Turtle and Pelican

The best part about being a professional artist?

People wanting and collecting your art!

 I am so fortunate to have collectors that continue to add to their collection.

I was contacted this week by someone who has several pieces of my work in their home.

He was inquiring about something that still blows my mind.

Last year, I started the rounds in earnest and opened the National Shrimp Festival 

with over 25 of them on display.

I sold half of them in just the first day!

I was in shock but shouldn't have been.

You see, I had prayed about the new series and the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the rounds were the next big thing in my art career.

The Sepia series was the beginning, over 15 years old and 

before Chip and Joanna Gaines became popular.

I was right on the edge of a new decorating trend of neutral tones.

The first ones were in shadowbox frames purchased at Michaels, painted, and distressed.

There were 12 x 12 canvases in the frames.

The frames were fragile, hard to carry, and difficult to obtain.

I then prayed again and started the deep edged canvas and no frames.

Still white backgrounds, and sepia toned paintings.

I loved wrapping the edges with the sea creatures I created.

The next big thing came as an accident, but also after prayer. 

I had glanced at the shadowbox canvas at Michaels, 

but had dismissed them as too expensive for me to invest in.

Lo and behold, I went to Michaels again after a successful National Shrimp Festival 

and they were on clearance!

I couldn't believe the price, and I had the money to invest in them.

I bought all 22 they had on hand.

I painted them all and took them to Peter Anderson in Ocean Springs, MS.

We sold half of them that weekend.

My husband asked, can you get any more of these?

I said no, they're discontinued and no one else makes them.

(I had been looking ever since I purchased them.)

We still had a few left in the Spring and my wonderful husband came to me and quietly said,

"I think I can build them."

Such joy!

I told him, "I just figured out how to stretch them."

My precious partner in art has built over 500 of them so far and has innovated the designs, 

pushing me to greater works of art.

This year will bring new pieces on unusual sizes and offsets.

I then prayed again about a question I kept getting asked at shows.

"Why don't you paint bigger?"

This was when the multiple canvas works were started.

They are several years old and still going strong.

I then started the rounds, and I have been so amazed at their reception.

Which brings me back to the collector's request.

Another round.

Another Dead Men tell no tales.

This will be the fifth one in the series!

So fun to paint, but such a headache to cut out with all of its openings to the background.

Still incredible to me!

I've also been commissioned to do an extremely customized round that will go to England as a special presentation gift for a friend and business partner.

More on that one later!

Yesterday's piece was this turtle.

I love painting turtles and hope I never have to stop.

I'm really happy too as our area is finally seeing the results of so many years of protecting turtle nests.

There are over 80 nests this year on the coast of Alabama alone!

I painted this one today, in between church, cooking and designing the new works.

It's an amazing time here in the Raccoon Retreat Studio, here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Turtle and Pelican, Acrylic on canvas, 4x12 inches 

Days 33 and 34 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

King of his domain II

 Another great day in the studio. Another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This guy was fun to paint after a day with my daughter working on her Queens ensemble.

My daughter Jessica will be Queen of the Phoenix organization early next year. There is an incredible amount of crazy work to do in the meantime. I was a professional seamstress for years until a drunk driver changed the landscape of my body. I have two herniated discs in my neck, and nerve damage in my right arm. I am herniated on the right side but have found relief with a wonderful product called "Huggterra". This device is an incredible invention that vibrates, has heat, pressure points, and electric stim therapy. 15 minutes a day, and I am loosening up more and more. The Huggterra and Chiropractic care are helping a great deal. There are still days though.... Some days are diamonds and some days are dirt. 

Anyway, back to my personal Queen. She has designed her dress with help from another designer, and I am doing the main build of the dress, skirt, and train. To say it's complicated is an understatement, but that is typical of my daughter. She has the most spectacular ideas and expects me to execute them. I pray a lot, and the Holy Spirit answers a lot, allowing me to do things I never imagined. It's a lot of engineering, sewing, hand work, and prayer on my part. This design will be spectacular on a lot of levels. 

I am so grateful for the many talents God has given me. He allows me to do things I never dreamed of when I was younger. I've also been asked to do another mural at a condo in Fort Morgan. That's already on my schedule for January of next year along with getting ready for shows in the springtime. 

