Babies, Babies everywhere! II

Another incredibly fun one to paint!

Although it is rather intense as it involves small brushes.

My hands are definitely feeling their age as of late.

But with breaks, I can handle the smaller brushes for a while at least.

These little guys were part of another commission and are already sold.

They are a birthday present for one of my collectors.

They bought two paintings this spring and her husband wanted to add to their collection as they had seen baby turtle paintings done by me recently that were sold.

Have mercy they do sell quickly!

I will be painting more, for shows.

There is one more commission piece though.

Last night after I posted the babies on my FB page, I received a message asking how much they were.

I had to tell her that they were already sold and the price.

She still wants one for herself.

She is already a collector, owning three of my turtles so far.

She is also on the team with us for share the beach.

Incredibly, I am able to paint these little guys fairly fast.

They do cause a lot of tension in my back as it is lots of small details.

Fortunately, I went to the chiropractor today and things are in place.

I also exercise and ice in an effort to keep pain at bay.

Such a joy to spread around the area!

Babies, Babies everywhere! II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 14 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Frequent Flier II

Today's painting was a joy to create. 

But I don't know if it's quite finished yet! 

I may add something to it later on. 

We also worked on a church project today for several hours. 

I also taught for 3 hours. 

Researched parts for a costume for grandson.

Cooked dinner.

Finished church project.

I'm done for today!

Frequent Flier II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x24

Day 94 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

The octopus escapes

Well!

This one is so hot off the easel I have not even erased pencil lines yet!

Back to shadowboxes for the shows!

Shows.....

I have been accepted into the one day Freedom Fest in Orange Beach October 9th.

We can set up the day before, but will probably wait to load in Artworks until Saturday morning.

I'm hoping we can boondock Friday night in the parking lot, both to save on expenses and time.

We'll see on that one!

Those who were disappointed about the National Shrimp Festival, 

we now have ONE day to sell in Orange Beach.

As my girlfriend says, "Better than a stick in the eye"

Kudos to the Mayor and his awesome city staff getting the job done to put on this show.

Now, if people will just show up and buy!

I will be blasting it out on Facebook for sure!

The octopus escapes, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Day 80 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Just a little crabby II

The female version today. This one took several hours in between phone calls, text messages, messenger messages, and What's App coming into my phone.

 Sometimes my phone is silent for days, others it just seems to blow up. What an age we live in, communication is as easy as a keypad away. I chatted with friends locally, a business owner from Birmingham, a childhood friend from Maryland, family from India and friends in three separate conversations in Zimbabwe, Africa. 

All this done in a campground.

All done while trying to paint a painting.

There's really no reason why we cannot communicate anymore. It used to be long distance to call from Mobile to Dauphin Island and now here we are able to do the same thing on our cell phones for free.

We don't even have to have a desktop computer any more to surf the internet. The computer we now hold in our hands, are huge compared to what we used to call desktop computers. I'm still shaking my head at the technology.

Just a little crabby II, Acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches 

Day 43 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

Just a little crabby

Today's post is a quick one on the blog at least. It's been a long day of putting things away and loading the camper to go away for a few days. Fortunately, we have a wonderful dog sitter in the form of a sister that loves them all! (Sometimes a little too much!)

This painting was a tough few hours after a long day. Perseverance is key though, both in painting and in life as well. 

Stay safe my friends!

Just a little crabby, acrylic on wood panel, 24 inches round. Day 42 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

Ocean Invader III

We are on the road and headed home today. I am actually blogging from the highway. I am still amazed that technology is advanced to the point it is today. I can blog from the road, get directions, research paintings, photograph items for steampunk, receive texts, receive and make calls, and chat with friends a half a world away in Zimbabwe, Africa.  I am so grateful for this wonderful computer we call a phone that is so powerful a tool. I have been able to get a lot of pieces done while at the campground in our motorhome. It is a lovely space to paint, although I need to get an easel in here so I don't have to paint in my lap!(Kinda difficult when you have a 20 inch canvas). We are headed home one day early so I can get pieces ready for Chris to take to Mississippi next week. They have sold 11 so far, with more sales to come!

