Swoosh! -Paint Party Friday

I was inspired by a vintage postcard.  This lovely woman was an actress around the late 1800's.  I am sometimes in awe of their sheer elegance and beauty.  It seemed to me a snowstorm would be the right setting...AND Daisies.

Happy Paint Party Friday.  Be careful out there!

Lily Walker -Paint Party Friday

I love making strange borders for my drawings.  This one will be fun once I get it into pen and ink!  These flowers, by the way, are babies breath which grow in Eastern Oregon.  I love them.  Even when they dry out they stay elegant.

Happy Paint Party Friday, Thank you SO much for coming by. Have you procured a mask yet?  So many people I know are making them--I might give that a try.

Windy Moon Flower -Paint Party Friday

I love the wind.  There's something mysterious and wonderful about it.  Sometimes it tiptoes down the alley, or wiffles great waves across the golden fields.  It can be as gentle as a kiss, or as rowdy as a tornado.  Here you can see its magic.

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends.  I hope you are doing alright during this pandemic.  Mumsie is back home now and I am feeling pretty lonesome.

Watch Out for the Baby Shrooms -Paint Party Friday

This drawing was done in stages. First came the lovely maiden, then a week or so later, the frame...  I noticed a couple days later, that she was looking at something on the ground.

I realized she was being so careful, it had to be baby mushrooms.  Heehe...

Here is my original reference photo. This is a lovely young woman by the name of Paige.

I hope you have a fun weekend despite the virus scare going on.  Stay safe out there and Happy Paint Party Friday.

I Love Grapes -Paint Party Friday

This is my niece.  As you can see she is such a beautiful little person--I'm in awe watching her grow up.  I remember when she was born, and how she smiled at me then.  (yes, she smiled!)  She's an amazing girl and brings a lot of joy to everyone she knows.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.   Blessings and hope to you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, sweet Friends!  The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places to visit--though we do not have dolphins as you see in this drawing, we often see whales blowing bushy streams of mist into the air, as they frolic in the waves of the sea.

The reference for this piece is my youngest sister Leigh--a lovely woman--as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.

Blessings and peace to everyone--May this New Year be one filled with joy, laughter and beauty.

Lovely Rena -Paint Party Friday

I have been so busy with life, I haven't had time to do much drawing.  That being said, I'm posting this lineart of my friend Rena, which I created in 2018 when I had a little more time!

I love how the patterns turned out.  This is in the tradition of one of my favorite artists, Alphonse Mucha.

Above you see my lovely young friend posing at the back fence of my yard.  I'm so grateful for her friendship, and her willingness to pose.  I am blessed!

Some of you wanted to see more of the ACEO's I created last month--so here you are!  This one is called "Askance," from the look on her face.

Happy Paint Party Friday, and thank you for dropping by.  I love hearing your thoughts.  Your comments are a sparkle in my day!

Bright Eyes -Paint Party Friday

This is another drawing I did awhile back.   I love the grace and artistry of the Art Nouveau style.  Alphonse Mucha is one of my favorite artists of all time.  You can often see his influence in my artwork.

Above you see my lovely reference model Lyric.  I've had the blessing of knowing her since she was born.  What a dear person she is.

Thank you for dropping by, even though I'm a bit late in getting this out.  Your comments always are a bright spot in my day!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Apple Blossoms -Paint Party Friday

I did a lot of artwork this past week, as I waded through the emotions of losing one of our treasured volunteers.  This precious young man took his own life. 

I didn't have the heart to upload any of those pieces, so I've posted this drawing instead.

I love to make borders of twisted ribbon, flowers and tree branches.  This is a favorite pen and ink drawing of mine.  This one illustrates the detail which can be achieved by interlacing all those things.

Above you see my exquisite reference model,  Rena.  What a dear blessing she is to me.

Thank you for dropping by.  Your comments always brighten my day. Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday. 

Flight -Paint Party Friday

Somehow there is hope and beauty in this drawing.  I love how this turned out.  One can almost feel the wind whispering through her hair as she watches the flight of the geese.

Hope.  It is the best of things--What blows me away is that God is called the God of Hope.  I don't know what I would do without hope in my life.

Blessings and peace to each of you dear ones.  Thank you for your wonderful comments.  You make my day every time.

Springtime Snowstorm -Paint Party Friday

I heard on the news, that in addition to damaging tornadoes and storms, there was a springtime snow storm in Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins!  What a surprise.  This morning some folks awoke to temperatures in the 20's. A lot of records were broken--I wonder what it would be like to find snow on the ground the end of May?

It is beautiful and mild here in Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley.  There are blue patches between puffy clouds--some of them are quite dark!  I keep hoping for a thunder storm.  I adore them.

