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

 

Heron I

Today was a busy day.

I started with my bible readings and journal.

Dentist appointment at 8 am.

Came home, painted a bit then Chiropractor appointment.

Straight to church, to dismantle VBS.

Decorations always come down faster than they go up!

We salvaged lumber from the flats, and tossed cardboard that served us well for two years.

We then went to lunch at the pier.

I love painting birds, I've discovered.

Heron I is one of them.

Because of the Audubon show, I have had several birds leave the studio this month.

We watched a Heron today while eating lunch at the Orange Street pier.

While he was entertaining, the dolphins were more fun to watch.

The dolphin pod was chasing mullet up the bay, leaping out of the water in their haste to catch lunch.

We were sitting quietly observing the pelican sitting on the piling.

The heron decided that was his piling, and swooped toward the pelican, cackling as he flew in.

The pelican decided that he did not want to deal with that beak and left his perch.

Such is life here on the bay, summer winding down, herons defending their territory, pelicans diving to capture the next meal, dolphins playing with their food while eating.

I love it here!

Heron I, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 37 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Babies, babies, everywhere IV

Baby turtles IV

I am still shaking my head over this one!

When I posted the first one, I had an immediate response asking for size and price.

I had to tell her it was already sold, as well as the one I was posting the next day.

The birthday girl got her babies today and was totally surprised.

Her husband did a great job, contacting me for the commission and picking up promptly.

She commissioned one and said if I had two....

Here's number two for her.

She's on the share the beach team with me.

We have an obsession with baby turtles for sure!

Yesterday the orange beach team was in an uproar.

One of our nests had been vandalized.

My phone and Chris's too was blowing up all day with angry turtle people.

The police were called.

The Fish and Wildlife were called.

The Feds were called.

Yes folks, messing with an endangered species nest that is clearly marked is a federal offense!

Imagine having a criminal record permanently because you vandalized a turtle nest.

Fortunately, the eggs were not affected, as the vandals did not get to them.

Hopefully they will hatch soon and have a lot of happy turtle people.

Today's phone blow up was because a nest hatched earlier than expected.

We used to sit on watch 24/7 when it got close to the time.

This nest was checked at 9:30 and was pretty quiet.

These little stinkers decided 11:30 at night was a fun time to go to the water.

Problem is, some of them were found headed away from the water.

People were calling the hotline, saying they had turtles running everywhere apparently.

It was only a partial hatch, though.

There are more waiting to come up to the surface.

More excitement on the way.

Each baby turtle has about a 1% chance of surviving to adulthood to have babies of their own.

So, every single one is important...

Things are happening in the studio as well.

I purchased a couple dozen small wood rounds because they are easy to transport and paint.

Before I can paint on them, they must be prepped.

First a layer of Kilz, then white Acrylic paint.

It's a lot to do, but necessary work in order to create.

I did get upset a few years back when Baldwin County made me but a manufacturers license.

This is more expensive than a transient artist license.

I said quietly that I am not a manufacturer, I'm a painter.

"Mam you take canvas that is blank and paint on it right?"

I bought the license.

I don't always feel like a manufacturer, but today I do when I purchase so many supports ahead.

Then have to paint them.

Never a dull moment.

All this and the Covid bug has visited us again!

(Not me, Chris)

Wear your masks people, this new variant is getting past everything!

Baby turtle IV, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 24 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Frequent Flier

Today is a good day.

While I didn't get much done, I still created.

Paints are ready for the Watercolor class, patterns are too!

Teaching tomorrow.

Plans made for working on ornaments Friday with Sister in law.

She's helping me knead the clay to soften it.

We also went to get a bunch of canvas for my Scripts & Strokes class as I'm finally out.

Low and behold, there were bonus packs with one extra canvas. 

I bought all of them I could find.

We also went shopping for shoes as Chris is having issues with his feet.

Stopped and got canvas for a backdrop at children's church.

We took dachshunds out for a spin.

Gave one dachshund with skin issues a bath.

Washed laundry and dried it, still got to fold!

We are headed to church tonight!

Frequent Flier, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 36

Day 93 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Pretty pelican II

Pretty pelican II

It was an interesting day to say the least.

