Artist Renee Lammers

 

   Robert was kind enough to send a photo of the golden retrievers in the backyard.

 

Poppy is in front, Lady Violet on her left, Monet back center, and Lily on the right.

 

They enjoy having Ted visit them every afternoon while Robert is at work. Ted feeds

 

them chickens and treats so Robert says he adjusts their dinners according to their weights.

 

They have always loved our friend Ted.  

 

 

"Poppy Magic" 6x4 oil on copper sold. Thanks.

 

 

"Hello Beautiful" 6x4 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black with gold.

 

   I saw this parrot named Calypso at the Wonder Garden months ago.  

 

I enjoyed using a palette knife to lather on thick layers of paint.  The texture

 

is interesting in contrast to the lack of texture on the parrot.

 

 

   I thought this was cute of Miss Kitty and Festus.

 

 

While I am painting I am entertained by Miss Kitty leasurely laying in her bay window

 

cat bed cleaning her foot!

 

 

  Festus has been laying on my back while I am sleeping because it is cold.  I roll him

 

over and cover him with the down comforter. He purrs and falls asleep.  Miss Kitty

 

has decided she prefers to sleep on top of the refrigerator in her cat bed.  I think Festus

 

is happy about this arrangement.  He has always slept a little next to me during the night

 

until we moved Miss Kitty into the house.  She took over as my night time angel.  Now 

 

Festus is back to being my night time angel.  

 

 

   Have a good night.

 

 

 

"Italian Tonight" 4x6 oil on copper sold. Thanks.

 

    I ate Spaghetti and Meatballs at this fine Italian restaurant in Miami Beach during my

 

painting adventure.  The noodles were homemade.  The meatballs were incredible.

 

The sauce was just amazing.  I ate it all!  I felt so fortunate to dine there.

 

I took many photos before and after being a patron.  It had such charm.

 

The restaurant is called the Hosteria Romana at 429 Espanola Way in Miami Beach.  

 

 

"Miami Dinner Night" 4x6 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black with gold.

Shipping is included.

 

   I thought this couple were lovely enough to paint.  Wonder what they were talking about?

 

Probably their kids.

 

 

"Spaghetti Tonight in Miami Beach" 4x6 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black with

gold. Shipping included.

 

   This was challenging.  I liked the green bottle on the table.  The waiters turned out nice on the left

 

next to the bussing station.  I am sure it would have been easier to paint larger.  

 

 

While I was in Miami Beach I saw many cars parked that looked in very poor condition.

 

Some front bumpers were on the ground.  Many side mirrors were ripped off.  The streets

 

are narrow.  If someone is texting or a little intoxicated it is easy to side swipe a car parked

 

on either side of the road.  My left mirror of the car was hit. I found the pieces and was able to snap

 

one back onto the mirror.  The mirror is still working.  I can probably order the part enclosing

 

the bottom of the mirror.  Today I noticed someone had side swiped the back left bumper.  There is

 

not indentation but there is paint scratched off.  I guess I got off lucky compared to the car above!

 

 

Here is another car parked along Harding Avenue in Miami Beach.  Parts of the car were

 

stored under the car!

 

 

No tires?  This car really had a bad day.

 

 

  The cats, Festus and Miss Kitty, are enjoying being back in Fort Myers.  They hang out in their

 

cat beds in the bay window.  Sometimes they hang out in the screen room.  I can tell they are glad

 

to be home but they sure did have a ball in Miami Beach.  They are great travelers.

 

Thank you for your painting purchases.  They make it possible for me to do what I have to do, paint.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

   I decided to visit a new beach!  Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is voted

 

the top ten beach in the USA...so the sign said.  It was an amazing place to visit.

 

The lighthouse was built in 1825 and has 109 steps!  

 

 

The water was incredible.  

 

 

  

 

I met a young raccoon.

 

 

Saw many large lizards.

 

 

There were many families cooking lunch.

