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.