Heavy rains in the morning allowed me to secretly bake my sister in laws birthday dachshund cake.

I took the cake to Scripts & Strokes tonight and talked her into coming to the class too.

I  managed to surprise her!

We painted tonight at Scripts and strokes too.

What a wonderful day!

Indeed Lord!

Keep lighting my way!

Pretty pelican, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 92 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Three Amigos

These bad boys were interesting to paint! 

I have always loved painting pelicans and this trio was no exception.

Only problem is, in my excitement of carving yesterday I am sore.

My index finger with which I was controlling the dremel 

was complaining today about the brush pushing against it.

It feels rather bruised.

Oh well, as usual I pushed through and got the job done!

I love how they turned out!

We also decided to set up the new tent today.

Whew!

I bought an X7 Tectonic from the Extreme canopy company.

It was not the most expensive, nor was it cheap.

This tent is demonstrated being thrown off of a building, mounted to a trailer and pulled at 70 mph.

It was also highly recommended by another artist that has had his for years.

The frame is guaranteed for 10 years and the fabric for 1.

The legs are not square, but hexagonal and it is heavy.

The canvas is sent in 5 separate bags, one each for the walls, and one for the roof.

The fabric is all lined inside with a rubberized coating and there are panels to protect the canvas from the frame rubbing.

All in all, a very well built tent!

We got the frame up with no problem and following the directions, tried to pop the legs into place.

BOTH of us were having issues as the top is extremely tight and we could not pop the tops of the legs into lock position.

It took some wrangling, but we finally got it.

Are you sure this is a 10x10?

It feels bigger than that.

The height from the ground is excellent and our 6ft plus customers will have no problem getting in without ducking under!

I can raise my hand completely over my head and barely touch the frame.

We have left it set up overnight in an effort to get the top to stretch out a bit.

We both said, we're sure glad we decided to set it up before the show season to check it out!

We also modified a frame Chris built to fit my 7ft wall.

This is so we can split the booth some to be able to put the steampunk out as well in it's own little area.

All that work may be moot if the booth can have outside walls exposed with art on them.

So, we will be bringing the 3 10ft. walls and the frame with the 7ft. wall just in case.

Another day in paradise.

Here in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama

Three Amigos, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24

Day 89 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The encounter IV

The encounter IV

Does this guy look familiar?

He should.

Actually this one is a reverse of the original one.

I try to give everyone and original when they purchase from me.

I may paint the same turtle over and over, but it will be on different size canvases,

reversed in it's pose, or in some cases, flippers will be moved.

This guy was fun to paint!

I had to do a replacement painting for one that sold yesterday.

After my flying trip to the gallery on Saturday, the lovely couple bought 4 of my pieces!

Today I got to see why.

There bedroom is decorated in black and white.

I was in absolute shock when I saw where the paintings will call home.

So beautiful together!

They compliment the decoration, don't you think?

I am simply wowed by this combination and so delighted that my works are a part of their lovely home!

Thank you Lord for provision!

The Encounter IV, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Day 84 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

I painted! Really I did!

Today's post does not reveal completely what I'm working on currently.

Steampunks are intense folks, this one already has about 15 hours in it.

Any guess as to what this one is going to be?

I spent the entire morning painting shadowboxes white.

I went through the beginning of my gallon of Liquitex soft white.

I am so happy to be able to support a business in Alabama as well.

Years ago, I worked at Alabama Art Supply in Mobile, Alabama.

It was the best art supply store on the entire Gulf Coast, with a great selection of supplies.

The store carried student, college, and professional supplies.

We also supplied a lot of teachers with their needs.

Unfortunately, the store in Mobile is no longer in existence.

Fortunately, the Birmingham store is still up and running!

They have called several times, wanting to know if I needed supplies.

Most of the time, I'm good.

However, I was fast running out of soft white to paint my canvases.

The owner, Ken Webster told me he could get it and with Ken's club ($40.00 year)

 the price is actually lower than Dick Blick.

I ordered the white along with several large tubes of Golden color.

Then in the process of talking we got down to canvas by the roll.

The price he quoted was too high as I could get it at Hobby Lobby cheaper.

