Known for feats of both mental and physical agility, the Octopus is one Gulf resident that deserves the adjective, 'Sly'.
Spotted Seatrout, also known as Speckled Trout, and locally referred to most commonly as Specs are one of the best inshore fish to catch, clean, and eat in our area. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know this species over the years.
The subject matter of this image is the regional, nautical, oddity of wooden boats, many of which were build nearly 100 years ago, racing on Mobile Bay. This gaff-rigged class is known as 'Fish Class'.
Dolphin frolicking and feeding is a treasured spectacle along the Gulf Coast. Dozens of "Dolphin Cruise" boats can be seen, daily, watching the local waters for this entertaining jumping and playing.This painting was inspired by a photo that Jack Snow of Offshore Imaging took while a dolphin was jumping and playing in the wake of a large sport-fishing boat.
A lucky cast off the dock on Terry Cove resulted in a delicious dinner. The whole story is right there; He hit a Chartreuse, 3" Gulp Swim Mullet on a 1/8oz red jig head.
The great blue heron is the largest heron in North America, having a wingspan of nearly 6 feet! They are common along the Gulf Coast, and typically lay 2-6 pale blue eggs in a nest constructed of twigs. The hatchlings are covered in pale gray down (this little guy reminds me of a dandelion). Both parents care for and feed the chicks until they are ready to leave the nest.
A Great Blue Heron stalks the water surrounding a rock jetty with long, deliberate steps, constantly scanning the water for prey.
This starfish was an afternoon find on Perdido Key that turned into a biology lesson for the entire family. Upon finding it, my 5 year old daughter said, "DADDY, YOU SHOULD DRAW THIS!" Who could say no to that?
I consider jellyfish to be somewhat mystical, and the way they move contributes to this belief more than most other aspects of their being.
Jellyfish march to the tune of their own drummer, so to speak, but so fluid are their movements that it seems to disqualify this statement entirely.
While they exhibit some control over their movement in their immediate surroundings, jellyfish find themselves at the mercy of greater currents, whether they realize it or not. Much is the same for us two-legged creatures.
No matter how still one thinks he is... You don't stop, ever...
We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets here along the Gulf Coast. This sunrise was so intense that the vibrant colors could be seen even when facing west.
An early morning rendering of gulls in flight with condos in the distance.
This young green turtle seems to beckon one to follow, as if he (or she) knows the way, the true and honest way.
Buy locally caught, wild shrimp, like this guy!
This image was inspired by the many angry, defensive, and delicious looking blue crabs that have graced my traps here along the Gulf Coast.
This image is a combination of several photos taken on an outing in Bon Secour Bay aboard and old wooden skiff with the entire family on board.
The beaches along the Alabama Gulf Coast are not only comprised of some of the whitest, softest sand on the planet, but are also the terrestrial home to this species of sea turtle and others who return year after year to lay their eggs.
White pelicans are symbolic of many attributes. I tend to view them as a symbol of marital harmony, and familial unity. In winter they visit, here in LA (Lower Alabama), in large numbers. They do not dive individually for fish as the brown pelicans do. Instead, they work as a group herding fish into shallow areas where it is easier to feed on them and ensure each member of the group may take a meal. -from an original design by Kathie George.
This was a commission for a resident of Bon Secour. If you zoom in a bit, you can see their three children sitting on the dock.
Long journeys and heavy burdens seem to be the way of the turtle. Numerous species come to our beaches annually to lay their eggs.
This commission piece was painted from a sunrise picture taken in the early 80's at a popular local establishment. Pirate's Cove, thank goodness you're still here!
A familiar scene along the Gulf Coast, a Great Blue Heron patiently awaits the fishing hour...
The Morning Star, a massive wooden vessel and once proud member of the Bon Secour Shrimping Fleet, now sits high on the banks of what has historically been known as a safe harbor.
This year marks the 10th year that she has rested in this spot. Hurricane Ivan struck Bon Secour, a name that translates to "safe Harbor", on Sept 24th, 2004 with an unprecedented storm surge. The local community has embraced this perpetual reminder as a landmark, preserving it to tell its tale to all that come to pass.
