Artist Renee Lammers

 

I discovered today Festus likes to hang out the window of the van like a dog!

 

We were going 4 mph on a deserted side street infront of St. Augustine's lighthouse.

 

I saw Festus's face.  He looked so incredibly thrilled.

 

I had a tight grip on his backleg and tail.  He loved it.

 

He sniffed the air and looked all around.

 

 

I asked Festus if he wanted to tour the Alligator Farm to see more reptiles but he declined.

 

He wanted to get sun while lounging on the van's dashboard.  

 

I told him that would be safer probably.

 

I went inside the Alligator Farm.  I set a diet mt dew bottle on a post to take a photo.

 

The bottle fell below to the gators.  One gator quickly grabbed the bottle.

 

A lady near me pointed and shouted, "Look an idiot threw their soda bottle to the gators!"

 

I told her, "It was an accident. I am going to tell someone about it so they can help the gator."

 

She agreed.  I ran off to find someone.  At the front desk I confessed to what happened.

She radioed someone to help the gator.  I decided to go the opposite direction.

 

I was sitting on the only bench at the farm when two young men ran passed me.

 

The last I saw of the gator, he had the diet mt dew bottle in his mouth, he was crunching the

 

bottle, and held it.  He was not swallowing the bottle.  He almost looked proud of his find.

 

An hour later two more men ran by me.  I decided to leave.  Festus was ready to do something else.

 

I had caused enough trouble at the gator farm for one day. I felt so bad.  Maybe tomorrow I will go 

 

back to the Alligator Farm and ask what happened to the gator with the diet mt dew bottle.

 

No painting today.  I will paint tomorrow.  I was worried about the gator.

 

 

The birds were not nesting.  There were several yellow-crowned night herons.

 

I saw one of these birds in Sanibel a few days ago.

 

 

These three golden conures were having fun.

 

The middle bird was getting a lot of attention.  They were cleaning and caring for him.

 

 

My Mom let me know a frame had arrived for a commission painting so we drove back

 

to Winter Park, framed up the painting, and are resting tonight at their house.

 

Festus was delighted with the screen room again!

 

He saw a big squirrel, visited his yorkie friends, saw the lizards, and ate 4 cans of food!

 

Tomorrow we will ship the painting at the post office, drive to St. Augustine's Anastasia,

 

and paint.  The moon should be full enough and in position over the ocean to paint.

 

I bought nuts, oatmeal, and bananas for many days of food.  Festus has cases of canned food.

 

Staying on the Atlantic side of Florida is 50% less than the Gulf side.

 

We are staying at Guy Harvey's Inn on the ocean for 100$ a night.

 

This is a bargain considering the location.  I believe hotels are greatly discounted because of the virus.

 

I hope we sell at least one painting to pay for the hotel but even if we don't we will enjoy ourselves.

 

 

Festus continues to love traveling.

 

He has never seen a Maine Winter.  He doesn't know what he is missing!

 

 

We drove by the lighthouse.

 

I will need to figure out how to pay for parking on a cell phone if I want

 

to paint downtown.

 

My Mom reminded me St. Augustine does NOT allow plein air painting in

 

the historic district.  They are not artist friendly.  They arrest artists!

 

I believe painting at the beach should be fine.

 

 

When I asked the Alligator Farm permission to paint, she replied, "There is nothing I can do to stop you!

 

I decided not to paint there.  

 

The tortoises were sweet.

 

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Sanibel Light" 6x8 oil on copper Sold Thank you.

 

   I was sad about my friend's parents both passing from the Covid 19 virus.

 

She wanted two chairs with an umbrella on Sanibel Island with wonderful light as a

 

memorial painting.  Her parents took her to Sanibel Island often.

 

I can not imagine the pain she must feel by loosing her parents.

 

I worry about my parents everyday!  Stressful.

 

I hope this painting brings her comfort.

 

I loved painting this special painting.  I didn't paint anything else all day long.

 

There was very thick fog here in Sanibel Island.  Festus kept me company and entertained

 

me while I painted.  He discovered himself in the mirror.  What a riot!

 

 

This was the first time he made a big tom cat meow as he played with his image.

 

 

He was flying through the air!  He was extra hungry today!  He ate 4 cans of Salmon Blue Wilderness.

 

Gobbled it down and looked at me, "More!"  

 

 

"Who is that big beautiful kitty Festus?"

