Sting Rays and Stuffed Pelicans

Hello, gang!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the week. I got back from my whirlwind of a Chicago trip and have so many pictures to share with you. It was a fabulous getaway (snow and all) and came and went rather quickly, if you ask me. There was barely any time to really explore the city with my family, but I was able to get to both the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum, which was a big plus!

The aquarium was so crowded (and teeming with little children) that I was only able to quickly snap a few images...and about half of those were of the rays. I'm a sucker for sting rays, I admit. They have a neat see-through floor where you can actually walk *over* the sting rays, and I think I just about peed my pants when I realised this.If I ever become a bazillionaire, I would like it known that there will be a sting ray aquarium floor installed in my living room.And the Field Museum? Be still my heart. I spent four hours there and only saw the first floor! Which of course means that one day I will have to go back. I was also very snap-happy with the camera...as shown by the 84 pictures I took just at the Field Museum alone. It was a great opportunity to beef up my own wildlife photo reference library for my art. I'll show some more of the museum images in a day or two (they deserve their own post). Also, there are now a handful of paintings left from my show in Seattle available in my etsy shop. New prints are next on my list, so do stay tuned! I do believe the prints of the "Endangered" paintings will be lovely little show-stoppers.

Time for lunch and perhaps more coffee. Have a great day, loves!

Nature Portals

Well, Spring has sprung in these parts but I'm heading back into Winter tomorrow. I'll be flying out to Chicago for the weekend to show my support for a very dear little brother of mine, who just graduated from navy boot camp. So, away with the skirts and up with the thermals and wool socks!

My shop will remain open, but any purchases between now and the 21st will be shipped upon my return.

There are two places that I'm really really hoping to see in Chicago, and they are (of course) the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. I can't wait! Last month, I tripped around the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, WA and spent a probably unhealthy amount of time staring at fish and anemones. I don't think I ever even made it to the elephants.

Oh, and the meerkats too, of course. Good thing there was a thick wall of glass between us or else he would have mysteriously made his way home with me. This sly fellow is up to something, me thinks...

Though it's been slow going, I'm currently working out the details on a few paintings. I've also been spending a lot of time sketching and doodling away in my current sketchbook.

...My favorite Cousteau quote.
When I return, I'll be putting a handful of paintings in the shop from my most recent show at Bluebottle Gallery. And...perhaps a giveaway of one of the paintings? We shall see! Have a very delightful week, everyone! I'll see you soon!