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!

 

Eagle's Song -Paint Party Friday

Years ago I made this cloud painting from a photo I took over the back fence.  As you can see there is an Eagle flying next to the cloud--miraculous indeed.

I am posting it tonight, in honor of Dan Becker.  He was a veteran--a beautiful eagle of a man, who was strong, loyal, sweet, and kind.  He was a dear, precious friend.

About an hour ago, Dan unexpectedly flew away to heaven.  We have known the Becker family for a little over 25 years.  He was one of Alan's best friends and was a wonderful part of all of our lives.   He was a second Daddy to my children after their Dad left us three years ago. 

Now Dan and Alan are together in heaven. 

Please pray for Dan's wife, Judy, their family, friends, and for me and my children.  We are grieving and hardly know how to get through this additional loss.  Yet, there is comfort in knowing we will see them again.  God is here, grieving with us--and we are not alone.

Blessings, comfort and joy to all of you, dear Friends.  Thank you for dropping by.

Wrapped in His Feathers -Paint Party Friday

I was going through some piles of my old artwork when I found a drawing I'd penciled onto lined paper, dated the year 2000.  The drawing struck such a chord in my heart, I put the idea to paper once again. 

My life has been so different since my husband passed away recently.  I have run into the arms of Him Who loves me so many times over the past few months.  Ah, He covers me with His feathers and keeps me safe, next to His heart.

He will cover you with His feathers, 

and under His wings you will find refuge; 

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

~Psalm 94:1

A Song of David 

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely artists and beautiful people. Thank you for dropping by.

Snow Eagle - Guest Heart Thursday

I have been painting tee-shirts for the past five days.  It has been about 10 years since I've painted on fabric this way.  The above is my favorite of the six I've painted so far.   The snow flakes were not intended--I squirted white paint onto the head area--and it splattered all over.  That's when I came up with the idea of the Snow Eagle.  Sometimes mistakes make the best pieces of art.  If  you look closely, just under his feathered chin--you can see a tiny splatted heart. 

The wolf above gave me all kinds of trouble!  His face was too fat, his ears were too short and his fur was too stripped.  The photo doesn't do justice to the final painting.  I do love his eyes--they follow a person everywhere!

I call this an Etruscan Lion, because he came out so differently than what I'd envisioned when I first started painting him. He looks rather fierce, don't you think?

 

This fetching fellow turned out a little stout--Sometimes a drawing takes over and does something completely different than what I first had in mind.

Here is another of the eagles I painted.  As you can see this guy has a completely different personality than any of the others.

These tee-shirts were painted for the winners of a drawing we had for our non-profit organization.  I had a LOT of fun painting them!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful Dads out there.  This Eagle is in honor of all Fathers, but in particular my own dear husband -- who's loving heart continues to touch the lives of his children.  I couldn't have asked for a better Dad for our children.

This Eagle is actually a tee-shirt I painted yesterday.  The painting covers most of the shirt.  All day long, my darling husband thought I was painting a tee-shirt for the winners of a contest we held not too long ago.  I had him spoofed.  I could tell he wanted it really badly.  I was going to wait to give it to him when the kids arrive this afternoon -- but he was so wistful...

I waited until the wee hours of the morning to sneak it upstairs to place it beside the bed where he could see it first thing.  I had the fun of watching his surprised face!  He even spluttered a bit -- my husband, speechless!  What a fun way to start the day.  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, HONEY!

Yehaw! Eagles and Snarling Lions

These are ACEO cards which I made for my Sissy Clytie, Niece Victoria, Mum and Dad.  You will have to guess which went to whom.  (grin)

I will be away from my desk next week, so will not be able to put up FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight, however, I'll be back the following week, so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Eagle Song

This Cloud Painting is one of my favorites. In late summer, I opened the kitchen door on the alley side, to discover an amazing cloud formation stretched up across the skies. It looked like an eagle in full flight, wings extended high overhead.

