Archers Lion

Today is Archer's birthday.

Archer is our first grandchild, and he is an amazing young man.

He turned 13 today.

I have a teenaged grandson.

It seems like yesterday when he was born.

I barely got to Mobile when our daughter and her husband rushed out the door because she was in labor.

We all went to the hospital and the waiting began.

I was glad I had a painting to work on while waiting.

I painted him a crab the day he was born.

Each year, he gets a new painting added to his collection. 

The first few years I choose the painting.

The last few, he has chosen what he wants for his painting. 

This year I had been working on the lion as a demonstration piece.

I asked Archer if he wanted it for his 13th birthday.

All his other paintings are on flat canvas.

This is his first shadowbox.

The paintings are supposed to stay with me until his 18th birthday, but they are starting to take over.

He mentioned he wants them in his room now.

Soon he will have all of them, ranging in size from 4 x 8 to 18 x 24 inches

I will help him hang them.

He has a wide range of pieces from a gecko to a sailfish, a rhino to a portrait of his dog.

They are all in sepia, so they all go together.

Each one has the date and the year on the back.

A funny aside today.

I asked for a 12 x 36 shadowbox with a 6 x 18 opening.

When I saw it, I realized my huge mistake.

The opening was too small.

It will make an awesome blue crab though!

I needed a 12 x 36 with a 6 x 30 opening.

He provided that today.

I also asked Chris if he could build me some 6 x 24 flats as they are a popular series and I am out.

I went to work in the studio, Chris went to the shop.

I worked for a couple of hours, then decided to fix something for lunch.

Tuna fish sandwiches with chips would do nicely.

No chips.

No sweet relish either.

I went out to the shop to tell Chris I was going to the store.

He proudly showed me 5 12 x 24 shadowboxes.

I said nothing, went to the store purchased the items I needed, then came home.

We ate lunch, then we went to pick up some art supplies I found online.

In our conversation, I asked if he could build the 6 x 24s now.

He started laughing.

I thought you wanted 12 x 24s.

I said no, I told you I had plenty of shadowboxes, I needed the 6 x 24s.

He thought it was so funny that he apparently heard 6 and 24, 

but thought I wanted shadowboxes 12 x 24.

The 12 x 24 shadowboxes have a 6 x 18 opening in them.

I now have 5 extra 12 x 24s.

More to stretch and stack up in preparation for more paintings!

And now I'm tired and ready for bed.

Goodnight!

Archer's Lion, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Day 44 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

A very full day!

Well, the photos are backwards.

This one is actually the end of my day.

Painting several rounds and flat pieces with Kilz to begin the process for the rounds.

The wood has to be isolated to make sure things don't yellow from the glue in the wood.

So many steps to complete the rounds!

Speaking of rounds, I delivered the very special project to Paul today for his friend.

I can't wait to see the photos from that reveal!

I pray that his friend is successful in his swim of the English channel.

Headed to England next week!

I also took time out from my day early in the afternoon to rehang my space at Hello Gallery.

The Gallery is located at 18 S Section street in downtown Fairhope, Alabama.

Seven new works are on display, along with other pieces.

My morning started with getting everything ready for the many commissions.

I packed them up.

Called and texted the new homes.

One picked up today, one next week, and one the week after.

It's been a long day, but a productive one for sure.

Goodnight!

A very full day!, multiple pieces, acrylic on wood and canvas

Day 43 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

A Venus comb

Another day, another painting.

This one is of the Venus comb my parents pulled from the ocean.

My parents shell collection from the Philippines was extensive, 

because they went diving as much as they could afford.

I got to go frequently, swimming in the arm of the Bonka boat for hours on end 

while my parents dove below.

It was an idyllic life, watching my parents dive below me, 

bringing me things from the bottom of the sea. 

We would bring the shells home and place them in the ant bed that was near our front door.

The ants did an incredible job of cleaning the live animals from the shell while leaving the incredible remains for me to see.

Beautiful memories of childhood.

I got the collection when my parents both passed away and 

I was clearing the house for my brother to sell.

I now get to look at them, enjoy them, and even paint them!

