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!

Joy of the Angels

Saturday, December 17th, just before six, I was in the middle of setting up the stage for yesterday's drama.  Suddenly I became so dizzy I had to sit down.  It was the strangest feeling--as though a part of me was suddenly missing. 

Miles away, at the VA hospital, Mom had been holding Dad's hand praying.  Then his fingers gently cradled hers--a moment later he was gone.   He flew away at 5:45--exactly when the dizziness overcame me.  I know Dad tenderly carries a piece of our hearts with him always--we who are left behind grieve, yet we have hope.

I can only imagine the joy of his Shepherd and the angels, as Daddy arrived in that beautiful place prepared just for him.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers over these difficult weeks.  Please continue to hold Mumsie close in your prayers.  She will be walking a different path now--one without her best Friend and lover--as Mummers has always said--he was the wind beneath her wings.  Also, pray for my sweet sissy Clytie, who has always been such a great gift and help to my parents and the twins. Sissy Leigh, who will be helping with all the arrangements and her family, our brother Mark and his family and Darren and his family will all welcome your prayers.

Take time with the ones you love.  Work can wait.  You'll never regret spending those precious moments.  Life is fragile. God bless you--every one of you dears out there--with abundant life, extraordinary love and amazing joy. 

Sparkle Faery

While on our anniversary trip this past week, I found time to do a little cloud painting.  This lovely faery with sparkles all around was shot recently when the sun was out and rain was falling at the same time.  What a magical combination!  The raindrops sparkled on their way down--as my lady faery grinned up at them.

Above you can see this smiling cloud faery, as I first saw her.

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Crickette Kitty

As storm clouds laden with rain scudded across the skies, I caught our little Crickette'  peeking over the tops of the clouds.

 Above you see her as I first caught her pouncing upon wisps of the storm.

Here she is again!  I was able to get two shots of our darling kitty before she whiskered her way back to heaven.

And here you see Crickette' as I originally saw her, peeking through the storm.  Of course, I waved.  I'm sure she winked before she flew away.

Tangle of Hearts - Guest Heart Thursday

This is my very first attempt at cloud painting.  After a life and death encounter with a staff infection in my foot and leg, my family gave me a camera.  As I recovered, I would hobble around the block, viewing my world in a whole different way--through the camera's eye.

One late night, I spied a beauteous sunset through a tangle of curly willow branches.  I saw hearts!  Using a very old paint program, I attempted my first cloud painting.  I was using the mouse as my paintbrush, so it took a very long time.

Above you see my Tangle of Hearts as I first saw them.

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

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!

Chief Joseph in the Clouds

I showed this cloud painting to a friend of mine awhile back.  I had thought this fellow looked a bit like George Washington.  But she thought, instead, that this man looked like an Indian Chief.  Of course, I  thought of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe.

Dad recently told me we are related to the Nez Perce Indians.  I feel honored to know Native American blood runs in my veins.  I have always felt a connection to Chief Joseph.  He was a noble man who fought hard for his people in a time of great change and transition.

In most of the photos and drawings I found of Chief Joseph, there is a profound sadness in his eyes.  When I read his story and the story of the Nez Perce peoples I understand why such deep grief is reflected there.

Above you see him as I first saw him in the clouds.  He is smiling.  That idea makes my heart happy.

Watching Over You

This is one of my very first cloud paintings.  I have often sent this painting out as a gift to those who support Dramatic Difference Ministries.

The picture above is the original photo of a local pilot and airplane, taken near our town's Independence State Airport.   One of the folks to whom I sent this Cloud Painting had it sitting on their piano.  Tiny 3-year old Emma noticed a protective hand in the picture I hadn't seen before.  I took a closer look.  Indeed, there was an angel there, protecting the airplane from harm. 

So I enhanced the picture to reflect the guardian angel seen in the original.  This newly vamped piece of Sky Art is entitled, Watching Over You and hangs in the Starduster Cafe at the airport in Independence, Oregon.  Limited edition, signed prints are for sale!  If you're interested, contact me via email.

Heavenly View

I caught sight of this fellow one afternoon--I saw his hands first.  This man's wonderful face reminds me of our beloved Uncle Jody.  I can't help but wonder if he doesn't peek down at us from heaven once in awhile.

His face is a little harder to see--but you can see his hands so clearly in the original untouched photo.  What you see above is exactly as I saw it in the sky.  Isn't that just the strangest thing?  Awe-inspiring.

Warrior - Guest Heart Thursday

Clearly this angel warrior is on a mission.  I just happened to click this picture in the Safeway parking lot!  I'm sure people watching me take pictures of the sky that day were wondering!  There is a heart in this photo--can you find it?

Above you see the Angel Warrior as I first saw it through my camera's eye.  As you can see, I did not have to enhance much.  I think this original photo is amazing.

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

Sea Captain in the Clouds

We were at the Coast staying with Captain Grady and his lady Sandy.  The clouds that evening were magnificent!  I especially loved the formation of clouds I saw directly over their home--out over the trees and sea.  I didn't notice the face at first--it was when I looked at the pictures on the camera I noticed this kindly young Sea Captain smiling to the South.

Above you can see the Sea Captain's face as I first saw him.

Kitty Cat Sky Nap

Two years ago, late Summer, I was working outside in the garden when I noticed this darling little cat stretching as she awoke from her Kitty Cat Sky Nap!  Of course, since my camera is like a piece of jewelry--always around my neck--I caught her before she leaped away to chase a flock of geese.

Above you see her as I first saw her!

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 in a Window

Wandering the grounds of our local graveyard, I happened to catch an angel reflected in these beautiful chapel windows.  It isn't surprising there are angels there--sent to comfort those who have lost their loved ones. 

Above you see the angel in the window as I first saw her.

Floatin' Face

The sun came out to play for a few days.  What fun to see this fellow's funny face floating over the backyard fence!

Above you see this Floatin' Face as he first appeared.

Exquisite

I love the pinks and purples of sunset. Over the past few months there have been some spectacularly colorful sunsets! Above you see this exquisite young woman I found floating in the skies. I have not given her a name yet--any suggestions?

Above you see the untouched photo as I first saw her in the clouds.

Girl in Cloud Coat

How astonishing to find this lovely girl, with her plush foofoo cloud coat and spectacular hat floating across the skies. I wonder why her hand is outstretched? Any ideas out there???

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The smaller photo is the original cloud, which I photographed in the skies over the back fence as I stood there in the alley. (grin) Sometimes the most unusual and loveliest of things can be found close to home.