Thank you Lord for provision!

Ocean Invader III, acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16*16

Day 25 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2021

A loggerhead for class

This was a quick painting done as a demonstration for a class I'm teaching in August 

at the Stewart Heath Gallery.

It's an open class and anyone can come, you just need to sign up for it soon!

Today found us going to breakfast and church.

The afternoon was spent working on items for the 

summer surge (VBS) at our church in August.

We have put together several things already in preparation for a large 

work group tomorrow at the church.

This years theme is "Wonder".

It involves lots of oversized items that will be able to cause wonder in the eyes of the children.

We may even use the items for our float at Christmas in downtown Fairhope.

A giant hairbrush, mirror, lipstick, monster truck, oversized art supplies, rubicks cube, dice, pizza slices, and other various assorted items will be built over the next few days.

There's even a rocket and a large globe.

Good thing our church now has a man-lift to suspend things from the ceiling!

I even have to build a working robot costume.

Life is going to be interesting for the next few weeks.

A loggerhead for class, Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 13 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Flamingo Tango I & II

More from the hardi bord series.

These actually already have the resin on them too!

We still have to sand the backs to get rid of drips.

We will also have to drill holes in them and apply recycled wires.

I think I may have enough copper wire to do all of them.

Finally, I will have outdoor art to offer at a show.

These are stinkin' heavy though!

Showtime in less than a month now, I am working steadily to 

create enough for galleries and my booth.

Jubilee Festival is fast approaching in beautiful Daphne, Alabama

Sept. 26 & 27, 2020

The committee is working doubly hard to make sure we have a safe and fun festival.

I have had friends that have had shows already with multiple safety features in place.

Not one has gotten ill so far.

Today I found myself in Mobile, taking the illustrations to Southern Art & Framing to get them to mount the watercolors on acid free matboard using a vacuum press.

Just as we were getting to this side of the bay, they called to tell me that they were ready.

So, back to Mobile I go in the morning.

I am anxious to see them leave my hands and arrive at the publishers safe and sound.

Book proofs coming soon.

My first job of illustrating is soon to be a reality!

Flamingo tango I & II, Acrylic on Hardi Bord, 10 x 10

Days 63 & 64 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

 

Three Amigos

Three Amigos is a trio of our brown pelicans.

We have a plentiful amount of pelicans now, the numbers are very different from when I

 first arrived back home in 1976.

Back then, the pelicans were few and far between.

The reason? DDT

The pesticide being used made their eggs so fragile that they could not even 

sit on them to hatch them without breaking.

It broke my heart to know these gawky, raptor looking birds that are a symbol of the waters of the deep south might die out because of man.

Man in our ever present quest to grow bigger, better, crops.

Fortunately, DDT was banned, the pelicans have now recovered to the 

point of almost becoming a pest.

At least if you have a dock they have decided to roost upon.

I find them to be magnificent birds, seemingly unable to fly, yet graceful in the air.

I watched them today as we rode the dogs at the park, acrobatic performers in the skies.

Dipping, diving, splashing, then popping back up to do it all over again.

We have seen them repeatedly dive when there is a school of fish they have found.

Diving until they cannot leave the water again because they are so full of fish.

They bob a while on the water, then they pop up and gracefully fly away.

We made a trip to Stewart Heath Gallery today.

I was taking replacement turtles for display and possible sales.

There may be a possible BIG commission piece as well.

If it occurs, it will be the largest multiple canvas piece I've ever attempted.

The frustrating part, The couple is from Gulf Breeze.

One of the shows cancelled this spring.

At least they found me at the Gallery!

I convinced Chris to bring his wood turning as well to see if they would be a fit into the gallery.

He brought and Stewart kept 8 bowls for display.

Welcome to the gallery Chris!

Three Amigos, Acrylic on Hardibord, 10 x 10

Day 30 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020 

 

Sandpiper

Today was rather "busy" in a myriad of ways.

