Manatee Appreciation Day

Manatee Appreciation Day

Wednesday March 30^th, 2022 was Manatee Appreciation Day. It was serendipitous that on that same day I just happened to be painting manatees within an underwater mural. We love our sweet sea cows here in SW Florida. They are gentle, peaceful, herbivores incapable of attacking with their teeth.  Swimming with manatees is a delightful past time here in Florida. I was thrilled to spend time swimming and playing with a baby manatee on my birthday adventures a few years back. Sadly, these loving sea mammals are endangered. In part because their food resources are diminishing. Manatees are Federally protected, and state protected.

The Florida Manatee Recovery Plan was developed as a result of the Endangered Species Act and is coordinated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).

In October of 1989, Florida’s Governor and Cabinet directed the state’s wildlife agency to work with 13 “key” manatee counties in Florida to reduce injuries and deaths. These 13 counties were: Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Collier, Dade, Duval, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Sarasota, and Volusia. Over the years, these 13 county governments have worked with the state to develop site-specific boat speed zones to reduce the likelihood of watercraft collisions and to implement comprehensive manatee protection plans (MPP) for each county. Other conservation measures deemed important to saving manatees include: research addressing biology, mortality, population and distribution, behavior, and habitat of manatees; implementation of management plans; posting of regulatory speed signs and levying of fines for excess speeds in designated areas; manatee education and public awareness programs; and public acquisition of critical habitat and creation of sanctuaries.

Some say that the manatee isn’t cute. I totally disagree. Their sweet gentle inquisitive nature shows through their delicate small eyes.

When painting the mural, I knew I would want to include manatees. I specifically chose the position of these 2 within the mural from my experience in Homosassa. The mother lingers back and allows the baby upfront to play and check out the humans swimming about:

A little sneak peek of more of the mural. I’ll be uploading more in future articles:

The mural itself was inspired by students at Trafalgar Middle School wishing to leave their mark on their beloved school. Painted within the cafeteria /assembly room it now joins in with a previous mural of the 3d Bull shark :

Here’s the link to my magical day swimming with a baby manatee:

Manatee Swim

Have a favorite aquatic creature? Let Swan Studios Inc create a magical mural in your home or business. Contact me at: Swan Studios Inc

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Diamonds! The Best Way to “Rock ‘n Roll “

Diamonds! The Best Way to “Rock ‘n Roll “

Super fun project – custom painting a ukulele. This was definitely a first. The request was to include diamonds in whatever design I came up with. Dave Fulkerson, locally known as Diamond Dave of Diamond Dave’s Jewelry, is an avid music fan and musician. You can catch him performing at Fish Tales in Cape Coral, Florida. And soon… with his custom painted ukulele… 

Catch Dave at Fish Tales on weekends  in Cape Coral ( 1229 SE 47th Terr Cape Coral, FL)

I don't play instruments... I paint them !

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An Island Entry for an Island Home

 

An Island Entry for an Island Home

 Sanibel and Captiva Islands are one of the most gorgeous spots here in SW Florida. These coveted islands are private getaways for the who’s who, worldwide vacationers, honeymooners, and for some locals blessed enough to own a slice of paradise. Along with the perks of island life comes the reality of island maintenance. Sun, sand, and surf are the reasons to flock to the island and also the reasons for the needed maintenance.

A customer’s recently acquired island home had been left to neglect. The home features a delightful courtyard entry way. The late afternoon sun beams down on the entryway doors. Over time, the original paint was faded and lifting due to improper surface prep. After a day of sanding and priming, the double entry doors were ready for their new island look. Taking cues from another popular Florida island set, Key West, the doors are now painted a royal blue and bronze that appears to be weathered- but weathered well.

On the front of the home, the stucco features reliefs around 2 window sets. The reliefs are molded to appear as window shutters with a sunburst on top. Previously painted in the same colors as the rest of the exterior walls, this custom feature was lost. They have now been painted in the same fashion as the courtyard doors and give the house a fun cheerful island look:

Ready for your own slice of paradise makeover? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

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A Pelican Island Retreat

A Pelican Island Retreat

One of the most delightful and (in my opinion goofy-looking) creatures here in SW Florida are our pelicans. These people friendly birds live year-round on the bridge between mainland Fort Myers and Sanibel. Of course, there are plenty all through out SW Florida. But on the bridges where people are fishing seems to be their favorite hang-out. Can you blame them? After all, in their eyes, they see people as their personal chefs who daily bring them some tasty morsel. And watching them fly parallel alongside my car as I drive over the bridge always gives me the giggles. Pelicans are often requested in the custom murals. Sometimes as just a little touch flying in the distance. Other times, they are front and center. Here’s a fun mural recently painted onto the exterior entrance of a home:

This home owner adores pelicans. Florida is their second home and their favorite retreat:

Here's a close up view of the adorable duo that greets their guest:

The exterior entrance wall had an interesting angle to it. The mural wraps both sections. A third pelican, this one in flight, points the way to the entrance door:

Have a favorite Florida creature? Let's paint it on your walls ! Contact me at:

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Swan Promo 2022- Paint Everything !

Seashells by the Seashore

 Seashells by the Seashore

One of the most popular activities here in SW Florida is collecting seashells. On any given day you can see beach goers hunched over peering into the sand and tide seeking to find that perfect shell to take as a memento of their vacation or add to a collection in a display jar at home. Shells motifs adorn everything from t-shirts, jewelry, dish towels, lamps, furniture, to artwork. (And anything else a person can embellish) Occasionally furniture and artwork combine. A recent avid lifetime shell collector requested a makeover on several furniture pieces that were to be placed in a guest house cabana. 

(The guest house cabana features a fun colorful mural featured in a prior article. See link at the end of this article)

A set of 3 cabinets. Each cabinet has its own unique coloring painted onto the embossed shell motifs. The background behind the shells is painted in the same sandy beach tones that are painted in the room’s custom mural. The surrounds of the cabinet are in a semi-gloss white. The top side of each cabinet is painted to appear as if it is sprinkled with sand. And each top has a unique shell motif painted onto the right front corner:

Here’s a closer look at each cabinet and its coordinating top:

To see the cabana’s wall to wall /floor to ceiling colorful custom painted mural : A Tropical Guest House

To have your own custom painted furniture ( and mural ) , Contact me at : Swan Studios Inc 

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China Cabinet Faux Finish Makeover

China Cabinet Faux Finish Makeover

One of the largest furniture pieces in most homes is the China cabinet. Some homeowners use theirs to display their very best China and Crystal. Other use theirs to display their favorite figurine collection. Whatever is displayed two things run common; the cabinet is needed for its storage space and the grandeur of its weight makes it difficult to move. Many homes here in SW Florida have had the cabinet in place for decades. Over the years color schemes for furniture has changed. So, if you’re like this week’s featured homeowner, it’s time to change the finish on your beloved cabinet.

The original finish on the cabinet leaned to a golden tone. The finish has been updated to match the new farm style table finish that is more taupe than golden with a slight grey tint finished with hints of white antique glaze:

The updated finish now coordinates with the table and chair finishes:

Even the inside is refinished since it is reflected onto the back mirror panel:

A closer look at the new finish:

If you're refinishing on your own, here's two very important things to remember:

Always use a quality primer to ensure adhesion and allow the paints to cure before placing your treasures back into the cabinet.

Rather have someone else refinish your China Cabinet? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

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