Sunday, November 28, 2010

Beneath the Arches - Guest heart Thursday


We were traveling through the Mountains on our way to California, when we stopped for lunch near Shasta Lake.  There we encountered this faery duo Beneath the Arches.  We shared our lunch with them.  (grin)  I know--I have a GREAT imagination, don't I?

Of course, since this is Guest Heart Thursday--there are hearts hidden everywhere in this drawing!  Can you find them all?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight #13

I created FAT Tuesday (Featured Art Tuesday) to showcase inspiring artists and to provide a forum for Artists to share their work with one another--this includes all types of arts, photography and crafts, including writing and poetry.  If you would like to take part in FAT Tuesday, these are the guidelines:

* Upload what you want to share onto your blog.
*  Don't forget to leave a link to your art on Linky tools.
*  Be sure to visit other artists who have left their link.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Be sure to leave a link to FAT Tuesday on your blog page.
 (You can copy the button at the bottom of the page if you'd like.)
 

J. Steven Hunt is an amazing artist.  I have had the honor of meeting this extraordinary artist personally.  He paints light.  His work fills my eyes and inspires me.  Steve is a master of many mediums--I found myself hard pressed as to which of his marvelous pieces to spotlight.  You'll be pleased to discover many of his paintings, both originals and prints are actually for sale!  You'll also love his clocks, which are whimsical and delight the eye.

Steve writes, "I guess I just love being an artist. I know I am one because the voices in my head all come from my right brain! Creativity is my adrenaline so I'm continually doing new things and avoiding repetition. I hope I never get pigeon-holed into “this is what I do.” I like photography, graphic design, acrylic painting, oil painting, woodworking, etc."

I believe Steve is another of the great artists of our age.  It is amazing that this great, yet humble man takes time to talk to, and advise artists who do not have his extensive experience.  He is a mentor and a teacher at heart.

To see more of Steve's fascinating artwork and indulge in some fascinating "artsy talk," visit The Right Brain.  I know he'd love to hear from you!

I found Tammie Lee through my Sister, Clytie.  Her exquisite images and lovely poetry are stunning.  I know the word "Stunning" is sometimes over used these days--but Tammie's photography can be described by exactly that word.  She is a brilliant photographer and artist who inspires my soul.

She says, "Capturing the beauty of our natural world with photography is a great passion for me...It is my attempt to capture a spirit that uplifts and ignites the majesty in our hearts."

To see more of Tammie's amazing photos, visit Spirit Helpers.

I have had so much fun getting to know Darlene.  She is a lovely lady who's effervescence is irresistible!  These are some of the dolls she's been making for the holiday season!  They are hand-made, seven inches tall and are on display at her local Art Center.  She is a multi-dimensional artist, who's work  enchants the eye.

She writes, "for some reason I just can't help but laugh to myself at these dolls. They just all have 'attitude' and when I set them together they look like they belong as a family and should never part from each other... I realize small things are so much more difficult then larger dollz... it is great fun creating these though... each has their own unique personality.. enjoy!"

 To see more of Darlene's Creations visit A Dancing Mango.


Here is another of my favorite artists, Lynn Risor.  She is an inspiration to me.  I have no idea how she is able to create the beautiful paintings she does--but I am grateful to God for her presence in this world.  She also does incredible murals, as well as animals painted on rocks which look so real they almost seem to move.  She is a brilliantly gifted artist.

Lynn writes, "I paint a LOT!!!  I'm a self-taught Texas whimsy artist.  Every time I paint anything that turns out half way 'OK' ... I'm tickled pink!!!"

To see more of Lynn's charming artwork, visit her blog and art gallery at L. Risor.


I have one of the most talented Sisters in the world.  Her creativity knows no bounds.  She is an artist,  creative writer and photographer.  Clytie sees things from a fascinating perspective. She finds unexpected beauty all around -- it might be a rusted hubcap, a tree reflected in a piece of broken window, or a hunk of unidentified metal lying in the leaves.  Clytie is one of my biggest inspirations.  She is a part of my heart -- her random way of seeing our world delights and fills my eyes.  She writes, "I see things differently. But that's okay. I am an artist. In my own way."

To see Clytie's intriguing art photography, visit Random Trash.



Sunday, November 21, 2010

Crocus Faery


The bitter cold of this early winter morning reminds me of how much I already miss Spring.

How lovely to watch the garden grow, to see the flowers popping from the soil, to catch wiffles of color from the flowering plums and smell wafts of fragrance from the honey trees along the river.

