Happy New Year! -Paint Party Friday

Happy New Year dear Friends.  The coming year is like a package filled with unexpected blessing, laughter, pain and all sorts of memories.  I am thankful for this new year with it's well spring of surprises.

God bless you, dear ones and happy Paint Party Friday!

Good News of Great Joy! -Paint Party Friday

Here is one of the finished pages of the Children's Book Christmas With Grandma.  It is at the printers and I can hardly wait to see the finished book!

If you would like to purchase a copy, please write to Lorie at larenaleigh@gmail.com. The cost is $15, plus shipping. All proceeds go to help people in Haiti.

May the blessing and hope of Christmas permeate your hearts!  Merry Christmas and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Star Child -Paint Party Friday

This is another midnight doodle.  As my reference I used an old photograph from the early 1900's.  I love the style of that era in time.  This little star child is going to be my Christmas card this year!

Have a lovely Christmas holiday, dear Friends, and God bless you all.

On Butterfly Wings -Paint Party Friday

I have always had a daydream of riding on the back of a butterfly to places unknown.  Perhaps it is the child in my heart who still wishes it were possible.  My reference was a vintage postcard from the early 1900's.  I am a big fan of that era in America's history. 

Yesterday in the United  States, we celebrated Thanksgiving.  Indeed, there is so much for which to be thankful.  As I looked around the room where my family gathered, there was music, instruments,  singing and laughter...we ate the good food, joked and laughed some more.  I felt the presence of my dear husband--I know he was smiling as he saw the laughter and love of our family.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful one.  Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT weekend all you wonderful people!

Toez the Spider Hunter -Paint Party Friday

Here is Toez the Polydactyl Cat.  She was charging around the house, eyes as big as saucers.  Eventually she cornered a HUGE spider.  I caught the look on her face as she looked up to congratulate herself.  She played with it awhile then had a quick snack.  Ugh!  I'm so glad I am not a cat!  LOL

Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT week all you wonderful people!

Funky Flying Purple Bean -Paint Party Friday

My sister-in-law and I decided to draw purple beans.  Mine sprouted feet, wings and a curly tail.  Kind of odd what pops out of one's pencil sometimes!  :D

Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT week all you wonderful people! 

Green Eyes -Paint Party Friday

I am SO busy this week I have scheduled this pic to post on Friday. It is a piece I created long ago--but it is one of my personal favorites of all time. 

This is my sweet Melissa.  I love to draw her face--I've been drawing her since she was a little girl.  There's something so lovely about this young lady.  She is not only beautiful to look at, but her heart is equally as precious. 

And when I put pencil to paper, magic happens.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones and Happy Paint Party Friday!

 

Life's Sweet Sadness

The drawing above is a draft of a card from our family, to be sent out at Christmas in the early 1990's.  I see the bright happiness and sweetness of our family reflected in this graphite sketch.  How life has changed since those long ago days.

Three years ago, right about this moment, Alan was being rushed to the hospital to take his last breaths.

That day is emblazoned upon my heart and into my eyes.  I miss my Beloved.  There is a certain heart hunger for his presence which will always be a part of my life.

I am SO thankful to have shared this great adventure with my husband.  What wonderful fun we had.  Such tussles we had--a great love with all the ingredients of life--laughter, tears, sweetness, anger, work, companionship, love.  My family and I have been blessed.

I am grateful to God for bringing Alan into my life.  My Beloved put the flavor into living.  I grieve, I always will.  But there is so much for which to be thankful.  Blessings to you all, dear ones.

My Beloved in the Clouds -SkyWatch Friday

Here is the face of my Beloved.  Monday is Alan's Heaven Day.  It will be the third anniversary of his parting from us.  He left a big hole in all our lives, and is sorely missed.

He was a beautiful person.  I miss him with all my heart.

Above you see the original cloud I caught with my camera.  I hardly had to do a thing.

God bless you, dear ones.  It is a good thing to look up. Have a lovely weekend and Happy Skywatch Friday.