Price?

I heard the adding machine going.

"I can do that price"

I ordered canvas too.

Problem was, when he delivered, YES! delivered to my door there was no gallon of white.

The company had neglected to send the white in his order from the company.

He brought me two small bottles of white to tide me over.

He called his representative at the company and had them drop ship the paint to my house.

Long and the short of it, when you deal with an owner, things get done!

If you need supplies, Alabama Art comes down once a month with a van.

They can also ship to your house pretty quickly.

It's worth the phone call to them to find out! 

I painted! Really I did! Acrylic on multiple canvases, multiple sizes

Day 56 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

No painting today!

No painting today!

It has been another long day though of stretching canvases for shows and galleries.

The shadowboxes have become my signature go to for several years now.

Originally a canvas available at a big box store, they were discontinued just as I fell in love with them.

I found them after I had looked lovingly at them all summer, but they were expensive.

I couldn't keep my pricing reasonable paying almost $70 for one canvas.

Then, on a bright fall afternoon after the National Shrimp Festival, 

I went to the store to buy some small canvases.

The shadowboxes were on clearance!

$8.99, $9.99, $10.99 I grabbed carts and bought all 22 they had on hand.

I took them home and painted them over the course of three weeks.

We took them to Peter Anderson and sold half of them that weekend!

I scoured the internet, not finding anyone else carrying them.

Not to be undaunted, my husband Chris asked "Can you get any more of these?"

"I said no, discontinued."

"I think I can make the frames." he said.

"Good, because I think I can stretch them!"

And so it began......

Then there was today.

I already had a pile of the frames awaiting canvas.

"Hey, I think I have enough wood to make some 24x24's"

(A lot of this is the wood we rescued from the dumpsters around town.)

10 new 24 x 24's arrived in the studio this afternoon.

6 offset and 4 centered.

I had already been stretching the afternoon away getting done with the first batch.

6~12x36, 8~16x16, 8~12x24.

10 more......

5 made before riding the rottens.

I pushed to get the rest of the batch done this evening after cooking dinner.

Thank God for the air compressor, and staple gun!

I know I went through 5,000 staples or more between yesterday and today.

But I'm done!

32 shadowbox canvases in two days!

Wait....

I have to paint them all white now before I can start creating on them.

That's another two days of work probably.

They're going to have to wait until I can get more white paint.

Fortunately, that is arriving Monday from Alabama Art Supply in Birmingham.

It's a never ending cycle of creating, building, painting, and finishing pieces.

Don't even get me started on the price of lumber these days.

I bought the lumber today for the custom trailer we will be pulling behind the camper for shows.

Oh my goodness!

The guy at the box store tried to charge me for thicker wood, but I quickly corrected him.

Then I corrected him again.

Then a third time.

At least it went from $480 to $360 finally.

Hmmmm, maybe he shouldn't be on a register?

Check your totals folks, before you pay!

Another long, productive, crazy day at the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in Fairhope, Alabama!

No painting today!,

Day 40 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

Octopodes are friendly

The plural of Octopus is Octopodes. 

Who knew? I didn't!

The word Octopus comes from the Greek, and the Greek plural form is octopodes.

You can send a percentage of any money you win by betting on this to me!

Just kidding!

Today found us chasing around an active 5 year old while trying to accomplish something here at the house and in the studio. It is almost impossible to get anything done, by the way! I know our adult children are grateful to not have his delightful self underfoot while they are trying to move into their new house. They are traveling from the apartment to the new house and it would be a challenge to keep an eye on him as well as move furniture while not crushing him because he is trying to help. 

He helped us begin painting his furniture for his new room. I say helped, he played outside, dug in the dirt, and "built" things while we were painting the furniture. He did finally get to help handle a roller and was very careful with the red paint he picked out for the furniture. I am painting the handles black, the base cabinet red and the drawer fronts will be covered with contact paper dad bought with star wars blueprints on it. It should be really cool. We are also doing a raised bed with a dresser underneath and a desk on the end. The plan is to also use the headboard as a backboard for the desk, adding a magnetic chalkboard to the two panels. I am picking up the contact paper tomorrow to cover the drawer fronts. I may also try to cover the bed frame as well. 

