Killer dolphins!?!

"Killer Dolphins"

Did you know that Killer Whales are actually a member of the Dolphin family.

I didn't, and now you know too!

Pilot whales are also a part of this unique part of the dolphin family.

These creatures are always fun to paint, now that I have actually painted them this summer.

I actually haven't painted them because I focus on Gulf of Mexico species.

People have asked for years, now I do!

Today was pretty quiet around here.

I painted the Kilz on the new rounds Chris built and found them to be quite rough.

I brought it up to him and he promptly took them back to the shop and sanded the daylights out of them.

They are much smoother now.

These 11 will wait until I'm in between Mattie Kelly and Peter Anderson.

By then, I should be needing some new ones to fill in.

The smallest ones will be interesting to paint.

Just as much work as the larger ones, but on a smaller scale.

The outer rim is slightly over 11 inches, but the center is only 8.

I'll have to ruminate on that for a while.

I have painted them with white acrylic and am waiting for them to dry before placing them on the shelf to patiently wait for the brush to transform them.

I realized today that two of the shows I am doing this fall are ranked in 

Sunshine Magazines top 200 shows for 2023.

I'm sure they'll be in the 2024 version as well.

I feel fortunate to be juried into these major art shows.

Covington Three Rivers and Peter Anderson here we come!

The blog has over 260,000 views now.

That is almost unbelievable to me, as it was just a few years back I was barely at 100,000!

I am grateful for everyone that reads, and especially comments on the blog and the painting.

You see, studio time for most artists is a lonely place.

Fortunately for me, I have a husband that makes me take breaks and naps.

That's pretty much it for today folks.

47 days until the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama

I bid you goodnight!

Killer Dolphins!?!, Acrylic on wood, 13 inches

Day 53 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Traffic jam!

Oh today!

Today was wonderful!

We started out the day with breakfast at Julwin's.

We picked up Jeanny and Bobby Gause from their boat, "Firefly" in Fairhope Harbor.

We had a delightful breakfast and walked around downtown, showing them parts of Fairhope.

We had an appointment at 10, so we left them happily finding their land legs.

We told them to text when they were ready to be picked up.

We also offered to take them to the grocery store if needed.

They texted about 11 and said they were ready.

When we picked them up, they asked if we could go to Publix as they needed a few things.

While there, we shopped a bit too.

Taking them back to the boat, they asked if we wanted to come back for sunset.

We said sure!

Why not get together for dinner?

Plans were made to meet at 5:30.

This afternoon I made a salad, sweet potatoes, and coconut treats.

We brought the deer meat steaks and Jeanny cooked them while we were all visiting.

We then had a lovely dinner in the stern dining area with a storm that went around us.

The Firefly is a beautiful vessel.

There were only 41 of the Pilgrim made, and theirs is #34.

We had a delightful time, visiting, praising God for what He has done in all our lives.

What an incredible friendship we've started.

They have invited us to come visit in Demopolis while they are there until November.

We've also been invited to Tarpon Springs.

I think there's a show there, it could happen!

Regardless, we probably will visit when we swing into Florida for the Spring shows.

Thanking God for new friends that have so much in common with us!coa

The painting "Traffic Jam" was painted today in two sessions, one this afternoon.

The other session was when we came back from dinner.

I also cut several pieces of foam board and packed two more bags.

A wonderful day!

Traffic Jam, Acrylic on wood, 20 inches

Day 51 0f the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Pelicans, pilings, and a Firefly!

Oh, the joys of painting!

I pray each and every one of you gets to find this kind of joy in your work.

Today is day 50!

Oh my!

The morning started easy enough, with me reading the Bible and sending out messages 

to friends here in the states and in Africa.

My morning started at 4am.

Once I'm awake, I'm awake for good.

Except for a nap during the day maybe.

I headed to the studio.

I took some of the heavy weight bags I purchased and cut them after 

sewing a new bottom on the second one.

Fold in half, stitch, then cut, making two bags.

I also drove to Walmart to purchase foam boards to cut and place between the paintings.

I cut the foam boards into 16-inch squares, putting the board on top of the 

painting and under the next piece. 

I managed to pack almost 3 bags full of beautiful works.

I still have a couple to add to one bag, then I have to pack the larger ones together.

We drove back to the store this evening as we needed more romaine lettuce for dinner.

We also got drinks for Chris while he's working outside.

I was picking up more foam boards, but they were damaged.

No parent would pay almost 8 bucks for these things for their kid to use.

