Swan in Wood

I love to peruse the mountains of driftwood tossed along our beaches in winter storms. I came upon this amazing Swan in Wood on one of those wandering forays. Isn't she lovely? As you can see I didn't have to enhance much--though adding in all those feathers took some time.

Above you see the swan as I first found her.

Cowboy

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Cowboys. Those rough and tough fellows who work so hard on ranches and farms across our great country are amazing. I love their world. I also enjoy summertime rodeos when they rope cows and ride the big bulls and bucking horses. Scary!

Fairy in Rose

This is a doodle I drew during a service. Sometimes people might think I'm not listening, but that's not the case. When I doodle I remember what's being said better. There are words in the border of this picture--they're kind of hard to make out, but they're there. I believe the words are peace, hope and love.

One of the things I do with nearly every drawing is to hide my name somewhere in the piece. It is usually an intregal part of the drawing--and unless you know where to look it is hard to find. I do this because there are actually people out there who might want to pass my art off as their own.

Flight of the Eagle

I was flabbergasted to see a great eagle with wings dramatically outspread over the back fence. There was no mistaking his eagle eye.

In many of my photos you will see old cedar tree where the squirrels nest. I love that old cedar. It is a friendly tree. In winter the small birds flock to eat its heavily laden cedar buds--the birds sometimes hang upside down like tiny flitting Christmas ornaments.

Above you can see the Flight of the Eagle untouched. As you can see--I didn't have to do much to enhance this great bird soaring through the evening skies.

DADDY UPDATE: Yesterday morning I pulled into my parents house looking forward to a long walk in the forest with my darling Sissy. Instead I spent most of yesterday in emergency with Dad and Mom at the Veteran's Hospital. Dad had a mild stroke which has mostly resolved itself. We are to watch him closely to make sure this stroke wasn't a precurser to a bigger one.

.

Dad goes to the neurologist on February 9th, to find out if his neck has healed enough for him to live without the neck brace. Please pray for the broken bones in his neck to heal--Dad is so miserable and fights with that brace every day--it makes it difficult for him to eat, drink, swallow and sleep.

Genie and the Moon

What a funny fellow to find floating across the skies--I think he was in pursuit of the moon! If you look closely, you'll see it's right in front of his nose.

Above you see the Genie as I first noticed him floating across the sky.

Chickadees

This is one of my first attempts to draw birds in pen and ink. I love Chickadees. They are wonderful birds. When a storm hits, you won't find these little fellows hiding in safety. Nope -- they fiercely wing right into the teeth of the wind and seem to enjoy every moment of it. This winter they've flocked to my back yard to eat the seeds I put out.

My brother once told me if I were a bird I would be a Chickadee. I like that. They're plucky!

Mask

When I saw this mask in the sky I did a double take! At first it seemed a little scary. But as I looked closer, I observed her eyes seemed friendly--shy even. Perhaps that is why she wore the Mask.

Above you see the Mask as I first viewed it in the sky.

Snow Snuggle

There is something so illusive about birds. They can look so fat and soft--one wants to hold them in hand. But in real life such things do not happen except by chance.

Like the day I was summoned by two shrieking parents to rescue their fledgling from the cats. Or the day I found a tiny bird trembling under the dining room table after he'd escaped his foe. He didn't seem to mind when I crawled under the table to gently lift him from the floor. He seemed comforted.

In the open air, he sat for a moment. Looked up at me. And flew away--up and out of my fingers.

Hitchin' A Ride

I first drew this young man of the sea, seated on a dolphin. But he didn't look tough enough! So here he is--with his friend and faithful companion--the fierce and marvelous sword fish shark.

Graceful

Going back through my photos I came across this lovely angel. She was floating gracefully over the back yard, between the trees. Is she Springtime? Or perhaps an angel sent to sprinkle hope over the dreary landscape. I know I felt a lifting of my spirits.

Above you see her, as I first beheld her.

.

.

NOTE: If you want to see some truly interesting artwork check out my darling Sissy's new blog! I am so proud of her! Her perspective is truly unique. Here's the link: http://clytie-randomtrash.blogspot.com/

Exquisite

I love the pinks and purples of sunset. Over the past few months there have been some spectacularly colorful sunsets! Above you see this exquisite young woman I found floating in the skies. I have not given her a name yet--any suggestions?

Above you see the untouched photo as I first saw her in the clouds.

Lioness

This lovely Lioness has taken charge of two small kittens. She seems to love them as her own. I am sure there is a story in here somewhere--perhaps she lost her own and rescued these little ones to raise as her own. To see her best, click for the larger view.

Above is the lioness as I first saw her. More detail can be seen in the larger view.

Swans

Here is the third in a set of three swan drawings. There are two swans, one of which smiles at the viewer, while the other flirts outrageously with the first. Both are the lovely eyes of the swan maiden.

Feathers

I did a series of swan drawings, this is the second of three. I love the idea of a feathered mask. Although these feathers seem to be actually growing from the girl's skin. I think they must be very soft. This picture, to me, has a luminous magical quality about it.

Plumage

She is a princess who is doomed to become a swan by day, holding her human form by night. The man the Princess loves is also beloved by a beautiful, but wicked witch who has wreaked her rage and jealosy upon her unfortunate rival.

Only the kiss of true love upon the beak of a swan will break the spell -- but who could fall in love with a swan? And who would kiss a swan upon its beak? Hmmmmm . . . .

It is fortunate that nearly every fairytale I've ever read ends with the words, "and they lived happily ever after."