 

Two different ladies came by and asked if they could visit with Festus.

 

I handed Festus to them and stayed 12 feet away.

 

Then I wiped Festus off really good with wipes.

 

They were so happy to visit with him.  Festus had been entertaining them through the sliding

 

glass door!  What a little stinker!

 

 

"Sanibel Moon" 8x6 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping included.

 

  I was on my way out to the van to charge up my cellphone to call Robert.

I saw the moon, turned around, grabbed a chair, my paint loaded 6x8 open m box easel,

 

zip lock bag with two brushes, turp, and paper towels.  I found a great spot 

 

under the light of the laundry room to paint.  I will call Robert tomorrow night.

 

I went to Captiva Island today and saw Tween Waters Inn.

 

 

Robert will remember this cottage at Tween Waters Inn.

 

 

 I met a couple at the pool today staying for three weeks at the West Wind Inn.

 

They need three rooms for all their kids for 21 nights at 200$ each night!

 

They had hundreds of giant shells in their hotel screen room!

 

They leave to hunt for shells at 1am-8am.  They bring many flashlights.

 

They explore an area called the mud flats by the Sanibel-Captiva Pass near a bridge.

 

I went there today. I followed this path.

 

 

A mangrove paradise!

 

I can't imagine creeping around here in the dark at 1am at night!

 

 

I was surprised to see that crab eating heron.

 

I can not remember the name of this bird but it is unique!

 

 

There he is!  Magnificient!

 

 

  I bet Festus would be a great sea shell hunter in thick mud!

 

I am off to find where the moon hovers over the sea to paint.

 

Festus and I will be driving back to Winter Park tomorrow.

 

We need to mail out two commission paintings!

 

Then we may come back to Sanibel Island and boondock at the Walmart!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

"Sanibel Island View" 6x8 oil on copper.  sold. thankyou!

 

   I took my time painting the chairs with umbrella again.

 

I saw a passing sailboat and painted it right in.

 

It was a beautiful day to be painting on the beach. How did I get so lucky?

 

Festus decided to sleep it off in the air conditioning hotel room.

 

 

Festus loves resort hotels. He would love his bedroom to look like this!

 

I told him, "It is not the quality of furniture that matters.  It is the quality of who you sleep with!"

 

I sure hope Festus things I am quality!  This morning in the van I woke up to see Festus

 

upside down in the overhead compartment with his feet dangling down and his head looking

 

down at me.  Made me laugh!  He gave me a good morning chirp and hopped down onto

 

my twin size mattress.  We slept very good last night.  Tonight we are in the hotel again!

 

 

"Sanibel Dream" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping is included in the price.

 

I decided to paint one chair.  Two chairs suggests a friend but sometimes it is more relaxing

 

to be alone on the beach mediating, reading a book, or just watching the waves.

 

I resolved the umbrella stand being an issue by heavily gradating the values!

 

 

I took Festus on a walk about before sunset.

 

He was very talkative!  He was meowing at the top of his lungs.

 

 

I set Festus down to take his photo.  He decided to head back to his beautiful room!

 

I said, "Bye Bye Festus!"   I tracked him down fast.  He doesn't run quickly at all.

 

Now he is sound asleep on one of the full sized beds.

 

 

"Sanibel Sunset" 6x8 oil on copper Sold. Thanks.

 

I started painting an hour before the actual sunset anticipating the colors.

I kept the design simple but I did make the sun larger.

 

I dropped in the colors of the sunset as it was occurring.  I had

 

a good foundation of colors under them.  I refined the painting after the sun

 

was down.  I think it might be fun to paint many sunsets.

 

 

 

 

I am going to the Bubbleroom for dinner.  I am going to order a salad.  A friend asked

 

me to have the orange cake.  I will do that in her honor and take a photo of it for her.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

"Sanibel Time" 6x8 oil on copper sold.  Thank you.

 

 

"Sanibel Beach Day" 6x8 oil on copper sold. Thanks.

 

 

"Sanibel Day" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in either gold or black with gold. Shipping included.

 

I personally love this one!

 

 

"Sanibel Sun" 7x5 oil on copper  Sold. Thanks.

 

This was an experimental painting.  

 

I had to look directly into the sun to paint it.

 

 

"A Hint Of Sun" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping included.

 

I may need to retake this painting's photo.  I think it is cooler in temperature.