Painting, camping, showing, spending time with my best friend Chris! This is our artists life here in Fairhope, Alabama!

King of his domain II, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches                                          Day 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

King of his domain

It is so good to see the pelicans make a comeback. I know they can get annoying with the messes they make, but they are so beautiful in flight. They were at the edge of extinction as a result of the use of DDT. This pesticide made their eggshells so fragile that when they went to sit on the nest, they crushed the eggs. This species has truly made a roaring comeback. They are found along the West coast, but they are more yellow in their head area. They range from Oregon to below Mexico into South America. Their range is also Southern covering the Gulf Coast down into South America, Cuba, and the Bahamas. They also go up the Eastern seaboard as well. Most of the time, our pelicans stay locally for the most part. Some of them fly South for the winter. On the Pacific side, they leave the Gulf of California after breeding.

They eat small fish for the most part including menhaden, herring, anchovies, mullet and sailfish mollies. They fly and dive from up to 65 feet high. They tuck and twist to the left to protect its esophagus and trachea from the impact. Their throat pouch expands, trapping the fish with up to 2.6 gallons of water. They are typically found within 12 miles of shore. They can also feed from the surface of the water if it is too shallow and muddy to plunge. They will also steal from other birds and scavenge dead animals. 

Pelicans are awkward on the ground but are strong swimmers and powerful fliers. They are susceptible to oil spills as they nest near shipping channels. They are also still hunted and eggs are eaten on Latin American and Caribbean coasts. They are also endangered by fishing lines and lures. There are an estimated 700 birds that die from this alone. The birds themselves weigh about 8 pounds. Their wingspan is about 7 feet. They have no teeth either, their stomach does all the work digesting their fishy catch. They have two stomach chambers, the first secretes acid that softens bones and scales. The food then moves to the gizzard which further grinds the food into smaller pieces.

Now you may know more about Brown pelicans than you want to know. These guys are such a comical goofy bird on land, but there's no denying the grace with which they fly just above the water.

Kind of his domain, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24 inches                                          Day 90 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Not what I expected!

 Today was not what I expected. I was planning to paint more shells, but time was getting away from me, so I switched to the pelican for today. This guy was a pleasure to paint after the intensity of the shells the past two days. I love painting the detail of the shells, but they put such tension into my neck. Small details do that of course, but sometimes the little details are what counts big!

I've always loved painting pelicans. They are becoming quite the nuisance bird though, leaving their bird splatter everywhere. They can also be rather aggressive when seeking food from the fishermen on the dock. Don't even think you can toss a piece of a fish, it must be the whole thing, or they will spit it out. Where they congregate, they make a mess. Just look at the pilings they sit on. They are a beautiful bird though, especially in flight.

I went with Chris to Foley today to see the new thrift store that opened. I love that Chris enjoys thrifting, and he especially loves the books. I perused the clothing, not finding anything I really had to have. This store is new and particularly crowded, so we decided on going to lunch instead of shopping. I went to Hobby Lobby to get double sided blanket binding for my octopus themed pants. 

We came home and I went to the studio. I managed to add the border to my octopus print pants, put Velcro on the curtains, and hem a pair of shorts for Chris. I also finished the painting for today. It was then I realized I had forgotten to get something else I needed from Hobby Lobby. We had a dinner get together at 6:30 so we left early for me to go back to the store to get paper rolls to lay out the queen's train for Mardi Gras. I ended up buying three rolls because they were reasonable and I don't want to have to try and get more later. I will tape it all together to get a sense of the scale of the elements of the train and sketch it all out. 10 feet wide and 15 feet long is going to be one rather large piece of paper!

We finished dinner and here we are back home after driving through a heavy rainstorm in Daphne. It was not even raining in Fairhope when we arrived home. Unloaded the car and here I am posting for today.

A busy, not so busy day. Another day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Twelve more days until set up. I'm in full blown show mode now! Making lists, checking them off and starting to pack clothes, items for the camper, artworks, and equipment. This will be my 16th year of the festival!

Not what I expected, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24inches                                                                                   Day 88 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Stretching, painting, and Middle Bay Lighthouse

Day 75!

I am sorry to say this is it for today.

I stretched one 24 x 24 shadowbox and 10-6 x 24s.

The stretching took a while as I had to get out all the equipment.

Compressor, Staple gun, bucket of tools.

