Tata Truck!

Today is Neels 3rd birthday!

I asked Christina what she wanted for his birthday and said "a giraffe.'

I said "I painted the stuffed giraffe last year."

She said "a toy truck or car."

I said, "These paintings are supposed to eventually be in his house when he's older."

"What about a decorated truck?"

I said "perfect", she sent photos.

"You only want the back of the truck?"

She had sent photos of the backs which typically say horn please or use dipper at night.

This is Indian tradition to honk when overtaking a truck.

"No, the whole truck."

I sent two photos and she picked this truck, which was my favorite!

The drawing is how I started out.

Why are the trucks decorated?

These men basically live in their vehicles 10 months out of the year.

So, the truck becomes their home away from home.

Outfitted with bunk beds and photos of loved ones, they are a reminder of home.

They have bangles on them frequently to remind them of their wives and children.

Sometimes the inside of the truck is as decorated as the outside.

The trucks allow the men to stand out.

There can be political affiliation, Bollywood figures, God's and Goddesses, and animals.

There may also be demon faces or shoes tied to the bottom to scare away the evil eye.

All on the outside of the truck along with lots of fringe and tassels, also to keep spirits away.

Sometimes the trucks are also sometimes ridiculously overloaded.

They are truly roaming works of art.

The art form is in danger of not happening anymore.

The families that have painted the trucks for generations are getting older and they are not encouraging the children to follow in their footsteps.

Decals and stickers are becoming more of the normal now.

This is one hour into the piece, blocking main colors.

This is the end of hour two, more blocking and some decorations

The end of hour three, starting to push values and decorate.

Finished painting after about four hours.

Interesting fact about New Delhi, the trucks are not allowed into the city until about 9:30 at night.

This is to cut down on congestion in the city which is horrendous.

Consequently, it means your delivery may be made at 10:00 at night!

Happy birthday Neel! I cannot believe you're three now!

Tata truck, Acrylic on canvas, 6x6 inches

Day 69 of the 100 days, 100 paintings, 2021

 

Loggerhead III

This sea turtle is the last of the trio of turtles in the sewing machine drawers.

When hung as a trio, they would appear to be swimming from left to right.

They were lots of fun to create.

I really enjoyed this morning.

Chris and I went looking for yard sales.

Not having any luck, we went to Michaels and Hobby Lobby for me to get tracing paper.

Using coupons and bonuses, I was able to get $50 worth of paper for less than $20.

Spending time with each other is the most fun!

I am also having a great week in the area of sales myself.

I am very surprised and pleased to have the talent to be able to make other people happy.

It makes me happy too!

I am grateful for the talent God has given me.

Loggerhead III, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 68 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Loggerhead II

Another sweet loggerhead.

This is another in the series that are framed by the sewing machine drawers from a vintage machine.

I am so glad to be able to use parts of this old machine for my steampunk and now frames.

The pieces are coming hard and fast now from beneath my brush.

I am happier than ever at what is coming out of my hands and heart.

This falls shows will be beautiful as a result.

We had artwalk tonight and I went and stood by my space.

I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of people about the works I have at the gallery.

 The rounds are being very favorably received.

So far I've sold 3 out of the 15 in the series. 

I'm sure there will be more to come.

We picked up the show in Mississippi today from the Audubon Center.

Such a delightful group of people to work with and so well run.

I never felt uncomfortable leaving my works there, 

even when a hurricane was bearing down on the coast.

I was delighted to also lock in the dates for next years show as well.

The show also has a name and some special requests for the pieces.

One entire wall will be local flora and fauna!

Hummingbirds, butterflies, and other local birds.

The rest of the show will be my usual fare of marine life works.

The name of the show?

"My Nature Odyssey"

Coming to the Moss  Point Audubon Center

August and September, 2022

Opening reception August 11th, 2022

How wonderful is that?!

Today is done here at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

I bid you goodnight!

Loggerhead II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 67 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Loggerhead I

This is another of the vintage sewing drawer paintings.

We have cut thin panel to put either in the drawers or behind them.

They are really a beautiful way to showcase little affordable art.

The drawers measure 5 x 16 inches.

The paintings are sweet little examples of quick paintings that have turned out really pretty.

I am varnishing the drawers while varnishing the paintings.

 The old wood soaks up the varnish quickly.

It makes a lovely frame.

The pieces I had last year went quickly, with people usually purchasing more than one.

The turtles are a good example of companion pieces as there are a total of three of them.

I'm looking forward to the series being hung together.