I remember the warm spring day I cleared the garden and discovered a late bloom and crocus faery peering from her fragile purple blossom.  And here she is!

I know, I know--I have a GREAT imagination!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

My Love - Guest Heart Thursday


I was doodling an ASCO card last night.  This is what came out of my pen--an amorous birdie who's fallen for a very dangerous dragon.  I think the dragon is intrigued as she is coming up all hearts.  How many hearts can YOU find?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight #12

I created FAT Tuesday to showcase inspiring artists and to provide a forum for Artists to share their work with one another--this includes all types of arts, photography and crafts, including writing and poetry.  If you would like to take part in FAT Tuesday, these are the guidelines:

* Upload what you want to share onto your blog.
*  Don't forget to leave a link to your art on Linky tools.
*  Be sure to visit other artists who have left their link.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Be sure to leave a link to FAT Tuesday on your blog page.
 (You can copy the button at the bottom of the page if you'd like.)  
 
Martina is from Germany and I love her way of looking at her world.  She sees textures and colors in nature and is inspired by them, to create wonderful pieces of jewelry such as you see above.  This amazing artist once saw a photo I took of some lichen--which inspired her to dye various textured cloths.  The result was breathtaking! Martina is one of the most creative people I know.  I'm pleased to tell you that this extravagantly gorgeous necklace along with other items are actually available for sale!   She writes of her blog, "This is the place where I want to share dreams and visions.  As well as for my love of needlework as for all things vintage and antique: fabrics, furniture, dresses, etc.  For photography and other visual arts.  For Music and cooking.  For beauty in our lives."

To see more of Martina's wonderful handiwork and share her dreams, visit Chatelain's Dreams.

I was just so in awe when I saw this incredible quilt design by Carol!  She is such a warm and lovely individual.  I am privileged to have found her here in blog land.  As you can see from the star quilt above, Carol is a talented artist! She writes, "...I am 82 years old and have been blessed with a wonderful family and good health. Keeping busy is no problem for me - in fact, I can't find time to do cleaning and cooking anymore. I have been quilting for about 35 years. Working on this computer is so amazing - how glad I am that I got in on this in my lifetime."

For more delightful insights and fabulous quilts by Carol visit Fun Old Hag.


I found Sunny through my sister Clytie.  She is a talented photographer who's photos are spiced with unusual angles and gorgeous scenery.  I love her photography!  The photo above is no exception--the dappled shadow on the old red barn with the silhouette of old wheel in front is just spectacular!   We once visited Massachusetts so I laughed when I read she and her husband now reside in the mountains of that state.  The mountains there we would call hills here in the Pacific Northwest!  Dear Sunny writes, "for nearly 30 years I lived on Cape Cod before my husband and I moved back to the mountains of Massachusetts with our Golden doodle Lucy, and our cats, Lilly and Molly...Some of you would call them hills but they're mountains to me!"

 To see more of Sunny's lovely photography, visit Barnyards and Barnacles.


I always enjoy introducing a brand new artist.  Jon is a very talented artist.  His artwork shows great promise and his writing skills are amazing.  Clytie introduced Jon to ATC cards recently, and the above piece, entitled Waterfalls, is the result.  He writes, "Sup gentlemen! My name is Jonathan, although people call me Jon. My nickname is Nyuura...I'm 14, and I'm an artist and a writer."

Drop by with an encouraging word for this talented budding artist,  at Nyurra's Random Art.


I found Yvonne through Sissy Deann's page, The Whimsey Assylum.  I laughed and laughed over this funny collage!  I love Yvonne's delightful sense of humor--and I hope you do too.  She writes, "I dabble in this and that! I spent several years creating stained glass pieces and now my focus is on rubber stamping, collage and altered art."

To see more of Yvonne's artwork visit ARTic Blonde Creations.


Monday, November 15, 2010

Kitty Cat Sky Nap


Two years ago, late Summer, I was working outside in the garden when I noticed this darling little cat stretching as she awoke from her Kitty Cat Sky Nap!  Of course, since my camera is like a piece of jewelry--always around my neck--I caught her before she leaped away to chase a flock of geese.

Above you see her as I first saw her!