 

 

"Morning on Sanibel Island" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

I woke up at 6:30am to paint the sunrise.  It was lovely!

 

Festus entertained everyone yesterday at the beach while I painted.

 

 

I kept an eye on Festus while I painted.  I saw his head stand up straight to see something.

 

There was a tortoise strolling across the sand!  Festus could not believe this!  

 

I told him, "Festus, That is a turtle!"   I could hear a few people in lounge chairs giggle.

 

They all loved Festus.  He climbed around the tropical vegetation.  He laid in the shade.

 

Festus also met many kind hearted dogs.

 

 

"Sanibel Time" 6x8 oil on copper sold. Thanks.

 

 

"Sanibel Beach Day" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks 

 

 

I painted 6 paintings yesterday, a personal record for me.

 

We worked all day long.  The sunset was so quick!  I didn't paint it.

 

I just watched it!   I don't know how people paint the sunset!

 

The sunsets in two or three minutes tops.  

 

Maybe they work up a foundation for the event in paint.  Then throw in the colors.

 

I will work on painting the sunset tonight.

 

 

After the sunset I told Festus we were going to the Bubble Room.

 

He asked if they had chicken livers?  I told him no but maybe fish!

 

I ordered bubble bread.  We left.

 

I opened a can of Salmon Blue Wilderness for Festus.  He was very happy.

 

We decided to boon dock in the Walmart parking lot in Fort Myers Beach.

 

You can stay over night for free at most Walmarts.  They even have free WiFi!

 

We slept better in the van at the Walmart than we did at the resort!

 

In the morning we drove back to the West Wind Inn and checked into the hotel!

 

Festus is delighted!  He loves the screen room and air conditioning.

 

He will relax in the room today while I paint.  I had to chase the boy down

 

twice or maybe three times yesterday on the beach. He is a regular houdini.

 

Luckily he doesn't run fast.  Everyone on the beach was ready to tackle him anyway.

 

I can't believe how popular Festus was yesterday.

 

People do not wear masks on the beach but they do stay 12 feet away except from Festus!

 

People are wearing masks in public buildings.

 

All the paintings I have sold are from previously known art patrons mostly in Texas!

 

I have met several people at the hotel interested in my work.

 

 

 

Imagine yourself sitting in that chair!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was getting ready to pack my car and head home to Maine.

 

Then I started to think, "Gee I have not even been to the beach once!"

 

I decided to take Festus to Sanibel Island.

 

I had the choice of leaving Festus in the van and paint a sunset.

 

Or I could carry him down the path to Boyd's Beach to view a sunset.

 

I decided on the later.  I could not leave him in the van.

 

Festus meowed a little while I carried him the mile to the beach.

 

I set him down on the sand.  He shook from being nervous.

 

Then he headed right into the ocean!  I grabbed him before he swam off!

 

 

Maine Coon cats are suppose to love water.

 

 

The first ten minutes Festus was a bit stressed out.

 

He had never experienced anything like this!

 

He decided he was not going to die.

 

 

I think he started to like the beach.

 

 

 

What a fine evening!

 

We were suppose to stay at Periwinkle Park for 60$ a night.

 

She told me we would need to be in our parking spot by 6pm because of overflow

 

parking would block our spot.  That means I would not be able to paint the sunsets.

 

Festus and I remedied the sleeping arrangements!

 

We are staying at the West Wind Inn on Sanibel Island.

 

Festus told me we both deserved it. He said it is 50% off the normal price.

 

He talked me into staying at this fine resort for one night.

 

I am going to explore the thermal heated pool right now.

 

Festus is quite happy with himself.  He asked if there might be chicken livers for breakfast?

 

I told him probably not.  I do have a wonderful assortment of Blue Wilderness canned cat food.

 

I suppose there is nothing like chicken livers if you are a cat!  

 

Festus has his own queen size bed for tonight but I am certain he will share mine.

 

He is washing himself thoroughly.  He had a lot of salt water on him.

 

I think he enjoyed the beach because he is not mad at all.

 

If he hated the beach he would be avoiding eye contact and hiding.

 

He is laying next to me purring.  He found the experience exhilarating!

 

"What are we doing tomorrow?" he asked.

 

 

 

Festus and I know how to land on our feet!   