I did laundry, painted canvases, went with Chris on a journey looking for a shop vacuum, ate lunch, then painted today's piece.

I then got in the pool with my sister in law for a long luxurious time

 of chatting, floating, and remembering.

My sister lives here now and we both love it so much!

We have had many discussions about Christ and being Christian.

She has enjoyed them too, deciding to be baptized again!

This has made me beyond joyous.

Chris and I then rode the dogs, don't ask it's every day!

Ate dinner of leftovers.

I then went to my studio, and Chris to his lathe.

We both got a lot done, and now I blog and call it a day!

Whew!

Sandpiper, Acrylic on hardibord, 10 x 10 inches

Day 22 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Playful Dolphin

Today's piece was combination of painting on top and painting inside.

Painting on top of the poured paint, painting inside the bubbles that formed in the pour.

If you will recall last fall, I painted a whale that had lots of bubbles and 

I did a combination of painting inside and adding more bubbles to my liking.

Anyway, lots of fun to paint as usual.

I had a meeting with the author of the book I'm illustrating today.

I am delighted to report we are moving along nicely, making decisions 

that will help me with my work in the studio.

I am scanning and sending two cover ideas to the project manager

and hope that it goes well in that department.

I will be pushed to complete by August, but that is my goal.

August was my goal originally because we were going to Africa.

Now that mission seems to be flattened, although I am talking with Alfred daily.

Prayers appreciated that my neck and back hold out over the next couple of weeks.

I am still reeling over the National Shrimp Festival being cancelled.

I get it, but that would've been a good deal of income that is now gone.

I also have collectors that are very disappointed.

Hopefully God will see fit to fill in and feed me as he feeds the birds.

Besides, there may be an "Almost, but not Quite Sea Festival" here at my house in October.

I want to have about 4 artists here, so we can social distance by spreading out in the yard.

Maybe by October, people will be ready to get out and buy art!

Prayers for everyone concerned, I know we all count on these festivals 

for our main source of income.

I am not worried in the least.

Anyhow, 

That's it for this evening.

May God bless and keep you in his perfect care.

Wear a mask and wash your hands!

Playful dolphin, acrylic on Hardibord, 10 x 10

Day 20 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

The post that almost didn't happen!

This has been unreal, getting to this point in my day!

I finished the painting hours ago, but when I went to write the blog, download the photos, listen to Pandora, everything went kaput.

Now, keep in mind I have already gone to mediacom and replaced their modem.

Everything was working honky dory, listening to music, going to my email, downloading photos, or so I thought.

Blip.....

Nothing, no internet.

Are you kidding me!

I JUST this afternoon cancelled my appointment with mediacom because 

I thought I had solved the problem.

Apparently not.

Phone call, wait or call back.

Call back.

Just as I settle in to sketch, they call.

The first girl just tried to fix the problem to no avail. 

No internet so she passes me on to the next tech that is getting testy because I cannot figure out what she is talking about on my computer.

Thanks Windows 10!

She says internet is working, it is a problem with my computer.

Huh?!

She insists internet is working, so I hang up after she asks me if I want cable tv.

Uh no! NO I don't. 

She asks again do you want to sign up for cable.

NO mam!

We are very happy where we are at in our television world now.

Anyway, I hang up and sketch another heron.

I'll try the computer once again.

After fiddling for a while, I discover the old router is numero uno. 

I delete it and sign up under the new router name and password given to me by the first person.

I held my breath...........

and here I am again connected.

Finally!

Well at least for the next five minutes I hope!

I am much better with a brush than a computer!

Rant over, moving on......

Today's piece was a lot of fun to paint. I had an old 24 x 36 frame and I asked the mister to add a shadowbox to it. He did, I stretched it yesterday and painted it white.

The inset is 12 x 24 and I am in love with the effect. 

I have two more herons sketched out, both on 27 x 27 canvases. 

Both will have colored eyes as this is what Amy from Big Fish trading company is requesting.

We shall see, they are striking!