LOTS of staples too.

Razor, square, scissors, canvas cut to size.

Stretching took a couple of hours.

Then I put away all the tools.

By then it was lunch time.

Our son, Jere was taking us out on the pontoon boat at 1.

By the time we finished eating, Jere was here and loading up.

His girlfriend Jenna had never seen the Middle Bay lighthouse in person, so off we went.

It is so sad to see her in this condition.

It is one of the few remaining lighthouses entirely surrounded by water.

Unfortunately, since Captain Hal pierce passed away in 2020, Middle Bay 

seems to have lost its champion.

He coordinated efforts to repair and keep the lighthouse painted by using the Seabees, 

who gladly took on the job.

He made sure the lighthouse was beautiful in 1985 for its 100th anniversary.

The pilings are especially in bad shape.

Flailing, rust, and a barge hit have all taken their toll.

At one point, there was a movement to move it to the battleship grounds.

This would allow thousands of school children to tour it and learn about 

the 23 children that called it home at one time or another.

Unfortunately, it was voted down to move her.

It is now a glorified weather station and day beacon.

After looking all around the light we stopped off at the Blind Tiger restaurant on the pier.

It has such a great view, and the foods pretty good too!

While we were at the lighthouse there were several sailboats in a race.

They took a turn around the light then headed back to harbor.

They were probably out of dog river.

It is where Chris and I would come out after leaving Alba Club for a sail.

We would stop at the Mariner restaurant and eat before going home.

Great memories and wonderful seafood!

When we got home after going out on the boat, we fed the dogs.

They were a little late getting their evening meal.

That didn't stop them from wanting their afternoon ride!

After we came home from the ride, I made salads for dinner.

Cleaned up the kitchen, then did some quick shopping for items needed in my studio and at home.

Then, I watered plants and dachshunds.

The wirehaired dachshunds will not let us water the yard or plants without them having a lot of fun.

They will bite at the water and will tear into plants if you don't spray them.

This spraying is of course exactly what they want!

They resemble Lipizzan horses with their leaping antics.

They are fun to watch, but then they are soaking wet.

Fortunately for us, simply throwing a towel on the floor will start the rubbing to get dry.

These two are absolute comedians and make us laugh frequently.

After making sure they were getting dried off, I went into my studio.

I broke out the paint and painted all the canvas I stretched today white with acrylic.

The actual painting took less than an hour.

It allows me to grab and paint them without having to wait for the white to dry.

 

Pelicans on the derelict pier next to the launch.

Closer shot of the pelicans

                                        

Middle bay used as a turning point for a race, likely out of Dog River.

Stretching, painting, and Middle Bay Lighhouse, Acrylic on canvas, multiple sizes

Day 75 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

Pelican line up

What a day!

Not that it was hard, but it was intense.

Chris is happily using up scraps in the shop now.

He cut up the Luan-plywood I bought the other day into smaller pieces that are easier to handle.

This bad boy used up a scrap that was rather large, as this round is 24 inches.

I was cutting it this morning on the scroll saw and I saw Chris photographing while I was working.

This sawing takes intense concentration to make sure the piece doesn't slip into cutting off something you want to keep! (Fingers, pieces of wood, etc.)

I heard him behind me working on something as he revved up the screwdriver as he was walking toward the front of the shop.

I kept happily working.

Out of the blue I heard a loud snap as something hit the floor.

Unfortunately, I let a "Damn!" out of my mouth before I could stop it.

I checked the saw first then quickly turned to see a piece of lumber that had hit the floor.

Chris was happily screwing a piece of plywood to the wall for the radio.

I didn't say anything at that moment as I was mulling over my response.

I finished cutting, and I quietly asked Chris to come over.

I then asked him, "remember my childhood?"

He shook his head not really.

I then asked if he remembered the movie, "I can only imagine"

 where the dad hits the kid in the head with his plate.

He again said not really.

I then told him, when the wood hit the floor, it elicited a trauma response in me.

As a child, (NO I don't hold it against them! AND I have forgiven them!)

my father's favorite way to discipline was to hit me upside the head.

My mom let him.

As if that would knock some sense into me....

I told Chris when the wood hit the floor, I ducked as if struck.

I wanted him to know I love working with and around him, but I need some warning in the future.

