Merry Christmas! -Paint Party Friday

Hello, sweet Friends.  Thank you for your patience.  I have been dealing with some depression over the loss of my sweetheart--granted it has been five years since he flew away to heaven, but this year I missed him extra lots.

This is my finished Christmas card.  I hope you enjoy it.  If you would like to see my reference photo and graphite sketch you can find it here: Christmas is Coming.  If you would like to see the pen and ink version you can find it here: Mary Did you Know?.

Thank you so much for dropping by, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday and Merry Christmas!

Mary Did you know? -Paint Party Friday

I have been working on my Christmas Card.  A Friend suggested the title of Mary Did You Know.  There's a song out by that name which I love--it is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.

If you would like to see my reference photo and the graphite draft, you can find it at Christmas is Coming.

Merry Christmas dear Friends.  Thank you so much for dropping by.  Blessings and peace be upon you this holiday season, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Christmas is coming -Paint Party Friday

Here is my first draft of a Christmas Card I'm working for this year.  I apologize for being a little out of touch.  Since the fifth anniversary of my Beloved's home-going in October, I have been struggling with depression and sadness.

Art and the Lord are always my best help when I am feeling so down.  God is so good--and so are the friends He sends alongside.

Above is my reference photo.  It is of a beautiful nativity set I found.  I saw it a few years ago and fell in love with it.   I couldn't believe it when I spied it again--and on sale.

Thank you for dropping by sweet Friends.  God is good and I am grateful for your friendship.  Merry Christmas and Happy Paint Party Friday!

A Beautiful and Ancient Story -Paint Party Friday

When I was a little girl, I could not figure out what all the hoopla was about Santa Claus. It was a charming story--but the problem was, I knew kids from school who were pretty good all year long (myself included), who did not get tons of Christmas gifts.  On the other hand, kids who were mean seemed to have it all!  I remember thinking, "If Santa is real, then he's not very fair."

"Us kids" didn't have much in those days--but thinking back--we were very happy. We were poor, but we didn't know we were lacking in anything. Some say my childhood memories sound like a fairy tale, or something out of a book.

As a child I loved the romance and danger of the ancient story of Joseph and Mary. I was intrigued by the singing angels, shepherds and the tiny baby miraculously conceived. Then there were wise men who followed a shining star to where the child lived. They brought him wonderful exotic gifts.

There was even a jealous, deceitful king who sought after the child's life--yet miraculously, through the intervention of angels, the family escaped certain death.

I am still filled with awe and wonder as I consider the mystery and beauty of that wonderful old story.

Merry Christmas sweet Friends.  May the beauty and mystery of the season fill your hearts with joy!  Thank you so much for dropping by.  Your visits are an encouragement to my heart! 

Christmas With Grandma -Paint Party Friday

Here is one of the pages from the Children's Book, Christmas With Grandma, which I've been working on.  I'm about to start coloring the pages now.  I'm SO excited.  It will be completed by Sunday morning.  

Above you see my reference photo for Lorie, Lily and Victoria.  The photoshoot was so much fun.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people.  May the Creator shed His gift of light and joy in to your lives.  God bless you, dear ones--have a lovely weekend and thank you for stopping by.  ((hugs))

The Lady and the Lambs -Paint Party Friday

This is a graphite rendering from 2005, of an old picture my Mother loved. It was a gift from long ago--the person who gave it to Mums said she looked just like this beautiful woman. It is true! Indeed, in her younger years, Mumsie was beautiful--but not in the classical sense. She is still lovely--a stately yet mischievous and fun lady whom everyone loves.

Years ago, when color programs were first coming out, I scanned my sketch into the computer, then played with the paint programs. I was astonished to see so much color coming from a grey and white graphite drawing--I saved the results. But after that, any attempts to recreate these color patterns failed. I wonder . . .

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May the joy and beauty of Christmas permeate your lives--even through great tragedy and loss.  God is good. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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

Blessed Among Women -Guest Heart Thursday

A bit of a doodle from my sketchbook.  Of course I have hidden several hearts in this graphite drawing.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Guest Heart Thursday! 

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

Dear Little Child -Guest Heart Thursday

Here's another of my recent doodles.  Of course, I have hidden some hearts--but they are easily found. 

Have a lovely day!

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