I also bought another roll of canvas, as my beloved decided to make up ALL the 24 x 24s he could from the habitat for humanity stretcher bars.

I now have 17 shadowboxes to stretch.

Somehow today I managed to get the front of the submarine built for

 summer surge at church in a week! 

Eek! I'd better get busy.

Somewhere there is a book awaiting my talent as well.

Such is part of one day at the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in Fairhope, Alabama

"Herons in love" Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x36

Day 8 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2020

Blessings

Blessings indeed!

Scripts & Strokes class tonight at Celebration Church.

I am indeed very blessed.

I have food enough to share.

I have a car.

I have talent enough to share with others.

I have a home that is ours.

I have friends that are wonderful.

I have family that is blessed in their talents.

I have a job I love.

I have a wonderful church.

I have a long lasting marriage to a man that I love dearly.

I am saved.

I am the daughter of a King!

I am blessed beyond my biggest imagination.

I can only imagine what heaven is like, but  I know it will be amazing!

Blessings. Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 84 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Deep Waters

Deep waters is now one of my favorites for certain.

I just LOVE the way the poured background and bubbles came together almost seamlessly.

I actually saw this painting last night while teaching the Scripts & Strokes class at Celebration Church.

I knew I had this background in my studio, and had been trying to figure out what to paint on top.

I had asked for guidance from the Holy Spirit and here ya go!

This painting just makes me happy.

Deep waters reminds me of a sermon I heard while attending a church in Birmingham, Al.

The preacher talked about people and their faith.

He likened Christianity to people swimming.

When you first begin as a Christian, you stand at the water's edge watching the people swim in the water.

You are scared to get in yourself.

The people are having lots of fun and enjoying themselves.

We get in, but only up to our ankles, maybe going to church some.

Mind you, we still want to be in control of our lives, mustn't drown!

But the people further out seem to be enjoying themselves so we go deeper.

Up to our knees, still in control but curious.

The water begins to swirl around our feet, maybe pulling the sand from beneath us slightly.

We start reading the Bible some, in addition to church becoming more of a need than a want.

The people out in the water swimming though, laughter fills the air from their activity.

Maybe I'll go deeper, at least up to my hips.

At this point, the water is a little harder to move in, and we are starting to feel the push and pull more.

Maybe I'll start making friends.

My friends start calling to me, come on in, the water's great!

Up to my waist now, less in control.

The water supports me almost.

Maybe I'll join a small group.

My friends calling to me to swim is stronger now, because I am close enough to them to see them clearly.

I finally lift my feet and join them fully surrounded by the water.

Maybe I'll go on a mission.

It is glorious here!

Such a delight!

The water is Jesus Christ, our brother.

Set in place by our Father God.

I am really enjoying the swim now!

Are you up to your ankles?

Are you up to your knees?

Are you up to your hips?

Are you up to your waist?

Or,

Are you swimming?

Come on in, the water is glorious!

Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

Deep Waters, Acrylic on top of poured background, 10 x 20

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Shrimps, Ships, and Whales

Yesterday's paintings.

There were actually 7 of the little guys, but the odd number doesn't photograph well.

Fun little paintings, quickly created on tiny poured canvases.

They each measure 3x3 inches and are just plain fun!

Then there's today.....

Does life ever seem to be on fast mode?

Ours is really going by so quickly, the days are filled with things to do, and places to go.

My to do's today were to change the sheets on our bed,  repair our couch, deliver a painting to Big Fish Gallery, ship a painting to Georgia, sketch out canvases for class, teach the class.

Getting them all done was a challenge, especially when we added bathing 5 dachshunds into the mix!

Anyway, the bed stripped and sheets washing, I moved to the next task.

Chris wanted to bathe all 5 dogs.

They don't appreciate warm water and soap, but the task was done with the two of us working in tandem.

I moved on to pulling out the couch I bought about 3 years ago, cleaning the area on both sides, washing windows, baseboards, walls, and floor.

I then started in on the couch.

Chris has been looking for a new couch because his end is sinking down with age.

