Gnome Glow -Paint Party Friday

Here is another Cloud Painting inspired by what truly seems to be a glowing gnome making his way across the skies. I was walking along the river watching the truly magnificent storm clouds chasing over the water, when I saw this fellow.

He seems good-natured and I imagined him humming a tuneless tune through his front teeth as he moseyed across the horizon.

I am re-posting this older cloud painting, because of the business of the week--thank you SO much for dropping by.  Your sweet comments always make my day!  Thank you for your encouragement and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Cat on a Wire -Paint Party Friday

Hello sweet Friends.  I am re-posting this Cloud Painting from long ago--I haven't posted one of my photomanipulations in awhile.  It has been so busy this week, I decided to repost this one--mostly because it is one of my happy memories.

My husband and I were driving downtown one stormy afternoon. We pulled up to a stoplight and I happened to catch sight of this amazing cloud cat on a wire. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had my camera out as always and clicked her picture through the windshield. I only had an instant, then the light turned green and she was gone. I'm not sure what she was after--perhaps that's a mouse creeping along the wire there to the left? What do you think?

As you may guess, I was astonished to see this cloud so well formed, a cat cloud actually sitting on the telephone wire. This is the original, untouched photo. It was one of those miraculous moments when I happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Thank you for dropping by, sweet Friends.  I appreciate your visits and comments more than you know.  Blessings and peace to you, dear ones.  And Happy Paint Party Friday!

I will See Him Again

Four years ago today, my Beloved flew home to heaven.  It was unexpected.  I still can't believe he's gone sometimes.  Today my Alan is with the Lord and I am grateful he is there--I smile through my tears.  He is in a better place and some day I will see him again. 

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.   

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

 ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

My husband could read Greek fluently.  He was a teacher and often taught that in the original language the words "caught up together with them" has the idea of being caught up next to those we know and love...  I treasure that hope with all my heart.

Little Boy Blue -Paint Party Friday

The original cloud for this cloud painting formed over the back fence in the alley. I was astounded--I had very little work to do. The little fellow's profile was perfect.

Above you see the original cloud.  Such a sweet little boy blue.

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!

Daddy, Tell Me a Story -Paint Party Friday

I posted this once before, back in 2009.  I have been so busy, I just haven't had time to do much art, so hence this post.

This Cloud Painting takes me back to when my children were small. Every night when we'd tuck them into their beds inevitably one of the kids would say, "Daddy, tell me a story..."
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My Beloved was a wonderful storyteller.  Over the years--since they were tiny babies--Alan would tell them fantastical bedtime stories about a mysterious Sea Captain. The Sea Captain became so real the kids once stopped a man in Oregon's coastal town of Lincoln City, to ask if HE was the Sea Captain.
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Each of the Sea Captain stories had a theme.

One evening the story he told was to teach the children to call upon God in times of trouble. The lights were were low. Alan lay on his back on the old waterbed, the girls perched on his outstretched arms. They were on a boat in the open sea.
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Suddenly a storm blew up out of nowhere! The wind was ferocious, the ship began to rock. I provided the "sound effects for the wind."

Alarmed the Sea Captain began to shout orders. Alan's up-flung arm became the mast, as our youngest daughter began to pull in the sails. On the other side, the eldest was ordered to "frappe" the boat as the waves of the sea grew higher and higher. Our young son, the official thundercloud, began to bounce up and down on Dad's feet. The lightning flashed! I flickered the overhead lights. And the thunder grew louder and louder!
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The boat began to bounce and rock dangerously from side to side! The thunder growled and the clouds grew darker and darker. I switched off the bedside lamp. It began to rain furiously. The deck was so slippery no one could walk without being swept out to sea! Giant waves were splashing clear up over the ship!
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"Nothing more can be done!" cried the Sea Captain. "What should we do?"
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But all that rocking had put one little sailor nearly to sleep. She opened one eye, and with a huge yawn she replied, "Call 911!"

Alan was a great Dad.  We all miss his stories and wonderful jokes.  Sunday afternoon, the kids and I sat around the fire pit playing music and sharing stories and laughter, as we often did when Alan was here.  We will miss Alan for the rest of our lives.  He was such a wonderful man.  He filled our world with color, laughter and song.  What a blessing for those precious memories.

Here are the original clouds I photographed for the cloud painting Daddy, Tell Me a Story.  God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Old Man Winter -Paint Party Friday

Here he is, Old Man Winter. I saw him smiling down at the bare limbs of the trees in November of 2009. You have to look closely to see him. Winter is quite illusive at times--like today when it seems so balmy, except for the leafless trees, one might think it were September.

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Above you view him as I first saw him in the clouds. As you can see, I didn't have to enhance Old Man Winter very much at all..