 

I hope to do a lot of painting tomorrow.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

"Purple Roses, Sunflowers, and Delpheniums" 8x6 oil on copper 450$

framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

   I helped my Dad set up his new lap top computer.  We had a very difficult

 

time doing this!  We could not get on the internet until Dad read the fine print

 

that said to push a button on something.  Then it worked!  We cheered!

 

  I have very little computer skills and he has none.  There was no one else to

 

help us.  I am so glad we did it somehow!   I am getting ready to come back home

 

to Maine.  We have been visiting my parents for a month here in Florida.

 

I have enjoyed every day of the time spent.  Festus had a blast.

 

 

I asked Festus to model with flowers for a painting.

 

Here he looks bent out of shape.

 

 

He looked very charming here!

 

 

His face looks like an angel here but I may be biased.

 

He ate chicken livers for breakfast two mornings in a row.

 

He was on a hunger strike the third morning when chicken livers were not served!

 

He even jumped on to the kitchen counter to chat with my Mom who was cutting

 

up chicken for her yorkie's dinner.  "Is there more chicken livers please?"

 

We both laughed as Festus chirped at her in the sweetest way.

 

"I know what he wants" I told my Mom.

 

He ate light that day but decided his chicken blue wilderness canned food would be fine.

 

He ate a bit of a turkey gizzard today.  Festus said, "This is no supplement for chicken livers!  I can

 

not be fooled!"  

 

He has been very sweet with my parents and their two yorkies.

 

I saw Festus run up to Channel, a yorkie, put his paws around her to give her a hug!

 

Channel slowly manuvered out of this hug and took off!

 

Then Channel came back to Festus, wagging her tail, and gave her a lick on his mouth!

 

Coco greets Festus every morning with a wagging tail and kisses.

 

 

I saw lemons and tangerines growing in front of this lovely cottage.

 

The citrus is lovely to eat fresh.  

 

The Florida sun is just so revitalizing!

 

I am thankful for the time I spent here in Florida.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I have been working for three days on this commission painting of Reid State Park

 

in Maine.  Siblings pooled their funds together for this birthday painting

 

present for their 76 year old Mom who lives in Florida and in Maine.  

 

They decided to have it framed in black with light gold to show off the colors of sunset.

 

 

Here is the detail of the sunsetting.

 

 

Lower rocks.  I started to notice some rocks were in the shape of hearts.

 

 

There is a nice counter change occuring in the design.

 

The light colored water on the right is up against the dark shore:  The dark colored

 

rocks in the center of the painting has the same shape as the water against light colored rocks.

 

It is not noticeable unless a trained artist eye finds this counterchange.  

 

 

My Mom cooked Festus boiled chicken liver.

 

He thought it was fabulous!  

 

 

She cooked me my favorite, chicken with homemade noodles!

 

 

Festus loves the larger full size bed in my room!

 

He thinks we need to upgrade the twin bed to a full bed when we get home!

 

He has had some dangerous encounters while trying to sleep in my twin bed.

 

The bed is just too small for the both of us!  I agree.

 

 

Festus is enjoying staying in Florida!  He is in the screenroom all day and after his curfew!

 

He likes to come into the living room to use his scratch post and play with toys

 

while we are watching him.

 

 

Festus appetite is doing well.  He loves his little pumpkin bowl Robert gave him for his

 

dried food.

 

 

Good night!

 

   I never had the privilege to meet my Dad's parents, my Grandparents.

 

They were Eshter Putnam-Bottelman and John Bottelman.  

 

They are shown here with their eldest daughter Gertrude and Norman.

 

They married in Iowa and had a son named Bert.  He bought 60 acres of Florida land

 

sight unseen, on Saddleback Pond in Summerfield, Florida.  They boarded a train and traveled

 

to Florida.  A man took them out to their property.  They lived in a tent for awhile before he

 

built them a home.  They lived on Saddleback Pond in the woods from 1911 to 1928.

 

 He learned how to drill wells.  He drew himself a fine looking drawing of a

 

well drilling rig and built one.  He knew how to weld.  He built a saw mill and employed men.

 

He opened a food store.  He created water fountains and bird baths from rod iron, cement, and shells.

 

 

One of these fountains is behind my Grandmother on the right.  

 

She is with her two daughters.  She had a total of six children.  

 

The young girl on the left is Gertrude, 14, and Mabel, 10.

 

My Grandmother must have been 34 in this photo.

 

 

This is one of the only photos we own that might show their first home

 

on Saddleback Pond. He built this home from Cypress wood.

