Super Mario Chronicles

If you have been following the blog, you know I have the opp"art"unity to create sets for our VBS at Celebration church.

If you have not been following, now you know.

I LOVE using my talents for God's glory.

I thank Him every day for the talent He has given me.

Anyway, I make large sets with the help of a lot of people for our three day VBS.

This years theme was Super Mario.

It was an incredibly fun set to build, with numerous parts and pieces.

The Pastor also used part of the sets for his series at Kids church.

This is part of the Mario and Luigi scene.

It had an additional part added to the top made of foam.

This has been removed in preparation for the next series.

Kingdom Chronicles.

The scenery I was asked to create was from the Chronicles of Narnia.

Today was the day.

I had a doctor's appointment that was scheduled a month ago this morning.

The office called because the doctor had a personal emergency and had to cancel.

I tried, really tried not to be irritated because it threw a glitch into my plans for the day.

I called to reschedule.

Next week on Wednesday at 9 am.

Wednesday is set up day for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores.

You know how to make God laugh?

Tell Him your plans.

I also wrote in my journal today about adjustments.

Those are the little things that get in the way of what you have planned for the day.

Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.

I changed out of my going to the doctor clothes and put on paint clothes.

I gathered the paints, brushes, ladder, and my brain to go to the church and began painting.

First step Kilz and beginning of the trees.

I would discover that the trees were not big enough to cover the space.

Hours number one and two.

Additional layering of background of the sky using gray, sky blue, and a deep rich royal blue.

I then added more trees in both foreground and back behind the path.

Hours number three and four.

I took a break, going to lunch with Chris at 2pm.

I came back and started adding the snow on the trees.

I was loving them at this point.

When I first started adding the snow, I was just incredibly awed by the talent God has given me.

It reduced me to tears in gratitude.

Hour five.

More snow on blue foreground tree.

Then came the part I was dreading.

The light post.

I used a piece of paper as a makeshift ruler to sketch the lamp post in place.

I then used the dark gray to lay it on the canvas.

I put white in the light area, but it just wasn't enough.

As I walked over to the church, I realized I was crashing the steak night for the men.

Too late now!

I'm trying to finish a job today.

I went into my paint box for some yellow paint.

It was the finishing touch to the light.

I them added more white to the path, making it disappear around the corner.

I'm incredibly happy with the way it turned out.

Not bad for 6 1/2 hours of work.

Thanks GOD!

Narnia Chronicles, Acrylic house paint on canvas, 8 x 12 feet

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

A little honey please.

"A little honey please."

This painting was an absolute delight to paint with my small group tonight.

We talked a good bit about honey and it's many uses in the Bible.

So many things are good for you in honey.

We had a great time painting this one!

"A little honey please" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 85 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Behind the scenes

"Behind the Scenes"

This is a good example of what people don't see.

The classes we teach, the people we have community with on a regular basis.

I teach a class at my church called Scripts & Strokes.

It is my 13th year teaching this class, and it's always fun and interesting.

God brings us together in many ways, but painting isn't a typical avenue.

This fall, we're doing a lot of paintings from Psalm 119.

Tonight's piece has to do with two verses.

The first verse is from Matthew 7:13

"You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."

The second is from Psalm 119:65-72 NLT and is a little broader in its reach.

You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised.

I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgement and knowledge.

I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.

Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.

Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions.

My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

Lots of laughter and a little learning too!

Today found me erasing pencil lines and brushing the eraser shavings away.

I also had to clean the mats I use to keep my varnish and paint from ruining my table.

They get covered in wood pieces and still have sequins from January on them.

The mats have many, many projects on them from the past.

Christmas ornaments, pieces from church projects, decorations for parties, Mardi gras floats, 

and lots of white paint from coating canvases.

They also have a fair amount of varnish on them too.

They are recycled vinyl from cushions and are an excellent way to keep my table cleanish.

When not in use, they are rolled up in a garbage can in the studio.

After erasing the pencil lines, I have to clean the canvas to prepare it for varnish.

After varnishing, (and sometimes before) I also put wires or hooks on them.

They have to sit for a day or so before packing them into bags for shows.

What is the behind the scenes?

4 hours of work, not creating but simply finishing for shows.

Most people have no idea the amount of work that goes into doing a festival.

I also entered the jury process for four shows today that are not until spring of next year.

