To Catch An Angel -Paint Party Friday

I am pretty busy today, so I thought I'd share a pen and ink I created a couple of years ago.  It was inspired by a dream.  The story in my dream was almost like being in a  movie--and I hated to awaken.

 Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by.  Your visits are a real encouragement to my heart.  Love, joy and peace to you, dear ones!

Christmas Angel -Paint Party Friday

This lovely angel is one of the first Christmas cards I designed, back in the late 1990's.  It was folded into fourths, then in half, with some of the design lapping over onto the back of the card.  I thought it elegant.  This card is one of my favorites of that series--a perfect way to welcome in the Christmas season!

I believe true Christmas joy is not only spending time with family, but it rests within the Gift of God's dear Son to our world.  I know He wasn't really born this time of year, but I love this day we have set aside to celebrate His birth.

Thank you so much for your visits.  They mean SO much to me.  May God give you a blessed Holiday season full of joy.  A BIG hug to all of you dear ones.

Their Guardian Angel -Paint Party Friday

When I was a little girl, my Mother gave me a beautiful painting for my bedroom.  "It's your little brother and you," she would say.  I loved that picture.  I would often fall asleep looking at it--knowing in my little girl heart that my own Guardian Angel was there beside me.  That print still hangs in my office today. 

This past week, inspired by that wonderful vintage picture, I drew my own version--only with sisters crossing the bridge.  I have the sweetest sisters in the world--and this is for each of them.  I love them dearly and I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life.

Above you see the wonderful artwork which encouraged me for so many years.  I did some research and I discovered there's an interesting backstory to this painting.

In the 1800s artists across Europe began selling paintings of guardian angels watching over young children as they traveled perilous pathways along dangerously high cliffs.

In 1900, a German postcard maker broke that tradition and published a painting by an unknown artist featuring two children and their guardian angel watching over them as they crossed a precarious bridge over treacherous waters

The postcard found an especially receptive audience in the hills of Appalachia, where just about every family used a broken-down, dubiously safe bridge to get home.  Those bridges were built over  steep valleys where flash floods and swift waters were common.

Over time, people associated the painting with God's protection in all of life's hardships.  Mothers and Grandmothers across the mountains began hanging this picture in their living rooms. Today the painting is recognized world wide.

Thank you, dear ones for reading this fascinating bit of history and for dropping by!  It is a happy treat when you visit.  I deeply appreciate your encouraging comments.

May God protect your dear ones and bring hope to your hearts.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Flower Doodles -Paint Party Friday

This is another of the doodles I drew whilst down with the flu.  It was such a hard time--so much to do at the end of the year, and all I could do was draw and watch old movies on the television.

I am much better now, only a few residual sniffles.  I hope your weekend goes well--there were actually snow showers here one night, and I awoke to the tiny daffodils wearing hats of white sparkles!

Thank you so much for dropping by.  Blessings, love and joy to each of you!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Star Child -Paint Party Friday

This is another midnight doodle.  As my reference I used an old photograph from the early 1900's.  I love the style of that era in time.  This little star child is going to be my Christmas card this year!

Have a lovely Christmas holiday, dear Friends, and God bless you all.

Violets and an Angel -Paint Party Friday

This is a doodle from last week.  It was inspired by two different vintage cards from my card collection.  I love violets and angels are a favorite, too, so it seemed logical to bring both ideas together here.

I hope this one makes you smile--it will be fun to ink it in and when I add the color--oh, it will be lovely!

Have a GREAT weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sunflower Angel -Postcard Friendship Friday

I posted this back in 2009.  It has been such a busy couple of weeks, I'm re-posting.  

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. They are so cheerful and full of sunshine. If you look closely you will see this lovely lady is a sunflower angel. Her wings are hidden. I've met this angel, and she pours goodness and beauty over everyone she meets. What a blessing she is.

Notice the cup of coffee in her hand...or is it peppermint tea?  I will let you decide.


Have a lovely weekend and happy Paint Party Friday!

Angelic Warrior -Paint Party Friday

This is a Cloud Painting I made for my middle daughter for Christmas one year.  This Angelic Warrior could be one of my all-time favorite pieces of cloud art.  I love the wings, hair--and the weapon in her hands.

I clicked the original photo from our back yard. 

I find the heavens are full of fascinating and wonderful things, if only one would look up--I have a habit of walking along looking into the skies.  I trip a lot.  (grin)

Above you see this angel as I first saw her.  As you can see--I didn't have to enhance much.

Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sky Angel -Paint Party Friday

I have been looking up at the clouds since I was a little girl.  It was after I nearly lost my life in 2008, from MRSA, that I began to capture what I saw in the skies.  My family bought a camera and photoshop for me and I became a cloud painter.

I haven't had much time to do much artwork this week--so I'm posting this cloud painting from 2010.  I will be speaking for a Women's Retreat tomorrow, so I've been busy preparing for that all week long. 