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Awakening - Guest Heart Thursday

Even in the Sea there are stories of faeries and enchantment.  This drawing is from the tale of Sleeping Beauty as told by the Merfolk of the deepest Oceans.  (Ha, ha--No pun intended.) Since this is a story of love, of course, there are hearts hidden everywhere.  How many can YOU find?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight # 11

I created FAT Tuesday to showcase inspiring artists and to provide a forum for Artists to share their work with one another--this includes all types of arts, photography and crafts, including writing and poetry.  If you would like to take part in FAT Tuesday, these are the guidelines:

* Upload what you want to share onto your blog.
*  Don't forget to leave a link to your art on Linky tools.
*  Be sure to visit other artists who have left their link.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Be sure to leave a link to FAT Tuesday on your blog page.
 (You can copy the button at the bottom of the page if you'd like.) 

Penny is an amazing artist! The drawing above is only one example of her delicately lovely work in watercolor and acrylic.  She is also a figurative sculpture Artist.  Her magical oak fairies, angels, elves, children, animals are exquisitely detailed--they are so realistic, they almost look as though they might move!

To see more wonderful artwork by Penny visit Angel's Door.

I have had the privilege of meeting Cheryl and Nancy of Cheryl's of Nehalem personally.  What wonderfully talented women they are!  Their costumes are often individually designed, then built from scratch.  Each item is fitted to the wearer.  I have seen examples of the bead work they do and it is amazing.  The costumes they produce are authentic and exquisitely detailed.  The Mrs. Clause costume pictured above actually has inner pockets sewn around the hemline, into which Cheryl puts fine glitter.  As she walks through a room--the children know she's been there by the trail of elf dust she leaves behind.  All the children of Nehalem look forward to her visits at Christmas.

You can see more wonderful costumes on Facebook at Cheryl's of Nehalem.

This beautiful Artist Trading Card was created by Jann.  She is a wonderful collage artist, who's ATC cards are much in demand year round.  This mixed media Artist says, "A picture could inspire, in words and thoughts, taking one to a journey of unknown destinations, or it may have a stunning effect, of a kind, that leads to no words! Lover of all things vintage, old things that could tell a story of by gone era's . Especially fond of the years between the 1920's to the 1960's but I appreciate the beauty of almost all ages"

Last Sunday night, Jann lost her little Dog Bootz.  This lovely lady has been an encouragement to many of us through the past year.  Please drop by to encourage her heart at Bouquet of Tulle Roses.


Jeannette is a wonderful artist.  I love her narrations of how her thought processes as these wonderful paintings came into being.  What a lovely, whimsical person she is--deeply sensitive to spiritual things.  Of this picturesque pastel of a tree stump, Jeannette writes, "This weathered and cut off tree trunk has been an image that has been in my mind for a long time.  I got even fonder of this scene as the painting was progressing.  So jazzed that after a few years I reach the finish line of displaying the tree in pastel.  Very much like people.  The longer you know them, the more the imperfections seem to face.  The folds, warts and "cut off" state all all add character!"

To see more of Jeannette's exquisite work visit Mysteries.

Julia Guthrie is a wonderful watercolor artist.  Above is the cover she created for one of her stories.  I find her work, with its amazing detail so inspiring.  She writes, " I  am an Artist, a Wife, & a Mum to my furry kid (a 4 yr old Basset Hound named Nimh) and we live on the Cornish coast (UK). I am inspired by everything around me from the magical landscape & seascapes of South Cornwall, to the local legends of King Arthur, the Mermaid of Zennor & myths galore!" 

To see more of Julie's amazing artwork visit East of the Sun.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Angel Gaze


I just realized I haven't shared one of my cloud paintings for a quite some time.  So here he is!

Stepping out of the supermarket with a bag load of groceries, I glanced up to see this extraordinary angel gazing at me over the tops of the pear trees.  I quickly (and gently) dropped my bag of groceries to the curb, pulled out my camera and snapped his picture to share with you.  I will probably do several more of this angel before I am done!

Above you see this gorgeous Angel Gaze as I first observed him floating by.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Her Wild Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

This is a pen and ink which was inspired by a young lady who attended a ladies retreat where I was the guest speaker.  She loves Native American art and my drawing is in honor of this lovely young woman's remarkable strength and courage.  My inspiration for the horse was a beautiful black mare at the retreat grounds, who actually posed for me, as I took her picture.  There are hearts hidden in this picture--can you find them?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight #10

I created FAT Tuesday to showcase inspiring artists and to provide a forum for Artists to share their work with one another--this includes all types of arts, photography and crafts, including writing and poetry.  If you would like to take part in FAT Tuesday, these are the guidelines:

* Upload what you want to share onto your blog.
*  Don't forget to leave a link to your art on Linky tools.
*  Be sure to visit other artists who have left their link.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Be sure to leave a link to FAT Tuesday on your blog page.
 (You can copy the button at the bottom of the page if you'd like.) 