More history about the sepia series.

This is about the shadowbox canvas.

They started the fall of 2015.

This is the first time I showed them.

I had seen the canvases at Michaels, but in my mind were too expensive and keep my pricing reasonable.

I had a really good National Shrimp Festival that year.

I went to Michaels afterward to pick up small canvas.

They had all of their shadowbox canvas on sale, clearance actually.

The prices were too good to resist, and I love a great sale.

I bought all 22 they had, asked them to call the Mobile store to see if they had more.

I painted all of them and took them to Peter Anderson in Mississippi.

We sold half of them that weekend.

Chris asked if I could get any more of them.

I told him I had been researching, but they were nowhere to be found.

We finished the fall season with some of them left over.

The following Spring, I was at another show in Mississippi when my husband came to me and said, 

"I think I figured out how to build them", I said "Good, I figured out how to stretch them!"

We haven't looked back since then.

Chris has opened the boxes, made different sizes, made custom sizes, 

designed offset boxes and so much more.

We estimate Chris has built over 500 of them so far!

I am so grateful to have him on my team.

My 12th year painting on the shadowboxes.

I still love them!

A Venus comb, Acrylic on canvas, 15 x 30 inches

Day 41 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

I want to wrap my arms around you!

"I want to wrap my arms around you."

This beauty was started last night at Art Walk.

It measures 18 x 36 inches.

So many textures, so many little crevices.

This one was fun to paint. 

Every painting is fun to me because I love what I do.

God definitely created me to be a creator.

I truly love my 'job'.

I pray that I never lose the love of art and painting.

So many times, people tell me that the paintings I do are exactly what they have been looking for.

I never know what people want; I just want to create and keep my art fresh for the future.

That is why the sepia series has been going for so long.

The sepias came about as a result of multiple people coming into my booth saying;

"I just love your work, but I don't know if that color will go on my wall."

I literally was beating my head against the back of the booth and asking,

 "God, what am I doing wrong?"

I clearly heard, "You're not wrong, just go neutral"

Keep in mind, I was a very strong colorist at the time.

My oldest daughter did not think they would do well at all.

They started out in shadowbox frames that I bought from Michaels that were unfinished.

I had to paint them black, then brown and quickly wipe them back to finish them.

Then they had 12 x 12 canvases in them that were a trick 

to get one to fit as the frames were not consistent.

The first seven I did were a surprise with all of them selling in a reasonable amount of time.

I then made up my mind to have a bunch of them for fall shows.

Problem was, getting the unfinished wood from the store.

I had a really great manager from Michaels that worked with me and found 35 of them and had them shipped from California.

The next problem we had was transporting them.

They took up a lot of room in the van!

I ended up with an entire wall of them and had a spectacular show.

The show went so much better than I expected with several people coming back to get pieces, 

only to be disappointed when they were sold.

The year was 2010.

16 years for a series is unusual to say the least.

Most series for artists last 2 or 3 years before it becomes boring, 

or they've explored all they can or think they can.

I keep exploring, growing, and making the series fun for me and my collectors.

I am so grateful to God for the ideas and talents he blesses me with.

My work became neutral, before it was a trend!

This was also before Chip and Joanna Gaines became popular with their fixer upper series.

Their first episode was May of 2013 and started the neutral palette of colors for decorating.

God works like that, when you listen and act upon His guidance.

I was fortunate to have given my parents two of my pieces from that first year.

After my dad passed, I brought them home.

I'm still trying to figure out where to hang them.

Lionfish, who knew they would become an invasive species....

Apparently, I did, because I painted them way back then too!

Notice two things about these guys.

They are browner, sepia toned if you will.

My signature had not changed by then.

That happened in 2013.

I always considered myself to be a Christian Artist, but that year my signature started showing it.

They are still beautiful to me, and I hope to you as well.

God bless, I bid you goodnight!

I want to wrap my arms around you, Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 36 inches

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

Turtle babies

These little guys are always fun to paint!

I am so delighted I managed to get these canvases from marketplace.

The woman advertised 18, but when I got there, the number was 20!