We flipped the couch forward onto the coffee table and began the process of deconstructing.

We found the problem, repaired it with a thin sheet of wood placed in the cushion, and put everything back together.

We then released the dogs into the yard, and drove to Big Fish.

I took the rather large painting to them, and they are delighted and excited. 

I hope it does well for both of us!

Getting lunch, coming home, building a box and making a shipment rounded out the early afternoon.

I sketched, cooked a quick dinner and went to teach a class.

We painted a whale depicting Isaiah 43:2

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

God is with us all the time, even when we don't feel his presence near.

The class seemed to enjoy this one, we had a group of 12!

Mercy that is a lot of running around. 

I thank God Chris is willing to come lend a hand, replacing water, cleaning brushes, getting paper towels.

I could not teach a class that large and get finished by 9 pm.

Almost everyone wanted the verse on their painting, and it went quickly once we started.

A good, good, albeit long day!

Shrimps, Ships and Whales, Acrylic on canvas, Whales 11 x 14

Days 76 & 77 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Sea below

Yet another poured background is the basis for this piece.

I am praying they will be successful when we start actually doing shows.

This one was the main painting poured, with several smaller ones coming from the excess paint.

I am trying to be a good steward of my supplies, so I don't want to let any paint go to waste.

Consequently, I have a lot of backgrounds poured already.

Small and large some in between.

The studio is filled with them and shadowboxes!

I can barely move in my space to work.

Today's piece, "Sea Below" is a testimony to my favorite animal, the sea turtle.

See the Sea Below the beauty.

We need to take care of our seas, they provide a lot of oxygen, and tons of food.

Unfortunately, our seas have become a place of toxic wastes.

Runoff from fields going into streams, causing algae blooms that kill the animals that live within.

Excess garbage, that is carelessly tossed, ending up in our oceans.

The amount of plastic in our seas is staggering, almost incomprehensible in it's sheer volume.

We are using more plastic than ever. 

BTW, every single piece of plastic ever produced is still on our planet in one form or another!

8 million pieces of plastic end up in our oceans every single day.

Take that in folks!

Two thirds of it comes from land based sources.

Litter dropped in cities, industry spills, badly managed garbage sites or flushed down the toilet.

The rest is fishing gear or containers washed overboard from ships.

What plastic that is not floating is resting on the bottom.

Microscopic particles are finding their way into our food chain.

1 in 3 fish caught for human consumption now contain plastic.

Kinda sobering to me.

I teach kids about plastic recycling and making art from refuse instead of simply tossing it.

My precious husband is also becoming more recycle conscious.

I have started small, refusing straws as much as possible.

There are about 390 million straws used in the US every day.

The next step for us, will be refusing foam food containers as they will never degrade.

I plan to start bringing my own containers when we go out to eat.

I have also started using Norwex products, in an effort to make a chemical free home.

Small steps now, becoming larger steps later may begin to turn the "tide".

Eco friendly containers may become Christmas presents this year as well.

Sea Below, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 inches

Day 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Out of the deep

Today found me all over the studio.

I was finishing up the large piece featured yesterday by painting the white background again and then varnishing it later in the afternoon.

I also stretched another of the large "free" canvases that was  27 inches by 58 inches (about 2 x 5 ft)

Chris had converted two of the 24 x 24's into a shadowbox as I requested and I stretched it as well.

Both canvases are painted white and awaiting their assignments.

Then we went to our grands school to watch the umbrella parade.

We then went to lunch and home. 

Of course we had pool time, and watched the Aquaman movie together.

Just as I sat down to paint, I got a quiet "Yaya can I go night swimming?"

They only grow up once, so outside I go to become mosquito bait.

This put me into the studio rather late for today's painting.

"Out of the Deep"

I am fascinated by these crabs!

They are called speckled or calico crabs depending on who you're talking to them about.

I prefer speckled myself.

I am told they are a deep water crab that is quite tasty.

They are a small crab, not commonly seen on our beaches.

When you do see them, they are in pieces.

Apparently other creatures find them quite tasty as well!