Today I am going to focus upon one artist in particular--Martina Gangle Curl, one of Oregon's great artists.  Next week, I will be featuring five of my favorite artists as usual.

With a heart for Mothers, their families and her community, Martina Gangle painted her world as she saw it during the Great Depression.  She once wrote of her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt and is responsible for a variety of commissioned artwork throughout the State of Oregon.  The painting above is part of a mural she and a fellow artist Arthur Runquist created for Rose City Park Elementary School in Portland.  It was called The Columbia River Pioneer Migration – The Homesteaders

Great Aunt Martina was a delight.  I can still hear her laughter and the sound of her voice in my mind.  It was obvious she deeply loved her family.  I remember her worn yet beautiful face, the way her eyes would twinkle when she smiled beneath the ever-present scarf she wore over her hair.   She was always kind to me and gently encouraged me to draw.  Once at a family reunion I was sketching a rough picture of something that had caught my fancy.  I remember feeling a hand on my hair, looking up to see Aunt Martina smiling down at me, nodding her approval.

I also remember a stern scolding one summer afternoon.  That year the family reunion was at Grandma Jenny's place in Prineville.  A water fight on a hot day, with my siblings and cousins got out of hand and Aunt Martina was liberally sprayed with an ample shower of cold water.  Fortunately she laughed about the incident later, when I apologized.
Above you see Aunt Martina in 1975, at a "sit in" protesting Portland General Electric.  This is the wonderful face I remember.  She had a tender and truly noble heart.  She was passionate about the equality of all peoples and caring for the poor and disadvantaged.  When she was in her early 80's she was one of those arrested for picketing the White House in Washington DC!  I remember seeing her face on television.  Though we did not necessarily agree on some things, I admired her determination to stand for what she believed.  What an amazing woman!

Aunt Martina was one of 200 artists employed by Federal Arts Project, the New Deal’s ambitious effort to support visual artists, writers, and dramatists under the auspices of the massive Works Progress Administration (WPA).  These artists provided murals, paintings, watercolors, and wood carvings for Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.
Though I knew she was one of the artists who worked at Timberline Lodge during The Great Depression, it was only a few years ago I discovered how well known she was.  Her artwork hangs in the Oregon Art Museum and she is considered to be one of Oregon's most important historical artists.

Along with her many accomplishments, she painted several murals with Arthur Runquist, including one of my favorites which can be seen at Pendleton High School. It is a work in two panels, one celebrating the culture of the Umatilla Indians and the other a cattle roundup honoring the hard toil of cowboys.  It is an incredibly beautiful piece of art.

Life was not easy for Aunt Martina.  She was one of seven children who lived in desperate circumstances.  Their father had gone to find gold during the Alaskan gold rush and was never seen again.  Life was incredibly hard.  Their mother provided food for the family working as a domestic – washing clothes, sewing, or doing farm chores. 

When Aunt Martina was in her mid-20's, she attended the Museum Art School in Portland.  Unlike most artists of the time, her etchings, lino cuts, and lithographs of the mid-thirties often portrayed women and children fruit harvesters and other working people.

Aunt Martina once speculated how different things would have been if she had gone directly from high school to attend art school. “I would have had seven, or eight years of ignorance of what was happening in the country,” she reflected. “I would no doubt have painted flowers and landscapes instead of poor families and people running from violence, homeless people sleeping on benches, etc.” These powerful images from her own life experiences filled her thoughts and deeply influenced her artwork.  Her mentors, she once mused, “didn’t realize what life had already done to my thinking.”

She and fellow artist Arthur Runquist, were blacklisted during the Cold War because of their political views.  She wrote. “Thugs beat Arthur up. They injured his hand so badly doctors thought they would have to amputate. Luckily, his hand was saved." He and Martina were working on the Pendleton murals at the time.

There is so much more I could write about Aunt Martina--so many stories.  Suffice it to say, not only was she an amazing artist--she adored her brother and sisters, her nieces and nephews and her great nieces and nephews.  I am  honored to have known Aunt Martina.  I treasure my memories of her and I am proud of the incredible artistic legacy she left for all of us to ponder and enjoy. 

To read more about Aunt Martina's fascinating life visit the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission.