Happy Thanksgiving! -Paint Party Friday

I made this bookmark special for you, dear ones.  Please feel free to print and use in your favorite books!

 Happy Thanksgiving!  

Your visits make my day, sweet Friends.  I thank the Lord for each and every one of you!!! 

Kitty Surprise -Paint Party Friday

I've posted this before.  This is one of my favorite drawings from long ago, so I would put it up again.  It is hard to believe so much time has passed since I drew this picture.

I'm not sure who is the most surprised, the faery, or the kitty cat! In my mind's eye, this is one of the faeries who frequent my garden--I am sure there have been more than one skirmish between cat and fairy folk over the years. It is my belief the winged ones love teasing the cats.

I know, I know--I have a GREAT imagination!

I did the first part of this drawing in graphite. Once that was done, I carefully drew in the lines using India ink. Once the ink was good and dry, I erased the pencil lines and used my beloved Prismacolor pencils to achieve the bright effect you see here.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful people. Thank you for dropping by.

Autumn Surprise

I remember the day she was born, the first beautiful leaf on our tree of life.  She was everything we'd dreamed about and more.

She is beloved.

As you can see, these two are GREAT friends.  That kitten loves to pounce on her mistress--no afternoon naps for this young lady!

Have a GREAT week everyone!

Leaning on Her Harley

At the request of a friend of mine, who wanted to see this piece, I'm posting a picture of one of my first big commissioned pieces.  I apologize for the unevenness in the photo--it was really hard to get the coloring right with my camera!

It took almost eight months of preliminary drawings--when I was finally finished, it was HUGE.  I mailed it off in a box 45x36x5 inches!  Under separate cover, I included a smaller version, matted and framed, along with a hand-bound book, which included all the preliminary sketches.

It was lovely to work on such an extensive project with a person who knew exactly what he wanted.  It was an amazing experience.

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Blanket of Leaves -Guest Heart Thursday

Fall has arrived.  She isn't peeking from the shadows these days--she's gathering the trees to her heart, turning their leaves to crimson, brown, oranges and bright yellow.  I delight in Fall.  It is one of my favorite times of the year.

I have hidden many hearts in my drawing--can you find them?  I am excited about adding ink and color to this picture.  I will post it when it is done!  Have a lovely day, everyone.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!
 

Autumn Birch Trees

There's an old 1970's song by Mark Heard called Appalachian Melody.  My favorite line is, "How peculiar liking old dead leaves against the sky..."    And then in the chorus, "Funny how I sit and watch these leaves come falling down... but these things are music to to my eyes...

I began painting this watercolor yesterday late evening, finished it when awoke and I couldn't get back to sleep early this morning.

Those words fit this painting so well.

Have a lovely Autumn day, everyone!

Fall Winds - Guest Heart Thursday

As January's mild temperatures and soaking rains douse the Pacific Northwest, I long for the crisp, bright days of Fall.   Sissy and I were walking in The Abandoned yesterday and to my astonishment, we found cherry trees in bloom!

Here is the Fall Wind blowing precious hearts through the brightening trees.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Leaf Me Alone, Revisited

In honor of the last few leaves clinging to the branches of the black walnut tree outside my office window, I am re-posting this leaf draped faery girl--who, as you can see, doesn't want to be seen.

There are so many kinds of leaves! Several varieties last clear through winter. Some are spiked like the snippy fir. Others, such as cedar trees, spread their fronds like fragrant fingers into the air. There is an evergreen tree in our back yard, who's dark green leaves are flat, hard and shiny. They clack together in winter storms.

I like the bumps budding leaves make beneath the skin of Winter bare branches just before they unfurl in the warmth of springtime sunshine. I enjoy the tender spring green leaves of the aromatic honey trees growing along the river. I sing with the soft swishing music leaves make in summertime breezes. The colors of Fall always take my breath away, whether I am looking at them collectively covering the hillsides with gorgeous color, or closely admiring a single astonishingly colored leaf in my fingers.

Leaves are wonderful.

Forgive me, but I must say it. (grin) I can hardly "leaf" them alone....

Autumn

Watching the green leaves of Summer turn to the gorgeous colorings of Fall is nature's way of dashing a bit of colorful seasoning onto the leaves before stripping them away to lie in colored clutter upon the earth in winter.

Here is the sense of Autumn.