It's a lot that goes on behind the scenes.

You only see the finished pieces after all the cutting, measuring, assembling, stretching, stapling, white paint, drawing, painting, glazing, tweaking, erasing, cleaning, putting wires on the backs.

Do I have a smile on my face?

Yes I do!

Completed pieces mean I'm ready for a show!

"Behind the scenes" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 gate painting

Day 78 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Arrows

More specifically Psalm 91:5.

"Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night; nor the arrow that flies by day."

Even though the arrows and accusations may fly, we shall be in the refuge of the Lord.

We painted this in Scripts & Strokes at my small group tonight.

It was a lot of fun, and there was a lot of laughter as well.

We can rely on God to be our shelter, our fortress, our feathers that cover us.

In other words, he is our stronghold and protector against anything that comes at us. 

Won't you let Him cover and protect you with His Shield?

Today was a long day of laying out paintings.

I have several lined up to be painted.

I'm sure that they will all turn out, but sometimes the arrows fly......

Chris is trying to make me less stressed by cutting out the front pieces with the new saw.

I brought him four pieces and held my breath.

He brought back the turtle, and it was missing a back flipper and was not cut all the way.

I dug through the cut offs, and the flipper was not there.

I figured out how to recut the piece and have now remounted it in place. 

I'm praying it will look good when painted.

I was not happy at all at first when I realized what had happened.

I tried, really tried not to be the crazy artist and go off on a total rant as I was redesigning the piece.

Admittedly I came close but was able to stop it before it escalated completely.

Of course, our son witnessed the ticked off artist before I got control.

He thought it was funny.

I'm so sorry both to God and Chris.

I did tell Chris that if he really doesn't want to help, let me know.

He always adds "meat" where he thinks it's needed.

There is "extra" on the sailfish that will now have to be repainted.

Two artists working together is not always good.

We have a tendency to butt heads because each one thinks their way is right.

It's usually the same with my daughter as well.

Two creative minds are sometimes a recipe for disaster.

Hopefully this time I avoided the complete meltdown.

Another day at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama

Another day, another painting.

One day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores, Alabama

Arrows, Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Day 71 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

 

Two paintings for two days

This was the painting we created at my small group at Celebration Church.

We talked about and painted the widow's mite.

About how her tiny offering was worth so much more because she sacrificed to give it.

We also discussed the wealthy people that gave from their surplus, while she gave her all.

It doesn't have to be money.

We can give time, talent, or treasure.

The point is we give it willingly and completely.

All or nothing.

Not just some, or sometimes.

Most of us struggle to even tithe because we're afraid we won't have enough at the end of the month.

As a believer I can say without a doubt.

You cannot outgive God!

Another shell from my parent's collection.

This one is another type of snail.

The actual shell is about two inches in length.

My dad identified it as a Cerithium Obeliscus.

Google says it is a Cerithium muscarum, or flyspeck cerith.

Either way, it's a pretty shell.

They are a gastropod grazing on algae in shallow tropical waters.

Such a lovely painting.

Now it's late and time for bed for me.

Goodnight!

Two paintings for two days, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Days 64 and 65 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

A pearl of great value.

Scripts & Strokes started back for our Fall small group session.

We had an incredible time bringing our pearls to life.

First, we talked about and heard from Psalm 119, the longest book of the bible.

 Psalm 119 is often referred to as a string of pearls.

Psalm 119 is a series of sections, each representing a Hebrew letter.

Each verse has its own independent story and valuable lesson taught therein.

We then spoke about the lessons about wealth from Psalm 119.

Pearls at that time were worth more than emeralds or sapphires.

When looking for wealth look no further than Psalm 119.

Psalm 119:14 "I have rejoiced in your instructions as much as riches."

Psalm 119:72 "Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver'

Psalm 119:127 "I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold."

Psalm 119:"I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure"

The we enter into the Parable of the pearl.

Matthew 13:45-46 " Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it"

The merchant found heaven, he was willing to sell everything he owned to procure this pearl of great value.

The pearl is Christ himself.

True salvation.

We search for this pearl.

Maybe we discover this pearl.

Are we willing to sacrifice everything we own to purchase this pearl?

Following Christ means we have to give Him our all, after all He gave His life for us!

"A pearl of great value" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 inches

Day 57 of the 100 days~100 paintngs 2026