Sunday, July 29, 2018

A little fishing humor

To start off August, I decided to add a little lake house fishing humor to the blog. Here's a few oldies but goodies cartoons that I have done in the past. I bet that I've done 300 different cartoons over the last few years. Hope you enjoy!














Hey, check-out my treasured lake house maps. I got an idea, hang a lake decor map of the lake in the lake house!

Here's what my customers say:
"The  map looks great! Thanks so much.  We are visiting my brother this weekend at Lake Chautauqua and I know it will be a great addition to their new lake house.  Are you able to do waterways that are not listed.  My husband and I own a cottage on a lake in Maine and would love a picture like this."

"Larry, We  hung the map above our bed at the lake house. We absolutely love it.  We have a water ski headboard and the map works perfectly. Plan to enjoy it many years to come!

Anyway, paddle over to my website, LeoLakes.com. I paint beautiful lake, river and bay decor maps. Folks are discovering that these decor maps are wonderfully unique gifts that become family heirlooms. 

Oh yeah, I hide things in the lake waters, such as a tiny mermaid/fish. Folks love to search for them. Also, you can personalize your lake map with a star where your lake house is located.  I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make a great gift for the fisherman, lake lover, lake house. Add beauty with lake cabin decor, lake decor, lake cottage decor, or buy as a lake gift.  
As you can see, my lake maps make a great gift.  Orders pick-up during the holiday's, so order soon. Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

Remember: "Hanging a Leo Lakes Treasured Map in a lake house, is like christening a boat with a bottle of champagne!" 


Monday, July 23, 2018

Map in progress......

A few weeks ago, I went to Nags Head N.C. on vacation. I found that Nags Head was a pretty cool place and enjoyed my visit. In fact, I enjoyed my visit so much that I painted a decor map of Nags Head. Here's a quick step by step guide to a map painting in progress. 

I carefully draw the map on poster board. While I'm drawing the roads, I think back when I was diving down these roads going to the beach, Jockey's Ridge, Duck, Kill Devil Hills etc....

After I complete the map drawing, I start painting the map using watercolors. Believe it or not, I only used blue, brown, and red colors. After I finish the painting the map, it is scanned into the computer and I use a graphic program to add detail, such as lettering, waterfowl, fish, and a tiny mermaid. Check it out!

The finished product! A beautiful canvas map of Nags Head. It turned out great. I like the colors and how it grabs your attention. Most folks are drawn to the map, scanning the map for a familiar places. 

Yes, this is me and my wife at Jockey's Ridge, Nags Head! Now that you have seen how I do maps, check-out my maps. They look great hanging in your home, lake house or office. Makes the best Gift! I have beautiful lake decor map of your favorite lake, which will look perfect above the fireplace. LeoLakes.com
Unlike most maps, There’s a tiny mermaid hidden in the waters which folks love to search for and some say she moves around! You'll love the waterfowl which are hand painted (touched up) on the canvas prints to give that original look and each map is hand signed by Leo. For a personal touch, you can even add a small star to the location of your lake house or special place and add a few words such as "Evan's Lake House, Est. 2014" or be creative. The signatured Ruby Meridian, waterfowl and vintage plane have a story that’s included in the signed Certificate of Authenticity.  Leo Lakes treasured maps will make a cherished gift for that special someone. 

Monday, July 16, 2018

know your waterways...........

You may or may not remember the old children's book, "Dick and Jane". Well, I do. I've used the same kind of retro-style for this cartoon. I titled it, " know your waterways". I remember trying to read the Dick and Jane books when I was in the first grade. I was one of those kids that liked the pictures better than the words because I'm a little bit dyslexic, which isn't bad due to the fact that I ended up with a lot of artistic and creative talent. Anyway, did any of my ten permanent follows notice something different about this post? No bobber cartoons!!! That's right, I'm taking a break from bobber cartoons for a while. I think it will be clear what I'm doing with this cartoon when you read it. Know your waterways........Enjoy!   






Now, you know your waterways...........Do you need a great gift for the lake house, lake lover, or fisherman? If you do, check-out my treasured decor maps ay LeoLakes.com


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 LeoLakes.com.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

My new favorite place to see.....

I found a new favorite place and it's mentally recorded as one of my top natural places that makes my mouth drop and I think awe... It's in North Carolina and called Jockey's Ridge State Park. It's an amazing 400 plus acre sand dune. It's almost like you are in the middle of the desert.
Jockey's Ridge is the tallest active sand dune in the eastern U.S. and reaches the elevation of 100 ft, easily the high point around.
To get to the dune you must climb a sand hill path, which can get fairly steep. It will be worth it when you get to the top. It's best to go bare footed. 
When you arrive at the top, you see acres and acres of sand, all piled in huge hills. The sand is very fine and soft. I wouldn't want to get caught in a hurricane here. Can you imagine the wind blowing all this sand against your skins, face, eyes, painful. I bet after a hurricane, the hills are completely different. I guess that is why they call it active.   
As you can see from this photo, lots of folks visit the dune, especially in the evening when the sun is setting. Kites are flying, kids are playing and folks are just in awe.
As the sun was setting, I couldn't resist getting a picture with my wife in this amazing place.


......and a picture with my daughter. If you are ever near Nags Head N.C., visit Jockey's Ridge. You will not regret it...... 

Also, check-out my lake, river and bay maps. They look great hanging in your home, lake house or office. Makes the best Gift! A beautiful lake decor map of your favorite lake will look perfect above the fireplace at the lake house. We have lakes such as, Great Sacandaga Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lake Winnipesaukee, Table Rock Lake, or Pickwick Lake and many more. LeoLakes.com
Unlike most maps, There’s a tiny mermaid hidden in the waters which folks love to search for and some say she moves around! You'll love the waterfowl which are hand painted (touched up) on the canvas prints to give that original look and each map is hand signed by Leo. For a personal touch, you can even add a small star to the location of your lake house or special place and add a few words such as "Evan's Lake House, Est. 2014" or be creative. The signatured Ruby Meridian, waterfowl and vintage plane have a story that’s included in the signed Certificate of Authenticity.  Leo Lakes treasured maps will make a cherished gift for that special someone.