Getting older is definitely slowing us down, becoming more thoughtful in our actions.

Also, more thoughtful in our words, I hope.

Years ago, I would've blown things way out of proportion and been yelling at him instead of calmly explaining, hey please don't do that again.

I've also found a groove this year.

The paintings are coming fast and furious.

I already have the next two cut out and ready to begin.

Do you have something you want to see in the rounds?

Please tell me soon!

Pelican line up, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 18 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

A pelican parley

Oh my!

These guys were so fun to paint!

Well, I guess they're all fun to paint for me.

The hardest part of these paintings is finding a way to make the upper wood piece fit on top 

and actually, make sense.

There is an incredible amount of wood pieces going into them.

This one however, was from a scrap of wood from another piece.

Waste not, want not.

I thought I needed to buy more wood to use, 

but I think I'll be okay as far as the upper parts are concerned.

I'm still trying to find a source of the 20- and 24-inch rounds though.

This makes me nervous as I really want the big ones as well.

I have two 24s already and are working on the designs for them.

I also worked on the VBS today for a bit. 

I painted the brackets for the torches on the gates both for the front and stage.

We also picked up more masking tape, screws, and found a gallon of Dark blue paint to mix and make sky blue for the flats behind the dinosaurs.

The sets will be amazing for the kids.

Hopefully their imaginations will be set on fire for the majesty that is the creations of God.

Very hot, very busy, very close to completion for the church at least.

Each day is a day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama in October.

A Pelican Parley, Acrylic on wood, 14 inches

Day 17 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

Wild ride today!

 

These days are running by so fast now!

I am just hanging on for the wild ride to the end of the 100 days by the

 beginning of the National Shrimp Festival next week.

I am very excited to be able to paint these miniatures framed by the 

drawers from vintage sewing machines.

The first set of 28 was because of a neighbor who wanted my husband Chris 

to take her machine base and make a table.

I asked her what she wanted to do with the drawers, and she just said get rid of them.

I didn't want to just throw them away.

Chris figured out how to cut them in thirds and they make perfect little shadowboxes.

The backings are thin wood panel from a recycled skateboard ramp.

Our son uses the machines to make steampunk lamps as well. 

They are recycled, fun to paint, and affordable too!

I also must apologize because the photos are not edited.

My phone is acting the fool these days, and my husband dropping it a few minutes ago doesn't help.

Anyway, tonight is 10 paintings total.

Not all painted in one day, but I can paint several in a day!

I love painting miniatures.

Enjoy the menagerie!

Here's looking at you!

Sandpipers central!

Octopus escaping!

Pelican Piling.

You can see my messy easel and some collected art too.

Seahorse with coral.

Notice this one has the lock mechanism still in the drawer.

They just are lovely to look at, and so fun to paint!

Wild Ride today! Acrylic on recycled wood, each about 5 x 15 inches

Days 70-79 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Pelican parley

I love painting these guys.

They are so incredibly interesting to create.

So much to do, so little time left before the big show starts next week.

The 50th National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores, Alabama.

I have all the paintings done to fill the double booth and am now working ahead.

I am really excited to see how the booth looks with it going from sepia to full color in one space.

Tonight was Artwalk in Fairhope.

I was painting live while it was going on from 5:30-8:00 pm.

I actually worked on two miniature paintings for the sewing machine drawers.

They make a really great presentation for the paintings, giving them the shadowbox effect.

Two whales done, lots of people chatting about my works.

Hopefully conversations lead to sales.

I also spent time setting up the rest of the sewing drawer paintings.

So, I know what to paint.

I have the patterns ready to transfer and then just create!

Our pelicans here are an incredible work of God.

To see such a gawky bird fly so gracefully is beautiful.

They dive so hard, going after fish.

It's a wonder they don't die with how hard they hit the water.

You always know when the fish are in the bay, because there will be pelicans sitting on the water.

They're sitting because they can't fly because they're so full of fish!

Pelican Parley, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 69 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Flying high, but how low can you go?

The paintings are so much fun to create and see the final product.

I am really getting excited to see the booth in place at the National Shrimp Festival.

One week from today we'll be down in Gulf Shores!

These pelicans are such characters.

Their diving, eating until they are so full, they can't fly!

Trying to swallow things that are too big to eat.