And Glory Shone Round About Them -Paint Party Friday

When I was a child I loved the story of Christmas found in the Bible.  I saw the whole thing as beautiful and romantic.  I didn't really care for St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus much.  He didn't appeal to me as much as the magical story of Mary and Joseph.

I have been working with my Friend Lorie on a children's book entitled Christmas With Grandma for a little over two years.  We've added six new pages.  It is our goal to have it printed and assembled in time for Christmas orders--which means only a few more weeks left to put it together!

This pen and ink drawing illustrates the part of the story where angels appear to shepherds who were watching their sheep by night.  They are announcing the arrival of the newborn Baby sent from God.

I like how the drawing turned out.  I especially love the sheep--there's one little fellow who is SO endearing I wanted to pop him out of my drawing to give him a little cuddle.

And now to put color to all these new pages! Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

A Beautiful Beginning

This is a pen and ink drawing from years ago.  It is of me, my Beloved Husband Alan, and our first born.  Oh, we were so young, with many adventures ahead.

I still feel like he might come in the back door laughing, his eyes sparkling, with a story to tell and a joke to make me laugh.  I miss him so much.  We were married for 31 years.  It is hard to believe he has been gone for three years at the end of this month.

I will always treasure our adventure. 

Flower Face Bouquet -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I just finished.  It is for a poster to be used at a Women's retreat the first week of November.  I will be speaking on the importance of friendship--The Fragrance of Friendship. 

Since my husband's passing three years ago October 30th, I have learned so much about the power and beauty of Friendship.  How grateful I am for true friendship--the kind which is worthy to be cultivated, nurtured and protected.

Treasure your friends, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

The Journey Begins -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I completed last week to be included in a new coloring book on Friendship which will be available in mid-November.  It depicts Ruth and Naomi, from the book of Ruth, found in the Bible.

Naomi's husband and two sons have passed away.  She has been living in another country and determines she must return to her homeland.  Naomi has, in her bitterness, told her daughter-in-law Ruth to go back to her own people.

But Ruth clings to Naomi and cries out, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

This story is a beautiful picture of friendship, loyalty and love.  Though they endure great hardships, in the end Naomi finds hope and meaning in her life and Ruth is given the desire of her heart.  It is a great picture of God's goodness.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.

First Born -Paint Party Friday

I recently found a photo of me and my first born when she was a tiny tyke.  It was so sweet, I did a little sketch of us.  Here it is, dear ones.  I have had a very busy week--and another one ahead of me.

I pray your days are lovely and that you will find unexpected blessings around every corner.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Her Keen Blade -Paint Party Friday

Back in the mists of time there must have been those warriors who wandered alone, sword in hand.  They must have been tough, as well as brave and kind.  Such adventures were peopled with these heroes of old in the tales Mumsie used to tell us when I was small.  I can still see those heroes in my mind's eye. 

Above you see my reference photo of beautiful Rena--who also, in her way is a warrior, brave, strong and true.

Have a lovely holiday weekend, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Joy in the Morning -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I drew a few days ago.  I entitled it Joy in the Morning.

Above is my lovely reference model Heather.  I am honored this dear young woman is a part of my life.  I am blessed  She is a a wonderful, sweet Friend of mine--a dear daughter.

But now there is sad news.  The title of this drawing is significant, because the evening I drew this picture, my precious Grandma Gladys flew away to heaven.  She was 91-years old.

Everywhere I look, I see Grandma in my home. Everywhere. Knickknacks, strange cutlery, cookbooks, pans, her lovely artwork, art books, the beautiful bed set in the cloud room and just about everything in my craft room...all are her legacy. Her life has been intertwined with mine since the very beginning of my life with my Beloved.  One of our first dates was to meet Grandma and her precious family.

I know she is in a better place, but this earth is less without her. She was full of years and longed to be with Jesus and her Beloved Vic.  I rejoice for her because she is free of pain, and she is in the Presence of her dear Savior.

So many memories...so many. She taught me how to be a Mom and a good friend.  Her influence on my life has been profound.

I love her. I love her so much.  Dear sweet friends--take time to cherish the people you love.  You never know how long you have with them.  Every moment is a gift.

