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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Hope Bringer -Guest Heart Thursday

"The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them."  Psalm 34:7  "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 37:18  I think sometimes we are unaware of the angels who are sent to bring hope to those who's hearts are broken.

This is a doodle I did a week or so ago--of course there are hearts hidden in the picture.  Have a lovely week's end, everyone!

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

Welcome Holy Babe - Guest Heart Thursday

December First seems a wonderful day to put up my latest watercolor.  When I was a little girl, I wasn't so interested in Santa Claus.  Rather I loved the beautiful and romantic story of a young girl, visited by an angel, given the gift of a Holy Child.

In my imagination, I watched Joseph as he tenderly cared for Mary--I loved how the angels protected them.  I wished I could have been with the Shepherds who were visited by a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and the birth of His Son.

I was in awe of the great Kings who sought the Babe from faraway lands.  I wondered about His star and  knew if I had been born then, I too, would have followed it to where He lay.

There are hearts in this painting--can you find them all?

Welcome Holy Babe!

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

Note:  This painting was inspired by the art and style of Alphonse Mucha.

Angel Cadence

In 2008, after a life and death struggle with MRSA, my family gave me a camera and a photoshop program.  I found I had been given a special aptitude for catching recognisable shapes in the clouds.  Then, using Photoshop, I would enhance what I saw, so others could see it too.

The angel above is one of my very first cloud paintings.  At that time, I used the mouse as my paint brush.  Today I use a Bamboo tablet--which is much easier!

Here you see the angel as I first saw her hanging over the alley outside our kitchen door.  There's no doubt this is an angel!

Have a lovely Sunday!

Angel Gaze

I just realized I haven't shared one of my cloud paintings for a quite some time.  So here he is!

Stepping out of the supermarket with a bag load of groceries, I glanced up to see this extraordinary angel gazing at me over the tops of the pear trees.  I quickly (and gently) dropped my bag of groceries to the curb, pulled out my camera and snapped his picture to share with you.  I will probably do several more of this angel before I am done!

Above you see this gorgeous Angel Gaze as I first observed him floating by.

Angel Blessings

We were at the Koffee Konnection across the street from the Glockenspeil Restaurant and Pub yesterday, when I spotted an angel overhead.  This sweet Bavarian Angel seemed to be leaving a blessing of hope over the wonderful town of Mt. Angel.  What a lovely sight to see!  And so perfect for the upcoming Oktoberfest!

Above you see the Angel as I first glimpsed her flight over the Glockenspeil.

Faery Magic

This is my second Cloud Painting--back then I used the mouse as my paintbrush.  This took a great deal of painstaking concentration and time.  I thought you might enjoy seeing one of my very first efforts at painting Sky Art.

Here she is as I first saw her, flying over the alley fence, toward the sun.

Her Heart is Broken

I remember the first time my heart broke. I sat in the middle of the living room floor, knees drawn up to my heart, weeping--and would not be comforted. The pain was such, I could not escape. It covered me like a thick, stabbing blanket of darkness.

It seems inevitable our hearts will be broken.  Sometimes we can slip into the pit of despair.  But God sends angels to minister supernatural loving kindness and comfort to the brokenhearted. 

The truth is, our tears are never wasted. Psalm 56: 7 tells us our tears are so precious to God, that He keeps them in a bottle.   It is a stunning revelation--the Almighty Creator treasures every tear we've ever shed. Not only that, He is near and His tears mingle with ours.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NASB)

You are not alone. He is near, and He weeps with you.

Moss Angel

This weekend I happened upon this sweet little Moss Angel perched in the tree outside the main lodge.  What a wonderful weekend it was.  Peaceful, lovely and one could truly sense angels everywhere!

Above you see the Moss Angel as I first spied her protectively watching over us.

Rainbow Blessings

I've always loved rainbows. In fact, I've seen a rainbow just about anytime something amazing is about to happen in my life.

My favorite rainbow story is told by my sister Clytie. A tremendous storm had swept over the sea. Clytie, adventurous soul that she is, went for a long walk along the storm-tossed ocean. Suddenly sunlight burst through the clouds and a vivid rainbow appeared. To Clytie's great astonishment, the rainbow stretched from the skies above, reflected down upon the rain-streaming beach, flowing to touch the tips of her shoes, then flung back up to the skies creating a huge circle of brilliant color. Someday I shall draw the wonderful word picture she painted.

But there is more to the story of the rainbow. The very first rainbow appeared when Noah and his family came out of the great ark. The world as they knew it was destroyed. Their lives would never be the same. Yet they still gave thanks to God for keeping them safe. In response, God promised them He would never flood the earth again. And as a token of His promise, He set a rainbow in the skies.

So every time I see a rainbow, brilliant with color and promise, I remember the blessing of the rainbow. God always keeps His promises.

Independence Angel

Most of the pictures I take of clouds are captured in the skies over my beloved hometown of Independence.

Indeed, I often see one particular face in the clouds. I call him the "Independence Angel."

I usually capture the Independence Angel doing mischievious things--such you see here--capturing and kissing this fluffy angel kitten. I'm not sure why, but he nearly always wears an odd pointed cap.

He sports a beard and is usually laughing. With the wonderful and checkered history of our town, I'm not surprised the angel watching over us has such an interesting and fun personality!

Above you can see him as I caught him kissing that kitty!

Angel on a Stick

Last year, even in our green valley, the snow fell and actually stayed for a day! I love the snow, and I've missed it! I suppose--if I were to endure months of the white stuff, as some of you have--I would probably feel differently.

The day I found her, I was crunching along in my oversized rubber boots when I spied this delightful Angel on a Stick. The snow had taken her shape on the straggles of a blackberry vine.

Above you see the angel as I first took her photo. I didn't have to do much to enhance this darling Angel on a Stick.