 

  Here is Norman with Gertrude, my Dad's siblings.

 

We know there were several outbuildings:  a spring house to store perishables, a corn

 

crib, a workshop, and a house.  

 

No one knew exactly where this house was located.  The problem was the name of the

 

pond had changed several times.  Finally after many years of searching my Aunt Elsie

 

went down to the court house and searched microfilm for the information.

 

She told me her Daughter was taking her to see Saddleback Pond at 2pm!

 

I asked permission to meet her at her house at 2pm.  My Brother decided to go!

 

I talked my Dad into coming along.  We surprised my Aunt Elsie at her house at 2pm.

 

We caravanned to the property.  We finally had permission to view Saddleback Pond.

 

The 60 acres my Grandfather once owned was now a part of 300 acres own by one lady.

 

She allowed us access!  We drove down the dirt road, opened the gate as she suggested, and

 

 drove inside the gate.  She told us make sure to close the gate so the cows don't get out!

 

  Once inside the gate we were driving very slowly up to the house.

 

A cow was standing so close to the dirt road.  My Dad didn't see the cow.  We almost hit the cow!

 

He swerved just in time to miss hitting the cow with the car.  We both laughed.  A near miss!

 

We drove up to the houses.  The lady showed us where the pond

 

was located.  We all got out to explore the area.  She showed us were the house foundation

 

and other concrete corner stones still laid.

 

 

The house once stood under these large oak trees on the pond.

 

 

  I was suprised at the size of these oak trees.

 

 

I asked my Dad to pose for a photo where the house once stood.

 

 

My Aunt Elsie and my Dad relaxed under the oak trees while my Brother metal detected, and

 

dug up some of these concrete foot stones. Aunt Elsie is 88 and my Dad 86.

 

 

 

The pond was spring fed when they lived here.  Now the spring has dried up.

 

The pond was healthy enough to keep one alligator happy back in 1911.

 

 

 

I am sure life was difficult being isolated here without a vehicle in 1911.

 

During the 1918 Spanish Flu the entire family struck ill.  Church members cared for them

 

at their home.  Bert, the youngest boy, died from Spanish Flu at only 7 years old.

 

That is why he is not in the first photo with his other two siblings.

 

My Dad said his Mother was never the same after Bert died.

 

 

Here is another of my Grandfather John Bottelman's basket sculptures.

 

They were works of art.  I am glad my Aunt Elsie owns most of his sculptures.

 

My Brother has one in front of his home.

 

 

After many years of living at Saddleback Pond, they sold the 60 acres house, and bought land

 

across the street from the Belleview Elementary School.  My Dad and his siblings

 

could walk across the street to school.  They made wonderful friends.

 

They were very close to church and stores.  Life was improved.

 

Today was one of the more exciting days I can remember.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20x26 oil on copper 

 

   A few days ago I asked my Mom to look at photos I had set aside to paint larger.

 

She thought this Summer wildflower painting in the window was best.

 

I started painting an underpainting of Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Red Light with Titanium White.

 

I always love the way this looks better than if it had color!

 

It reminds me of Delft Blue.

 

It is tempting to leave it as it is.  I think it is a stronger painting.

 

I always learn a lot by doing these value underpaintings.

 

 

I purchased a black cat collar with a Festus tag yesterday.

 

The collar does have a safety feature if the cat is hung up on it.

 

I placed the collar on Festus too loose.  He put his mouth under it and became stressed!

 

He was calling out while he struggled.  I was in the other room when my Mom called to me

 

for help.  I hopped over the coffee table to help.  I called out, "Hand me the scissors!"

 

Festus could not get his mouth out from under the collar.  As I was getting the scissors

 

under the collar, the safety feature, released.  Festus was free of the collar.

 

He shook himself off and walked away looking back at me!  "You tried to kill me!"

 

I didn't think he would forgive me.  He stayed away from me for 20 minutes.

 

I gave him a tiny piece of pot roast.  Soon he was on my lap purring.  All was forgiven.

 

I tightened up the collar and put it on him.  The collar is working fine.  Festus has a

 

tag identifying him with a telephone number if he gets out.  I will have him microchipped soon.

 

 

This is how Festus spends his days in Florida.

 

He has a lovely screenroom to enjoy.

 

There are two lizards who sit all day long with Festus.

 

You can see one lizard on the left.