 

 

The beach was full of umbrellas and families.  People were so happy.

 

There were very stylish swimsuits!  It was fun to watch people.

 

 

They did have Lighthouse tours at 11am and 1pm.

 

 

There was a long seawall where fishermen were gathered.  They were catching many

 

fish.  Out in the ocean I could see shacks on sticks. A man said they sold gas and food

 

to boaters.

 

 

   Here are the shacks.  There were many boats.

 

I am back in Fort Myers, Florida.  I had fun gathering photos to paint from and going to the

 

beaches.  I hope to return soon.  What an inspiring place to paint!  Good night.

 

 

 

"Lamborghini Huracán Evo" 4x6 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black with gold

Shipping included.  

 

   I saw this beautiful blue vehicle in front of the Colony Hotel.  

 

 

 

 

 

    I ventured off of Ocean Drive in the evening for my walk to see new sights.  

 

I encountered a few interesting less touristy places.  The above photos are from

 

Ocean Drive.  I found a quaint Italian restaurant by 14th Street on a side street and took

 

many photos to paint from.  I hung out at the beach today for a long time.  It was just too

 

beautiful.  I will go out walking again tonight to collect more images to paint.  I have

 

discovered a Publix grocery store near by.  Their vegetable plate is 4.50$.  It takes me

 

two days to eat this meal!  I love my Kevita Pineapple Peach Kombucha.  I treat myself to one

 

a day.  The cats are doing well.  This morning they were playing 'hide and go seek'.  

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

"Palm" 4x6 oil on copper Sold. Thank you.

 

    I went back to Fort Myers, Florida from South Beach Miami to reload supplies and wash

 

my clothes and frame paintings to ship.  I was getting low on most of my oil paint.  I am

 

going to spend one more week painting South Beach scenes.  They extended their invitation

 

for me to paint there for another week.

 

 

"The Green Dress on South Beach Miami" 6x4 oil on copper sold. Thanks

 

 

 

  I covered the orange leather chair with many towels.  Festus understood the orange leather

 

chair was not to be scratched.  He chased after Miss Kitty when she tried to scratch the chair.

 

Festus is a wise cat.  He could not get the message across to Miss Kitty.  The cats spent the entire

 

day in the screen room.  They missed the sun and fresh air here in their screen room.  I could

 

tell they were happy to be back.  I did my laundry, refreshed my containers of Gamsol, varnished

 

most paintings.  I painted a South Beach scene with The Colony neon light, a vintage car, people,

 

with palms tonight.  It was the most difficult miniature Miami Beach painting yet.  I will post it

 

tomorrow. Posted the painting above.

 

 

   I loved the color of this Bentley convertible in Miami Beach.

 

I see Ferrari cars often.  

 

 

Good night!  Thank you for the painting purchases.  They allow me to continue to paint.

 

 

 

"The Palace" 6x4 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black gold.

Shipping and frame included in the price.

 

   Thought I would paint this iconic place on South Beach.

 

 

   I came down with a two day allergy attack. I tested negative for covid.

 

I think I was allergic to the strong smelling Fabulosa cleaner used in my room here.

 

The ocean is so nice.  I spend many hours at the ocean everyday.

 

 

   I went to a Miami Beach Mall since it was 50 to 60 degrees here.

 

This was my favorite dress.  Silk of course.

 

 

  Here is the back of the dress.  Most dresses either look great from the front or back but not

 

both sides!  This dress was amazing.  1500$ a bargain!

 

 

Take a look at these man's Prada shoes.  I think the soles

 

of these shoes were four inch platforms.  1395$.

 

 

   Nice display

 

 

   Love these lace up sandals.

 

 

  Look at those heels and love the green ones with spikes!

 

 

  These were my favorite shoes.  I had fun today and got a lot of exercise.

 

I found a Hobby Lobby. I needed more Titanium White oil paint!  I am well stocked up now.