I was saddened to find several females one time that someone had caught on the beach. 

They were put into a basket and left to bake in the sun.

Every one of the females was loaded with eggs, so not only 

were the girls left to die, but so were their eggs.

They were still moving slightly, so I put them back into the water, hoping they or their eggs might survive.

Otherwise, I'm certain that they made some other creature a meal or two.

I have found that the enemy is the same way.

He removes us from our comfortable, safe environment only to 

throw us into chaos and discontent.

The enemy wants us for his lunch!

Hopefully, someone or something will bring us back into the arms of the master, 

reminding us that we are loved, shielded, and protected.

Are you loved? 

Yes, God sent his son to die for you!(and me!) 

There is NOTHING you can do that will make him stop loving you!

Are you shielded? 

Every day he guides my steps and prevents the enemy from being successful in his attacks.

Mind you, sometimes God allows things to happen to see where you will turn, to him or the problem.

This allows us to use our free will, hopefully with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Are you protected?

Absolutely every minute of every day.

But only if we put on our Armor of God

Protected from almost everything the enemy throws our way.

Out of the Deep, Acrylic on poured background, 12 x 12

Day 74 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Lionfish I

I know I say this a lot, but this was so fun to paint!

I did my third series of  pours in preparation for my girlfriend 

coming over next week to learn the hows and whys of pouring backgrounds.

This pouring process allows you to get multiple backgrounds done extremely quickly.

But,

There is no control over what the paint will or won't do in any given pour.

I don't own a butane torch so I cannot open cells on the pieces as much as I might like. 

I tried my heat gun, but it's not the same. The 36 oz pour that made this background covered a 16 x 20, 

2 -10 x 20's, 1 -12 x 12, 6-4 x 12's, and 9 -4 x 4's!

Lots of beautiful greys, ivory's, and golds.

They can be a challenge to create on top of the poured paint, but I am up for it wholeheartedly!

I already have plans for several of the others in the grey range.

Some of the new pour pieces will be at the Artists gallery (18 S Section St) in downtown 

Fairhope for the upcoming Artwalk on September 6th.

In the meantime. 

I am mentoring an Artist in Zimbabwe, Africa.

We met at the Grace School on the Thursday I arrived, and we instantly bonded. He is a delightful teacher as well, lending a helping hand at several art classes with me at the school. I have taught him some techniques that are different from his college days and I am amazed at his age. I was stunned to find out he had retired from teaching after 20 years! I guarantee you he does not look over 40 years old. 

He retired, wanting to teach only art in a school. 

On the second day of helping me, he was offered a job at the school teaching Art!

He is eager to learn, and as usual I am eager to teach!

He has a show in Bulawayo (sp?) in November and I am pushing him to start working on it now. His last experience for a show was not good, waiting until the last minute to try and

create. He admitted it was not his best, and the gallery owners were not real impressed.

Anyway, I am in touch with him almost daily.

Gently pushing him to hopefully greater things than he could ever imagine!

I am always creating and or thinking about creating.

Getting ready for fall classes for ESILL as well as teaching for Shepherds place every other week.

Food, fabric, or canvases all are a part of my thought process on a daily basis.

All a part of being an artist I guess!

Lionfish I, Acrylic on canvas,4 x 4 inches

Day 54 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Mardi Gras Madness!

 I know I've said it before, but this past week has been interesting to say the least! It has been a week of stretching the imagination, the endurance, and my creativity to it's almost absolute limits!

To begin with, I needed to finish my poster entry for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama in October. This one was a bit of a struggle, as I could not concentrate on it enough to gel the ideas I had in my head and put them to paper and paint! More on that later..... Anyway, I spent the better part of 20 hours on this one folks, between the drawing designing, tweaking, and finally painting. I turned in my entry on Friday, driving it down to the Coastal Alabama Office a short time before the deadline!

WHEW!

I then packed away references in my large file bag, that has previous entries in it. It is kinda depressing to see so much work that will never see the light of day at a festival, but I am able now to see the mistakes made and improvements that could be done. I also gave the committee my suggestions for the logos for the shirts, as well as the suggested t shirt colors.

