Mysterious Face -Paint Party Friday

When I was in Fifth Grade, our teacher, Mrs. Young, gave each student a piece of black paper and some chalk for an art project.  I still remember the feeling I had as I smoothed the chalk into places of light and shadow.  It was as though I knew exactly what to do.  I still remember the pure joy of creating that face.  My teacher was astounded.

Looking at the drawing--I see I used a fan of pencil lines drawn up from the center of the bottom of the page.  I drew across those lines, to place chin, mouth, nose and eyes.

Mumsie loved it so well, she framed it and hung it in the stairwell.  There it hung years.  Then, almost 15 years ago, Mumsie gave the drawing to me.

When I took it out of its frame to scan it into the computer, I noticed what looked like tears trickling down from his eyes...if you enlarge the drawing, you can see where they seeped through the chalk.  I have no explanation how that would have happened.  None.  The back of the frame was taped into place...

Some have suggested the tears might be a chemical reaction between the construction paper and chalk.  However, if that were the case, the entire drawing would have been affected.  According to my research, colored construction paper and chalk do not chemically react to one another, even with age.

So, as unlikely as it may seem, this person I drew as a little girl, might have shed tears inside the frame during the time it hung in Mum's stairwell...that would be sometime between 1969 and 2003... I love the fact that miracles do still happen!

Blessings and peace to all of you dear ones.  Thank you for dropping by--your visits are such a joy to me.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Nouveau Beauty -Paint Party Friday

I adore Art Nouveau, even before I knew this style had a name, I loved it and tailored my artwork to reflect its grace and beauty. 

This is a recent lineart drawing, inspired by a vintage postcard from my collection.  I hope you enjoy it!

I am always blessed and happy when you drop by for a visit.  Blessings and peace be yours, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Dreaming of Baby Nicholas -Paint Party Friday

I have the most lovely niece in the world.  Haha.  And as you might guess, I am about to become an auntie!  I'm so proud of this beautiful young woman.  I decided to do a series of drawings with her and baby-in-tummy.  When I'm all done--she'll get a print of each of the drawings.

I'm thinking about putting out a coloring book for women who are pregnant!  I am not sure how popular such a thing would be, but I think it might be worth a try!

Above you see my sweet Melissa.  Her Mom took this wonderful photo.

And Happy Father's Day to Tony, who loves Melissa with such sweet strength and devotion.

Thank you for coming by--your visits are such an encouragement to my heart!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Lovely Iris Dancer -Paint Party Friday

I adore the Iris--when I was a girl they grew everywhere.  They were velvety petaled, in rich colors of blue, gold and red.  To celebrate this lovely flower, I drew this Iris Dancer as she twirls through my garden, celebrating those long summer days with her dance.

Above is my lovely reference model Jessica.  You can find her inspiring photography at Faestock. She's a very talented young lady who tells stories with her poses. 

Thank you for dropping by.  Your visits truly make my day! May the joy of summertime dance fill your hearts, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Their Guardian Angel -Paint Party Friday

When I was a little girl, my Mother gave me a beautiful painting for my bedroom.  "It's your little brother and you," she would say.  I loved that picture.  I would often fall asleep looking at it--knowing in my little girl heart that my own Guardian Angel was there beside me.  That print still hangs in my office today. 

This past week, inspired by that wonderful vintage picture, I drew my own version--only with sisters crossing the bridge.  I have the sweetest sisters in the world--and this is for each of them.  I love them dearly and I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life.

Above you see the wonderful artwork which encouraged me for so many years.  I did some research and I discovered there's an interesting backstory to this painting.

In the 1800s artists across Europe began selling paintings of guardian angels watching over young children as they traveled perilous pathways along dangerously high cliffs.

In 1900, a German postcard maker broke that tradition and published a painting by an unknown artist featuring two children and their guardian angel watching over them as they crossed a precarious bridge over treacherous waters

The postcard found an especially receptive audience in the hills of Appalachia, where just about every family used a broken-down, dubiously safe bridge to get home.  Those bridges were built over  steep valleys where flash floods and swift waters were common.

Over time, people associated the painting with God's protection in all of life's hardships.  Mothers and Grandmothers across the mountains began hanging this picture in their living rooms. Today the painting is recognized world wide.

Thank you, dear ones for reading this fascinating bit of history and for dropping by!  It is a happy treat when you visit.  I deeply appreciate your encouraging comments.

May God protect your dear ones and bring hope to your hearts.  Happy Paint Party Friday!