 

 

Festus and Miss Kitty have been ambushing each other for hours!  From 4am till 9am they were

 

all over the place.  Festus was chirping a lot.  Miss Kitty had her angry warning growl going

 

a lot.  I am glad they are having a fine time.  

 

Good night.  Back to painting!

 

 

 

 

 

"Date Night in South Beach Miami" 6x4 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold

or thin black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

   I am having fun taking some liberties with images collected during my evening

 

walks along Ocean Drive in South Beach.  This one took me four hours to paint.

 

I laughed at how the faces came out when I was finished.  I think that is a good

 

sign.  There is nothing wrong with a little humor in art.

 

      I put a beach towel over the orange leather chair in the room to protect it

 

from my cats.  I wonder why they want to use their claws on this chair?  

 

 

 

 

  I treated myself to some gelato!  

 

 

  The ocean here is perfect.  Good night!

 

"South Beach Miami Evening" 6x4 oil on copper. Sold Thanks

 

   South Beach in Miami is a wonderful subject matter. It is a 

 

complicated difficult scene to paint.  How have I been doing it?

 

I first break the scene down by painting the darks and making sure

 

they connect.  I would call this the frame work on the painting.

 

Everything has a frame work.  A book has a table of contents.  I would

 

call the table of contents the frame work for the book.  A house has frame work

 

to hold up the exterior boards..  I think almost everything has a frame work.

 

It sure does make it easier to paint.  Even a Symphony has structure.

 

 

First I draw out the design.

 

 

I paint the dark areas of the painting making sure they all connect.

 

This is the frame work of the painting. I can see if the design is going to work.

 

I can still make changes.  

 

 

Next I painted the mid value greys and the lightest lights.

 

This really made it easier to tackle.  

 

 

  Then I painted the colors on top of the frame work.  

 

I never used a small brush. I used a flat kolinsky brush size 8 for

 

the entire painting.  I built up many layers of colors and softened

 

many edges.  

 

 

   The water is incredibly clear.  The color is incredible.  It is a perfect temperature to swim.

 

 

I walked half of the Haulover Beach here in Miami to collect all of the trash by the

 

water and then walked back along the vegetation side to collect trash.

 

I inspired another lady to help.  I told her, "Good job!"  She smiled.

 

It felt good.  It is a beautiful beach.  People are so very nice here.

 

 

 

 

 

"Miami Beach" 4x6 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black with gold.

Shipping included.

 

   I worked hard trying to capture the beautiful morning colors on the ocean.

 

The top planes of the water were a lavender from the sky horizon.  I could see bright

 

yellow green colors on the vertical planes of the water from the sandy bottom light.

 

 

  I walked for miles along Ocean Drive watching people enjoying themselves.  These

 

gigantic beverages were popular.  I saw one couple with a massive bowl with two beer

 

bottles balanced into the bowl. They both looked wiped out.  I suppose they had a good time

 

trying to drink it and now did not feel too good.  

 

 

  The Palace on Ocean Drive is the most popular establishment on Ocean Drive.

 

The main appeal to the masses are transgender or drag queens who lip sinc to popular

 

songs of the 80s and 90s.  They are very entertaining.  One beer costs ten dollars.  I am

 

content to walk on by.  

 

 

   This orange leather beautiful chair is a hit with both cats.  Miss Kitty and Festus like

 

to scratch the leather with their nails!  A few pieces of leather has been rearranged rather

 

creatively by both cats.  I mixed up the exact orange color in oil paint and brushed it over

 

the holes to conceal the damage!  I watch them like a hawk when I am in the room.  I keep them

 

in one bedroom when I am gone.  They love looking out the windows while I am gone.  

 

 

Good night.  Thank you very much for purchasing my paintings.  If no one bought my art then

 

I would not be able to do what I love and need to do..Paint!  Thank you.  

 

 

"Stolling By Colony Hotel on South Beach Miami" 6x4 Sold. Thanks.