Above you see this beautiful angel as I first saw her over the back fence in my garden.  As you can see, I didn't have to do much!  I feel privileged that God would bring the beauty of the skies, with its wonderful possibilities, to my attention.  God is good!

Happy Paint Party Friday.  Keep looking up!  You never know what beautiful thing God may have there for you to see.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((Hugs))

Angel of the Roses -Paint Party Friday

Angel of the Roses started as a pencil sketch in my sketchbook. When I had a moment to spare for drawing, I would add a little here, and a little there. This drawing took about six years to finish.

I love the jewel tones of the colors, and the graceful line of her wings. Many people have told me this piece looks like a stained glass window.

Happy Paint Party Friday, my precious Friends.  May God bless you with rainbows of joy, have a beautiful weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Angel Naptime -Paint Party Friday

I am incredibly blessed to have my sweet niece in my life. She often shows up in my artwork, as do her little friends.  

Here you see Stringbean the pup and Peaches the cat along my sweet angelic niece getting ready to take a nap after a day sliding down rainbows.  

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.

Capricious Wind -Guest Heart Thursday

Here is another graphite drawing from my sketchbook. Of course I have hidden lots of interesting hearts throughout.  I often use my own photography as references for my artwork.  I am so blessed by the talented young women, who give their precious time to indulge an old lady who loves to draw.

Above is Heather, one of my lovely young friends.  She is a sweetheart of a girl--truly an angel, both in heart and appearance.

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

Joyful Tears -Guest Heart Thursday

I was doodling in my sketchbook and who should pop from my pencil, but my youngest sister.  She is a beautiful young woman...of course I've hidden hearts in this drawing.

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

Love Calls -Guest Heart Thursday

Here is another doodle from my sketchbook.  I haven't had much time to do color or lineart on these--so what you see, is what you get!  I love drawing angels--but especially I like to make borders.  They're like the icing on the cake for me as an artist.

Have a lovely rest of the week!

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

Rainbow Angel -Guest Heart Thursday

This is an ACEO--a tiny piece of art the size of a baseball card.  I created this doodle while watercoloring with my tiny niece.  Everyone should have the opportunity to see the world from the eyes of a six-year old.  Of course there are hearts to be found.

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

SKETCH BOOK UPDATE: I was so heart broken when I lost my sketchbook and thought I had lost it forever. I looked everywhere, made phone calls, put it out on the internet...then Monday morning I was cleaning the house for housesitters, when I picked up a dark blue cloth bag. Beneath it, half under the carpet, between the wall and our dining room table--was my sketchbook. I have NO idea how it could have slipped beneath the carpeting--but someone suggested it must be Toez the Polydactyl cat. Hmmmmm....scary thought. (grin) I can't tell you how overjoyed I feel to have my sketchbook back!!!!!

Monday's Angel

I was out taking pictures of the amazing storm clouds this afternoon, when I caught sight of an angel in the sky.  After today's tragic terrorist attack during the Boston Marathon, I was deeply touched to see her floating there.

Above you see the angel as I first saw her.

We have many friends in that fair city.  Our prayers are with them.  I thank God for His protection of those who survived the bombing.  May He give healing to those who were injured and comfort to the families who have lost their dear ones.  I can't even begin to imagine how they must feel... 

Angel in my Garden -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a pen and ink I drew in early 2002.  She is the angel in my garden--one can find her guarding an ivy covered corner near the old tree house.  Of course, there are hearts hidden throughout this drawing.

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

Angel Blanket

I was talking with Mom this morning--she told me she believes I should be doing more cloud paintings.  She says she was given a special word about it.  It has been a LONG time since I've posted one of my sky art pieces.  Since Dad had his stroke last October and left us for heaven in November, I haven't spent much time cloud painting--I kind of lost heart.  In honor of my lovely Mumsie and Dad, I shall begin to paint clouds again.

I took the above photo over the back fence--truly, as you can see, I didn't need to add much to this lovely angel.

Have a lovely day today, sweet Friends.

An Angel's Prayer -Guest Heart Thursday

This drawing is only 2.5x3.5 inches big--the size of a baseball card.  It fits right into the palm of my hand.

I love the idea of angels praying over those whom God loves.  Angels come in all shapes and sizes--I believe some are buff warriors who not only watch over us--but who are charged by the Creator to protect those He loves from evil.

Of course, I have hidden hearts in this drawing--just perfect for 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.
 

Bless the Little Children

Our hearts are breaking as we hear reports of a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut.  I can't wrap my mind around what happened there this morning.  Our hearts and prayers go out to all the people touched by this awful tragedy.  They will never be the same.  None of us will.

May God's strength, comfort and compassion surround this community--especially the parents, families and friends who've lost their loved ones.