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Old Man Winter

He has a real long beard that's white as snow

He has icicle fingers and popsicle toes

He has chestnuts roasting on an open fire

He has you scootin' down the hill on a worn out tire

He has sleigh bells ringing out into the night

He has everybody feeling alright

When Old Man Winter comes to town

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He has the whole world sleeping beneath a blanket of white

He has everything shining on a full moon night

He has kids of all ages, clowning around,

Building snow forts and knocking them down

He has frost on the windows, Ice on the stairs

Smoke from the chimney and pine in the air

When Old Man Winter comes to town

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.  

Kitty Cat Cloud

It has been awhile since I posted one of my cloud paintings, so here he is--this sweet little Kitty Cat Cloud.  I love how his ears turned out.  What a cutie.  I do so adore cats.  (grin)

Above you see this beautiful little fellow as I first saw him, floating and stretching across the skies.

Have a lovely week, dear Friends.  Eyes to the Skies!!!  You never know what you will see.

Sky Dreamer -Paint Party Friday

This dreamer in the sky was made especially for a young friend of mine named Emily. She has a bit of the dreamer in her eyes.

Above you see the sky dreamer as I first caught her floating along the cloud's edges.

Thank you so much for dropping by!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

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!

Masked Face in the Sky

I haven't posted a cloud painting for a long time, so I thought I would do so today.  Since Halloween is coming soon, I thought a masked sky person would be just the perfect thing.  This is a painting from a few years back, which I have never posted before.  I love the gentle look of her eyes--it seems like she might want to say something wonderful. 

Above you see my original photograph.  This was taken in the skies over the fence along the alley outside my kitchen door.

Have a lovely day, everyone--I sure am looking forward to the coming storm.  It shouldn't be too bad.  And I love a good storm.  

Cloud Kitten

Every now and then a fluffy cloud kitten peeks over the back fence.  That particular summer day I had my camera nearby, so was able to capture this darling, mischievous feline just before she ducked back into the curling mists.

Above you can see the original clouds--and if you look closely--there she is!

Have a lovely week!

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... 

Face in the Clouds

This is a cloud painting I did in January 2012--little realizing what heartache the coming year held in its grasp.  This painting reminded me of one of the Psalms of King David.

God, You are my God;

I shall seek You earnestly;

My soul thirsts for You,

I yearn for You in a dry and weary land

Where there is no water.

Thus I have beheld You in the sanctuary

To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your loving kindness is better than life,

My lips will praise You,

So I will bless You as long as I live.

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

...For You have been my help

And in the shadow of Your wings

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

~ Psalm 63:1-5, 7 

A Psalm of David

When there is nothing left to hang onto...

God is there.

I have felt melancholy at times...a little lost.  I am sure it has a lot to do with Dad's death.  I was my Daddy's girl always.  Tears seem close to the surface especially in the evenings.  How grateful I am to God--He holds me safe beneath the soft shadow of His wings.  His Shadow overshadows life's shadows.

I wanted to share the original cloud picture from which I created the painting above.  You can see it below.

 As you can see--I didn't have to do much enhancement of what was already there.

I'm putting this up for Guest Heart Thursday--as there are several 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.
 

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.

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. 

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.

Supernatural

Walking along the banks of the Willamette River near my home, I was excited to share the beauty of the area with my young Friend, Casi.  She was seeking new willow for basket weaving.  We also share a passion for herbs and wild plants, so I enjoyed learning how to use them.  For example, I learned the leaves, flowers and berries of the Hawthorne tree are not only good for high blood pressure, but can soothe the wheezing breath of an asthmatic.

I took many pictures of sky and waters.  I was sure I had captured a face in the clouds.  Several days later, when I looked at the pictures from our walk, I could hardly believe what I saw.

I often sense the supernatural--the footsteps and Presence of Him whom I love, as I walk in the forests, slip down to my beloved river, or work among the plants in my garden.  As you see, we were not alone. 

Above you see my original photo of His sweet face, as I first caught glimpse of Him in the clouds.

Watching Over You

I thought it was about time to put up another Cloud painting.  I know this is one I've shared before, but there's a reason I'm putting it up again.

I just received a phone call from someone I've never met, who's seen my artwork down at the Starduster Diner located at our little airport.  He wants to buy it right off the wall!  I feel so astonished.

But perhaps not.  I know there are angels watching over the pilots as they fly.  If I were a pilot, I'd want this hanging on my wall, too. 

My first rendition of this piece did not have the angel.   I had sent a small copy to one of our friends, who's little granddaughter saw it sitting on her piano.  The tiny girl was excited to point out the angel protecting the airplane.  As you can see in the original photo, there IS an angel there.  But it took a little child to see it!

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!