Blue Monday Heron

On the header of this blog, I feature a Great Blue Heron. Below is the painting that the Heron came from, which I was painted back in 2007.  I've always enjoyed watching the Great Blue Heron and it is one of my favorite birds. As you can see, there's more to this painting than what's shown on top.

What's the story behind the painting? First, I called the painting "Blue Monday Heron" to reflect the mood in the painting. Can you feel the mood... windy, storms on the way, and a fisherman lost his lucky lure? The old Heron is hunkered down and doesn't look none too happy with his feathers being blown around.  

The lure was lost by some fisherman who was casting for that trophy. Actually, that lure was my lucky lure as a  child. I dug it out of an old tackle box and used it as a prop for this painting. The painting was painted 7 years ago and the original has been sold, but it is still one of my favorite painting.  

Here's a picture of the lure, it certainly has seen better days. I don't fish with it anymore, but I might get another painting out of it. I have a 20"x24" canvas print of this painting hanging in my studio. It interesting how a favorite painting seems to warm a room with fond memories.

If you like my painting, then you may want to visit my website. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on your wall.

Russian River vintage style map

Often, I have folks order and receive one of my maps only to re-order other maps for friends or family as gifts. This is just what happened not long ago. I had a nice lady order a map of Lake Tahoe. She liked the map so well, she ordered a custom map of the Russian River, which is located in California, for her parents whom have a summer cottage on the banks of the river. 

The Russian River is a beautiful river. It's 110 miles long and is north of San Francisco, running through Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. This area is very fertile and has many wineries along the river, including Kobel Champagne Winery. This map runs from the mouth of the river to about Forestville. 

I always try to add as many names of towns, bends, points, creeks etc... to the maps for interest. In fact, most folks don't even know that there're names for most features along a river or lake that go back to when the area was first settled.  When I complete a map, I look for the most interesting element. On this map of the Russian River, there are many. One such name that stands out the most is Slaughterhouse Creek. Just what took place here? I'm sure there's a story in this name, but I couldn't find any information about it on the net. Anyway, here's what make my maps so unique!

I hide a few fish and even a tiny mermaid in the waters of my lakes. Yep, but they're very shy and don't like to be found. Folks just love'm, especially the kids. You might even think they move around overtime.

You will find no road names, county, or state lines on my maps. I have found that folks enjoy traveling the roads with their eyes, while trying to get their bearing. I call this the "Leo Lakes gaze."

I call my maps Treasured Maps because every treasure has a Ruby and so do my maps, each have a Red Ruby Meridian.

I add a vintage plane flying over my maps to signify an adventure to your treasured lake, river, or bay.

You will find wildlife in all my maps. These signify the natural beauty of your treasured lake, river or bay. I use wildlife that is common to the subject lake, such as Canadian Geese, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and others.

You can add a star or symbol with a few words to mark that special place, it maybe the location of the lake house, the spot where you caught that trophy fish or some grand view. This will make a very special gift for the lake lover. 

Did you know that you can always tell if its morning or evening on a Leo Lakes map? Just look at the shadows cast by the wildlife, is the shadow on the east or west? If it's on the west, then it’s morning time. Oh yeah, I have had folks tell me that they change through the day, but don't believe them.

If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

The Ultimate Tackle Box, Fish Boobs, & Liquid Waders

Occasionally, I draw my own cartoons about lake, river and bay life. Some toons are funny and some not so funny. Well, here I go again with a few more. Sometimes I get into the weeds, as they say, but hopefully they will be entertaining. Enjoy!

I know folks that would buy one of these, "The Ultimate Tackle Box!" I wonder why Bass Pro doesn't offer them? 

If I named this cartoon, I would call it "fish boobs." I'm not sure, but I don't think fish would be attracted to these, but who knows.

Liquid waders sounds like a neat product, until I did this cartoon. Just say NO!

Anyway, enough with cartoons. Check-out my vintage style maps that I paint of lakes, rivers, and bays,  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 personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 


As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on your wall.

My unusual neighbor!

Today, I had a few errands to run and I went out to my vehicle. To my surprise, a neighbor came over. I'm not taking about your usual neighbor, you know the one with a wife, two kids and an SUV. This one, slithered by. One thing that you must know, we live in the woods, "The Ten Acre Woods", as I call it. We have many neighbors that drop by often. Yes, it was a snake about 3-1/2 ft to 4 ft long, I think it was a Black Rat Snake and he appeared to be a healthy feller that's been eating a few rats, mice and rabbits.

I'm not frightened of snakes as some folks are, but if a bee comes near, then I scream like a girl and freak-out. You see, I'm allergic to bee stings and swell up like a pumpkin and it's not even Halloween. Anyway, the Black Rat Snake is non-venomous and they are pretty docile unless you corner them.

The neighbor stayed for about ten minutes before slithering off into the bushes. I'm guessing it was lunch time and something juicy was on the menu. 


