The Bug Bottle -Paint Party Friday

Here is the second of several I submitted for the author's perusal.  I have a lot more detail in what he's looking for now.  This is so exciting.  I've been working hard on this--not much else to do that's for sure!

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends. 

Don't be Afraid -Paint Party Friday

I have been asked to submit some ideas for a children's book!  This would be a paying job.  I did this one, but he was too realistic so it is back to the drawing board.

I'm SO excited! 

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends.  Blessing and hope to you, dear ones.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, sweet Friends!  The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places to visit--though we do not have dolphins as you see in this drawing, we often see whales blowing bushy streams of mist into the air, as they frolic in the waves of the sea.

The reference for this piece is my youngest sister Leigh--a lovely woman--as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.

Blessings and peace to everyone--May this New Year be one filled with joy, laughter and beauty.

Merry Christmas! -Paint Party Friday

Hello, sweet Friends.  Thank you for your patience.  I have been dealing with some depression over the loss of my sweetheart--granted it has been five years since he flew away to heaven, but this year I missed him extra lots.

This is my finished Christmas card.  I hope you enjoy it.  If you would like to see my reference photo and graphite sketch you can find it here: Christmas is Coming.  If you would like to see the pen and ink version you can find it here: Mary Did you Know?.

Thank you so much for dropping by, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday and Merry Christmas!

Freedom Flight -Paint Party Friday

This drawing is an expression of freedom and hope, as well as a tribute to Fall.  I couldn't find my original reference picture, suffice it to say Faestock has some wonderful stock materials.

Our dear Uncle Lawrence flew away to heaven last week--so perhaps it is also an expression of letting go.  I am speaking on joy this weekend...there is joy in knowing he is in a better place, he can talk, run, laugh...  Yes, but oh, how we shall miss him. 

Have a lovely day, dear Friends.  Thank you for dropping by.  Your visits and comments always make my day.  Thank you for your encouragement and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Chasing Bubbles, Happy Mother's Day!

This is a drawing I completed in 2010.  I had my dear son, now in his late 20's, in mind.  It is hard to believe ten years have passed since I created this piece.  Seems like my son was born just yesterday!

You can see these sweet fishies are his baby sitters.  They're having a marvelous time distracting the little fellow with lots of bubbles!  I just love the look in his eyes.  Heehee

Happy Mother's Day, dear Friends! 

Swans -Paint Party Friday

I am re-posting this piece.  I am still not feeling well.  I go back to the doctor this afternoon.  Thank you for your patience!  I will have some original artwork for you next week--hopefully!

I adore fairy tales.  Over the years I have read many stories about swan sisters, brothers--such imaginative, wondrous flights of fancy! 

In this piece, there are two swans, one of which smiles at the viewer, while the other flirts outrageously with the first. Both are the lovely eyes of the swan maiden.

Above you see my beautiful model Melissa.  She has been an inspiration from the very day we met--which was just after she was born! Her Mom and I are best buds and I am grateful to this lovely young woman for her kindness and sweet heart.  She is my good friend.

Thank you for dropping by.  Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers.  I'm still under the weather a bit.  I hope to be back to normal soon.  Dear Friends, you are always a big encouragement--I look forward to your visits here!  Love, joy and peace to you, dear ones!

 

Sheltering Hands -Paint Party Friday

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord,

"My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust."

~Psalm 91:1, 2

His Shadow overshadows Life's Shadows.  
Take heart, be strong, 
There is great Hope 
In the midst of life's gathering storms

I am re-posting this drawing, because I am still ill and don't feel like doing much.  I've been sick for about two months now...   So, I finally went to see the doctor for the third time and she says I have pneumonia.  With antibiotics, I hope to feel better in a few days.  Which will be good, because I am speaking at a Women's Retreat this coming weekend!  Of all things, our subject is "Journey to Joy."

You are such a blessing to my heart when you come by.  Happy Paint Party Friday! ((hugs))

Golden Eagle -Paint Party Friday

I've always loved Eagles. There is something so majestic and noble about them. We have the privilege of hosting a family of Bald Eagles who nest near the river. He doesn't land in the trees close by, as does the Eagle at my parent's home. But every now and then you can spot our Eagle diving in the river for fish, or circling over the town.

This Eagle was a Christmas gift to my Dad, who, in his own way was a grand old Eagle.

I am re-posting this, because I am just too sick to do anything else.  Ugh.

Thank you for dropping by.  You are always a big encouragement--Love, joy and peace to you, dear ones!

 

Come Hither -Paint Party Friday

"Come Hither," says the maiden of sultry eye and golden green hair.  She who longs to walk upon dry land with two bare feet.  Perhaps the miracle will happen, perhaps not.  When the moon is full, she will sing her siren song until the day her impossible dream comes true.

Have a lovely week, dear friends.   I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving this year!  I had the blessing of watching five cousins get re-acquainted.  What a joy that was!  God bless you, and thank you so much for dropping by. Your visits are encouraging! 

Happy Thanksgiving! -Paint Party Friday

I made this bookmark special for you, dear ones.  Please feel free to print and use in your favorite books!

 Happy Thanksgiving!  

Your visits make my day, sweet Friends.  I thank the Lord for each and every one of you!!! 

Dolphin Ride -Paint Party Friday

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live in the waters of the great seas? To be friends with dolphins and other sea creatures? There are times I daydream about such a life. To have a set of gills along with lungs would open a whole different world beneath the waves.

In my imagination I could imagine living in such a world, where water and air meet--where one could spend time in either realm.

Here you see a young man and his dolphin friend going for a spin. I wonder where his gills are? Perhaps the back of his neck? The top of his head? Behind his ears? Hmmmm...