They were a really great price and give me small canvas that I can hold and easily paint.

Finishing up on a commission which should post tomorrow.

I am currently working on cushions for our son and daughter in love's camper.

I always love a good sewing project, but wrestling these cushions into the covers is a marathon.

I feel like an octopus with an arm stuck inside the casing and another pulling the plastic bag out that helps me put the cover in place.

I love that they are letting me make my contribution to their first camper together.

It is small, very small but oh so cute.

We are rapidly headed to the finish line of completion on the trailer.

 Then Chris will likely help our oldest daughter with her new shop conversion.

Next in line will be repairs to the tiny house, as we've had some rather bad leakage around the windows that has caused rot in the wall. 

I just pray it's only one wall and will be easily fixed.

Never a dull moment around here!

One project to the next, and the next.

Maybe the commissions are done for now too!

Friday night is Artwalk night in Fairhope.

6-8pm at Hello Gallery, 18 South Section Street

I'll be painting live on the next Dead men tell no tales!

Come and say hello!

Turtle babies, Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches

day 37 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

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

 

Octopus in my hands

I love the smaller format!

Not only are they much easier to paint, but I can also hold them in my hands while I am painting.

This makes this size portable and affordable for collectors.

It's been a long day of intense creating on the latest Dead Men tell no tales paintings.

Lots of cut work, lots of detail, I will finish it tomorrow.

I also got a confirmation for the latest commission, so it is a go now.

It combines several things that are memorable to the recipient.

It will also include a Bible verse.

Intense

Incredible

Interesting

Life here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama

But for now, Goodnight!

Octopus in my hands, Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches

Day 35 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

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

Octopus for a sibling

An incredible day indeed!

This is the "Octopus for a Sibling".

This same octopus is a recreation of one seen at Chain of Parks in April.

Unfortunately, the first one was sold before they could come back to get it.

They also ordered the Manatees from yesterday.

This piece is larger than the original one they saw.

I am praying that it is everything they hoped for when Christmas comes with a wonderful surprise.

I am honored to be a part of the gift.

I am also incredibly happy to be done with the commissions part for the 100 days.

The rest of the paintings will be available after today.

I also was helped greatly by my husband today.

We painted the Kilz on all of the panels today for the VBS.

This preps the panels for the drawings and then the painting to begin.

This Summer surge will be incredible as it will be an immersive experience for the children.

They will enter the "Gate" and into the world of Super Mario.

There will be trees, mushrooms, a throne, a motorcycle, and probably more.

I have an incredible amount of excitement bringing things like this to the minds of children.

It brings me closer to God as well, because this allows me to work side by side 

with the Holy Spirit within me.

The Holy Spirit throws so much at me when I'm working, and I love it so much!

Sometimes though, I have to ask Him to slow down as I cannot keep up!

Each VBS is an incredible experience for me as I grow every time as an artist and set designer.

Thanks for coming along on the adventure with me!

Octopus for a sibling, Acrylic on wood, 16 inches

Day 7 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

 

All the chubby mermaids

Chubby Mermaids, Sea cows, or manatees.

How about all of the above!

I've heard them called by all of these names.

I've even had someone call them walrus!

Hint, no tusks....

This is another commission that I am working on.

This one is about the same size as their turtle they purchased.

The couple have requested two.

Manatees are their piece and an octopus that their sister missed out on at a show.

She came back to purchase it, but it was already sold.

They even grabbed a screenshot of the piece so they could ask for it to be recreated.

I am making it larger for her as I want everyone to have an original.

It will be an awesome Christmas present!

Another hint, if you like something at a show, ask the artist if you can put it on hold for an hour or so.

I typically do not take a deposit and only a phone number.

If someone comes in wanting something on hold, and the time is not up, I will call the person 

and give them first right of refusal.

But, a caveat, if you put it on hold and don't come back in time don't expect it to be there.

I had a guy ask how long it was on hold for and I told him until 3pm.

Promptly at 3 I was looking down at my logbook and then a voice said it's 3 o'clock as the money appeared under the brim of my hat.

