Itty Bitty Fairy on Birch Bark -Paint Party Friday

One of the things I LOVE to do is to try different kinds of paper, some straight from nature, such as that which the paper wasp makes.  This time I used bark from a paper bark birch tree.  At certain times of the year, one can peel this beautiful paper-thin bark from the tree's trunk.

Once it is peeled from the tree, one must put it between dry paper, with weights upon it to straighten the bark.  There is a thin layer of whitish powder on the bark, so once it is straightened, I use a soft cloth to gently remove it.  Once that is done I am free to draw upon it. 

In this case, I loved the clutter of curls on the side, so I didn't try to straighten, or flatten the bark.  This is a lineart drawing of my sweet little friend Madrona.

I am feeling much better today.  I finally went to the doctor, who prescribed various medications--it is SO nice to have slept last night!

I hope you are having a blessed Saturday!  Thank you for dropping by.  I love hearing from you--you dear ones inspire me and keep me going!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Heart Hug -Paint Party Friday

Hello sweet  Friends.  This is a lineart drawing I created in 2011.  I am really really sick today, so I just didn't feel up to drawing something new.  You can see my background in cartooning came to the fore in this piece!  I hope you enjoy this picture of my darling little niece.  She is the heart of my  heart.

As you can see, she is a joy to draw!

Have a happy Valentine's Day, sweet Friends.  Thank you for dropping by, your comments are always an encouragement to my heart, dear ones.  May God shower you with love, joy and laughter--Happy Paint Party Friday!

Saying Goodbye -Paint Party Friday

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, my heart feels melancholy.  Even now, four years later, it is hard to comprehend I am alone.  Sometimes I feel the presence of my Beloved, but as time passes I feel his presence less and less.  Still, there is a nostalgic magic in the air...

I sense I am saying goodbye to what once was and greeting the possibility of what will be.  Often when a person looses their spouse of many years, there is a reorganization of one's identity.  It isn't that I lost who I am, it is that I am embracing the woman I have become.  I am strong (most of the time), creative, active, loving and hopeful.

A few weeks before my Beloved flew to heaven, he told me if anything ever happened to him, he wanted me to fall in love, get married and be happy.  At the time I laughed, not knowing of course, that in a few weeks he would be gone and my life would change forever.

I am finally saying goodbye--my heart finally realizing he is truly gone.  I have melancholy moments, but this morning every nerve is tuned to the realization something is coming.  My heart, my life, my whole being looks forward to what God has in mind for me.  I feel a mixture of fear and joy as I face this great unknown.  But Life is like that. 

Above you see my reference photo of the beautiful Rena, who is as lovely inside as she is outside.  I am so grateful to this lovely young woman for her willingness to model for me.  She is another of my beloved adopted daughters.

Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Your comments and art are a constant encouragement to me.  May blessing and hope be yours, sweet Friends!  

To Catch An Angel -Paint Party Friday

I am pretty busy today, so I thought I'd share a pen and ink I created a couple of years ago.  It was inspired by a dream.  The story in my dream was almost like being in a  movie--and I hated to awaken.

 Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by.  Your visits are a real encouragement to my heart.  Love, joy and peace to you, dear ones!