Fishing Rule Number 1.

Wives don't let this happen to you!

Fishing Rule Number 1. No tackle boxes in bed !

MEN if this happens to you, then get away from the big SCREAM and get on a big stream !

My New Toy

You know that magical feeling when you were a child and it was Christmas morning, you woke with excitement and ran to the Christmas tree to see what Santa had brought, the amazement, the fun and the magic. You couldn't wait to unwrap and start playing with your new toys. Well, as adults most of us have lost that special feeling. Guess what, I got mine back!!!!! It came in the form of a Canon iPF8400 wide format print for the studio.

Oh man, how much fun is this going to be. I will be able to print 44" wide and 59 feet long in my studio, yep I said 59 feet (less going to an outside printer). My old Epson printer could print 17"x 37" and will now be dedicated to fine paper prints with the Canon for fine canvas print. This will surely be great for LeoLakes Treasure Maps. I cannot wait to put a little creativity with this new printer and see what turns up.

The printer weights 315lbs and it took 5 of us to move it in. I also have a new computer coming that is being build by a friend to handle the new demands. It's a real hot rod computer with all the new gear. I will be able to spread more enjoy with my treasured maps in 2013. It's fun to do what you love!

Have a Treasured Christmas or Hanukkah or Holiday and a Happy New Year!

As Always: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

 

Lake Conroe

I just finished a painting of beautiful Lake Conroe which lies on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River in East Texas. The 21,000 acre reservoir was built in 1973 as an alternate water supply for Houston. A notable island on the lake is Bird Island, which is a great place for waterfowl photography. Also, this lake has good size Largemouth Bass. The lake record is almost 16 lbs.  

See more Lakes, Rivers, & Bay Treasured Maps at www.LeoLakes.com

 

"Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

 

Patio Deer!

I awoke this morning and flung open the door to look out over my big backyard. To my amazement I saw a most peculiar sight out on our patio floor. It wasn’t Santa or his elves, but I think it was one of his big brown reindeer. Just as I got a picture, as you can see from here, a powerful wind blew up and the reindeer disappeared.

Ok that’s it for my poetry. Actually, the other day I looked out the window and saw this pattern of leafs. They naturally fell to form an image of a reindeer. How appropriate for the season.

Remember: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

Save the snowmen!

A U.S. Government study over a five year period has found that snowmen are getting larger at an alarming rate. The study found that 65% of the snowmen and women were obese. In fact, only 49% were obese five years ago. It's not clearly understood why this is happening however, if this continues there could be catastrophic effects. Sicentist are puzzled by the fact that this is happening while the world is in the middle of global warming.  

I just thought I would post a little winter humor today. Here in Music City, winter has finally settled in for the season, I think? Anyway, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Franken Trout

In the news lately there has been a lot of talk about genetically engineered fish. Soooo..., I couldn't help but do a cartoon about Frankenfish and Trouken tots!

Think about the possibilities from a Trouken Rainbow Rooster, to a very BIG Trouelk (elk trout). Dang, what have I been drinking.

 

Hope you enjoyed and remember, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Custom Lakes, Rivers and Bay Decor Maps

I just finished this custom painting of a small lake in Michigan. This map was printed on 16"x32" canvas and is a Christmas Gift. I love the name "Magician Lake." I looked up to see how this lake got its name and found there's two different story's. 

The story that I like the best, involves the original inhabitants of the area, Indians. According to legend, the Indians considered the lake to be magical. It seems that no matter how bad drought conditions in the area became, the lake level never dropped. Due to this, Indians called the lake "Magic Lake" which eventually became Magician Lake. 

I also did this lake with no borders and put a poem around the outside for a little artistic effect. Some folks like the traditional maps and others like the artistic style. I hope you enjoyed a little about "Magician Lake."


I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 
 

 Remember, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream. 

The best fish sauce?

What's the best fish sauce? It is certainly not Bob's Secret Fish Sauce! 

 

Life is short, Get way from the big screen and get on a big stream!

 

 

Crystal River

I just finished a new painting of Crystal River. Crystal River is a beautiful river in Florida and the water is amazingly clear, which makes Crystal River an appropriately named river.


See more at www.LeoLakes.com

I have canoed a river near here named the Weeki Wackee. Yep, that is the real name. There were many different birds along the river, but the special moment was seeing the manatees.

The water is so clear, you can see the bottom no matter how deep. These pictures do not do it justice. It's like watching nature in very high definition, but you are there. So, as I say, "get away from the big screen and get on a big stream."