I asked for and got a slight discount on them, as it doesn't matter to me that they're bent.

I'm going to cut them up any way.

Came home, made dinner, and decided to go to a local custard place to get a treat.

Neither of us have had any real sugar for two weeks.

So off we went, Chris got a no added sugar, I got the vegan coconut.

They both were quite delicious.

We dropped off scenic 98 to watch the sunset at the Fairhope Yacht Club.

The boats were rocking and Chris got out to look at the new docks the city built in the harbor.

At the end of one of the docks was the prettiest "little" trawler.

The owner came out, and we said we love your boat!

He said I'm going to get laundry, but you can come aboard.

He came back from the laundry, and said his wife wasn't answering the phone.

Give me a minute.

He welcomed us onto the Firefly, a beautiful little live aboard trawler.

We went on the back deck first, with a wonderful dining area.

We went around the port side toward the bow.

We then went back to the dining area and climbed the ladder to the top deck,

rocking in the wave action from Mobile Bay.

We went back down to the dining area, and he opened the sliding doors into the main cabin.

His name is Bobby and her name is Jeanny.

Jeanny greeted us and showed us several parts of the boat.

A compact delightful kitchen.

A large, beautiful living room.

A bathroom that is a dry bath. (most boats are wet baths)

Their bedroom is below the kitchen and a walk-in closet under the bow.

It even has a cellar with a freezer!

So much storage, such delightful touches of the sea in every nook and cranny.

They come from Tarpon Springs, Florida where they run tours and dinner cruises aboard the boat.

They bought Firefly after hurricane Helene last year.

Their house was spared, but it was a close call, so they sold the house.

AND bought a boat! 

Talk about a life pivoting!

They are taking Firefly up to Demopolis for protection from hurricane season.

They plan to go home about December.

After a delightful bit of conversation, we realized we were keeping them from their dinner.

We said our goodbyes and told them if you want to see Fairhope, 

we would be delighted to give them a ride and tour.

We said our goodbyes after Jeanny gave me her number and a card about the vessel.

As we were leaving, Bobby called out, text Jeanny so she'll have your number.

I did, and guess what?

We are taking them to breakfast in the morning and showing them around town.

God certainly placed us in the right area today.

New friends, fellow boaters, and tiny house living....

Great combination!

Pelicans, Pilings, and a Firefly!, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 50 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

Varnishing the world

This little guy is simply adorable.

I had so much fun painting him and his buddy.

One of the smaller ones, I painted it after a long day in the studio.

I began early, knowing I had a daunting task at hand.

My studio is on the second floor and consequently has a tiny bit of bounce in the floor.

Not a problem usually, but when you have paintings lined up along the wall of bookcases....

After so many days of paintings, there are 33 of them ready to attack.

Almost every time I would walk around my table there would be at least one or two sliding to the floor.

Then it became an organized battle plan with them sliding to the floor in shifts.

Sometimes as many as ten of them.

Needless to say, it had become a problem with only one solution.

I needed to get them finished with hangers and varnish.

This took the better part of the day to finish.

I will check them in the morning to be sure I varnished them correctly.

Sometimes I have a "holiday" (a spot that I miss).

If that has occurred, I will have to touch up the varnish and wait for them to dry.

I also have to cut the bags I bought to put them in for protection.

I bought heavy bags big enough to cut them in half to make two of them.

I will either tape the bottom or throw them through my sewing machine.

We will also have to go on the hunt for foam boards to cut and place in the bags with the pieces to protect the wooden dimensional parts.

Then I can pack them away, knowing they are protected and ready for the first show.

I've also got to make a "map" to facilitate placement in the booth.

The map will make set up much easier for both Chris and me.

This is almost all of them laid out on the table in the studio.

The Annual National Shrimp Festival choose their new poster and announced it.

The original one had a bit of controversy surrounding it, so it was pulled and replaced.

The new design is cute and a typical Shrimp festival poster.

I also have a commission down at the beach.

I am painting an octopus mural on a wall surrounding an opening in the space.

It will be very interesting to paint and get on the wall.

They are getting me a scaffolding to use as it is up high.

The wall is 10 feet long, and they want her to fill the space.

Design approved, starting next week!

Chris gets to stay with me so I will not be alone on the scaffolding.

The project should take about 4 days to complete.

They live in New Orleans and may not be at the condo while we're there.

This couple has been very patient and sweet.

They talked with me at Gulf Breeze back in April.

They have been waiting through the visit from our daughter and family, then the dinosaur build.