At least that's the plan!

Speaking of plans, I have been accepted into the 

Gulf Breeze Celebrates the arts show March 23rd and 24th.

If I get into the Art in the Pass show, we will be going to shows 4 weekends in a row!

Both of us and the tents will be getting a workout!

I have also been invited to do a One Woman Show at the Audubon Center in Moss Point, MS Opening late May into the entire month of June and July 2020.

We JUST started 2019!

God's plan is perfect! 

I am also feeling the pressure of the trip to India next week.

 I am trying to get the items wanted and needed from the USA. 

I only hope I have room for some clothing!

 I am bringing two large suitcases and will begin the process of actually packing them on Monday. 

Baby clothes, a new exerciser for the baby, Christmas gifts for all!

Keep in mind I will be working while there, painting a piece a day and blogging as usual.

Paints, brushes, a palette, canvas and references!  

So I guess that means you dear reader, will be traveling too with me to India!

Pack your bags!

Hope you come along for the ride!

Octopodes are friendly, Acrylic on canvas, 16x16

Day 37 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019

Grateful green

I am trying to get a few more shadowbox canvases ready for the shows in Florida. 

This one happens to be of a Green Sea Turtle.

These turtles are endangered and or threatened around the world. 

What this means, is they are in danger of being no more.

Green Sea Turtles were hunted almost to extinction.

 The meat and fat were apparently quite tasty, despite it's green color.

They were used to make canned turtle soup! 

The Florida Keys employed a lot of people around the early 1900's.

A combination of over killing, a hurricanes destroying the factory, and general public outcry finally made the industry die out. (Although not until the 1940's!)

Anyway, Green's are grateful because now they are protected, but now the environment and fishing nets are their biggest death threat.

Today found me loading the kitchen and other items back into the Wagon.

You see, we have a tiny house too, and at one time were trying to sell the Wagon. The tiny house was out first build on a trailer, but at about 4,500 pounds proved to be a bit much for our truck to pull long distances for shows. We now use it for temporary housing and guests love to stay in it when they come here. Chris and I also stay in it when family comes to visit so they can stay in the house. I am hoping to talk our youngest into staying in the house while we go into the tiny house when she comes to visit, hopefully later next year. Anyway I digress, We thought we had the Gypsy sold, and I emptied it of all the extras in preparation for the sale. (Chris and I love her, but she is a bit heavy and we're ready to build a lighter version.) The day came for pick up, and the couple backed out of the sale. They were buying it for their 19 year old daughter to live in on their property with intentions of her paying them back for the purchase. The daughter said you should just give it to me. I am pleased the parents said no! Time to grow up and have some responsibility about paying bills. A hard lesson for her indeed, as she did love the wagon and was very excited to get it as her "pad". 

Oh well, that means I got her back!

Today I spent a couple of hours refilling the kitchen and trailer with pots, pans, towels, and too many other things to mention. We have a coffee pot, crock pot, toaster, stove, dish washing buckets and drain, and  towels. No microwave, no room! I count myself lucky to have a full bathroom, queen bed, dining area, 6 foot kitchen, closet, bench storage, and small refrigerator in a 6 x 8 foot trailer!

The times we've had the opportunity to camp in it, people are shocked at 

how much we thoughtfully fit into such a small space. 

We LOVE traveling in it!

Each time we go, we tweak it a little more. It really is a comfortable space for just us two!

(Although our grandson could sleep on the floor under the bed if he really wanted to one night!)

That's all for today folks, Over 65,000 views on the blog now! 

Hoping to hit 70,000 before this adventure of 100 days is over!

Grateful Green, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 16 shadowbox

Day 12 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019

Escaping

Today has been interesting to say the least. 

I discovered one of the canvases sent to North Carolina is not the one requested. However, the new owner said let's see when they get here. Otherwise, it may be to send the correct one, get the other one returned situation. That's exactly what happens when we get distracted, mistakes are made. I prefer to think of them as happy accidents. This guy was fun to paint and a good distraction from the possible tropical storm/ hurricane headed our way! 

Now THAT is not making me happy at all! 