"It's mine"

He happily tucked the work under his arm and walked away.

She showed up 15 minutes later...

Stomped her foot and said I knew it would be gone!

I really hate it when people are disappointed. 

Hence why we have a sign in my booth that says, "I should've bought it when I saw it."

Whenever someone hesitates to put something on hold, we point to the sign.

I do enjoy it when something catches ahold of people and gives them the joy of ownership.

It's just hard to make a decision sometimes.

I really understand....

What I've learned to explain to people is this. 

 That you are buying a piece of my life I cannot get back.

That part of my life is contained in that work of art.

So, you literally own a piece of me!

We started the day with church and then a delightful ride on our 'new to us' boat.

The boat is aluminum and had over 22 holes that had to be repaired.

Chris sanded and sanded, then painted it a beautiful blue.

He built a windshield very similar to the one on the boat I remembered in my teenage years.

While sitting on her today, I was facing the wake and the shape of it made this beautiful V that I remember so strongly.

I had many happy hours behind the boat while water skiing and also while holding the helm while my 

father skied as well. 

I drove a boat from about the age of 14.

I've also really begun the VBS build in earnest now.

I went to Goodwill to purchase a barstool to build the motorcycle on.

And a chair to make into a throne for the girls to have photos in.

Each year I attempt to have interactive works for photo opportunities, and this year will be no different.

It's going to be amazing.

At least that's what I'm seeing in my imagination.

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

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

All the chubby mermaids, Acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 6 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

 

More of the future is here

More baby turtles today. This year's 100 days began with four commissions. One of them was for baby turtles on the 6 x 24 canvas. I told the collector that I would paint two and he could choose one of them. This is the second one. Hopefully one of them is sold already. I really enjoy painting these little guys every time. Specifically, this collector wanted the ones coming out of the nest.

Today is a special day. It is our youngest daughter's birthday in India. A joyous day for sure when she was born. It was an incredible day that is burned into my memory.

Today is July 2nd. This is interestingly enough the apex of the year. There are 182 days before, and 182 days after. The first part of the year we climbed toward the middle and from now on there are less days in the year. Just an interesting fact that is really neat.

Christina, the one whose birthday is today was born on the second of July. My mother, (her grandmother called Manna) was born on May 2nd. My birthday is October 2nd. She was absolutely delighted that her daughter, Dahlia was born on August 2nd. Her birthday this year she will turn 5.

My day was filled with painting, sanding and going on a date with my husband. We went to see Young Washington and it was an incredible movie and story. Well worth the time to see it.

Speaking of well worth the time. I have a bit of history for my dimensional pieces that began in earnest last year. These works are a long process that begins with unfinished wood cut into circles with a router. These pieces are sanded carefully using a drum sander. They are then backed with a thinner layer which forms the background. They are glued and nailed around the edge. Each one is then painted with Kilz so that the glue layers are trapped beneath the painting layer. They are then painted again after more sanding with Acrylic paint. Chris gives me a piece of wood that matches the round, which allows me to draw the dimensional top piece. This piece has to also be painted with both Kilz and Acrylic. The top piece is then cut with either a band saw or my scroll saw. The scroll saw is used on more delicate works like lionfish fins and octopus legs. Most complex are the Pirate pieces because of all the open cut work allowing the base of the pirate ship and reef to be seen beneath. The dimensional piece is then sanded carefully from the back. The background must be painted first. I then take the dimensional piece and nail blocks underneath which are nailed from above and below. The edges of the top piece are painted on the edges, then the creature is then painted as well. I then varnish the back and the top piece to protect it. I add a hanging wire as well to finish the work. Almost 20 steps total!

So, when you're looking at a piece of art. 

There are hours of decisions, drawing and painting. 

In the case of the dimensional works many more steps are needed to complete the piece. I am grateful for the many people who have let go of their hard-earned money to purchase one of my works. 

The artist that you purchase from may really need the income or the 

validation that comes from creating.

I am so blessed to be able to create and actually make money with what I paint.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You!

