Slumbering Might -Paint Party Friday

This is the mighty Aslan slumbering. I've always loved C. S. Lewis's stories of Aslan, the "Great Lion."

Aslan is a mysterious talking lion, King of the Beasts, beloved guide to the human children who visit the Land of Narnia.

Despite his gentle, wise and loving nature, Aslan is "not a tame lion." He is powerful and can be dangerous to those who plot evil against the ones He loves.  I've loved the tales of Narnia since I first read them to my children years ago.

Have a wonderful week, dear friends.  Thank you so much for dropping by.  I love hearing from you! 

Little Winged Lion -Paint Party Friday

Here is a lineart drawing which will be published in my first coloring book for adults.  This is a sneak peek for you dear Friends.  My little niece posed for this drawing--she and I are sure when dandelions are out and about in a special garden like mine--they might look just like this little winged lion.  

Today is the three-year anniversary of my Daddy's "Heaven Day."  We all miss him so much.  Dad had an imagination just like mine--he saw things in his mind's eye.  His stories were wonderful--I can still see the places he spoke of--magical, imaginative places full of color, elves, fairies and fanciful creatures.  

We were blessed to have such a dear loving Father.  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people.  God bless you, dear ones--have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Brave and True -Paint Party Friday

This is a T-Shirt I painted for Alan, long ago.  I love this lion.  There's something so sweet, brave and true about his eyes.  Alan adored the T-Shirts I made for him.  It makes my heart happy to think of him wearing them and bragging about his "one-of-a-kind" shirts.  I can still see him in my mind's eye, smiling with delight.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people. God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.

Lion Slide -Paint Party Friday

I realized I haven't put up a cloud painting in some time--so here's one I painted in 2011.  I took the original picture out over the back fence.  I thought, at first it was a sliding dog with large flapping ears.  But as I worked on the picture--a lion began to form.  I laughed at the expression on his face--he's having SO much fun sliding down that cloud bank!

Above you see this frisky feline as I first saw him in the clouds.

Thank you so much for dropping by!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Hope of Sunrise -Paint Party Thursday

I always try to put in two pieces, one I've finished and another graphite drawing from my sketchbook.  Please take a look at both, as they are quite different.

In my experience some folks don't quite know how to react when the loss of a loved one is brought into the spotlight.  So, I have featured this first painting which has a sad feeling (but with hope!)--and the sketch below, which is a bit more light-hearted and whimsical.  ((hugs))

In explanation, I have been feeling sad the past two days.  I couldn't figure out why, until I realized this is right about the time Dad had the stroke which took him from us a month later.  I will likely grieve his loss in our lives for the rest of mine.  We all will. 

This is an acrylic painting I made for my Mom right after Daddy died.  It is really really big--and I had to photograph it.  The photograph doesn't do the original painting justice, as the colors are more neon than the original.  Still--it conveys the weeping heart of the dear Shepherd, Whom Mumsie loves.

I spent hours and hours writing out every Bible verse I could find about hope and comfort onto the canvas.  Even if your beliefs are different than mine--hope is universal.  Blessings and hope to each of you.

And now the more light-hearted, whimsical side, here is another peek into my sketchbook.  Above is a little faery playing a morning melody. She marched out of my pencil yesterday as the workers pounded, thudded, thwacked and sawed a tumult of noise, as they worked on the chimney!

PS  I just found out I've been featured on Paint Party Friday!  What an honor--thank you!

Have a lovely day, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Brave and True

This is a tee shirt I painted awhile back.  I love the look in his strong gentle face.  Lions are special to me.  My favorite lion of all time is Aslan.  This fellow kind of reminds me of him.

Have a lovely day, Friends.

Snow Eagle - Guest Heart Thursday

I have been painting tee-shirts for the past five days.  It has been about 10 years since I've painted on fabric this way.  The above is my favorite of the six I've painted so far.   The snow flakes were not intended--I squirted white paint onto the head area--and it splattered all over.  That's when I came up with the idea of the Snow Eagle.  Sometimes mistakes make the best pieces of art.  If  you look closely, just under his feathered chin--you can see a tiny splatted heart. 

The wolf above gave me all kinds of trouble!  His face was too fat, his ears were too short and his fur was too stripped.  The photo doesn't do justice to the final painting.  I do love his eyes--they follow a person everywhere!

I call this an Etruscan Lion, because he came out so differently than what I'd envisioned when I first started painting him. He looks rather fierce, don't you think?

 

This fetching fellow turned out a little stout--Sometimes a drawing takes over and does something completely different than what I first had in mind.

Here is another of the eagles I painted.  As you can see this guy has a completely different personality than any of the others.

These tee-shirts were painted for the winners of a drawing we had for our non-profit organization.  I had a LOT of fun painting them!

Yehaw! Eagles and Snarling Lions

These are ACEO cards which I made for my Sissy Clytie, Niece Victoria, Mum and Dad.  You will have to guess which went to whom.  (grin)

I will be away from my desk next week, so will not be able to put up FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight, however, I'll be back the following week, so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Lion in the Skies

I have always loved lions.

Since I read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe as a young woman, Aslan has remained close to my heart. Here you see him in the clouds. He is wise, noble and gentle, but strong and fierce if need be.

Above you see Aslan as I first spotted him--I did have to add an ear--but you can plainly see his noble face.

A Boy and His Lion

This is one of my favorite Prismacolor pencil drawings.  There's something so compelling about the friendship between these two.  A Boy and His Lion.  The drawing almost happened by itself.  It reminds me of Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from the Chronicles of Narnia, written by C.S. Lewis.

I would love to run with the Lion too.

Lioness

This lovely Lioness has taken charge of two small kittens. She seems to love them as her own. I am sure there is a story in here somewhere--perhaps she lost her own and rescued these little ones to raise as her own. To see her best, click for the larger view.

Above is the lioness as I first saw her. More detail can be seen in the larger view.

King of the Sand

Imagine my surprise when I caught this wooden lion staring sternly from the side of a huge piece of driftood. He seems to be saying, "Stand back, I say! I'm the King of the Sand, hear me roar!"

Above you see the scowl I clicked, when he first caught my eye.

They Carry Our Children

I recently sent a copy of "Mayday! Mayday!" to my talented friend Phil Bogle. Phil has a wonderful gift of writing, and a unique way of seeing the world. He has been an inspiration to Alan and me, many times over the years.

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When Phil viewed the photo, he wrote, I just get an entirely different thought process when I see the one you entitled "Mayday! Mayday!" I think of the MAF pilots...flying the missionaries into the jungle. Taking the dear workers of God into the jaws of death and attacks by Satan. The little David, against the roaring lion, delivering hope and the Gospel. My son goes into the jungle frequently and I worry often. The MAF was the only way my kids and grand kids got to their home in Mulia, New Guinea. Now they are in a different place called Cannibal Valley (not one bit more comforting). But knowing that MAF pilots do their job, so Ben and others can do their jobs, is the image I get from your piece.

Phil's description of these brave pilots, and the inspiring poem he wrote, deeply touched my heart. Please be praying for the courageous men and women who risk their lives to bring hope to those who have never heard.