So close to National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores next week too. 

I can only imagine the anxiety level at the chamber office right now. 

Praying this storm moves far, far, far away......

My studio also seems to have an invasion of fruit flies.

Can't figure out where these guys are coming from! 

Hmmmm.........

You reckon it could be the banana peel from last week in the studio garbage can?

Sigh, something else to take care of in the morning before church. I must get rid of them, they fly in my face and up my nose, then land on my palette. That's when I catch them with a wet brush!

I once left an empty smoothie cup up in my studio, then left for two weeks.

That was a real invasion!

Never again will that happen.

Canvases are still drying too up here in the studio as well. Sunday brings a sewing and hat day working with my oldest daughter creating. It is a real advantage having such a wonderful space, the computer, sewing machine, cutting table and so much more up in my own personal 500 square feet. I especially am grateful for the half bath that is up here with a mop sink. 

I still have a few wires and varnishing to do as well before the big show this week!

My to do list is getting longer............

I must also confess I am a list maker. When I can't sleep, I make lists, what to wear, what to bring, artworks to carry then check off as they are put on our 'maps' and packed.

It helps me sleep sometimes. 

I am reaching that sleepy point for tonight so I guess I'll bid adieu for now.

Escaping, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24 shadowbox

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018 

Seahorse Fancy

Today finds me playing with Seahorse Fancy. 

This one is on a 16 x 16 shadowbox canvas that Chris built for this upcoming show season.

He changed the design for this group and I really like it! The original canvases had a 6 x 6 opening in the center with 5 inch borders all around. He did his own redesign and I approve wholeheartedly. The new openings are 8 x 8 with a 4 inch border, and are actually much easier to draw out and paint. 

The openings on the original canvases look so tiny to me now.

Great call Honey!

Meanwhile, back to artwalk on Friday. I managed to sell one octopus and someone from church wanted the Mahi Mahi in the gallery photo. I delivered it today to him and he loved it even more in person! I am so happy to know that Mahi will give him a great feeling when he looks at it in his office. I love it when a man makes a decision on his own and purchases!

The other thing is, people are constantly asking me, do you paint the canvas and then stretch it over the frame? No folks, these pieces are completed in place after all the stretching and white paint have been added. I literally do a drawing inside the opening, and out on the front, connecting the two together on the sides of the box. I then make sure the painting wraps around the edges as well. The canvas ends up in my lap, sideways, upside down, and sometime laying flat on my work table. It is a simple process for me, although my girlfriend that is also a painter thinks I'm nuts!

The paint that I use is a custom mixed color that I start the summer fresh with a new batch before starting the 100 days. This years batch is more "blue" at the request of my collectors. The paint is applied in as many as 6 layers for the darkest areas. I use a lot of layering, scrumbling, glazing, and occasionally yelling. (well not yelling per-se), but fussing when the paint 

lifts faster than I can keep it on. Sometimes the graphite from the pencil lines will mix with the paint giving it a more brown appearance. All in all, they look good with each other no matter what year you purchase them. 

Thanks for dropping by to the blog!

I really enjoy your comments.

Seahorse Fancy, Acrylic on 16 x 16 Shadowbox canvas

Day 35 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Feeling a little crabby II

The Blue crab.

Otherwise know as Callinectes sapidus which translates to

"savory beautiful swimmer"

Beautiful indeed and fortunately I love to paint them. 

I have for years asked people to tell me how to separate male and female. 

"Easy ,just turn them over." I reply, nope, don't have to touch them!

You see, many years ago while crabbing with my husband of almost 4 decades, 

he told me if you pick them up by the back flippers they can't pinch you. 

Needless to say, you know very well what happened. 

I grabbed a crab and it promptly and firmly planted itself on my thumb that was hanging down below the back of the crab. I hollered and flung that beautiful blue right back into the salty deep which is exactly where it wanted to go. 

Back to the question and the answer. 

How do you tell?

The girls "paint" their nails!

Females are red tipped, males are blue.

So now you know!