They are the next big project in line.

New things happening here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama

Varnishing the world, Acrylic on wood (manatee), 12 inches

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

All over the place!

Today was a very busy day.

I had several pieces to sand and paint the edges.

Not the least of which was this guy!

He was incredibly difficult to cut out and to finish the edges.

It seemed like every time I thought I was done sanding or painting the leg edges, I found out I wasn't.

It felt like there was a lot more than eight of them!

Anyway, once I got to painting, this one was fun.

The delicacy of the legs, to his spotted body was so interesting.

To give you an idea of the complexity of this one!

Here is the cut out against a black background.

Very visually interesting to me and I hope for you as well.

I am really in a groove now, finding my way closer to the halfway point in this year's pieces.

I am also closer to painting a large mural inside a condo down at the beach.

I may also get some beach time as well.

Lots of hard work, lots getting accomplished here at the Raccoon Retreat studio.

Another beautiful hot day on the Gulf Coast in Fairhope, Alabama.

All over the place! Acrylic on wood, 20 inches

Day 48 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

 

Incredible journey

Ah! 

These are slightly bigger than the backer board I'm using.

So, you're seeing a slight bit of my studio and easel.

I am very pleased with this one.

My precious husband Chris managed to use a router to cut near perfect circles.

He made these for the 19.5-inch boards I've had in my studio for about two years. 

They make a heavy piece, but so lovely to behold.

His "frame" is about an inch in width and about 3/4 inch deep.

Perfect for my needs!

Chris also cut from the scraps 11 more to be constructed and used probably for Peter Anderson.

He bought another sheet of Luan to use for backing the new circles.

They still have a lot of work to get them ready to paint.

They must be sanded, mounted, sanded again then Kilz, then acrylic paint to make them white.

I simply will not need any more rounds for the National Shrimp Festival.

I took an inventory last night and I've already completed over 25 of them!

I have 11 more to put under my brush.

There are six more already cut, ready to be sanded, edged, mounted, then painted.

I'm dreading the varnishing, but I must do that this week.

The rounds are taking over the studio for sure!

I pray you're not getting bored with them!

Incredible Journey, Acrylic on wood, 20 inches

Day 47 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025

 

The Sentinel

The Great Blue Heron is a very territorial bird.

They are extremely protective of their "space" and will defend it if necessary.

That includes human trespassers!

I had the misfortune of meeting one while walking for turtles at dawn one morning.

Usually, they will walk up the beach, then go back to the shoreline.

They also will just simply fly away.

Not this morning.

Apparently, I was keeping him from tasty bits at the water's edge, and he didn't appreciate my intrusion.

Instead of flying away, he flew straight at my face.

Needless to say, I ate the sand that morning ducking down into the beach.

He was not happy I was disturbing him, and he let me know it.

I don't know if you've ever had one fly at you, but I didn't want to argue with that spear of a beak.

The beak is only about 5 or 6 inches long, but I didn't want to become a part of it.

They are also about 4 feet tall.

Their wingspan is about 6 feet.

Their S shaped neck can strike at 90mph.

They also have a most annoying squawking sound.

Altogether terrifying at 5 am in the morning.

Not a bird to tangle with for sure.

They also have a very bad habit of learning to steal.

Fishermen know this and will try to protect their catch before the Blue can get it.

We once were kayaking in the Florida Keys and saw a group of fishermen walk to the water to fish.

No sooner did their hooks hit the water, than the Great Blue showed up.

They told us he stole a fish from their rods the day before.

Not a fun way to lose a fish.

I am really pleased with this painting because it is a rework of a previous piece.

The frames are no longer available at Hobby Lobby, and I am trying to salvage what I can.

The bird is the same that was on the work previously but now is raised up on the edge dimensionally.

There is also an additional heron in the background.

It involved a lot of sanding, Painting with Kilz and then the white acrylic.

I also worked on "set ups" for paintings today as well as designed a mural for a couple in Florida.

They want an octopus and have been extremely patient with me, waiting for the VBS to settle down.

Hopefully they still want him, but it does mean I will be on a ladder or scaffold for a couple of days.

Good news is, they have invited me to stay with them while working.

They seem to have an incredible art collection and are committed to having one of my pieces, although they want it on the wall instead of a canvas.

Anyway, today was a good day.

All four new rounds that Chris reworked with frames have been painted white 

with both Kilz and White Acrylic.

Now, to figure out what to paint on them!

"The Sentinel" acrylic on wood, 24 inches

Day 46 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025.