Beauty in Nature -Paint Party Friday

This is one of my favorite drawings.  I finally was able to ink it last week.  I love cattails.  They are so graceful and lovely.  I also adore detail--as you can see by the background.  All those tiny flowers.  They took a long time.

It has been a difficult week.  I am so grateful to God for the gift of drawing.  That wonderful gift is a comfort and an outlet for my heart and soul.

Above you see my reference photo.  This is my lovely model Rena.  She is such a joy to draw!  

Have a lovely week, sweet Friends and Happy Paint Party Friday.  May God bless you with comfort and unexpected joy.  Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Angel of the Roses -Paint Party Friday

Angel of the Roses started as a pencil sketch in my sketchbook. When I had a moment to spare for drawing, I would add a little here, and a little there. This drawing took about six years to finish.

I love the jewel tones of the colors, and the graceful line of her wings. Many people have told me this piece looks like a stained glass window.

Happy Paint Party Friday, my precious Friends.  May God bless you with rainbows of joy, have a beautiful weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Friends of the Forest -Paint Party Friday

This drawing has the whimsical idea of the woodlands pictured as a person and the wolf as friend and defender of the forest. 

I have always loved wolves.  In fact, my senior paper was all about wolves.  Wolves live in family groups called packs. They live in dens, which are small caves or a hole dug in the ground. It shelters a mother and her pups weather and protects the little ones from animals who might want to make a snack of them.

Like human families often do, all wolves in a pack help take care of the younger ones. When the pups are very small, other pack members bring food to the mother so she does not have to leave the den. Wolf pups love to play, stalking and pouncing on each other.  Baby wolves also find toys to play with, such as bones, feathers or the skins of dead animals.

Wolves are amazing animals.  Though they can be solitary and lonely (I often feel like howling myself), I admire their loyalty to family and the friendship they share with one another. 

 Above you see my lovely model, Miss Melissa.  She is a wonderful inspiration to me.

Happy Paint Party Friday, my precious Friends.  May God bless you with joy and unexpected laughter.  Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

A Fairy Lantern -Paint Party Friday

My little niece and I made fairy lanterns yesterday!  We had SO much fun!  The lantern above is the one I made.  I am putting this up for Paint Party Friday--yes, we painted--with glue and glitter.  (grin)

I needed to find some fairies I could use as silhouettes in the fairy jars.  I could have drawn some, but I was running out of time.  Too late to order some from Pixie Hill, and the craft store didn't have anything like what I was looking for.

Then while at the craft store I had a brainstorm.  I found some beautiful fabric designed with fairies. I bought a yard of it and took it home, where I glued the material to thin card stock.  When they were dry I cut them out--I liked this a lot as some of the colors of the fabric showed through as well.

I think it looks pretty neat!

If you would like to make your own fairy lantern, visit Pixie Hill Fairy Lanterns for the tutorial.  Also be sure to visit Pixie Hill.  It is a wonderfully creative blog with all kinds of fun projects to be seen.  If you scroll down to the entry about the Fairy Lanterns,  you can find where to order some truly beautiful fairy cutouts.  It was a lovely project, and I love this website. 

Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by again.  ((hugs))

 

Finding Balance -Paint Party Friday

This is a pen and ink I just finished this morning.  It is called Finding Balance, because that is a big part of my life right now.  It isn't easy to find balance in life without the love of one's life.  Other widows tell me soon I will find a "new normal."  I think it might be awhile for me.  I thank the Lord for His Presence in my life.  He is here with me, walking with me.  When I stumble, He holds my hand. 

As I learn to balance this new life--I can express my heart and feelings through my drawings and I have the wonderful opportunity to share them here with you. 

Happy Paint Party Friday, dear Friends.  May God bless you!  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Happy New Year! -Paint Party Friday

Happy New Year, dear Friends!  Though this is a whimsical drawing from years ago, it seemed just perfect for today.   As you can see, these swans are a bit different.  lol  As I drew them, their tail feathers became fireworks.  Each of these cuties has a personality all their own--I just want to hug 'em!  

I can hardly believe an entire year has passed by. A whole year without my Beloved.  A year of tears and growth.  It has been an adventure.  I still don't know where life will lead me.  I am grateful that God directs my path.  I am leaning upon Him for each day.

Happy New Year, and Paint Party Friday, all you lovely artists and truly wonderful people.  May God bless you, dear Friends--have a lovely weekend and thank you for stopping by.  ((hugs))