They call the waters from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, then further south near Uruguay and Argentina. Most people call them Maryland blue crab. Much like the liofish they have found their way as stowaways in ships ballasts. It was first seen off the coast of Egypt in the 1940's but they are now reported in Italy, Israel, Greece, and Turkey. Everyone is eating them!

The female blue will only mate once in her lifetime. The males mate multiple times.

Once they've mated, the female develops and egg mas which can contain as many as 2 million eggs. After two weeks they are released into the water and carried on the currents of the ocean. The zoea molt over 25 times in the process of growing to maturity.

They will eat, clams, mussels, snails, dead fish, plants and more. They will also eat other less mature crabs if they happen to get caught!

Hmmm.. 

Wonder if they would eat lionfish babies?

Feeling a little crabby II, Acrylic on 12 x 12 canvas,

Day 22 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Feeling a little crabby

When I started the journey into outdoor art shows, I had no idea how far I would have come in a few short years. This will be a series of 3 paintings of crabs. 

I started the sepia series in 2009 to the remark of my oldest saying, 

"Mom I don't know if I like that so much." she continued,

 "I mean it's not bad, but I'm so used to your color." 

They were also framed in simple wooden frames that I got from Michaels in raw wood. 

I had to paint each one twice, once in black, then a dark brown, quickly wiping them back to slightly distress them. They took the 12 x 12 canvases that are shallow depth and sometimes they actually fit into the frames easily! Other times, it was a battle to find a canvas that would fit a frame. I resorted to a numbering system for the canvas and matching frame. I also had to mark the tops, because the canvases only fit a certain way. You get the gist, a LOT of effort.

I told her lets see how they go over at the Arts and Crafts in Fairhope. 

That spring I presented a total of 6 pieces 3 turtles, 3 shells, and sold them all within 3 months.

Hmmmmm....

Maybe something here.

That summer I frantically tried to find as many of the frames as I could to no avail. 

I painted what I had and took them to the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. We had great success with them at that show. 

I knew though that I had Peter Anderson coming up in a few weeks and wanted more. 

I was in a pickle because I knew they would do well in Mississippi.

I finally contacted a great manager at Michaels and explained my dilemma. 

She attempted to locate them, and found a scant few. 

She was diligent however and located 34 more of them in California. 

I said please ship them all!

I was a little taken aback when confronted by the rather large boxes that contained my frames.

Now, not only did I need to paint them all, but I needed to fill them with artworks.

After several weeks of hard work and effort, I had them all finished. 

What I did not realize was the amount of room these frames took up in the vehicle we were using. They measure about 16 x 16 finished and 2 inches deep. We put them in stacks of 8. At the time, I was driving a 2001 PT Cruiser. After you load the tent, framework, sides, chairs, luggage, card rack, print rack, and other various items there is scant room to sit! The frames are not indestructable and easy to dent as well. We once ran over one with a car as they were drying in the driveway!

The long and the short of it was they were a smashing success at the show. 

I covered an entire wall with nothing but the shadowbox frames and their corresponding canvases. This was one of the shows my mother was at as a helper. 

We had no less than 3 people come back for the same painting in a space of 15 minutes! 

My mom and I were almost in disbelief. 

The shadowboxes made it to a couple more years of shows before I just could not keep up with the demand and the amount of time and space they took. It was also at that time I decided to stop framing anything altogether and went to deep edge canvases instead, giving me a cleaner look.

I happened to have 3 of these frames left from that period in my art career. 

They hung in my dining area with a delta scene split into them. 

They were usurped last year by my dachshund collection that now hangs in the space.

I will finish these and probably put them at the gallery downtown here in Fairhope.

Feeling a little Crabby, 12x12 canvas in shadowbox frame. Acrylic

Day 21 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018 

Keeping a watchful eye

"Keeping a watchful eye" is one of many shadowbox canvases to come over the next few weeks. My loving husband builds them for me now as the company that used to make them has stopped. I have not been able to find them anywhere else. They are a saga in themselves. Originally they were available at Michaels , one of my favorite stores to shop for supplies. They always offer sales and coupons to entice you in to their store. I shop there often enough that they know my name, and ask if I need help with carts. I always try to find the best price for canvases so I can keep my prices at a reasonable level. 