 

   I took this photo one night as I strolled down the Ocean Drive.  Then I 

 

painted it from the computer image in my hotel.  I liked how it turned out.

 

It has the feeling I was after.

 

 

"Miami Beach Sunrise January 9, 2023" 6x4 oil on copper 250$ includes

gold or thin black gold.  Shipping

 

   Festus woke me up at 6am.  He was standing on my back

 

marching around. He must have known this was the exact time

 

I woke up the previous morning to paint the sunrise!  I walked

 

the two blocks to the beach.  It was darker because of all the clouds.

 

It was very dramatic.  The sun hid behind the clouds. I was 

 

painting this when I looked to my left to see quite a bit of drama in

 

the sky!  Lesson today is wait till the sun comes up to see where is

 

the best place to paint.  It can change!

 

 

 

I try to find someone passing by and ask them to take my photo.  I like how this one

 

turned out. People in Miami are very kind and seem to be interested in plein air painters.

 

Even if my sunrise does not turn out to be a winning painting, it is an interesting experience,

 

inspiring for the mind to see the sunrise, and I can collect photos while I work to create

 

paintings later.

 

 

"Miami Beach Sunrise January 9, 2023" 6x4 oil on copper

Framed in gold or thin black with gold. Shipping included with frame.

 

 

I think the scene I did not see to my left might have made for a better photo.

 

I did take many photos to paint from later.  Now I know to wait for the sun to

 

rise until I choose a scene to paint!  

 

   Have a good day!

 

   I have been hoping to paint sunrises in Miami Beach, Florida for a while. I searched for

 

an opportunity to be an artist in residence here in South Beach for a week. I loaded up Festus

 

and Miss Kitty, clothes, painting supplies and hit the road.  Sunrise was very beautiful.

 

I forgot my copper panel!  I was very lucky to find a seagrape leaf to paint on!  I will be better

 

prepared tomorrow morning.  

 

 

I used a book light to illuminate my seagrape leaf.  

 

 

    I thought it was very interesting to paint on a seagrape leaf. I let some of the warm

 

tones come through.  I learned a few things about sunrises.  There is a red line

 

under the sun rising and the vertical planes of the waves were red.  There were highlights

 

around the clouds that were yellow closer to the sun all the way up to red around the clouds

 

as they were higher in the air.  

 

 

I walked just two blocks to the beach to paint the sunrise.  It was light enough to not require

 

a flashlight.  

 

 

 

   South Beach on Ocean Drive has so much night action and beauty with the

 

art deco hotels and neon lights. I hope to paint a few small plein air scenes

 

later.

 

 

   The Clevelander is still here and very popular. I have not been to South Beach for 35 years.

 

 

   I enjoyed walking down Ocean Drive.  Festus and Miss Kitty were enjoying looking

 

out the windows of the hotel while I was gone.  

 

 

   There were many musical shows with dancers in a few restaurants.

 

This was a Cuban Havana Restaurant.  I just stepped into appreciate the talent.

 

 

   The hotel fronts facing Ocean Drive are lit up in different colors.  The lights show off the

 

art deco architecture.  The palms are also lit up with lights.  People of all ages are dining,

 

drinking, and walking the street.  On the other side of Ocean Drive is the ocean.

 

 

  In front of me walking was a man carrying a boom box (cd player).

 

There is a variety of latin music and older music playing in each cafe.

 

 

   Batman made an appearance for photos (not the real one).  

 

I am all settled into the hotel.  I will get to work painting.  I am still going to paint smaller

 

4x6 size for 250$.  

 

 

Before the sunrise.

 

 

 

   I was driving a back road along the river in Fort Myers, Florida when I encountered

 

a lady out of her car in the middle of the road. She had an animal carrier in her hand.

 

She cried out in with tremendous anguish, "Can you help me?"  I put the car in park,

 

opened my door, and said, "Sure thing!" I asked her what happened?  She said, "There

 

is a tiny kitten that is crying. I can not reach it.  Can you help me?  She was crying and 

 

in great distress. Her car was kind of blocking the two lane road.  I went over to a pile of rubbish.