Have a lovely week, dear friends.  Thank you so much for dropping by.  Your visits are so encouraging.

Picture of A Sister's Love -Paint Party Friday

This is a piece of art I created years ago.  I don't have time to scan, copyright and post something new this morning--there's a lot going on this weekend--so I'm re-posting this sweet picture of a sister's love.

I have always loved the story of Miriam. She was an Israelite who long ago, was enslaved with her family, in the land of Egypt. The Pharaoh at that time became afraid of the Israelites because they had grown so strong and numerous. He ordered the midwives to destroy every newborn baby boy. When the midwives refused to do so, soldiers were sent. It must have been a terrible, frightening time.

Thus Miriam's baby brother was hidden for three months. When they could no longer hide the little fellow, his mother came up with a novel idea. And so the tiny baby floated upon the waters of the Great Nile River in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch. His sister followed at a distance, hidden in the thick reeds.

Miraculously the Pharoh's daughter was walking along the river's bank seeking a place to bathe. She saw the basket and sent one of her servants to get it. When she opened it, little Moses was crying, and this touched the Royal lady's heart.

Then Miriam bravely stepped from the reeds saying, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" So the Pharaoh's daughter paid Moses' mother to be his nurse. The royal lady loved the boy and adopted him as her own son. Moses grew up to be a great man, who saved his people from terrible cruelty and slavery.

His little sister's gentle love, bravery and loyalty are an example to us all.

Happy Paint Party Friday dear Friends!  Have a beautiful day and thank you for dropping by--your visits bring joy and encouragement to my heart.

The Pit -Paint Party Friday

Because of lack of time this week, I am re-posting this drawing I created years ago.  This piece is a favorite and carries a lot of deep meaning for me, especially now because in this journey, I realize am just now emerging from the depths of depression. 

Corrie Ten Boom, survivor of the prison war camps of Nazi Germany wrote of her experiences in a book called The Hiding Place. She said, "There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still."

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The first time I read this amazing woman's book, I was profoundly moved. Confronting death, starvation, disease, and the worst kind of cruelty from her fellow human beings--in the face of absolute, abject hopelessness--Corrie Ten Boom's faith grew.

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Remembering her wise words fills my heart with wonder and hope.

Thank you for dropping by, dear Friends.  Your visits make me smile--your comments are a delight to my heart.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

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!

He is Risen!

This is a page from a Children's book I was commissioned to illustrate last year.  My niece was reference for the overhead angel and buddy Christopher was my reference for the angel who's moving the stone away.  It seemed the perfect thing to post for Easter.

Today I thought about how grateful I am to have a personal relationship with the Son of God, Maker of the World.  I am astonished that the One Who died and was raised from the dead, loves me.  He was victorious over death and is risen for all people, for all time.  The Good Shepherd walks with those who seek Him and love Him -- even to the end of the age.

How amazing to realize because the Lord conquered death itself, I know I will see my Beloved Alan, my two precious babies, our dear friend Dan, my Daddy, my younger brother Dow, Uncle Jody, Grandma and Grandpa, Sweet Geri and Mr. Earnest again...along with so many others who have gone on before me.

Happy Easter dear friends!

Beauty From Ashes -Paint Party Friday

This bit of art is a little different than my usual art.  There was a page in my sketchbook covered with steaks of color as well as scratchings from micron pens.  I'd been testing colors and nib sizes for another drawing.  But, it was really good paper and I didn't have the heart to toss it.  So--I decided to doodle--and as a result--this drawing.

In some ways this drawing depicts in part, another major heart shift.  The sweet words I heard were "beauty from ashes." I don't know what that means yet, but I am looking forward to discovering what is ahead.  This past year has been one of the most difficult yet since my Beloved flew away to heaven. 

Part of my struggle has been that of becoming the woman I am to be without my Beloved.  I was married much longer than I was single...and we were partners.  There are questions....Who am I really?  I am who I am when I am by myself.   Once again I have realized the person I become now, depends upon the things I put into my heart and life.

Those ingredients are, first of all, time with God and doing His will in my life--then treasuring family and friends.  Acquiring wisdom, knowledge and purpose--maybe even taking some college courses.  Then there are celebration, beauty, laughter...and tears. 

I think my Darling would be proud of me so far, and that is a dear comfort.  The truth is, though I am discovering who I am as a single person--that person was shaped by my Beloved--he made my life an adventure.  We learned so much together.  (sigh)  I miss him.

Blessings to you in your life's journey dear ones--thank you for dropping by, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Happy New Year! -Paint Party Friday

Happy New Year dear Friends.  The coming year is like a package filled with unexpected blessing, laughter, pain and all sorts of memories.  I am thankful for this new year with it's well spring of surprises.

God bless you, dear ones and happy Paint Party Friday!

Green Eyes -Paint Party Friday

I am SO busy this week I have scheduled this pic to post on Friday. It is a piece I created long ago--but it is one of my personal favorites of all time. 

This is my sweet Melissa.  I love to draw her face--I've been drawing her since she was a little girl.  There's something so lovely about this young lady.  She is not only beautiful to look at, but her heart is equally as precious. 

And when I put pencil to paper, magic happens.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones and Happy Paint Party Friday!

 

Flower Face Bouquet -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I just finished.  It is for a poster to be used at a Women's retreat the first week of November.  I will be speaking on the importance of friendship--The Fragrance of Friendship. 

Since my husband's passing three years ago October 30th, I have learned so much about the power and beauty of Friendship.  How grateful I am for true friendship--the kind which is worthy to be cultivated, nurtured and protected.

Treasure your friends, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!