The summer these appeared, I was fascinated with them. I was already putting paintings in a shadowbox frame, (also from Michaels) but the process of getting the unfinished wood frames, painting and distressing them was long and hard to store. The first year, I used them I had to have about 40 shipped from California! I had just a couple of years before, stopped using frames at all because my budget and  taste in frames was not the same as the buying public. As I said, I was fascinated with these shadowbox canvas, but at the time they were pricey. I longingly waited for them, hoping they would go on sale. Fall show season started and after a successful National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, AL, I headed to my local Michaels to buy 4x4 canvas. I could not believe my eyes when I found them on clearance! $9.99, $10.99, and $11.99 ! The price was an absolute Godsend , AND I had the funds to purchase them! I bought all 22 they had in stock and brought them home to paint over the course of three weeks before Peter Anderson in Ocean Springs, MS. That weekend, we had one of the most successful shows ever, selling over half of them during the weekend. My husband asked if there were any more available and I shook my head no. I had already been looking online and was disappointed to find no one else made them. He said I think I can make them and I was one happy camper from that point onward. He started creating them and so the canvas stretching began in earnest. When I first started, I used a handheld stapler and it was a long time to make them. He offered to buy an electric stapler and I jumped at the chance. However, the electric one proved to be a disappointment indeed! I went through two of them, fussing and fuming at having to pound in the staples with a hammer after applying them with the stapler. We then invested in a stapler that uses an air compressor and hose. It was a successful venture and the stretching became easier, but still a lot of work! Each canvas starts as 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 lumber. Chris rips the wood to a certain angle and then begins the process of cutting the lumber into the pieces to create the frames. This is a thoughtful process, requiring him to do reverse cuts on the inside frames. He then begins building the frameworks. Each canvas is a frame within a frame, held in place with blocks of wood. Every now and then, we have a hiccup, like the time we made 15 x 15 frames instead of 16 x 16. (He claimed it was an error on my part, as I did not catch the mistake until I had stretched them!) We have also made custom sizes for commissioned pieces. A few months after we started building them, they showed back up at Michaels . I bought several, going so far as to order 12 of the 24 x 24 s on sale and having them shipped to my front door! Needless to say, I am more than a little grateful that he is capable of making them for me to stretch and offer for sale. 

The canvas are also so fun for me to paint! I love the in and out aspect of them, wrapping the painting around the canvas sides. This year, I may start adding color to them and see how that is accepted. As an artist, I am always trying to make myself better and offer items that are fresh and new. Like the Sepias, the shadowboxes look like they're here to stay!

"Keeping a watchful eye" Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 shadowbox

$325.00 

Day 3 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

The beginning

               I am sitting here typing this, and yet, I cannot comprehend that another year has passed since I began this wonderful journey of daily paintings. I actually began this blog on July 1, 2009 with Middle Bay lighthouse. There have been 900 paintings so far, and this year will bring me to a thousand pieces of art on the blog. I have created numerous pieces more than this, dear reader and I am still amazed that I get to create art for a living! 

Today marks the 183rd day of the year, with 182 before and 182 after.  The exception is a leap year.

It is also 100 days before the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama in mid October. Today also happens to be our youngest daughter's birthday and I have had a long day of reflection, listening to Classic Bollywood music on Pandora. Indian music is beautiful, diverse, and lively. 

This day has been long, creating and stretching shadowbox canvases. These canvases have become something I am known to carry, and my collectors eagerly anticipate the new years crop. 

This year has been filled with adventures too numerous to count! Wait listed for our local Arts & Crafts Show in Fairhope, Alabama, I got in at the last minute and ended up having a pretty great show despite the rain. Speaking of rain, we had a wet spring with several shows lasting only one day because of weather. I've lost money, I've made money, but most of all, I've had fun creating, selling and going to new places! I finally made a large swing into Florida for two nationally ranked shows during late April and into May. I must say they were amazing and we plan to return next year if juried into them. All of this was done with my sidekick and husband of almost 40 years. Chris also had his first show with me on Dauphin Island with his wood turning. He supports me by building canvas frames and is also a pretty awesome builder of campers for us! The Florida trip was highlighted by the first trip made in our new Gypsy wagon. Gypsy Gal proved to be extremely comfortable and really a great conversation starter! I've also been fortunate to have been selected as this year's National Shrimp Festival Poster winner for Gulf Shores as well. My year has been busy with another rather large project that has been almost 2 years in the negotiating and creating! Officially completed in April of this year, I can't wait to let the cat (or should I say fish) out of the bag!

