After missing at least a week of paintings for the 30 paintings in 30 days, I am finally getting back into swing...out of necessity. I sold several sea turtle paintings this past weekend and I need to have more available in March. If you follow my newsletter, this blog space or Facebook page, you know that I have several big shows in March, least of which is at the Loggerhead MarineLife Center, Juno Beach FL. If I need to have sea turtle paintings, it will be there.

 I am absolutely giddy thinking about the 3-day weekend I just had at #ArtiGras2018 in Abacoa, Jupiter FL.

Seems I sold something of everything, big and small. 9, yep that’s NINE original paintings, ranging from 6x6 to 20x20…floral, rhino, turtles, ram, horse, #sproutcreekfarm goat (to accompany the lady's last year purchase of sprout creek farm’s cow)!!!

Prints, tiles, cards, tote bag, keepsake box. Probably could have sold the shirts off our backs too.

Lots of interest in my large format pieces.

Apparently the economy is doing better as many people reported better sales than last year. Weather was great except for a little rain dancing Monday afternoon. Tent rain walls down, tent walls back up, and repeat 3 or 4 times. Kept us on our toes.

Met a person at the show who bought a large turtle print from me online several years ago from my Fine Art America gallery. I had a large acrylic print of it on the outside of the tent and they spotted it…and knew the signature. Hahaha…whodathunk.

I have 3 more sizable shows coming up, all in March and have to get myself painting and ordering more merchandise to fill the coffers. One show is at the Loggerhead MarineLife Center, back up in the Jupiter area and being a TurtleFest I need to at least replace the 4 turtles I sold.

Thank you to all who came out, had a good time and supported the arts. Thank you also to the volunteers who kept us organized and running smoothly. Great job.

Last year I painted a commissioned piece for a wonderful collector of several seabirds at the shore. The collector also collects carved birds and I modeled the composition of the painting around those carved birds and used additional photos of the birds as a resource to bring out the color. I so much enjoyed the outcome, that I wanted to do another painting utilizing the shore birds. I cannot say which bird this is. One day I will get their identification under my belt, but not during the 30 paintings in 30 days painting challenge.

This photo is not the final photo, which will be replaced as soon as I can get to it. 

Why paint a cow!? But who can help it! My source of cows are in Poughkeepsie, NY at Sprout Creek Farm. 

I madly dashed this one out. The first photo I posted of it was a snapshot which has since been updated and is more true in color to the original artwork. I use these final photos to make prints & merchandise available as explained on my website. Large format prints, smaller prints, and merchandise.

For such small birds, hummingbirds are truly elaborate and their colors are fascinating to paint. 

Lots of activity this week with acceptance into 2 exhibits, one, ArtBravo, going on now until February 23. The other is in March and I will publish that one soon to this blog.

With the 30in30 challenge breathing down my neck, I seem to have writers block. Must get back to painting.

I have been juried into the ArtBravo show at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale. For me, this is an honor and I am doubly happy that an Iguana was accepted. I love painting the textures and colors of these creatures. A regular sight in South Florida, there are people who love them and people who hate them. I see them as a wonderful part of nature.

Please vote for People's Choice Award by voting online. 

I decided I liked this eagle in soft colors. I looked at it for a long time before deciding I was finished but didn't change my mind. Looks like another one for beaks as well. 

The 30 paintings in 30 days painting challenge is starting to close in on me. Not only do I have to paint, but I have to write this blog post and create a product page for my store. This all is NOT a requirement. Neither is painting every day a requirement, but I do like to keep up with new work and updating my website. Otherwise, it all gets away from me and becomes harder to stay current. Definitely a full time job!

​Purchase this eagle.

Photo Reference: Paul Beattie

I wanted to paint a vertical sea turtle painting and tried this pose. What do you think? When I am at outdoor exhibits, people will say "you like sea turtles" and then they turn around and buy something, either a painting, print, or merchandise. Obviously, I'm not the only one who likes sea turtles. This one, and my collection of sea turtles available can be seen on my sea turtle page. 

This hummingbird was a commission which I painted in December last year, while exhibiting at the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, a favorite place of mine 'down the street'.. I'm cheating for the 30 paintings in 30 days painting challenge, but that is ok. I need to do another hummingbird in the next few days as they are so popular.

​Purchase hummingbird.

As with last two painting of the horned owl and parrot...beaks...I love beaks, and so this hawk made it into a painting. I am not up on my hawks. All I actually know is that it is a bird of prey. Little by little I learn about what I paint, but it takes me some time to get all the information-seeking done. So I am calling it a hawk, and when I find out more specifically what it is I'll change the name.

Purchase this hawk.