Violets and an Angel -Paint Party Friday

This is a doodle from last week.  It was inspired by two different vintage cards from my card collection.  I love violets and angels are a favorite, too, so it seemed logical to bring both ideas together here.

I hope this one makes you smile--it will be fun to ink it in and when I add the color--oh, it will be lovely!

Have a GREAT weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Her Melodramatic Friend -Paint Party Friday

This is a graphite doodle from the middle of the night.  It made me laugh and I wanted to share these two with you.  One of them is totally melodramatic, the other looks on tongue in cheek.

Above you see my delightful reference models, Rena and Heather--they bring such light and laughter into my life.  As you can see they are a lot of fun to have around! 

Have a lovely holiday weekend, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Maple Tree Fairy -Paint Party Friday

I adore maple trees.  They are everywhere in our little town--flooding the skies with their broad green leaves and covering the ground with refreshing shade on hot summer days.  A few weeks ago, seated beneath those gently bowing giants, I was inspired to draw this lovely maple tree fairy.

The truth is, she and her friends adore twirling down on the helicopter seedlings in the Fall.  However, she's on her best behavior here--all ready for a fancy fairy ball.

Above you see my wonderful reference model, Rena, who is one of my dearest friends and inspirations.

Have a great weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Eclipse -Paint Party Friday

I created this pen and ink drawing last week to commemorate the Great American Eclipse.  I happen to live in the line of totality--the eclipse will start around nine, with total darkness at 10:18 Monday morning--an amazing event which will not happen here again in my lifetime.  I only wish my Beloved were here to view it with me.

My town will be celebrate all weekend in anticipation of Monday's once in a lifetime event.  There will be an influx of up to 500,000 people in our area over the next few days.  I can't even imagine what the traffic will be like.  I have special glasses one must wear to keep from being blinded.  There is a family camping out in my back yard and there will be quite a party going on downtown.

I am looking forward to this wonderful eclipse.  In the meantime dear friends, have a GREAT weekend.  Stay safe and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Stones and Roses -Paint Party Friday

When hard moments persist, one of my greatest comforts is to let my fingers draw what is in my heart.  This drawing was done in a difficult moment after the Fourth of July, when I was missing my Beloved.

Today is my parent's anniversary--they would have been married for 60 years today.  Daddy flew to heaven in 2012.  It is also my brother's birthday.  Cancer took him in 2001.  So many precious friends and family have gone on.  I am happy for them--but they are missed.

Grief is like the ocean...rising to crash into the shoreline--then sliding back to a subtle life rhythm.  It will always be a part of my life.  The storms still rise now and again, but not as many as before.

This little tear-filled faery leans upon the rocks to weep.  But in a moment she will smile through her tears to flit into the warmth of the sun and the fragrance of the roses.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Happy Dancers -Paint Party Friday

Here are my favorite young ladies happy dancing under springtime blossoms.  I missed last week because I was holding a drama camp for a small group of little girls here in my home.  We had a blast!  What a fabulous way to spend summer, eh?

Here is my reference photo with lovely Rena and Heather as models.  They are such wonderful young women.  I have known them for many years now--they've become my daughters and I cherish their friendship.  I am SO blessed.  They are the fairies who come to visit my garden sparkling their joy all around.

Have a lovely weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Bluebell Fae -Paint Party Friday

I love bluebells in Spring.  This year they came too early and the frost got to them.  However, they did spring back into life a little later, though a bit less blue than normal.

Here is my little bluebell fae.  She visited us twice this year! 

Have a lovely weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Lovely Nouveau -Paint Party Friday

One of my greatest inspirations has been the artist Alphonse Mucha.  I have loved his work since I was a child--though I didn't know who he was back then.  I had several postcards with his artwork and I treasured them.  It was only years later after I met my husband's older brother Paul, with his wonderful collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, that I put two and two together.

My artwork often reflects the style of this great artist, who ushered in a whole new era of design which continues today.  I will not ever reach the stature of this great man...but I like to think I honor him with my choices of model and design.

Here is my lovely reference model, Rena.  I am truly blessed to have this sweet young lady in my life.  The camera loves her every stance, and I am SO happy to draw her!

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday!