Sharing Secrets -Paint Party Friday

I love elves...  This little one has a friend--a bird in hand, so to speak.  My precious Daddy could talk to birds and I have some of his abilities.  This elf has the gift of bird speak, too.  One can tell they are exchanging important secrets.

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends--thank you SO much for dropping by. 

Little Sleeper -Paint Party Friday

Here is half of a sideways legal length Pen and Ink I finished in 2013.  It's my idea to make it the center pages of a coloring book.  My art computer died, though I was able to rescue everything on it--and I will have a replacement soon. In the meantime it is hard for me to put needed copyrights on the actual scans, so I'm posting artwork I've already scanned and copyrighted.

I am very sick.  As you know, I caught the flu.  At first I felt better but then I got worse again.  If this continues, will go back to the doc to see what's up.

Hope you are having a great weekend, sweet Friends!  It is such an encouragement when you drop by and comment.  You are all a blessing to my heart!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Bird Watch -Paint Party Friday

This lovely girl loves birds.  She often walks through the woodlands to visit her sweet feathered friends.  When I was young we roamed miles of woodlands, complete with creek and moss covered trees.  It was a wonderland for kids.  We built forts, caught crawdads, played with the fish which were spawned in that small stream.  I love the forest--the animals living there were special friends.

Above you see my exquisite reference model, Heather.  She is the dearest, sweetest young woman.  I am blessed by her friendship.

Thank you for your encouraging comments.  Your visits make my day!  Blessings and peace to you dear ones.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Hush my Darling

Above you see one of my latest pieces.  I've called it "Hush my Darling."  My beautiful reference model is a young lady by the name of Paige.  This dear girl has been an inspiration to me for many years.

Here she is walking through a bower of morning glories looking for her feathered friend.  She is hushing us because she doesn't want to frighten the tiny bird--who, as you can see, knows exactly what she's doing and is going to surprise her any minute.

This drawing will be included in my newest coloring book.  Have a GREAT day!

Birds and Berries -Paint Party Friday

The drawing above is a sketch/doodle, which I inked in a few days ago.  As you see, there's a story here.  Yes, the little bird in the middle has two suitors.  One seems taken aback, and the other is pretty sure of himself.

There are so many birds around this time of year--they flock into my garden where I watch them flirt, eat and sing.  Spring is such a delightful time of year.

Here's an extra for you all!  Because it is so close to Mother's Day I'm also posting this colored pencil drawing I drew of my sister and her little girl when my niece was a tiny baby. 

Thank you for stopping by today.  Your visit has brought joy to my heart.  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Mother's Day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Good Morning! -Paint Party Friday

It has been so difficult to be online this time of year with pending taxes and year-end items all combining in one huge cloud of paperwork.  I took some time to draw last week--just a page or two.  I am studying a wonderful book on cloth and how it wrinkles.  This lineart drawing is the result.  I really like drawing cloth.

Have a lovely day, dear ones.  The sun is shining this morning.  I hope you had a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sweet Smiles -Paint Party Friday

Here is a recent sketch from my sketchbook.  The mosaic window behind this dear girl actually has roses hidden in it.  When it is inked and color added, I think it will be more easily seen.  I love to hide things in my drawings.

Above you see my reference photo featuring my sweet Friends Rena and Heather.  By the way, I made the red cloak from some old velvet curtains which once hung in my in my office.  The green cloak was made from an old army blanket.  I believe these days, they call this "re-purposing!"

This time around, I'm including an old ACEO drawing from 2010.  It is called What's a Dragon to do?  As you can see, the poor fierce dragon is totally baffled by the loving attentions of that amorous little birdie. 

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people. May God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.

On Wings of Doves

Dad has taken a turn for the worse and is now in full Comfort Care.  Daddy is getting ready to go  home to be with His Savior.  Though our hearts are full of grief and we will miss him, we take comfort in the words of our Lord:  "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way where I am going."   (John 14:2-4)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."  He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.  He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."   (Revelation 21: 4-7)

When I called this morning, Mumsie told me her special prayer--she says when it's time for Dad to go, she's praying an angel will arrive in a long, gold-plated muscle car with big fins and the rag top down.  Bro Dow, Dad's sweet Mom, his brother and sister will be riding shotgun--there'll be hugs and greetings, then with a heavenly smile, the angel will open the door of that car.  I can see Dad grinning as he hops into the driver's seat, to drive through the gates of heaven, golden winds cooling his brow, the love and laughter of His Savior and family in his ears.

More than just about anything else, Daddy loved to drive his car everywhere on all kinds of adventures.  It seems only right he'd drive into heaven for the greatest adventure of all.

There is a hush in the air as we await Daddy's homegoing.  Please pray for our family and especially for Mumsie, as she is going to miss her very best friend--the love of her life.

Thank you for your prayers for Dad and Mom--and for our family.  We treasure you.

Water Snuggle - Guest Heart Thursday

This is a close up drawing, ACEO size, inspired by a drawing I did for the Fourth of July years ago.  