 

I could hear a tiny kitten crying out in extreme need.  I walked over closer, searching, and

 

then I saw the kitten!  It was grey.  She was crying very loud!  I put a leg on top of a pile,

 

reached over, and grabbed the kitten, and placed it into a cat carrier.  Then the lady cried out to 

 

me, "Can you help me?  I do not know what to do?  I do not live here?  Can you take the kitten?"

 

I told her, "Yes!  Don't worry!  I will make sure it is taken care of."  She said, "Thank you!  Thank you!

 

Praise God!"  I drove off with the kitten screaming at the top of his lungs.  

 

   I was only a block from my house.. I put the kitten in my screen room, let Miss Kitty out to 

 

give reassurance to the kitten, and found a can of cat food.  I put the bowl of food in front of the kitten.

 

She ate the food!  She made little meowing sounds as she ate. Miss Kitty sat there.

 

 

  I let Festus out.  He sniffed the kitten.  Both Miss Kitty and Festus were very calm and

 

kind to the kitten.  

 

 

   The kitten never really stopped meowing at the top of her lungs. She was so young.

 

I called the humane society in Fort Myers, Florida. They told me they would take her.

 

I drove her to the Humane Society and signed her over.  They reassured me they would

 

find her a good home.  

 

 

   She is a healthy kitten.  She had a good personality.  She liked being petted.

She was not hissing at me.  She liked humans.  So this means she was not a ferral

 

kitten. I really enjoyed her for the hour she was in my company.  

 

    I took Festus in his cat stroller all over the neighborhood searching for more kittens.

 

I called out, "Here Kitty Kitty!"  Nothing.  Festus would meow very lightly to reassure me

 

Yes he was still there!   I do not know why there was only one kitten to rescue. I will

 

spend more time tomorrow searching.  

 

 

"Manasota Beach Silvers and Golds" 6x4 oil on copper 250$ 

Framed in gold or thin black with gold. Shipping included.

 

  I drove an hour and a half to Manasota Beach to paint.  At first the colors were

 

a pale Silver and Gold.

 

 

"Manasota Beach Evening Colors" 6x4 oil on copper 250$

Framed in gold or thin black with gold. Shipping included.

 

  Then I was surprised to see such drama in the sky. I painted it!

 

 

"Manasota Beach January Sunset" 4x6 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or thin black with gold.

Shipping included.

 

   The sunset was spectacular!  Good night.

 

   I decided to take the day off from painting to explore Manasota Beach.

 

I heard there are shark teeth to be found in the water!  The teeth come from fish

 

that were in Peace River.  These are prehistoric fossilized fish teeth. 

 

These teeth are at least 10,000 years old.  It takes a tooth that long to become fossilized.

They are a very dark color.

 

Why are there so many shark teeth at Manasota Beach?  A single shark  goes through

 

30,000 to 50,000 teeth in a life time!  

 

 

   Here are my shark teeth I discovered in the shallow waters at Manasota Beach.

 

I only spent about an hour searching for teeth.  I discovered the teeth are not located 

 

deep in sand.  They are located on the top where the larger particals are located.

 

I was lucky!  Everyone was searching for teeth.  People had many types of searching

 

equipment!  Some people looked like professional archeologists!

 

 

  People were very friendly.  People were very talkative. It was fun.

 

 

The water was crystal clear.

 

 

 

The shark teeth are small but I did overhear a man say he found a big one!

 

This was great exercise!  I would highly recommend Manasota Beach.

 

 

"One Fine Day" 4x6 oil on copper Sold. Thanks

 

 

   Festus knocked over my parent's Christmas tree.  He probably thought it was some kind

 

of new cat tunnel. Miss Kitty watched.

 

 

  The cats were watching a tiny sparrow.  Good night!