You can drive Co Rd 10 until the deadend, take a left and see he on your right or by water at 3(0 18'16" N, 87 43' 55" W).
The Morning Star, a massive wooden vessel and once proud member of the Bon Secour Shrimping Fleet, now sits high on the banks of what has historically been known as a safe harbor.
This year marks the 10th year that she has rested in this spot. Hurricane Ivan struck Bon Secour, a name that translates to "safe Harbor", on Sept 24th, 2004 with an unprecedented storm surge. The local community has embraced this perpetual reminder as a landmark, preserving it to tell its tale to all that come to pass.
You can drive Co Rd 10 until the deadend, take a left and see he on your right or by water at 3(0 18'16" N, 87 43' 55" W).
Defensive for a reason, blue crabs are on the menu for many species, both above and below the water line.
A proud raptor that was on the brink of extinction now flourishes along the Gulf Coast and elsewhere.
www.ospreycamera.com features the nest of a family of them near our home.
This Black Drum was an estimated 35lbs. He was caught in front of LuLu's at Homeport Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway. Painted from a picture of the proud fisherman holding him up for the camera.
I can paint your fish too!
A portrait of a popular local performer. Check him out at www.leeyankie.com
Popular table-fare, but perhaps more popular for their fight, Bull Reds can be caught trolling offshore or in back bays and waterways.
A treasured view of Pirate's Cove. From this vantage point you can witness amazing sunrises as well as all boat traffic that enters the bayou. And, if the music sounds good, it is just a short walk to join in...
Commissioned by Orange Beach Elementary School (Go Marlins!) to paint a blue marlin over the entryway to the school, I used the mounted marlin that hangs in the main office as a model. This image is painted from the same model and a portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to support OBES PTO. You can see pictures of the mural at this link: http://nick-cantrell.squarespace.com/orange-beach-marlin-mural/
A familiar scene along the Gulf Coast, sea oats rustle in the shore breeze. This piece was inspired on a family trip to Perdido Key State Park where we found sand dollars and starfish (which also inspired another painting). Perdido translates to "lost" in Spanish.
Large blue marlin have traditionally been amongst the most highly prized angling captures, and a fish weighing 1,000 pounds, a "grander", has historically been regarded by blue and black marlin anglers as the benchmark for a truly outstanding catch.
The sweet, lazy whistles of Eastern Meadowlarks waft over summer grasslands and farms in eastern North America. The birds themselves sing from fenceposts and telephone lines or stalk through the grasses, probing the ground for insects with their long, sharp bills. On the ground, their brown-and-black dappled upperparts camouflage the birds. But up on perches, they reveal bright-yellow underparts and a striking black chevron across the chest. (www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Meadowlark/id)
This is an image of 3 sunfish sailing into Robert's Bayou by Pirate's Cove after a race. Every Wednesday during the spring and summer a casual Sunfish Regatta is held in Arnica Bay. BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) and come join us!
Due to the Morning Glory's flowers short life span, (typically blooming in the morning and gone by nightfall) the flowers have come to signify love (sometimes unrequited) and affection, mortality, mourning, the shortness of life, and even resurrection.
The seeds of some morning glory species contain hallucinogenic properties similar to LSD, the extraction of which is illegal in the US.
Time lapse footage of my latest painting, "The Last Snapper of the Season".
Bluegills are popular panfish, caught with live bait such as worms or crickets, even a piece of corn, or bread pressed around a hook is good enough to entice them to bite. They have even been known to hit a bare hook. I remember bluegill bream as the coolest fish caught in my freshwater childhood.
Spotted Seatrout, also known as Speckled Trout, and locally referred to most commonly as Specs are one of the best inshore fish to catch, clean, and eat in our area. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know this species over the years.
The Seahorse is a Gulf resident that is not so easy to find. This painting was inspired by an underwater picture from Lila Harris of Aquatic Soul Photography. Check her work out at http://aquaticsoulphotography.zenfolio.com