Gawky when they walk, graceful when they fly.

I love painting them!

"Flying high", Acrylic on shadowbox canvas 24 x 24inches

Octopus are peculiar creatures indeed.

They can regenerate an arm.

They have nine brains, one in their head and one in each arm!

They can change color on a whim.

They have a beak like a parrot!

They can fit through a hole with their entire body, if their beak goes through.

They can unscrew a lid from a jar if the jar has food.

Slippery, intelligent, sometimes creepy, always peculiar.

Most of all, fun to paint!

"How low can you go?", Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16

Days 66 and 67 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Pelican Parley II

I am having an incredibly fun time!

These "happy accident" canvases provided a challenge because of their small opening.

It was interesting to try and fill the space and yet maintain the feeling of not being too crowded.

They turned out better than I ever imagined they would.

Challenge accepted Chris.

On to the next works.

Below you will find the two canvases together.

They will be a great pair or can be sold individually.

I think they look nice, don't you?

Creating is definitely in my blood.

My mother was a fantastic knitter, making fishermen knit cables, honeycombs, and bars.

She even knitted in genuine wool.

I really wish I had one of those sweaters now.

My dad created with me when I was younger, making some of the most fantastic Halloween costumes.

He once even helped my Camp Fire Girl group all make some.

It is a good memory from childhood.

Pelican Parley II, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Pelican Parley I

This is number 3 of the "happy accident" canvases.

Once I set them up, it's fun to paint them.

The set up is the hard part.

Getting in a groove now towards shows.

I have figured out the set up for the 2 new 15 x 30s and the 30 x 30.

Caretta carettas , they will be awesome!

Today has been a good day in the studio.

I was confirmed for another show in Florida in January.

Las Olas, and Del Ray Beach here we come!

But first, Fall shows.

50th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama

October 12th, 13th, 14th, & 15th

Jubilee Festival, Daphne Alabama

October 21st & 22nd

Mattie Kelly, Destin, Florida

October 28th & 29th

Peter Anderson, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Nov.4th & 5th

WAIT LIST Three Rivers, Covington, Louisiana

Nov11th & 12th

I was wait listed last year for Three Rivers, didn't get in.

Fingers Crossed!

Pelican Parley, Acrylic on Shadowbox Canvas, 12 x 24

Day 39 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

The Sentinel II

Another day, another painting!

I have been able to breathe today.

Hurricane Ian seems to be headed in another direction.

Unfortunately, that means someone else is going to be hit.

That place seems to be one of the areas we go to do shows.

Also, one of my favorite places in the keys may be deluged again.

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida has been there for over 25 years and does marvelous rescues of all types of sea turtles.

They sustained pretty nasty amounts of damage the last time the keys were hit.

So many friends, and collectors down that way!

I am praying for all concerned in the path of this horrendous storm.

In fact, I am praying for all of Florida. and others impacted by this monster.

Meanwhile here, the weather has turned to a truly gorgeous fall.

For the first time in months, we've had the back door open all day.

The dachshunds love it, because they can run in and out at their pleasure.

I've pretty much packed the show for this weekend, but I may add one more piece to the mix.

Tomorrow is another day!

The Sentinel II, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 92 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

The Sentinel

I just love painting birds.

They are such fun with all their feathers.

I enjoy adding texture to my paintings with lots of brush strokes.

I also typically pray while I paint, lifting others up with each stroke of the brush.

Today I am praying for those in the path of hurricane Ian.

The forecast keeps changing, and with it my nervous energy increases.

Nervous energy translates into more work done.

I have packed for the Freedom Festival show, with a few more pieces 

to be added as the week progresses.

I have also packed most of the steampunk for the National Shrimp Festival.

Ten days until the set up for that show!

Ten more days, we'll be camping, setting up, and getting ready for the biggest party on the coast.

Two booths, 6 walls to hang on, two completely different styles of art, 

prints and originals for one booth (steampunk), all originals for the other one (marine life sepias).

It's going to be a headache during set up, but hopefully we can do it without snapping at each other.

Powerade in the ice chest, snacks , and lots of love!

We also pick up the Audubon show on Tuesday the 4th in Mississippi at 2:30 pm 

after a reception for the Cruisin the Coast.

Wednesday the 5th is set up day for shrimp.

It's going to be an interesting week next week for sure!