 

The lizards only visit with Festus on sunny days.

 

They do seem to have a friendly relationship.

 

 

What a wonderful friend for Festus!

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Here we are at the end of our day.

 

Festus loves to throw his feet on my chest, cuddle up, and purr.

 

I am very grateful for Festus's company here in Florida.

 

I spend more time in my old bedroom to let my parents be.

 

I think they appreciate not having their normal schedule changed too much.

 

I do visit with them when I wake up, have dinners with them, and chat many hours a day.

 

I have been lifting things for them.  I have taken over some of their chores to give them

 

a break.  They are doing very well.  I am so glad they can take care of themselves still.

 

They are 84 and 86.  Everyday I try to go online to get them each a vaccine.

 

Here in Orange County, Florida, where they live, the vaccines are all gone until supposedly Thursday!

 

I have them both signed up online to get a vaccine appointment.  I sure hope they get one soon.

 

My Mom still cooks just like she has always done.  Nothing is changed with the food.  We are

 

eating healthy.  

 

 

  For some strange reason these last three mornings Festus wakes me up at 5am.  He meows for a big breakfast!

 

I told him I am not Robert who gets up at 5am.  Meows more.  I open a can of food for him,

 

open the doggy door so he can go to the screenroom, and go back to sleep!

 

 

Last night I thought I would pull a fast one on Festus!  I layed out two cans of food.

 

He ate some throughout the night.  There was still plenty at 5am.  I could hear him eating.

 

Some of the food he had on his plate was Trader Joe]s canned sockeyed salmon.  Festus woke me

 

up at 5am by laying on top of my head. He was all sprawled out over my head.  He was purring loudly.

 

I opened my eyes.  He tilted his face down into my face purring loud.  He put a paw on

 

each side of my face.  He made me laugh.  Then I had a big sniff of salmon of Festus's breath!  

 

"Oooh Yuck!" Festus you little brat!  I gave him a big hug.  Festus has a big personality.

 

 

Festus received a little scratch post today with a few little toys.

 

I bought him many different flavors of Blue Wilderness canned food.

 

He likes the smaller cans so he can have many different flavors during the day.

 

He put on a great show for my parents and I after lunch.  He played for two hours!

 

 

I hope Robert and the four golden retrievers in Maine are doing well.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   "Gator Approaching" 6x4 oil on copper

 

    I was sitting in a chair today by a lagoon in the Orlando Wetlands, Christmas,

 

Florida.  It was very peaceful.  I was working on the palms, then the sky, then I looked

 

up to see a 12 foot gator swimming up to me in the water!

 

   I decided to paint him in the water in the foreground very fast!

 

I bet he was curious.  Who is this person sitting there?

 

Most people are hiking quickly by his lagoon pausing for a photo.

 

 

You can see the gator in the water in the center.

 

It was unnerving to see him slowly swim closer and closer to me!

 

He was about 30 feet away.

 

Most people do not realize an alligator can run 45 mph if he wants to!

 

 

A little snowy egret kept me company for a while.  

 

They have brightly colored feet they use to capture fish!

 

My Mom told me once they wiggle their toes, a fish will come over to inspect it, and 

 

then the snowy egret catches the fish!

 

 

 

"The Evenings" 20x14 oil on copper. Commission completed and approved.

 

I painted in the sailboat today.  I also added a touch of blue in the sun.

 

I noticed yesterday when I looked directly into the sun there was a bit of blue

 

surrounded by the bright light, then yellow and orange.

 

I think it looks more natural now.  

 

 

Festus celebrated my completed commission painting with a half a can of Trader Joes

 

sockeyed salmon.  He was been purring ever since dinner.  

 

He has made friends with two different lizards who lay on wood outside of the

 

screenroom while he communes with them on the inside.  My parents enjoy Festus.

 

He has been a great source of amusement and entertainment to us all.

 

The only one who has not warmed up to Festus is the yorkie Channel.

 

She thinks he is very dangerous.  

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

"January in Orlando Wetlands" 6x4 oil on copper.  

 

    I loaded up my tiny open m box easel (prochade box), took a tiny pizza box, a small

 

bottle of turpenoid to wash my brush, two brushes, and hiked to paint at the

 

Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida.  This is one of my favorite places.

 

They plan to turn the entire place into a housing subdivision.  Shocking.

 

I enjoyed myself.