More on this later, hopefully before the National Shrimp Festival in October. 

This 100 days will prove to be interesting to say the least!

Our youngest daughter is having her first baby in September and I will be traveling to India for a month! This will be during the 100 days~100 paintings 2018. So I will be blogging from 

New Delhi, India! I am also teaching this summer for 2 more art camps. I've already completed 4 weeks of fun, fun, fun! So needless to say, there may be some children's projects sneak in here as well! I am also giving away another painting to a lucky winner valued at $195.00 or less

after I am finished!

Are you ready?

100 days~100 paintings 2018 is about to begin!

Octopus fun! 12 x24 $175.00 Acrylic on canvas,

Day 1 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Two days~two Paintings

The Eastern Shore Art Center called on Monday and said your email bounced back!? 

You have a class tomorrow from 3:30 until 5 pm. The class is Atelier and the 4 students are in 3rd and 4th grades. I really enjoy this age, they are so fun! This fall semester we will be studying different artist styles and Tuesdays class was Walter Anderson! We all had such fun creating this fun and whimsical painting. Several other fun pieces are in the works as well. Our fall session is 8 weeks, so 8 paintings in total as well as 8 different styles.

I look forward to creating with them.

I have also started teaching for the Fall semester of Eastern Shore Institute of Lifelong Learning, two classes for them. Beginning watercolor and beginning acrylics. Both classes are full of fun energetic seniors that are so eager to learn. 

All in all, about 30 new students to plan and prepare for every week!

Eeek!

Nobody ever said an artists life was boring, did they?

Manatees are on my mind this week with the massive hurricane Irma bearing down on the Florida coastline. My thoughts were also with the Turtle Hospital in Marathon , the Hemingway cats on Key west, and people that stayed on their boats during the storm tied to the mangroves in the Florida keys. The hurricane actually hit Cudjoe key, going between Key West and Marathon. The hospital had a skeleton crew there during the storm and fortunately all the humans and turtles are safe! Ritchie has even been brought a baby sea turtle already. (he is tireless for the turtles!) Sanibel island, Coya Costa, places we've visited and loved for their wild natural beauty...............

Recovery prayers for the coast of Florida as well as the islands off our beautiful coast and Cuba. So much destruction and desperate people. Chris and I were fortunate enough to be able to help a family of 7 while at the grocery store on Sunday.

There but for the grace of God go I...............

Anderson Pelican, 11 x 14, acrylic on canvas,

Manatees on my mind, 15 x 15, acrylic on canvas

Days 72 & 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings  

Swimmingly simple

These two little ones are indeed swimmingly simple. They are both looking at you as well. I love painting turtles and these guys were no exception! 

It's turtle nesting season on the Gulf Coast. While our orange Beach team was not terribly busy this year, the Ft Morgan team is hopping! They have had record amounts of nests this year, and this week they have a whopping 8 nests being monitored for activity. This stretches the team pretty thin, so they've called for other teams to lend a hand in watching the nests. Keep in mind the importance of monitoring these babies coming into the world, only one baby out of 100 survives to become an adult and have babies of their own!

Swimmingly Simple, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 16

Day 66 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Heron to heron

This painting is a great example of the many birds we have here along the gulf coast.

We have birders from all over the country come to capture sight of our wide and varied species. I've even had the good fortune to see a cedar wax wing in Mobile one time in my own backyard! He was exhausted from his flight and needed water from our pond. 

I will also never forget my first sighting of a blue bird here in Fairhope. We now have at least two mating couples that come back to their nest boxes, defending them with all the muster a tiny blue can bring! 

I love catching sight of the birds enjoying our backyard, that is, until the dachshund explosion comes out the back door!

Heron to heron, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 shadowbox with a 12x12 opening

Day 65 of the 100 days~100 paintings