I loved this pen and ink--I especially loved the personalities of each of her little ones.  Especially the little fellow in the lower left-hand corner.

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

What is a Dragon to Do? - Guest Heart Thursday

It seems our poor Dragon dear has an ardent admirer.  I believe the Lady Dragon returns the little fellow's great affection in some small way -- but what's a Dragon to do with THIS hapless circumstance?

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

Love at First Sight - Guest Heart Thursday

No hidden hearts today!  They are in plain sight.  As you can see, these two are in love.  This ACEO was inspired by Bootz the Cat.   In real life, as I type these words, Bootz is lounging across the corner of my desk, her head resting on the phone book like a pillow.  Bootz is a Ragdoll.  She isn't even full grown, yet sports a 14-inch tail.  Her body is 16-inches long.  Add those together, with her considerable muscle and girth--she's quite a girl!

Bootz the Cat fills our life and home with laughter.  How grateful we are for this loving little, er humongous roommate!

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

My Love - Guest Heart Thursday

I was doodling an ASCO card last night.  This is what came out of my pen--an amorous birdie who's fallen for a very dangerous dragon.  I think the dragon is intrigued as she is coming up all hearts.  How many hearts can YOU find?

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

Sneaking a Peek, ACEO - Guest Heart Thursday

Here you see our Bootz napping next to a wall covered with hearts.  That birdie perched on her tail had better watch out!  She's sneaking a peek.  And is likely to pounce once she's all the way awake!

Bootz is our kitten with the extraordinarily long tail!  I created this cartoon, using her playful personality.

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

The Traveler - Illustration Friday

As you can see--The Traveler walks the trail on a journey to somewhere, and she's not alone.  Her companion is a parrot, who, of course is not what he seems.

Who do you think he is?

For more wonderful artwork please visit Illustration Friday!

Chickadees

This is one of my first attempts to draw birds in pen and ink. I love Chickadees. They are wonderful birds. When a storm hits, you won't find these little fellows hiding in safety. Nope -- they fiercely wing right into the teeth of the wind and seem to enjoy every moment of it. This winter they've flocked to my back yard to eat the seeds I put out.

My brother once told me if I were a bird I would be a Chickadee. I like that. They're plucky!

Snow Snuggle

There is something so illusive about birds. They can look so fat and soft--one wants to hold them in hand. But in real life such things do not happen except by chance.

Like the day I was summoned by two shrieking parents to rescue their fledgling from the cats. Or the day I found a tiny bird trembling under the dining room table after he'd escaped his foe. He didn't seem to mind when I crawled under the table to gently lift him from the floor. He seemed comforted.

In the open air, he sat for a moment. Looked up at me. And flew away--up and out of my fingers.

Fledgling

I was so happy to see this little fellow watching me from the skies! Isn't he a cutie? A small Fledgling who floated by so quickly I almost missed him!

Above you see this darling Fledgling as I first saw him.

Red Bird on the Wing

Red Bird on the Wing is the first commissioned piece I've done in many years! The color drawing will be used for the cover of a book written by one of Mom's writing students. Linda is a wonderful writer, and I can hardly wait to see the finished project..

When Linda first brought the idea to me, I created five pen and ink "thumbs" of what could be done. Her response to them is one I will always treasure. Here is an excerpt from what she wrote: "I'm just thrilled with the pictures. Your style is so like my inside. You have a bit of magic and nostalgia in your work. I am so smitten! How talented you are." .

And how privileged I am.

Her Romeo

Her Romeo is a fella with wings. A sweet friendship indeed! This drawing is to honor my little Friend Pretty Boy--now in birdie heaven.

When I was in my early 20's I lived in Gramma Jenny's basement. Grammie and I had a little parakeet named Pretty Boy who was just delightful. He was stuffed with personality and quickly learned to speak.

He learned entire sentences! I taught him to say, "Praise the Lord, I'm an Eagle." Grammie said since she was no preacher, she'd teach HIM to be one instead. And she did. He would say things like, "Believe in Jesus and live with Him forever," and "Read your Bible every day."

He was the most adorable little bird. An old boyfriend taught him to say, "Beautiful Beth!" It seemed that Pretty Boy knew who he was taking about because when I would walk into the room, that bird would preen his feathers and say it nonstop!

I had a special little whistling sound I would make. Pretty Boy learned the sound and for years afterward, even after I'd moved out, whenever he would see me he would get all happy, chortle our special whistle, then chant, "Beautiful Beth," over and over.

It was a sad day when Grammie called to say she'd found our Pretty Boy permanently asleep in the bottom of the cage. We both cried.
.
Animals are a great deal more intelligent than we know. I will always miss that little fella. And I'm sure I'll see him in heaven someday--perched on Grammie's shoulder.

Gonna Get the Birdie!

Here he is, that plucky Independence Angel! (grin) It seems whenever I catch him in the skies he's always up to something mischievous! I wonder what he will do with that big birdie once he catches it? Tch tch tch!Above is my photo of the original cloud formation. Enjoy!