EnGarde! -Paint Party Friday

I loved this picture I took of Rena a couple of summers ago.  There's something about her stance, the twinkle in her eye...I think I've caught it here!

What a talented young lady and lovely, both inside and out. She says she's doing well even in the midst of this pandemic.  I'm so thankful she and her husband are doing alright.

Happy Paint Party Friday, dear Friends

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!

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. 

Good Friends -Paint Party Friday

 Best friends--friendship itself is worth its weight in gold.  I think of all the friends who are in my life and I am overwhelmed with the treasure of their love.  What a blessing they are to me!

Friendship--our Friendship

is like the beautiful shadows of evening,

Spreading and growing til' life

and its lights pass away.

~Michael Fitkovics

I found the above poem in a poetry book from the late 1800's.  My sweet friend Marian gave it to me years ago.

She wrote, "Beth, I do hope you enjoy this little book.  It was given to my Mother long before I arrived on the scene.  So it is very old, but it had the sentiment I wanted to share with you...We are the kind of friends who, at any time or any place can say, "and... & then go on." 

She is in heaven now, and I will miss her always.  Her piano is in my house and I often play it in the night time...

Above are my beautiful models, Heather and Rena.  They are sweet daughters to me--I am SO honored by their friendship--hence my title of "Good Friends."  I am so proud of them.  They have become best friends and continue to be a blessing to me and so many others.

Thank you for dropping by.  I always look forward to your visits! Happy Paint Party, and Happy Easter!  May the joy of Springtime be yours. 

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!

Sending Hope -Paint Party Friday

This week I have been pondering over the story of life and the intricate bends and turns of each person's journey. Every single life story is unique and precious and each of our steps on life's path leaves a footprint.

I am grateful for the friends God has led into my life.  So often they send hope when I need it most, sometimes when no one knows I am struggling.  Their footsteps have joined onto my own path and have left footprints of hope next to mine.

Here are some of God's sweet promises, found in Psalm 18:35, 36. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped. 

It is encouraging to read these beautiful verses. God is my protector. He cares so much about me, He gives strength and guidance with His own hand.  He is gentle and kind and He makes the often difficult path I tread wide, so I do not lose my step and tumble down.  I believe Friends who encourage are often those whom God brings alongside on the pathway of our lives, so we do NOT slip, or fall. 

I pray the footprints I leave behind are ones which bring hope and strength to others.

Today my heart is inspired and I am looking into the future for what God has for me and excited about the work He has called me to do. I hope you are all having a beautiful morning. God is good.

Above you see my beautiful reference models, Heather and Rena.  They are the sweetest of friends and I love them dearly.  It is a privilege to share them with you!

Blessings and peace to each of you dear ones.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Your visit has brightened my heart.  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends and Happy Paint Party Friday!

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!

Mountain Dancer -Paint Party Friday

One of the ways I handle sleeplessness is to draw in the late hours of night, or the wee hours of the morning.  This is one such piece.  I haven't slept well in a long time, but I don't mind as much when I end up drawing something like this.

Above you see my lovely model, Rena.  The girls came over for a photoshoot a couple of weeks ago.  It was SO much fun!  They are wonderful friends, and I am privileged to work with them.

Thank you so much for dropping by--your visits mean a lot to me.  Blessings, comfort and joy to all of you, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Her Keen Blade -Paint Party Friday

Back in the mists of time there must have been those warriors who wandered alone, sword in hand.  They must have been tough, as well as brave and kind.  Such adventures were peopled with these heroes of old in the tales Mumsie used to tell us when I was small.  I can still see those heroes in my mind's eye. 

Above you see my reference photo of beautiful Rena--who also, in her way is a warrior, brave, strong and true.

Have a lovely holiday weekend, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Her Melodramatic Friend -Paint Party Friday

This is a graphite doodle from the middle of the night.  It made me laugh and I wanted to share these two with you.  One of them is totally melodramatic, the other looks on tongue in cheek.

Above you see my delightful reference models, Rena and Heather--they bring such light and laughter into my life.  As you can see they are a lot of fun to have around! 

Have a lovely holiday weekend, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Maple Tree Fairy -Paint Party Friday

I adore maple trees.  They are everywhere in our little town--flooding the skies with their broad green leaves and covering the ground with refreshing shade on hot summer days.  A few weeks ago, seated beneath those gently bowing giants, I was inspired to draw this lovely maple tree fairy.

The truth is, she and her friends adore twirling down on the helicopter seedlings in the Fall.  However, she's on her best behavior here--all ready for a fancy fairy ball.

Above you see my wonderful reference model, Rena, who is one of my dearest friends and inspirations.

Have a great weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Happy Dancers -Paint Party Friday

Here are my favorite young ladies happy dancing under springtime blossoms.  I missed last week because I was holding a drama camp for a small group of little girls here in my home.  We had a blast!  What a fabulous way to spend summer, eh?

Here is my reference photo with lovely Rena and Heather as models.  They are such wonderful young women.  I have known them for many years now--they've become my daughters and I cherish their friendship.  I am SO blessed.  They are the fairies who come to visit my garden sparkling their joy all around.

Have a lovely weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Lovely Nouveau -Paint Party Friday

One of my greatest inspirations has been the artist Alphonse Mucha.  I have loved his work since I was a child--though I didn't know who he was back then.  I had several postcards with his artwork and I treasured them.  It was only years later after I met my husband's older brother Paul, with his wonderful collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, that I put two and two together.

My artwork often reflects the style of this great artist, who ushered in a whole new era of design which continues today.  I will not ever reach the stature of this great man...but I like to think I honor him with my choices of model and design.

Here is my lovely reference model, Rena.  I am truly blessed to have this sweet young lady in my life.  The camera loves her every stance, and I am SO happy to draw her!

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday!

She is Beauty -Paint Party Friday

I like the way this particular piece turned out. I believe it will be spectacular when I put it into Pen and ink.  This piece will go into a coloring book I am working on for this Fall.   I adore this girl's graceful pose and artless confidence--indeed she IS beauty!

Above you see my lovely model, Rena.  And by chance, her favorite Disney cartoon happens to be Beauty and the Beast.  I love working with her--she is a photographer's dream come true.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Her Prayers -Paint Party Friday

I have been away for quite some time.  I have missed all you wonderful people.  Though it has been nearly two and a half years, this past month has been one of the most difficult since I lost the love of my life.  This is a drawing I did just after he passed away--I completed the lineart version last week.

I hope you enjoy the details.  The sea is a picture of grief--how it is always there--the light house signifies the hope of landing on solid ground and the Light which guides me.  The boat represents courage and strength.  I will battle the rising waves--I will hang on.  The high seas engulfing that tiny craft will soon smooth themselves into peace.

Above you see my lovely model Rena.  I adore this photo--there's a sunbeam coming down upon her.  Something the camera did all on its own.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  It is good to be back.  Happy Paint Party Friday!