Pelicans Sunning oil painting

Pelicans Sunning.....12x24.....oil on canvas.......$275

Another painting for my coast show. I cannot tell you how many times, during the hurricane and its aftermath, I thought about the pelicans on the dock in Ocean Springs Harbor. I had been down there just before the storm and spent a whole afternoon out there photographing them. They are so used to humans that at one point I was out on the little pier at the end and there were pelicans all around me. They hang out there because fishermen come in and have a spot where they clean their fish and give them the leftovers. We really bonded and I was worried about what happened to them.

This duo, I'm proud to say, are from a recent trip. It was a very sunny day, not the time of day I normally try to take pictures for paintings. But I was there and they were there and I was just so glad to see them. Some fisherman showed up with their catch, and wow, it got crazy. They are just such interesting birds. These two were catching some rays before the fisherman showed up with lunch.

Tullis-Toledano Manor Oil Painting

Tullis-Toledano Manor......24x20......Oil painting.......$500(sold)

The Tullis-Toledano Manor was bulit in 1856 as a wedding present for the owner's wife. It was damaged by Hurricane Camille. It came under the ownership of the City of Biloxi and was restored to its former grandure. The city rented it out for parties and receptions. My High School class had a family picnic on the grounds there during one of our reunion weekends. It was a beautiful place but during Hurricane Katrina one of the casino barges was lifted up and deposited on top of it, so unfortunately it was demolished.

I'm Ba-a-a-ck....

Well, I've been away for a while and a lot has happened. I will try to bring you up to date as quickly as possible. First of all, the reason I have been gone so long...


Basically I paint because I am happy and inspired and because I want to paint. A few weeks ago a series of events (all bad) combined together to make it where I could not force myself to go into my studio to paint. It takes a lot to get me down, but that week did it. I normally give myself a few minutes, hours or a day or two to get over something depending on its severity. then I move on. Well, this one took longer than that, but I am now moving on. Thanks, to those who noticed and inquired about my absence from the blogging world.


Now let's talk about the good things that have happened. You can see four of my paintings in the June Southern Living Magazine, pg 72. In the photo on the left, the top right painting with the green umbrellas is mine and in the other photo, you can see my three 12x12 tomatoes above the red bench. They didn't mention my name, but the traffic at the gallery has definitely picked up and the tomatoes have gone to a new home.



Next I am excited to say that I got in the Shrimp Festival...I didn't really think I would. It's a 4-day festival in Oct. in Gulf Shores AL and it draws 300 thousand visitors!




I also was asked to display my art in a local upscale fitness center for women. I thought it would be great exposure, but I didn't think I would really sell anything....I sold 4 in less than a week. Plus I sold a few more in galleries to total 8 paintings in about 5 weeks. So I figured God was telling me to get back in there and paint!





But the absolute best news I have saved for last. This past weekend my wonderful son and his wonderful sweet wife drove 10 hours from their home in Lexington to surprise us and share their big news. My husband and I are going to be GRANDPARENTS!!!!! I have only been ready to be a grandmother for about 12 years so this is incredibly good news for all of us! I will not be applying for spring shows that will interfere with baby month!



Below is another painting for my Coast Icon Show. This is one of my favorite restaurants ever, Trapani's Eatery in Bay St. Louis. This original building is gone, but I hear there are plans to rebuild bigger and better than ever.





I hope to be back in the groove now and painting with a passion. Again, thanks to those who inquired (especially my cousin, Ron).

Coastal Icon: Shearwater Pottery Oil Painting

Back Room at Shearwater Pottery.....9x12......oil on canvas board......$175

I just love this little painting! I love when a painting captures the mood and feeling of it's subject. I remember the day I took this photo in the back room at Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs. The woods looked so green and inviting outside those big windows. I just wanted to grab a book and sit for a while in that chair.

I miss the coast as it used to be more than anyone knows.

