Nautilus

The Nautilus shell has always fascinated me. The cruise I went on recently had me loving them again. The inside is a beautiful spiral, starting from the creatures earliest beginnings.

I will alway love painting them! Another in the sepia series, this one is available at Fairhope Connections in downtown Fairhope, Alabama. This painting is a catch up, sorry for the delay on posting for those that are keeping up! Number 65 (September 7th)

Nautilus 4 x 4 acrylic on canvas.

Mighty Tiny

I really enjoy painting small interesting little canvases. This shell is larger than life on this canvas. In real life, this shell is only about an inch in size. It is green and speckled with lovely bits of brown and white. The inside is pearled and so pretty to look at.

It is a baby version of a shell I got in the Phillipines when I was about 7 years old. Tony and I were in the boat while my parents were diving. When I was not swimming, Tony would point things out below and sometimes would bring up whatever I had spied. That shell is one of my most vivid memories from that special time in my life. It is still a lovely shade of green and brown and I have the 'door' that the animal had to close it's home. It resides in my studio now. Reminding me of childhood................

Mighty Tiny Acrylic on Canvas 4 x 4 inches Day 64 of 100 days

Starfish Starfish

We are feeling a bit water logged right now as we are still feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Lee. This is the 5th straight day of rain. While we had a deficiency of precepitation around here, I did not want to make it all up in one episode!

Starfish are always a favorite of mine to paint and good thing too! Last year I had no less than 3 seperate people wanting the same painting of a starfish within 10 mins! Some it is just a remembrance, others honeymoon bliss, some just collect them or think they are pretty. I just know my mother and I were both shocked when that happened at the Peter Anderson Show last year.

It has made me firm in my commitment that if I see something I like and want, I purchase it right then and there! I have been disappointed myself when something was not there when I came back to get it.

If you happen to be at one of the shows I am in and see something, ask me to hold it for an hour, I will be happy to oblige! Many was the time I have held something and had others come back to buy it only to find it gone or on hold. I once even had a guy leave his number just in case the first person did not show! Turned out well for him, he got the prize he wanted for his very happy daughter! This painting marks day 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings.

Starfish Starfish Acrylic on Canvas 4 x 4

Upward Conch

The conch is always a favorite of mine to paint. It is a very interesting shell. I love the spikes on the top that show the growth of the animal inside from a tiny creature to the large shells that they become.

On a trip to Horn Island in 2004 with the Ohr museum I had the pleasure of blowing one of these shells that had been made into a horn. The sound is really beautiful on the beach and it was what we used to call everyone to dinner. You have to 'buzz' into it like a trumpet to make the sound. It is very rich when done properly, not to mention a lot of fun! These little paintings are all available at Fairhope Connection in Fairhope, Alabama.

'Upward Conch' Acrylic on Canvas 4 x 4 $35.00

Downward Conch

One of the things to try in the Keys is Conch. There are advertisements for Conch Fritters on virtually every menu in the keys. My husband and I had never tried them, so when they were offered on a seafood platter we were excited. Let me tell you, they are a workout for your jaws! They are extremely chewy, tough and the flavor was, well just not there for us. Maybe it was the people cooking the conch, but we will never try it again. Now Calamari, that's a whole different story!

Downward Conch Acrylic on canvas 4 x 4

Bubble Shell Front

Even more interesting to paint is the front of the Bubble shell. It has a lot more visual interest because of the opening where the animal used to reside. I really enjoy minature paintings and I hope it shows. This little guy is a part of a series of small paintings that are affordable and fun to hang in tight spaces such as between doorways. This painting is number 60 in the 100 days~100 paintings.

Bubble Shell Front Acrylic on Canvas 4 x 4

Bubble Shell Back

These little shells are a challenge to paint because there is so little color on them. It does not make it any less interesting to put to canvas though! The challenge is magnified by the knowledge that this little guy is on a 4 x 4 canvas! Fairhope Connection has been so supportive of my works ever since I have moved to Fairhope. It is a great little Gallery located at 7 Section Street downtown Fairhope. They are also located in Orange Beach. Helen is a wonderful person to work with as is Joe. We are currently redesigning the store in Fairhope with a new floorplan and more upscale look. I am pleased to say that they are now carrying my sepias as well at the Fairhope store and Orange Beach.

Bubble Shell Back Acrylic on Canvas 4 x 4