More of the future is here, Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24

Day 3 of the 100 days!00 paintings 2026

Our future babies

 Is it possible to see anything more precious than a boil of sea turtle babies? When I first started walking with Share the Beach, I had never seen a boil happen. They truly do look like they are boiling up out of the sand. Each baby frantically climbing over the next in a frantic effort to reach the sea and hopefully safety. 

Share the Beach was started a long time ago, over 20 years and counting! It was started when a local that loved the turtles noticed they were going toward the lights of the houses and businesses in Gulf Shores. So many babies lost in the dunes, unable to get to the sea because they were confused by the lights. So many babies run over by cars that did not see them in time. Tired of seeing the destruction of life a group of people started Share the Beach. 

Volunteers now patrol 47 miles of beach every morning from May 1st through the end of August. They look for nests or activity of turtles, possibly signifying a nest. If an area looks promising, they carefully dig the nest up, leaving it if it is above the high tide line. If not above the high tide line, the eggs are carefully moved one by one into a bucket, counted carefully, then reburied further up the beach. Then nest is then covered with a screen, and sand placed over the top. The screen helps prevent foxes, dogs, raccoons, coyotes, and sometimes humans from accessing the nest. There is a perimeter placed around the immediate area, then a larger perimeter is established. It is a federal offense to disturb a nest. All nests that are found are carefully monitored, then the waiting begins. Towards hatching time, you will see a large group of people waiting and listening for the boil. It really is a sight to see. The monitors make sure the babies don't turn toward lights away from the sea. I've even been part of a group holding beach towels up along the track to shade them. If they insist on going the wrong way, they are carefully put into a bucket taxi and gently put into the sea and on their way.

Why go to all this trouble?

Most sea turtle nests have an average of about 100-120 eggs. Only ONE of those babies may survive into adulthood and produce more. Adulthood is over 30 years old. Scavengers, birds, fish, and other sea creatures may attack them on their way to the sargassum grass beds where they grow until older. Each nest is important as well as each baby.

The Eastern seaboard is having a banner year this year, with many turtles coming in for nesting. This year, our own Orange Beach team has FOUR so far! An amazing testimony to the hard work of all involved on our beaches from Orange Beach to Fort Morgan and Dauphin island. Our future babies indeed!

Our future babies, Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24inches

Day 2 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

A wonderful day one!

Today, June 30th marks the first day of the 100 days 2026.

Each year, I do 100 paintings, projects, or plans to do them.

Most of the time, it will be a painting.

Sometimes it's just my hectic, wonderful artist life here in Fairhope with my husband of over 40 years.

There are also 4 dachshunds in the mix, adding to the chaos which can be so much fun!

This year again my church's VBS is smack dab in the beginning of the fray and only adds another dimension of art to the 100 days.

I've already been accepted into two of my shows and am awaiting answers to 4 more.

Another 6 shows to add to my fall schedule and hopefully my checking account as well.

Next year, 2027 promises to be even more fun as I am praying to get my African Son, Crecious 

here for at least 3 shows of his own before returning to Zimbabwe.

It will take a year of preparations and planning to make his shows a success as well as mine!

For those who are new to the blog, Welcome!

I am a professional Christian artist living in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I went back to painting back in 1993 after a drunk driver hit our family van.

I was working as a costumer at the time and had sewn all night to meet a Mardi Gras deadline.

We were headed to a parade that evening when we were rear ended from a dead stop at a light.

Unfortunately, I was turned sideways in the front talking to my husband when we were hit.

I don't have a typical neck whiplash, instead of being front and back, mine is a side-to-side injury.

I have two herniated discs in my neck as well as nerve damage in my right arm.

But God!

I began painting again because it was something I did as a child.

I did it to work through the pain and to give me a creative outlet as sewing professionally 

was not an option at the time.

Don't get me wrong, some days are diamonds and some days are dirt depending on the activities.

All of them are good days though, because I count it all as joy!

Today marks the beginning of 100 days 2026.

The blog began on July 1, 2009 with a painting of Middle Bay Lighthouse 

18 years of the blog, and my 32nd year of painting.