Now, hurricane Ian just needs to fade away........

Prayers for Florida....

The sentinel, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Day 91 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Pelican take off!

Once again, I am paintings birds.

I love the movement and feathers on this one.

I've always loved detail and this guy is loaded with it.

So much going on in such a small space!

Today found me outside until noon, loading the trailer with parts and pieces for two booths.

Checking walls, making sure we have enough for the double booth at the National Shrimp Festival.

I actually had to cover one of my 10-foot walls with the grey fabric I got a while back.

Problem is, I cut the fabric adding extra length in case of shrinkage.

The other problem is the fabric shrank a LOT!

So, I go to happily lay it out to mark it for sewing and it's too short for the width of the wall.

I know I cut them at least 11 feet long.

Anyway, I had to splice the cover on both the front and back of the cover.

A little extra work, but it's done now.

Chris also got our bike rack fixed for the 'new to us' folding bikes.

I also tried to reload the 'show box' that carries so much stuff!

It is a large two-piece rolling box that has business cards, square, metal tags for pricing, bungie cords,

ratchet straps, bags for purchases, scissors, tools and too much else to list.

After a lot of thought, and getting rid of some things, we are down to the base of the box.

That took until about noon.

This gives us a little more room in the trailer.

It also cuts down on weight, as that's always a concern.

Hopefully we don't need anything I let go of this time.

The trailer has a lot more room since Chris added the "possum belly" to the base.

There is enough room to put some artworks now as well as the show equipment.

We carry two tents, walls for two tents, framework for a French wall, two chairs, a spare tire, ladder, step stool, lights, fans, a cooler and again so much more.

There is an incredible amount of thought and planning that goes into a show.

In addition to us working hard to present pieces that are beautiful, 

as artists, we sometimes obsess about the layout of the booth.

I want my works presented in the best way possible and I have learned a lot over the years.

People think it would be so easy to be an artist, and for some it is easy.

For others it is a struggle to get enough works done, get them varnished and wired, packed and presented in a nice manner.

I have learned to manage my time and effort, although sometimes I do falter at getting things done.

That is why I make lists, lists and more lists.

I even lay out the booth with "maps" showing where each piece is to be placed.

Although, the first time I made maps, I left them on the dining room table at home over an hour away!

Fortunately, I had drawn them, and redrawn them so I had them in my head.

This helps me sleep, knowing I have enough works to show.

I am getting excited about the shows coming up.

Two weeks until Showtime!

First one at the Wharf, Orange Beach September 30th and October 1st.

Pelican take off!, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 x 12 inches

Day 80 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Pelican IV

Day 50!

Can you believe it's already halfway through the 100 paintings for this year.

It has been a challenge for sure, trying to do commissions, get ready for a show, and paint every day!

Not to mention sewing too.

Mardi Gras in August, still can't wrap my head around that.

The queen's train is coming along nicely.

Pelicans are one of my favorite birds.

They have the absolute neatest flight pattern when fishing.

When they see a fish, they dive to the left.

This is to protect their esophagus and prevent water from going into their lungs.

I am fascinated by this, because it is a built into their nature.

They automatically dive to the left every time.

God is such a masterful designer!

They are also some of the gangliest looking birds I've ever seen.

They don't walk very well, but boy how they can fly.

I love they've made such a great comeback from the results of DDT on their eggs.

When I first moved back here from California in 1976, 

it was a rare sight to see more than one at a time.

Now, it is common to see flight formations of 25 or more birds gliding along.

Such a beautiful sight in our southern skies!

Pelican IV, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 inch round

Day 50 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Pelican III

The Raccoon Retreat Studio is a hum of activity as of late.

I am painting and also working with my daughter on a Mardi Gras train for next year.

It's hard to wrap my head around Mardi Gras right now as it seems so far away.

Pushing to get things done.

I've already used over 1,000 yards of thread making appliques so far.

The appliques are a large part of the train with two of them measuring 

3 feet and the other two measuring 3.5 feet!

Lots of sewing, trimming, then having to clean my studio from the fabric remnants.

Such is the life of an artist, especially one who sews.

But, before anyone asks I don't sew professionally any more.

Too many headaches and time I really don't have right now!

Somewhere in there, I painted too!

Loving these rounds!

Pelican III, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022