 

 

   I began the painting holding the easel and standing!

 

I could not really paint like this so I sat down.  Much better.

 

 

  I used an old plastic cup to store dirty paper towels.

 

I did a sketch of a blue heron before he flew off.  

 

I used a laundry bag to carry it all.

 

 

I hiked around taking photos for a few miles as the sunset.

 

Blue heron is in the center of the water.

 

I am using a Canon mirrorless camera, M6 Markii.  I love it.  High pixels and lightweight.

 

Another perk of this camera is:  Takes great photos in low light!

 

 

 

The sunset as I was leaving the park.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Evenings" 20x14 oil on copper.  commission painting.

 

Almost finished.  I will be painting a white sailboat in the distance.

 

   This is a painting that will be used as a memorial for a great Doctor who died of Covid 19.

 

I am very sorry for his loss.  He lived his life with great purpose.  He will be missed by many people.

 

His Father, also a Doctor, commissioned the painting.

 

I found the experience of painting a memorial painting for a family very rewarding.

 

 

  Most of my paintings bring people happiness but this painting served a purpose.

 

 

 

     While I was painting, I needed to do research about the man's foot wear.

 

I discovered the man in the painting is Father Joseph, a Greek Monk, living in Mount

 

Athos, in Greece.  His purpose in life, since 1980's, has been to wave a Greek flag, and

 

give a blessing to passing planes.    The pilots lower their planes as they fly along the coast

 

to receive their blessing.  

 

  The title of the painting was named by the Son.  "The Evenings" was his Father's favorite song.

 

Thank you.

 

 

I am showing Festus how to be frugal.

 

His most favorite cat toy is a ping pong ball with a very thin

 

polycarbon fiber rod.  The thin polycarbon fiber rod keeps breaking!

 

I have reordered this toy many times.  He runs when he sees me

 

pulling a new one out of the bag!  Of course he probably thinks it is the same toy

 

that has just returned home!  I have discovered a thin piece of bamboo can be used

 

as a substitute for this thin polycarbon fiber rod!  He has no idea.

 

 

Festus loves a thin long bamboo with a few leaves left at the end!

 

 

This morning I brought several pieces of bamboo into the house.

 

I stuck the bamboo into the artist drafting table's turpentine holder.

 

He thought these were so much fun!  He chewed on the ends, bent many

 

of them, held them down with his feet, and then let them bounce back!

 

 

Here are a few more photos from the Little Big Econ Forest.

 

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

It was a sunny 70 degree day in Florida. 

 

I decided to visit one of my favorite forests.

 

This is the entrance.  Ahead is the old Florida Trail.

 

I have heard the old Florida trail was once the main highway through Florida.

 

The other way to travel was by boat.

 

 

I went through the bush to my favorite spot along the Little Econ River.

 

I didn't see any snakes, alligators, panthers, bob cats, bears, or boar.

 

I imagine all of these repiles and mammels were hidden in the bushes watching me with curiosity.

 

 

I spent many hours painting here when I lived in Florida.

 

Some times the temperatures would be in the high 90s.

 

I would bring an ice chest, music, giant easel as I had no plein air easel, and giant 3/4 inch

 

gessoed birchwood panel.  I would bring an enormous umbrella.  I brought an incredible amount

 

of equipment all stored in a large red wooden wagon Robert purchased for me.

 

I never saw any snakes or alligators.  Once I did see a Mother boar with piglets.

 

They were cute.

 

Robert and I would often come here to hike.

 

 

The water is brown from tanic acid from the trees.

 

 

I perservered into the forest!

 

I admit this part sort of worried me.  

 

Whenever I encountered an area of the forest in Florida that would

 

make me nervous, I would very very quickly hike through, until the area 

 

looked safer.

 

 

I stopped to admire oak, cedar, and palm trees.

 

There is nothing like a raw forest.  There are so much developed land

 

in Florida.  I am glad there is still areas like this to experience.

 

 

My Mom liked this photo of the purple water best to paint.

 

 

Maybe I should bring my brushes with me next time.  I would have liked

 

to paint this scene.  Festus would love being here while I painted.

 

 

It is safe to say Festus is back to being his precocious self.

 

"Do these paint brushes look good on me?"

 

My Mom and Dad are enjoying Festus.  Festus is very entertaining.

 

He is also being very gentle..not using any claws.

