Flying jewel box VI

So much fun, and so much beauty in a small package.

I love to watch them.

Now I love to paint them too!

Today was a good day.

The laundry got done.

The dogs behaved themselves for the most part.

That is except for the phantom puppy pooper in my bedroom. 

The poop that was found by my robot vacuum cleaner.

Cleaned up that mess.

Cleaned the vacuum cleaner that sucked up said poop.

Cleaned the stove where I cleaned the vacuum cleaner.

Cleaned the sink after I cleaned the stove and the vacuum cleaner.

Such is life with senior dogs.

I just pray the vacuum doesn't find poop or pee again!

The dogs may have to stay outside for a while during vacuuming.

Studio time was good, I got a lot done today.

I put a couple of coats of Kilz on the latest sewing drawer projects.

The color kept seeping through, so another layer of Kilz.

Finally, I was able to put white acrylic on them to prepare them for artworks.

I also painted today for several hours.

Dog feeding time, then the afternoon ride.

Dogs are happy, husband happy.

Laundry done.

Dinner cooked and cleaned up.

Time spent with husband in early evening.

Then lost myself into the studio for a couple of hours.

Going to be now, 4:30 am comes quickly.

(Walking for turtles in the morning.)

Such is the artist life here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama!

Flying jewel box VI, Acrylic on wood panel, 5x15 inches

Day 43 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Seahorse II

Wow what a day!

I started out with Bible study and prayer because that is the way I start my day almost every day.

I get out of sorts when I don't start by diving into the word.

I fairly swim in the words on the pages, and sometimes the passages give

 me deep insights into God's pure love.

We got on the road early this morning to go to Mississippi to hang the show at the 

Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point.

What a gorgeous space! 

I've never been there physically, only through emails and photographs.

Anyway, we drove the distance through rainfall the entire way.

Once arriving, we met Susan coming in and she told us to park under the overhang.

Then she told us about the lift!

Almost the entire show fit on the lift and we walked up the ramp.

Unloading was so easy, then we started to unpack and lay out pieces on the floor.

The excitement in me was evident as I laid out the works in their respective spaces.

Jeremy was there to help me hang.

I think he saw what a task it would be and decided if I needed help to call and he would come.

Multi canvas pieces are not easy to put into place, requiring careful measurements.

Anyway we got it all done, hung and marked with pink tags in about three hours total.

It is a large show with 47 pieces on 58 canvases!

The promotion they do is fantastic as well, with email blasts out to their supporters.

I am really looking forward to the reception on the 15th of July.

On to today's piece, Seahorse II was an easy time to paint and relax with listening to music.

I finished off the day with layering a steampunk pelican in parts.

It's going to be interesting to be in the studio this summer!

Thanks for going on the ride with me!

Seahorse II, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16x16

Day 8 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Blue Heron with "Tude"

Blue Heron with "Tude"

This is one of the canvases from India, hence why it looks a little wrinkled.

The photo is not the best either!

Chris is building my stretcher bars as I have 17 to stretch.

Have you ever observed these wonderful birds?

They have to be the most graceful yet gawky, 

beautiful yet beastly, 

crafty yet cunning bird you will ever watch.

Try to go fishing, he will steal your bait.

 They will intimidate you into dropping your fish you just caught.

They will stalk small fish, larger fish, fresh water turtles, sting rays, 

and I've even photographed one eating a snake! 

Drop your hook into the water and he will swiftly and silently fly in, landing just a few scant feet from where you are standing. Given the opportunity, he will take your fish 

just as you are reeling it in for the catch!

A Bird with Attitude for sure!

Great Blue Heron with "Tude", 15x30, acrylic on canvas

Day 88 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

It's all about the trees....

This is part I of the painting commission for a collector.

She has this wonderful idea to put the two paintings above her cabinets in the open kitchen. 

Once I saw the photos of this view from her front door, 

I could see why she wanted to bring the trees inside.

One canvas is longer than the other to fill the space. 

This one is 43 inches x 21. 

The second piece will be 55 x 21. 

This client is so gracious, allowing me to finish the second piece when I come 

home from India at the end of September.

It is also in a custom sepia color, more brown than the one I am currently using for my series.

I love pushing the limits of value in this piece and I am looking forward to the second one!

It's all about the trees I, Acrylic on custom built canvas, 21 x 43

Day 55 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Delightful dolphins

Delightful Dolphins is a large scale painting done from the one featured several days ago. I painted this one on a grander scale, specifically because a client requested it. Not fearing a challenge, I went to task. This same collector also has a custom built, hand stretched, Pelican painting that fits over their living room television when it is not in use. She asked for  a painting or paintings that would go over their French doors leading to their outdoor room. The space is rather large, measuring 15ft x 3ft. The painting in three pieces measures slightly over 9ft. We took it over to her home this evening and with the exception of background color being changed, it is finished! 

This painting in three pieces actually took 2 days because of teaching, church projects, and oh that little thing called sleep!

Delightful Dolphins, Acrylic on 3 canvases, 2 at 24 x 36, and central piece 30 x 40

Day 14 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Sailing Along

    Sailing along is todays offering for the 100 days. Turtles are one of my best sellers and this year proves no different. A lot of people seem to have a turtle story or a collection of these beautiful creatures. They are a constant source of delight to me as a painter with their patterns and spots. I will always love painting them! I am teaching at the Eastern Shore Art center a painting a day class during the fall session. I hope they do not mind if we delve into turtles, especially if they want paintings that sell!

Sailing Along 6 x 12 Acrylic on Canvas

Glider

     Glider came into being after seeing a photo I took while in the Tampa Aquarium. This turtle was gorgeous and a permanent resident.  It apparently was the victim of a shark attack as it had a large bite taken out of his side. It was not a killing blow, just a massive amount of damage. I don't know where this turtle recovered, possibly at the turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida. All I know, is it now calls home an aquarium that take very good care of it. This beauty swam beautifully despite the damage to it's shell. It loved to come close to the window of the tank, peering at the visitors apparently looking for a hand out.

Glider~Acrylic on Canvas~6 x 12

Impressionist Boats

I enjoyed painting with the children at the Mobile Museum of Art. We had an entire week of impressionist painting, making a journal, drawing, and watercolor. I never cease to be amazed at the styles and handling of paint that children possess. I had a younger sibling in the class that did so well she showed up the older kids and surpassed quite a few of them! She jumped right in and followed directions to the letter, carefully studying every move I made. I wish adults would listen so well when I am teaching!

Impressionist Boats 16 x 20 Acrylic on canvas.

Wish I was here!

We began restoring the house in earnest this past week so getting to the easel and my blog has been impossible at best. This painting is part of a series of boats and sunsets I plan to do in the coming days. I am doing a 4 day "catch up blog" tonight!
Sometimes we all want to run away from life in general and enjoy the peace and quiet. My husband and I have spent time away on a boat and it is indeed peaceful and serene. I don't know if I could live in such close confines though, there is nowhere to paint!
Wish I was here! 16 x 20 Oil on canvas