Sunday, June 14, 2009

Some of the pieces I'm currently working on...







Here are a few of the oil paintings I am currently working on. The Palm Trees is on canvas, 30" w x 24" h and the Lilly Pads are on canvas, 24"w x 36" h.
Check back soon for more updates on current works! Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/ericsdodds or connect with me on facebook: www.facebook.com/ericsdodds.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pictures of the 92 Gallon Reef Tank




I meant to post these along with yesterday's blog on the Water Barrels. Here are 2 recent pictures of my 92 gallon salt water reef tank.




Thanks for reading!




Tuesday, June 9, 2009

My love of reef tanks led me to painting water barrels
















What started as a solution to a problem has turned into a new venture for me. I have a 92 gallon corner reef tank and I decided it was easier and less expensive to make my own RO water for the tank - instead of buying it from a petstore every few days. Found a guy online that sold huge barrels left over from the foodservice industry that others into fish & reef tanks had also been cleaning & converting for their water storage. I bought two - one for fresh water and one for salt water.


Talk about a process. These used to hold gallons of peppers. It took quite a few days of rinsing and bleaching the inside of the barrels out before I felt they were sterile enough for what I needed them for. I still get a whiff of peppers now and then.

Because these barrels were going to take up an entire corner in my garage, I wanted them to look nice. I painted them both blue and started with a giant sea turtle on one. Next came a couple of dolphins, a shark, then a few fish. Once I finished the first one, I started on the next with some tangs, a clarkii clown and an anenome.


They are both done now - plumbed and officially making water. I think the next one I'll do will be to capture and store rainwater outside. Let me know if you are interested in one!


Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/ericsdodds and of course, my website is http://www.esdodds.com/










Thanks for reading!