Beneath the Arch

I found the model for this wonderful archway in a pioneer graveyard located in Shasta, California. I've never seen so many gravestones of people who lived over 100 years old--and not just back when people had worked very hard and their lives were shorter--but in recent times.  I wonder if there is something in the water?

These two are great friends. One is a faery, one human--yet their worlds intermingle. 

Elea Repose - Illustration Friday

I am laughing at myself this morning.  The topic for Illustration Friday, is "Satellite."  However, my eyes told me our topic was the Hawaiian flower, Elea.  I must be getting old.  Elea Flower is the dear soul who came up with this Friday's topic!!!

I'm going to post this drawing anyhow. I could not find many facts about this beautiful flower online. It is a lovely bloom.  The soft pinks and gentle swirls of this flower reminded me of baby's faces.  Hence the title Elea Repose.

For more wonderful artwork please visit Illustration Friday!

Lion in the Skies

I have always loved lions.

Since I read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe as a young woman, Aslan has remained close to my heart. Here you see him in the clouds. He is wise, noble and gentle, but strong and fierce if need be.

Above you see Aslan as I first spotted him--I did have to add an ear--but you can plainly see his noble face.

My Hero

This is a drawing of my Hero. The original photo was taken by my younger brother Mark, who is a photo journalist in The Dalles. In the actual picture, Dad is tenderly looking down at his first born grandson, cradled there in his arms.

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Dad was on his own very early in life. The eldest of nine children, at a mere 18 years old, he was drafted into the US army. He was still a kid, really, when he took part in the Battle of the Bulge in WW2, parachuting down behind enemy lines.

Dad was captured by the Germans, miraculously, for nine months, he survived unspeakable conditions as a prisoner of war in a Nazi prison war camp. Bad Orb was the worst of them--Dad was 96 pounds, only skin and bones, when he arrived back home.

He is the father of six children. I am the eldest. Dad built a home for us with his own hands. All his life, he worked very hard to provide for his family. 

Dad loves birds. He whistles to them and they sing back. He's an honorary bird. They trust Dad--sometimes to the point of perching upon his shoulders.

Children of all ages are drawn to him. They know he loves them. Dad has a special way with people, too. He charms everyone he meets with a cheery comment and a twinkle in his eye. People always smile when Dad is around.

 

I have been blessed by the gentle strength, wisdom and love of my earthly Father. Because of Daddy, I see God as my dear Heavenly Father, who loves me unconditionally, disciplines me in love and who watches over me and my family every day of our lives. Because of Dad's loving example, I am able to call my Heavenly Father, Abba Daddy. 

A true hero will often say, "I'm no hero, anyone in my place, would have done the same thing." Not so. A true hero's unselfish deeds, often in the face of grave danger, are accomplished by instinct, their actions born from a nobleness of heart.

Today Dad must wear a brace because his neck hasn't healed from the accident last July.  The bones are still broken.  The miracle is he can still walk, sit, eat--he still has all movement intact.  Though this is a constant hardship for him, he still keeps going on. 

 

May God always and ever bless our Hero. Our father. Our Daddy. Our Hero.

Angel Song

I was driving along Highway 99, just past some gorgeous rolling fields of grape vines, when I saw this angel.   I pulled over to the side of the road--jumped out with my camera and clicked her photo.

As you can see from the picture above--I didn't have to enhance much!

Woman in Bark

This is a whimsical nude I found in some silvery driftwood on a beach near Lincoln City.  At first I felt a little shy to upload this organic painting--but Woman in Bark is such a phenomenal naturally beautiful piece I wanted to share her with you. I was astonished at the detail--you can see I did not have to enhance much. 

The lady seems to be painted by one of the masters of old--washed ashore in a froth of bubbles.  Perhaps she is indeed a portrait of Venus who, according to ancient myths, was born from the foam of the waves.
 

Above you see her as I first saw her, the Woman in Bark.

Leaf Me Alone - ACEO

This is a miniature of one of my favorite pen and inks.  I added color with my beloved Prismacolor pencils.  I especially like the leaves she hides behind--the picture lends itself perfectly to the title Leaf Me Alone!

I hope everyone out there is having a lovely day today.  For the second year past the half century mark, this day has been remarkably wonderful.  These and more are available at My Etsy Shop, Beth's Artworx.

Fragile - ACEO

This is another of the Artist Cards I've made.  Some of you have asked if I will have these up for sale.  The answer is YES!  In a couple of weeks I hope to have a little online "shop"-- which will be a dream come true for me.

This ACEO is one of my favorites.  The girl's face is so lovely and the colors came out very well--she seems truly Fragile.   I love the small size of these cards 2.5 x 3.4 inches--the detail I can put into them is just amazing for their tiny size.

I like them so much, it's hard to think about selling them!  Though the scanner doesn't do the real thing justice (the colors are much richer and smooth in real life), I still thank heaven for scanners!

Thank you everyone for all your encouragement.  It means quite a lot to me.  You can see this and other ACEOs at My Etsy Shop at Beth's Artworx.

Elven Earrings - ACEO

I've been working on a bunch of ACEO's [Art Cards, Editions and Originals].  They are fun to do because  they're so tiny--only 2.5 x 3.5 inches--each card is a small piece of original art. 

The history behind Artist Trading Cards is fascinating.  Art cards, or miniatures were all the rage back in the 16th Century.  They were the first wallet "photos."   Sometimes they were exchanged when rich people arranged marriages.  There was quite a rumble when Henry the Eighth divorced Anne of Cleves, because in real life, she did not match her miniature. 

During the Impressionist Age, artists traded Art Cards among themselves to study differing artist style and techniques. They even traded, or sold the art cards as necessary for supplies, food and lodging. 

Today's Artist Trading Cards developed from the mail art movement and has its origins in Switzerland.  They say an artist by the name of M.Vanci Stirnemann is the reason modern Artist Trading Cards have become so popular.  In 1996 he held the first Art Trading Card [ATC] workshops in Zurich, Switzerland. This caused a resurgence of interest and is where today's ACEO movement began. By the way, the difference between ATC's and ACEO's, is that Trading Cards are traded, ACEO'S are offered for sale.

Artist Cards are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers, etc.), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, paper cuts, found objects, etc.).  Or they can be numbered, signed, limited print editions of larger art pieces. 

I have been fascinated to discover the volume and popularity of these baseball card sized pieces of artwork.  They're a delightful art form.   They're almost like small pieces of jewelry.

My Etsy Shop is at Beth's Artworx.

Kitty Boxer

I thought a good laugh would be good for a day such as this--hence this Kitty Boxer.  A few months ago, I was sitting on the front porch talking on the phone with a friend of mine.  When I noticed this feisty fellow floating by, I laughed and described what I was seeing--what a funny kitty!  Of course, my camera bag was beside me so I clicked his picture. 

Above you see this little fighter, as I first saw him boxing his way across the skies.

Angel in a Window

Wandering the grounds of our local graveyard, I happened to catch an angel reflected in these beautiful chapel windows.  It isn't surprising there are angels there--sent to comfort those who have lost their loved ones. 

Above you see the angel in the window as I first saw her.

The Traveler - Illustration Friday

As you can see--The Traveler walks the trail on a journey to somewhere, and she's not alone.  Her companion is a parrot, who, of course is not what he seems.

Who do you think he is?

For more wonderful artwork please visit Illustration Friday!

Elven Mischief

This is one of my few attempts at watercolor.  I love the expression on this handsome young Elf's face.  What a wonderfully mischievous boy he is!