This year marks my 19th year since I started going to the Annual National Shrimp Festival at

Gulf Shores, Alabama in the month of October.

So many paintings, so many blog posts.

Come along with me as I paint, praise, and produce pieces.

Of course, today is a Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

My girlfriend refers to me as the Turtle lady!

This piece was started at Fairhope's art walk this month.

I finished it today in my signature Sepia color.

It is an impressive 24 x 36 inches and was so fun to paint!

Not my usual shadowbox canvas, or the new rounds from last year, just a flat canvas.

I'm looking forward to the wonderful creative journey this year.

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

A wonderful day one! Loggerhead sea turtle 24 x 36 inches

Day 1 of the 100 days 100 paintings 2026

 

Just playing around!

"Just playing around!"

The dolphins may be, but I'm sure not!

Today was a productive, not so productive day.

I got a lot of the things on my to do list checked off, but there is so much more to do.

Some are small inconsequential things that if they don't get done, the world won't fall apart.

Unfortunately, I might! (Fall apart that is.)

Then I remind myself to breathe!

I have a thought in my mind of things I want to do, but God sometimes decides otherwise.

"Many are the plans of man, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21

In other words, this joke comes to mind.

Wanna make God laugh? 

Tell Him your plans.

God's plan is always better, but in our stubbornness, we pitch fits.

"But I want it this way!"

Then like Balaam and the donkey, we beat the animal until it speaks to us.

Reminding us to slow down and not sweat the small stuff.

"But I'm a detail person and I sweat the small stuff."

Sometimes it keeps me awake because I ruminate over things.

To counter this, I make lists and maps.

Although this time, the maps escape me because I can't visualize the rounds in place.

I can see the wall in my mind in the booth and it's beautiful.

But I can't get it on the graph paper.

Not even on paper.

Maybe I'll try again tonight.

In the meantime, I erased, wired, and varnished the last of what we are taking this weekend.

As I was laying out my vinyl pieces I've had for 15 years, I realized how much history is on them.

I've threatened to paint them white but never seem to find the time.

The opposite side is neon green vinyl.

They once were cushions in a doctor's office. I bought all he had at a yard sale.

I used the cushions for my dining area and in a camper Chris built.

The vinyl was cut apart into strips that I cover my table with to prevent paint from getting on the wood.

There are so many projects on these pieces, so much history, so much work.

I can recall a lot of the projects, some for church, some for family, dozens of ornaments, 

varnishing, and painting canvases white.

Some of the projects haunt me, one in particular.

I worked with my daughter Jessica on the giant bird Kevin from the movie "Up"

Those blue feathers somehow keep reappearing on my white canvas years later.

This is after I have swept them, rolled them with lint rollers, shook them.

And still, the bright blue feathers!

Ornaments and decorations from Christina's baby shower.

Little ovals from her birdcages.

Apples for the church.

Sets for the church.

I guess I'll keep them as they are, too many memories to paint them white.

We also got another boat today.

I guess this will be the Winter project this year for Chris.

It's going to be a lot of work.

Chris invited me to lunch and took me while he was going back to the 

gentleman's house to try and get the motor.

He picked up the boat earlier along with all the supplies to outfit the boat that the guy bought new.

New seats, new lay down seats, various items to complete the project.

Anyway, this motor was a beast, a 1973 Evinrude.

Extremely heavy.

They were trying to rig a come along to hoist it into the truck and I became extremely nervous.

I suggested maybe a trailer would be better and safer.

So, off we went back home.

Chris got the trailer, and I went back to the studio, praying the entire time he was gone.

I once had a friend whose father was nearly killed by a 

come along snapping and throwing the chain at him.

Chris finally got home.

We rode the dogs.

We then loaded the van with a bunch of equipment and his new system 

for lifting the art above the tents, walls, weights, chair, umbrella, etc.

It's a lot of equipment to put on a show.

Especially a double booth!

We load in artwork tomorrow after we hitch up the camper.

We are almost at the end of the 100 days~100 paintings.

It's been an adventure this year as it is always an experience to remember.

New species, new works, new life. 

It's all here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Just playing around! Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 24

Day 98 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025