As an artist, preparing for a large-scale show like What a Wonderful World: A Louisiana Menagerie is both thrilling and overwhelming. This show featured 61 paintings, each celebrating the rich and diverse wildlife of Louisiana. Among them was one of my favorites—a watercolor painting of a turtle called “Lincoln.”
Today, I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how I approached this particular piece, along with a glimpse into my process for organizing and completing such a massive collection.
The Turtle Painting
The turtle painting was part of my Louisiana series, created specifically for this show in Thibodaux, which opened on September 7th. This piece was inspired by a photo I came across that immediately stood out to me. While I always use photos as references, I don’t aim to replicate them exactly. Instead, I reinterpret the scene to emphasize the textures, colors, and personality of the subject.
For this turtle, I focused on capturing the earthy tones of its shell, the subtle details of its face, and the contrast between the turtle and its environment. Watercolor was the perfect medium for this—it allowed me to highlight the delicate patterns and create a sense of movement and life.
The Art of Multitasking
One thing you might find surprising is how much I rely on background noise while painting. Whether it’s a TV show or music, I need something playing to keep my focus balanced. While working on the turtle, my chosen show was The Cleaning Lady. Its dramatic twists provided just the right amount of entertainment to keep me engaged without pulling my attention away from my work.
This habit might seem counterintuitive, but it helps me avoid frustration and stay productive. Without it, the silence can feel overwhelming, making it harder to maintain momentum.
Planning for a Show: Lists, Dots, and Systems
When you’re creating 61 paintings for a single exhibition, organization is key. People often ask me how I manage to produce so much work on a deadline. The answer? Lists—and lots of them.
I use multiple tools to keep track of my tasks, including:
- Google Calendar for deadlines and big-picture planning.
- My iPhone Calendar for reminders and scheduling painting sessions.
- The Notes App, my best friend, where I jot down everything from painting ideas to progress updates.
For the show, I also organized my work into folders by size and used a color-coded dot system to track each painting’s progress:
- Green dots mean the painting is drawn and the background is complete.
- Yellow dots mean the drawing is done, but the background isn’t.
- Blue dots mean the painting is fully finished.
- No dots indicate a painting that hasn’t been started yet.
This system helped me keep track of 50-60 paintings at a time and ensured I had a variety of sizes and subjects in the final collection.
Choosing Subjects: The Louisiana Menagerie
The turtle wasn’t the only star of this show. I started by selecting photos I loved—subjects that immediately inspired me, like a bobcat or an alligator. From there, I worked to create a balanced collection, making sure to include:
- Different sizes of paintings to appeal to a variety of collectors.
- A mix of species—birds, mammals, reptiles, and more.
- Unique compositions that reflected Louisiana’s diverse wildlife.
A Glimpse Into What a Wonderful World: A Louisiana Menagerie
The turtle painting, along with the other 60 pieces in the show, represents my love for Louisiana’s natural beauty. Each painting tells a story about the state’s vibrant ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them.
Shows like this are a labor of love, requiring months of planning, creating, and organizing. But the joy of seeing it all come together—and sharing it with an audience—makes the effort worthwhile.
Final Thoughts…I Love the Turtle!
Preparing for What a Wonderful World: A Louisiana Menagerie was an incredible experience, and “Lincoln” holds a special place in my heart. I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you insight into my process and the dedication it takes to create a cohesive show.