Check-out my vintage style maps that I paint of lakes, rivers, and bays. 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 personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 


As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

Beautiful Greers Ferry Lake

I get a lot of enjoyment out of doing maps. Probably because I have the artistic and technical ability, along with the love for the lake, river and bay life style. Here's a map that I enjoyed doing, Greers Ferry Lake, located in Arkansas. This is a very popular and beloved lake. I'm not sure what makes this lake so loved, but you can feel it from the folks who order maps of Greers Ferry. In fact, I keep a list of what is the most popular and beloved lakes from the information that I gather. I would put Greers Ferry in the top five most beloved and popular lakes in the U.S. 

I just finished this 2ft x 4ft decor map framed in barnwood. I've had several folks request barnwood frames because of the decor in their home. The vintage style of the map does look nice against the rustic frame. I'm considering adding barnwood frames as a choice on the website because of requests from customers.  

I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for over four years now and have complied a lot of information. I think that in a future blog, I might write about the "top ten most popular and beloved lakes in U.S."  

My 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. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoMaps.com. 

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

Official Empty Nester

Our youngest daughter is off to college! Last weekend we moved her in to her dorm at Sewanee. The college is located on a 13,000 acres domain that has lakes, creeks, caves, mountains, and woods. Believe it or not, but her sister is a senior at Sewanee studying Biology. Sarah's not sure what to major in yet.

Her dorm was built in 1929 and has been renovated. It's like Goldilocks, not too big and not too small. 

It has been reported that a ghost occupies the room that she will be staying in. Luckily, she doesn't believe in ghosts.  

I snapped this picture of the campus. Sewanee is often in the top five of the most beautiful college campuses. 

It's Official, we are now empty nesters!

I paint lake, river and bay maps. 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!

What is a Rascal?

My daughter went to Japan during the first part of summer and brought me back this lure called a "Rascal."

I have to say that this is a most unusual lure. Who would have thought of a Raccoon with a piece of bread in its mouth as a lure. I wonder what type of fish will be interested in this lure. On my next fishing trip, I will find out. I'm sure my first cast will be straight up in a tree, too far to fetch and another lost plug.  Yep, that's what will happen. 

Actually, this lure is modeled after a cartoon character in Japan, "Rascal the Raccoon." It's kind of like having a Disney character like "Goofy" and making a "Goofy" lure. Pretty dumb if you ask me. Of course it would be funny if someone asked.... What kind of bait did you catch the lake record on and you answer, It was a Goofy bait!  

I'm a purest when it comes to fishing. I think artificial bait should be bait that fish would actually pursue in real life. It's just not right using a fat little artificial raccoon with a piece of bread in its mouth as bait. Okay, yes you can catch fish on non-traditional bait such as those little beer can baits etc... However, this thing would look better on a key chain. But.....................we shall see on my next fishing trip. I will likely catch a lake record called an Oak!

Ever wish you had a beautiful decor map of your favorite river, lake and bay maps? Now you can. Check-out my vintage maps at LeoLakes.com. We have over 200 ready to purchase, or we do custom and personalized maps, too. They make a unique gift for the lake lover, lake house owner, or fisherman and Christmas will be here before you know it.   

"As I look over this lake, The most amazing scenes appears in its wake,

The sun arises just above the shore, Giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore." LKO

  

Tybee Island Adventure

Amazing! You will be really surprised by what followed us back to our beach chairs on Tybee Island. Well first, lets begin at the start. 

A few weeks ago, my wife and I spent a few days at Tybee Island South Carolina. Tybee Island is near Hilton Head and is a nice change because it's not as large and well known. However, the island is a great place to spend a few days, great food from mom and pop restaurants, and there are very few chain restaurants, which is a plus. The island has a nice beach that's a sure relaxation highlight. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do any fishing, but I did hear that the fishing is really good. 

I always like to go adventuring while on vacation to discover what needs to be discovered. We stumbled upon this boat dock which made a beautiful picture. 

Interesting, the beaches are very wide at low tide and almost completely disappear at high tide, much more than other beaches that I've been on.  

Shark Attack! 

Dang it, wife was eaten by a shark. I hate that!

We visited the lighthouse on the island, but for some reason they were filming a Viagra commercial. I'm not sure why they would be filming a Viagra commercial here?

I saw more critters on the beach than any other beach that I've been on. Critters such as crabs, stingrays, dolphins, jelly fish, etc...  In fact, while walking on the beach we met a new friend. His name is Herbie. No, he's not the white Volkswagen Beetle in the Disney movie. He's Herbie a Horseshoe Crab. 

Believe it or not Herbie followed us back to our beach hangout. Now, the wife wants to keep Herbie. I told her "okay we can keep him, but you have to take care of him". My wife is a teacher and her plan is to show him to her class. The only problem is how do we take him home?

Just to get this story straight and not get folks to excited, I must mention a few things. First, Herbie is only a shell and there's no living animal inside. Second, I don't believe a Viagra commercial was being filmed at the lighthouse. Third, I often try to be funny while blogging, hope you enjoyed. Lastly, checkout the vintage style maps that I paint. 

I do custom and personalized lake, river, island or bay decor maps. They make a great gift for the lake lover. If you would like to see if we have your body of water, go to LeoMaps.com. 
 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

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