Here are the manatees we came upon, a mother and calf. They are very gentle creatures, which gave me an idea for my river, lake and bay paintings. The manatees almost seem like mermaids and for the past 6-8 months, I have been adding very small mermaids to the waters of my painting. I got the idea from these two manatees. I hope you enjoyed this post.

 

Choctawhatchee Bay Decor Map

Just shipped a beautiful canvas print of Choctawhatchee Bay. 

Choctawhatchee Bay is located in the panhandle of Florida. A great fishing area with many fishermen going to Destin Florida for some great deep sea fishing. I've been fishing here many times going out on a boat called the Florida Girl and catching red snapper, sea bass and grouper. It's a beautiful area with the beaches being so white and fine it looks like sugar. The bird life is amazing and bird watching is a must. If you ever have a chance to vacation here, have dinner at Captain Anderson. You will love it! Checkout my maps at leoLakes.com

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least put one on your wall!

How to train your Turkey!

Believe it or not, these three turkeys remove snow from man's front yard. They have been trained to march inline and scrape the ground, removing what's near. The turkeys can remove snow from sidewalks, streets and other public places. In addition, they can rake leaves in the fall. Just think, no more laborious work cleaning away snow or leaves and they do a better job than a snow/leaf blower.

The turkeys are easy to train and all you need to do is spread cracked corn in the area that is in need of clearing and the turkeys go to work. What's really great is that turkeys will work in all types of weather. Who knows, but you may see turkeys being sold at Home Depot or Lowes in the leaf/snow blowing department.

The only problem occurs around Thanksgiving when the birds may end up on the dinner table. These two turkeys are on the run. They certainly don't want to be dinner. I'm sure they wished Ben Franklin had his way and the turkey was our national bird. Thank goodness the majestic eagle won the award because it just wouldn't be right to have a national bird that gobbles.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving From Old Field Studio!

 

A Fisherman Swallowed by a Fish!!!!!!!!!

I think most folks have heard the saying, hook, line and sinker? Well, I added one element to the equation. I think it's funny, how bout you?

Custom Lake Map

I just finished another custom lake map of Glen Lake located in New York. The vintage style map is 16"x32"and it turned out great! My signature items include the wildlife/old plane flying over, ruby red meridian, and hide things in the waters, but more about that later.

See more at LeoLakes.com

I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 
 

"I love this lake, the most amazing scenes appear in its wake, the sun arises just above the shore, giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore."

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Trophy Lure!

To catch a fish! Another one of my fish cartoons from a fish perspective. I like it, he he he. Also, remember that life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Holiday Gift !

Here's a new ad I came up with for the holiday's. I put it on my web site (www.leolakes.com) to help draw attention. Sales pick up during the holiday's and the framed canvas decor maps sell well.

 

REMEMBER: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on the big stream.

Fishing Balloons

Prehistoric Fishing

The Best Bait on Halloween!

New fishing bait, Eye of Newt?

Old Field Studio Halloween Party

Below are pictures from the Wild Halloween Party at Old Field Studio. The characters from my other blog, Baitrageous.com stopped by for some fun. Boy, did the things get out of hand, but first here's some costumes!

This is where the Halloween Party started to get way too wild and this is the last picture that we could show!

Hope you enjoyed!!!!!!!

A Fall Walk in the woods

About five days ago, I took a walk in the ten acre woods. Here's what I found. 

Fall has finally come to the ten acre woods. This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather was a warm sunny day with a light wind coming from the west. You can smell the crispy leaves that have already fallen from the trees.

 

Yellows, greens, orange and red dominate near a fence rail I put up several years ago.

In a month, the only green left here will be the cedar tree on the right.

Dogwoods turn a beautiful crimson red in the fall and the berries are a bright red.

In the city graffiti is painted on building, trains etc, in the woods graffiti is carved on trees. I have a large beech tree near the corner of the property and someone has carved a few words on its trunk. I'm not sure of the words.  

 

I'm not sure of this plant but it has a cotton looking fiber coming from a pineapple?

Sometimes while walking in the woods you come across pass home sites. This was likely a part of a foundation of an old house. I wonder how old it is and who lived here? 

Well now it's time to head back to the house, remember: What's in your woods, go find out!

The best fishing invention of the 2012!
Wives this will be a great Christmas gift for that husband that fishes. Read all about it below.

You ever caught a fish and wished it would've been bigger, I know I have? Now with Bass Botox you can make that bass as big as you want. Just try Barb's Bass Botox. Look's like Bass Botox will be a hit this year. Also look around this site, there's more incredible stuff to see.

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!