Here's hoping for a trifecta!

That was just PART of the week!

Keep reading.....

There was a lot of sewing too!
I tore apart a Victor Costa Dress to be able to make a skirt for my daughter to wear to the Queens Luncheon.
There was also a grinch involved for our grandson after the sweatsuit ordered was several sizes too small. I made the "sweater" from 3 t shirts and glittered it up to make it fun. He was a cute Grinch at school for sure!


The week continued....

I also dabbled in 2nd line Mardi Gras umbrellas for the parents of the Queen this year for their daughters coronation. I love it when people say have fun! Hers was Monet inspired, with gorgeous flowers and sparkle fabrics. His had a large Oyster shell that was hand built and 3 30 inch shrimp! The umbrella was then hand painted with lots of metallics!

 WAIT!
There's more!
Remember this was over a week!

I was also able to make and replace my iguana in the gypsy wagon. I was loath to let my other one go with the wagon as I made it about 20 years ago. He is now happily residing in my studio again, while this one will go with the wagon if she sells soon. It is cut with a scroll saw and detailed with a dremel tool. I then painted the details on it and put it on the door in the Gypsy Gal.

I then moved onto painting shrimp for the Shrimp 

Festival on Amelia Island in May. 

They may not make it to the festival though! 

These are little clip boards for grocery lists or maybe a photo.

Yes, There's more.....

I painted this last night with my Scripts& Strokes

Group at church. Based on Proverbs 24:3-4

We all have treasures in our rooms and homes!

Whimsical house was fun to create and paint. 

I also used it today to make a watercolor 

for  the Seniors at Shepherds place. 

Lots of fun at both!

And then there's today.....

Measuring 55 inches wide and 30 inches tall, these beauties will be at a show soon!

Painted on multiple canvases, I LOVE them!

There you have it, a SOLID week of Mardi Gras madness and mayhem!

I would not take anything for the time spent with Jessica creating! (I spent two LONG nights there, working hard!) The ability to make my grandsons dreams come true with his grinch for school. Painting with classes and in the studio.

It's been a long wonderful week!

Mardi Gras Madness! Multiple pieces and too many mixed medias to mention!

Days 82, 83,84, 85, 86,87,88, & 89! of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019

Abstracting life

Abstract art has eluded me for years.

I admit I don't understand it, don't usually create it, and sometimes don't like it at all!

This canvas is another one of those things laying around waiting for completion.

A few years back, I was contacted by someone professing to want to purchase one of my paintings from my blog. After several emails back and forth, we agreed on a price for purchase and shipping. Check arrived and it was for a lot more than quoted!

I was then told the extra was for "handling"and to just deposit the check.

I took it to my bank, because something just told me it was a scam.

The gentleman helping me kept popping the check with his fingers, saying it didn't feel right. He called the bank the check was from and identified himself. The company it was representing was different from the people that contacted me as well. 

I started receiving texts from several different people, asking me if I deposited the check repeatedly.

I asked where do I send the pieces?

They stopped calling because they realized the jig was up and I was not sending the painting.

Long and short of it, it was a scam.

I wrote about it online, listing names, phone numbers and email addresses. 

(and a caveat that this was who I thought it was, not accusing anyone of guilt.)

I have received several thank yous from artists approached by the same people, telling me it prevented them from making a mistake. 

Anyway, while this was all going on, I had really sold the painting in question. I sketched out another, knowing I could send the new one to the party online.

They stopped contacting me, I sold the original, and now I had a canvas sketched, primed and gathering dust! That all ended today when I completed it in a style I am not familiar with.

It could be a nautilus, a rams horn, or a staircase depending on how you look at it. 

This painting is very light and airy and has a beauty all it's own.

Painted in pastels and pearl paints, it was so fun to complete!

By the way, it is a nautilus of sorts!

Abstracting life, Acrylic on canvas, 24x 24

Day 76 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019