biologist.

Her parents wanted it for the newly graduated daughter who actually worked on a pirate ship doing tours while she was in school!

Any way I was contacted by this gentleman, and he said we have several of your works, but he wanted to commission a pirate piece for his wife.

When he showed her the one I posted last month, she fell in love and said fingers crossed she still has it at the Shrimp Festival.

That's when he decided to commission the piece.

Apparently, it is a wonderful birthday surprise.

I pray she loves it, both for the work and the sentiment behind it.

Dead men tell no tales V is all new.

New blunderbuss, and a really cool sword with shell details.

Both are actual pieces of armory and are beautiful in their details.

The pieces of eight are new as well, with actual "pieces of eight".

They would cut them apart in halves, quarters, and eighths.

There is also a Venus comb peeking out from under the banner.

This one took a solid two days just to design it.

Then it took several days to paint it, and now it's revealed today!

Fortunately for me, I can simply reverse the design and use it again for the next one!

I can also create it in different sizes.

Whew it was intense!

I am also working on a really neat commission for a local gentleman that is for his business partner. 

It involves swimming, the English Channel, and both a map of England and France.

He is presenting it to him after he swims the channel from Dover to Calais.

Another really cool presentation and gift from a thoughtful person.

I love being able to bring dreams to reality.

Thank you, Lord, for the talent you give me!

Dead men tell no tales V, Acrylic on wood, 

day 36 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Dead Men Tell No Tales IV

The front piece for "Dead Men Tell No Tales" is done!

I painted a lot today on the entire front piece for the painting.

I stopped and cooked dinner, then cleaned up.

My neck was making my head hurt today, so it was a difficult day to complete this one.

I am unable to quit, even when hurting, so I paint.

After cleaning up, I contemplated not going to fireworks but sucked it up and off we went.

I am not unhappy that I spent the time with my son and husband.

We rode bikes to and from so we beat most of the traffic coming home.

I was a nervous wreck while riding and took a deep breath when we got home.

Then I headed to the studio and finished the day's work.

I am tired and am going to bed after a shower.

It's been a long day!

I pray you like it!

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

100 days~100 paintings 2026, day 5

 

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

 

Manatees and completions

I spent time today to finish both the sea turtle painting and the octopus with pirate theme.

I don't have a photo of the background for the turtle; it's just a reef with coral.

I am pleased with both of them, although I still have cutting to do on the turtle.

The weather has not been cooperative, making it difficult to get to the scroll saw to cut out the pieces.

So, I paint them and will cut, sand and finish the edges afterwards.

Obviously, it's better to do finish work first so the mounting to the tray can take place.

After mounting, the holes must be filled in and painted if needed.

It's a bit of a challenge, but I think I'm up for it.

This tray is another 16-inch tray ready now for its dimensional piece to be added.

I am always happy with manatees, the sea cows of the water.

They are just so majestic in their floating.

So comical with their faces.

So still in danger from boat strikes and cold stunning.

They are amazing creatures to watch and I'm happy to paint them!

Manatees, Acrylic on canvas, 16inch round

Day 37 & 38 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025