Monday, September 27, 2021

Yes, birds are smart

 Last week, I was doing what I love to do, being on a lake, river or bay. Anyway, I learned something. Do you remember the movie “The Birds”? Well, this ain’t it, but it's sort of like it....I was in Florida walking on the Venice pier. I caught this pigeon looking at me with big red eyes. 


I walked over to him and he looked down at the water hose.  Humm….I’m thinking he’s saying “turn on the water you fool, I’m thirsty! 



So I did. Yep, he was thirsty. He drank for about 3-4 minutes and flew off. That's one intelligent bird!



Later that day, I went to Mickey D's for lunch and proceeded through the drive. I got lunch and as I was driving out, there was an unexpected Ibis looking at me on a fence rail at the exit. 



I senced that this bird was there for a reason, begging for food. Check it out, he is looking straight at me....



As I pulled closer, he extended his neck. Obviously, this bird is begging for a hand out, too.


So, I tossed a french fry to him and he munched it down. I'm amazed at how smart birds are becoming. In a few hundred years, birds may be the most intelligent species...

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. I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make a great gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift.   Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

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



Friday, August 27, 2021

Large Lake House map for the lake house

BIG LAKE MAPS for the lake House, I did this big map of Greers FerryLake for a customer that has a lake house overlooking the lake. Ain't she pretty! She's 2 feet by 4 feet, and all dressed up in a beautiful frame, ready to go to the lake house warming party. You will be so proud when you walk in with her on your arm, prettiest gift at the party.


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. I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make a great Christmas gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift.  Orders will picking up during the holidays, so order soon. Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

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

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Bee battle in the studio

 A bee got into the Leo Lakes Studio. Some people see a wasp, but I see a big, ugly, rusty red, flying, killing machine! You see, I'm allergic to wasp stings. If I get stung, my throat will close-up and I cant breath. I have to down a healthy dose of Benadryl and take a trip to the hospital. I normally sit in the hospital parking lot hoping that the Benadryl will kick in, usually it does. When I get back home, the Benadryl will cause me to take a long nap. The bottom line is a very bad day! Anyway, I decided that I had too many maps to do and I had to battle the wasp, which is typically the case.


I got my Ninja on and grabbed a paddle. Just about that time I spotted the big, ugly, rusty red wasp. I swung the paddle toward the wasp and missed, but did three thousand dollars in damage to a bunch of frames, just kidding. I did destroy a map box. The big, ugly, rusty red wasp got away. The rest of the day, I nervously worked on maps while keeping an eye out for that big, ugly, rusty red wasp that actually could kill me. Luckily, the next day I found the big, ugly, rusty red wasp died. 

Enough about the wasp, check-out my Lake, River, and Bay maps! Here's a few, they look great in the lake house and make great gifts. 

Lake Erie Map                                  St George Island Map

 


Russian River Map                                                     Table Rock Lake Map



You will find much waterfowl around the lake such as eagles, geese, herons and gulls. To add more interest to the map, I add fish jumping and hide a tiny mermaid to the waters. Folks love to search the waters for hidden surprises. 

If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com.  We have many lake maps that will make great gifts for the lake house. 











Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Best Idea for the Lake House

 Best Idea for The Lake House! Think about it, if you have a lake house, what's better than having a beautiful vintage style lake map hanging in the great room!  How better to show folks where the lake house is located on the lake. Guests will be drawn to the map.



I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for approximately six years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps.


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." 
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. 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 want to be found. Folks just love'm, especially the kids. You might even think they move around overtime.

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.
Also, each framed map or map over 16x32, comes with a certificate of authenticity, lake poem, and interesting facts abut the map.


I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes vintage style lake maps, too. I have maps, such as Lake Bob Sandlin Vintage Style map, Lake Logan Martin Vintage Style Map, Center Hill Lake vintage style map, Lake Texoma vintage style map, Gaston Lake, Choctawhatchee Bay vintage style map, Toledo Bend Lake Vintage style map, Raystown Lake vintage style map. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoMaps.com. 


Friday, July 2, 2021

Beautiful Lake Map for the Lake House

 A beautiful lake map for the lake house of your favorite lake, such as Great Sacandaga Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lake Winnipesaukee, Table Rock Lake, or Pickwick Lake, will look great hanging in your home, lake house or office. Makes the best Gift!



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. 

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

"As I look over this lake, The most amazing scenes appears in it wake,The sun arises just above the shore, Giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore." LKO

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Lake Winnipesaukee Canvas Map

Check out this canvas map of Lake Winnipesaukee that I just finished.  It turned beautiful! If you look closely, you may find the tiny, hidden mermaid in the waters.

I always add the local waterfowl flying over and a few fish jumping in the water, and that little mermaid  They say the children really enjoy hunting for her and are thrilled when they spot her in the waters. Oh yeah, some folks tell me that she moves, but I'm not sure that I believe that. 

Also, I do custom maps too. If you have a body of water that I don't have painted, I can paint it just like the map below.


Most folks add a star to a special place on the lake such as a lake house or where they caught that big fish. I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for over ten years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. Paddle over to my website for more information: LeoLakes.com


Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Lake House Map of Neely Henry Lake

Just finished this map of Neely Henry Lake Map. Ain't she pretty! She's all dressed up in her best frame and ready tyo meet her new lake house.....two feet by 4 feet and stunning.



I always add the local waterfowl flying over and a few fish jumping in the water. If you look chosely, you may find a tiny hidden mermaid swimming around. They say the children really enjoy hunting for her and are thrilled when they spot her in the waters. Oh yeah, some folks tell me that she moves, but I'm not sure that I believe that. LeoLakes.com
 

Most folks add a star to a special place on the lake such as a lake house or where they caught that big fish. I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for over ten years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. Paddle over to my website for more information: LeoLakes.com