Coastal Icon: Back Bay Oil Painting

Back Bay Afternoon.....16x20....oil on canvas......$300

This is another painting for my Coast series. I can tell you from experience the Back Bay area was affected by Katrina. I can't count how many afternoons I sat out by the water and watched the boats come in. Our house was just around the bend from Kremer Marine and lots of people put in there.

But I think this guy must have lived on the water....this is my theory.....he is dressed too well to be out fishing or spending the day on the water. He surely is not checking crab traps in white shorts! So, what I think is that he got dressed to go out to eat and his family(wife) was not ready yet. So he is just out for a little spin until the rest of his party is ready to go. Of course, it's just a theory. I hope if he did live on the water that his home is still there. Unfortunately, ours is not.

This painting is for all the people who lived and worked and fished and daydreamed in the Back Bay area.

Coastal Icon:Mary Mahoney's Restaurant Oil Painting

Mary Mahoney's.......36x24......Oil on Canvas........$800

This is my first painting in the series for my show in Biloxi. The show will feature landmarks of the Mississippi Gulf Coast that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Mary Mahoney's Restaurant is a locally famous place that has fed presidents and other important folks as well as been featured in one of John Grisham's books. It is also where my husband and I ate dinner the night of my junior prom, so it has been around a while, let me tell you! I am proud to say that it is one of the businesses that was not totally wiped out and it is back in business. I have eaten there since the hurricane and it is as wonderful as ever!

Spontaneous Combustion Abstract Oil painting

Spontaneous Combustion.........24x20..........Oil on Canvas...............$450

This is obviously another from my abstract side of my brain. You really have to see this one in person to see all the little layers of color and the depth. It really has a lot going for it.

Don't forget to check your June Southern Living Magazines for the article on Jackson Street Gallery. I probably should wait and see the actual article before I make too big a deal about this. Let's just suffice it to say if the two words "Lorrie" and "Drennan" appear in a Southern Living Magazine I will be doing the happy dance. And Heaven help us if they are spelled right!!!! There'll be no stopping me!!!!

Wine Presentation Oil Painting for Esterlina Vineyards

Wine Presentation.......11x14.....oil on canvas............$200(SOLD)

I have been in outer space for the last week or so. I have painted when I could, but just not posted. So this is a study I did for a vintner that I met at the Wine Festival in Orange Beach. He liked my work, but it did not have his labels on it. So I did a little something that did have his label. I am hoping to work out a deal with him to possibly do some art for his tasting room. The and his family have a beautiful set-up in California.

I have a show coming up that I am excited about. It will take place at Negrotto's Gallery in Biloxi on Saturday Aug. 30. The working title is "Back Before Katrina(the Unnatural Disaster)" and the show will feature coastal landmarks that were affected by Katrina. I will post the pieces here as I complete them.

Little Lemon on a Plate Daily Oil Painting

Little Lemon on a Plate......5x7....oil on masonite.......$75(sold)

I like this little lemon and with it being 5x7 I think it will be easy for an owner to find a stock frame to make it look awesome.

Today is crawfish boil day, so not much time to chat! (By the way, later today this honorable lemon will give all it has to make our crawfish a little tangier.)

Graduation yesterday was a wonderful event and we are proud of our girl!

Tomatoes in Bowl Daily Oil Painting

Tomatoes in Bowl.....8x16......Oil on Canvas.....$150

These are a little different for me, not my usual colorations. I like them and it was fun to do something a little different.

My daughter (an awesome little woman if I do say so) is graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi today. My son and d-in-law from Kentucky are here, there's a party in the air and we are all heading down for the ceremony this afternoon. Dacia is going to be the best kindergarten teacher this world had ever seen. I am prouder of her than I can express here.

I am also proud of the painting that I got done this week. It was a busy week since we are having a crawfish boil in honor of the graduate tomorrow. But I still got some painting done, which I would have never done before. I have one more to post tomorrow.

For now we are off to graduate!