I looked and looked for the reference photo I used for this drawing--it was inspired by a magazine ad!  When/if I find it, I will add it to the post later.

Here in the United States, it is Memorial Day Weekend.  I will be going with my family to the Willamette National  Cemetery to visit Dad's brothers; Uncle Jody, who fought in Vietnam and Uncle Kelley, who fought in the Korean War.  And especially to honor Dad, who fought in World War II.  He's been gone almost seven years ago, and I miss him So much.

Thank you for dropping by, dear Friends.  Your comments are a bright bit of sunshine in my day!  Blessings and hope to you, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Startled Woodland Fae -Paint Party Friday

I have been on quite a trip.  Thursday I left for Kamiah, Idaho.  A few days later, I drove to Spokane, Washington, then it was off to The Dalles, Oregon.  I arrived home in the mid-Willamette Valley late the following Thursday afternoon, just in time to dash out for an important meeting in Salem.

The next day I spent time with my precious little Buddy--who had chemo for the first time last Monday.  Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, she's doing extremely well!

Then Friday afternoon it was off to a special Historical Preservation Commission Meeting concerning historic signage.  It was a fun meeting--though a few fireworks went off!

This drawing was one I fashioned whilst on the road.  I spent time drawing this piece at the Kamiah Victorian Spring Fling Crafter's Fair where I offered my coloring books and prints for sale.  Though not many attended, I did make a few sales.

Best of all, I made some new wonderfully talented friends.  I had a delightful time interacting with them--and though bartering, I acquired some beautiful items for my home--with sweet memories attached to each item.

Thank you for dropping by--your comments are so encouraging and you  always make my day!  Blessings and joy to you dear ones--and 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!  

Playing with Hearts -Paint Party Friday

I have a full day ahead, so I'm posting a drawing from a few years ago.  My model for this piece is Rena.  She is every bit as graceful and lovely as this drawing turned out to be.

Thank you for dropping by, sweet Friends.  This time of year is pretty difficult for me. When you come by and comment, I am encouraged and inspired.  May joy and peace be yours, dear ones.   Happy Paint Party Friday!

Got Flowers? -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing of my lovely middle daughter. She is as beautiful inside, as she is on the outside.   I love my children so dearly I often draw them from memory.  Such was the case here.

I haven't seen them in awhile and I miss them something fierce.  I have such wonderful children...A blessed Mom am I! :D

Happy Paint Party Friday dear ones!  Thank you for dropping by--your visits always bring a smile to my heart.

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!

Bird Watch -Paint Party Friday

This lovely girl loves birds.  She often walks through the woodlands to visit her sweet feathered friends.  When I was young we roamed miles of woodlands, complete with creek and moss covered trees.  It was a wonderland for kids.  We built forts, caught crawdads, played with the fish which were spawned in that small stream.  I love the forest--the animals living there were special friends.

Above you see my exquisite reference model, Heather.  She is the dearest, sweetest young woman.  I am blessed by her friendship.

Thank you for your encouraging comments.  Your visits make my day!  Blessings and peace to you dear ones.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Hush my Darling

Above you see one of my latest pieces.  I've called it "Hush my Darling."  My beautiful reference model is a young lady by the name of Paige.  This dear girl has been an inspiration to me for many years.

Here she is walking through a bower of morning glories looking for her feathered friend.  She is hushing us because she doesn't want to frighten the tiny bird--who, as you can see, knows exactly what she's doing and is going to surprise her any minute.

This drawing will be included in my newest coloring book.  Have a GREAT day!

Springtime Apple Blossoms -Paint Party Friday

Here is yet another midnight sketch which somehow turned into a full drawing.  I will one day include her in a coloring book featuring Spring and flowers.

Above you see my beautiful reference model Rena.  Her grace and beauty translate well into this springtime maiden.  

Spring has arrived here in the Pacific Northwest.  The Mid-Willamette Valley is filled with flowers and blossoming fruit trees.  The apple blooms are just now beginning to bud.

It is raining hard, the fire is merrily lit, and we are expecting a wind storm tomorrow morning.  I am such a kid.  I LOVE storms, as long as no one is hurt and property damage is minimal.  I hope the power goes out!

Thank you so much for dropping by--your visits bring my heart a sparkle of happiness!  Have a lovely weekend, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

 

Friendship's Blessing -Paint Party Friday

Over the past three years I have come to treasure friendship more than ever before.  True friendship is rare and beautiful and should never be taken for granted.

This drawing is another of my midnight sketches.  I haven't been feeling well these past few days, so I have spent the time I can't sleep doodling in my sketchbook. 

Above you see my lovely models, Heather and Rena.  You can see, they are best friends in real life and I am incredibly privileged to work with them.

Thank you so much for dropping by--your visits bring joy to my heart.    Happy Paint Party Friday!