Tomorrow we go to Mississippi to pick up the show from the Audubon Center.

Fortunately for me, I have several pieces I will be able to use for shows as well.

There are a lot not sold at the show.

I've also been asked to come back already as well.

Looking forward to putting that date on my calendar.

I will miss the ladies there at the center.

Until next time!

Loggerhead I, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16 inches

Day 66 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

The Mechanics of Alligators II

The Mechanics of Alligators II

Why two?

I looked this guy up and I first painted a version of him in 2014.

I remember this because I sold him at the Grand Festival on the grounds of the Coastal college.

The gentleman that bought him, bought my tarpon too.

At the time, I was painting rose paintings for Christina's wedding 

in a little over a month in India.

The little roses were gifts to family members along with Luzianne tea and Pecans from home.

We had enough to make 25 trays to give away.

Any way, another one.

Yes, this one is a reverse of the original Alligator and has a lot more detail.

The coloring is also very different, as there is more gray's in this one.

I love painting the steampunk pieces and I am happy to offer this one as my painting for today.

Even though it is my painting a day, he definitely was not painted in one day.

He took a total of five days,

Painting an average of 6-8 hours a day.

The Mechanics of Alligators II, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40

Day 65 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Heron's way II

This series is going to be interesting, I can tell.

I love the way the drawer bottom cut off forma a shadowbox frame around the piece.

We are hearing of the destruction coming out of Louisiana and Mississippi.

There is also damage in Alabama as a result of a tornado spawned from Ida.

She is now wrecking havoc up to the Eastern coast of the USA.

Multiple power outages both in lower La. and New Orleans because the main grid is destroyed coming into the city.

I don't need to imagine the damage as we lived it here last year after 

Sally hit our town and surrounding coastal areas.

We were months before all the debris was finally removed.

Chris is starting to really turn the wood we salvaged from the landfill, 

making beauty from the ashes that once were magnificent trees.

I have also checked on numerous friends and fellow artists.

Some are without power and running on generators, but the urge to create is strong.

One friend is grateful for the generator giving her light and ability to dry the painting as she progresses.

Her chickens even laid eggs the next day.

Life goes on, but it may never be the same again.

But, that being said the things we miss are things of this world.

Everyone needs to hug the attitude of joy and find the positives in their lives right now.

I pray everyone can find their joy again very soon.

Still praying for Louisiana and all who are suffering along our stretch of coastline.

It is beautiful to live here, but we do have the threat of hurricanes.

That being said, I've lived in California and I'll take a hurricane over an earthquake or fire any day!

Take care of yourselves, help others, and pray!

Heron's way II, Acrylic on wood panel, 5 x 16

Day 64 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Heron's way

Heron's way.

I for one am concerned about the birds after Hurricane Ida pushed through our area.

The past two days have been an inconvenience here in Fairhope, but I'm sure it's a lot more than that in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Louisiana hit by high winds, surge, and rain.

Ida was an uninvited spoiled child that overstayed her welcome.

Mississippi hit hard with rain and winds towards the Western side.

Alabama had lots of rain today and a tornado spawned and touched down through several counties, including where our daughter lives in Saraland.

All compliments of Ida.

Only one death so far blamed on her, but there are parish's in Louisiana with no power, water, and sewer because of major damage to the coast.

I've checked in with multiple collectors and other artists.

There is one I have not heard from though, continuing prayers for her.

Continued prayers for the people most affected, missing, and possibly more deaths to come as reports are brought in from the surrounding areas.

It's all very saddening, especially during a pandemic.

The birds and animals suffer the most I think.

The pets left on counters as the waters rose in the homes, people climbing into attics to get away from the rising waters.

The birds in the trees trying to get shelter, only to have it ripped away.

The farm animals having to swim forever to get away from the waters.

Farms gone, families homes wiped away like nothing was ever there.

I pray for them all.

I especially pray for protection from further disasters of fly by night rip off artists pretending to be contractors, people gouging prices, thieves coming in to take whatever is left.

It's all a big mess.

But, much like after Katrina we will see the hero's, the people that help, the ones that donate.

Most of all, we may have an influx of people moving to our area, because there is simply nothing left of their homes and belongings.

I have a good friend as a result of Katrina, 

a fellow artist that lives with the memories of what was and what has now become.

She has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, 

and has become a beautiful shining example of triumph!

Louisiana will rise too!

Heron's way, acrylic on wood panel with antique recycled frame, 5x16 inches

Day 63 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021