 

My Dad was walking by the dinner table.  Festus was hiding under

 

the tablecloth sitting on a chair.  As my Dad walked by Festus

 

threw out a paw and touched my Dad on his leg.  My Dad let out a 

 

small scream and then laughed when he saw the white foot disappear

 

back under the tablecloth!

 

 

My Mom and I were watching the movie, "Death on the Nile" while Festus entertained us

 

by playing with my Mom's paint brushes!

 

 

Festus spent all day long in the screen room.  There was a lizard on the other side of the screen

 

looking at Festus!  The lizard was safe.  Festus was wagging his tail ready to pounce.

 

When I came back from hiking Festus was in the same spot and so was the lizard!

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Spring at Alden Bryan Farm" 20x26 oil on copper.  1995$ framed in your choice of an Italian handcarved

frame and includes shipping.

 

    I have been working on this painting this past week.

 

The view deplicts one of my most favorite places in Jeffersonville, Vermont, Alden Bryan Farm.

 

 

Here is a close up of the farm.  In the distance are a few white and black cows.

 

There is an apple tree that grows out of the side of a rock.

 

Some artists paint the rock with apple tree.  Some artists remove it in their painting.

 

I think it is amazing an apple tree has lived so long in a vicarious place!

 

 

   Here is a more detailed photo of the distant cows.

 

I made sure the roof of the home was lighter on one side.  I think it helps the design.

 

I added new leaves to the trees.  

 

I also made the fence lighter on the left and darker on the right.  

 

 

"Spring Thaw" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold a year ago.

 

   I used this plein air sketch as an aid to complete the painting.

 

I think I was able to achieve more light in the larger painting.

 

 

   I took Festus to the Winter Park Veterinary for a meet and greet January 3rd.

 

They came out to the van to get Festus.  They called me to let me know Festus was 

 

enjoying cat music, cat cookies, and cat nip.  He was rolling all around on the table.

 

They gave him the rabies vaccine.  They took blood for a heart enzyme test and a regular

 

blood work checkup.  They loved Festus.

 

   The next morning at sunrise Festus was back at the vet to be neutered.

 

He stayed five hours to recover listening to more cat music and enjoying cat drugs.

 

He was very active once he came back to my parent's house.

 

He tipped over their inside garbage can and climbed inside the container!

 

He put his feet under doors.  He tried to get friendly with the Yorkshire terriers.

 

He sat in my Dad's chair!  He was exploring all over the house.  

 

He didn't sleep too well.  I tried hard to keep his mind off his troubles.

 

I massaged his shoulders.  I rubbed his chin.  He liked this and purred.

 

Today he is doing well.  I gave him another pain pill.  He is playing and taking

 

naps all day long.  He celebrated his surgery with a small can of sockeyed salmon!

 

We are both glad he is over this ordeal!

 

The vet bill came to 650$.  Robert just put my stimulus check, 600$, into my bank account!

 

It was very expensive to have Festus neutered down here in Winter Park, Florida.

 

Wow!  They treated him fine.  The stimulus check will almost cover his bill!  

 

 

Festus will be a much happier pet now that he is neutered.  

 

 

Robert sent me this beautiful photo of all of our goldens!

 

Front left is Lady Violet, the puppy.  Front right is Monet.

 

In the back left is Lily, and on the right is Poppy.

 

They went on a long snowy hike.  Robert is doing a great job taking care of them

 

while I am in Florida visiting my parents.

 

I will start a commission painting of a man waving a Greek flag with the sun on the ocean.

 

Good night!

 

   This shows the top half of the painting in progress.  

 

 

Here is a close up.  I added cows in the distance on the right.

 

I decided to add a few green buds to the trees so they are not bare.

 

There is still a little snow on the ground.

 

The horizon in this sky was a bright yellow to aqua blue.

 

I decided to paint no yellow at the horizon.  I want there to be distance in this painting.

 

Yellows will be reserved for the foreground area in the greens.

 

I also painted the snow a little thicker.

 

 

   We sat in the sun for hours to get our Vitamin D!

 

Festus saw a squirrel and ants.  He was fascinated.

 

 

Festus spends most of his time in the screen room.  He loves it!

 

 

He loves being in Florida.  I can tell he also misses his doggy friends

 

back in Maine.  He also misses Robert.  He loves Robert's treats!

 

I am enjoying visiting my parents very much.

 

I hope this next year will be great! 

 

Good night!