I ran back into the house, grabbed my camera and shot over 15 photos from various angles. Later that day, I perused my "catch."

Imagine my astonishment when I discovered a REAL eagle in one of the frames. What are the chances an eagle would fly next to a cloud shaped like an eagle, just as I was snapping this photo? It is miraculous.

I am reminded of the hope described in Isaiah 41:29-31 (NASB). He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Our family has faced some very hard times. How marvelous to know when we wait for God's perfect timing, He gives us incredible strength to endure, to look up and to watch expectantly for what He will do.
.

Above you see the Eagles, as I first caught them with my camera.

Rock Eagle

When I was visiting in Pacific City off the Oregon Coast a few summers ago, my wonderful, daring friend and I clambered down a steep sand dune to find this cave. I was stunned when I noticed an Eagle's head clearly stretched across the top of the opening.

I love Eagles because of their fierce beauty and tremendous strength. But especially because the Eagle reminds me of God and His compassionate care, as is beautifully described in Deuteronomy 32:10, 11. He found him in a desert land and in the howling waste of a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.

Psalm 40:2 speaks of how God rescues those He loves from the clutches of destruction. He places their feet on a firm place--upon the rock. These beautiful words paint a vivid picture. I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

What is happening in the world today is frightening. Sometimes I can hardly bring myself to turn on the news. The world has changed so much over the past 30 years--I hardly recognize it.

But when I ponder the strength of the mighty Eagle's wings, and the timeless power of the Rock, I am grateful God surrounds and protects those He loves. At His invitation, even in the path of destruction we can stand firm upon His strength--as He tenderly watches over us, like an Eagle hovering over His young.

This is a great comfort.


Above I've included the original shot as I saw it that lovely wild and windy day.

Eagle Ruffle

Eagles are noble, strong birds. They can fly higher and longer than any other bird of prey. However, just like people, they have their frazzled moments.

Every so often the Eagle goes through a period of molting. One could imagine an Eagle might feel seriously disgruntled while loosing his feathers. He cannot fly well, his accuracy in hunting is gone and he is vulnerable to attack. During this time, the Eagle labors hard to stay alive.

But soon new feathers grow in place of the old, and the proud Eagle rises on the wind again.

Rather like us, don't you think? We go through times in our lives when we are not very lovely. We become fiercely ruffled as life seems to pummel us unmercifully.

Adversity can bring the best, or the worst out of people. We can choose to drag our feathers in the dirt, or see these hard times as our best teacher. Indeed through adversity, we can learn, become reborn--renewed, able to fly once again. There is no strength without struggle.

To see my frazzled Eagle best, enlarge for the details. He's kind of funny.

Above you see this fierce, ruffled fellow as I first saw him.

Flight of the Eagle

I was flabbergasted to see a great eagle with wings dramatically outspread over the back fence. There was no mistaking his eagle eye.

In many of my photos you will see old cedar tree where the squirrels nest. I love that old cedar. It is a friendly tree. In winter the small birds flock to eat its heavily laden cedar buds--the birds sometimes hang upside down like tiny flitting Christmas ornaments.

Above you can see the Flight of the Eagle untouched. As you can see--I didn't have to do much to enhance this great bird soaring through the evening skies.

DADDY UPDATE: Yesterday morning I pulled into my parents house looking forward to a long walk in the forest with my darling Sissy. Instead I spent most of yesterday in emergency with Dad and Mom at the Veteran's Hospital. Dad had a mild stroke which has mostly resolved itself. We are to watch him closely to make sure this stroke wasn't a precurser to a bigger one.

.

Dad goes to the neurologist on February 9th, to find out if his neck has healed enough for him to live without the neck brace. Please pray for the broken bones in his neck to heal--Dad is so miserable and fights with that brace every day--it makes it difficult for him to eat, drink, swallow and sleep.

Pray, or Prey?

Here I've enhanced what seemed to be an eagle angling for a small airplane. Our town has a tiny airport which is delightful, though sometimes when the weather is just right, it gets a tad loud.

If that pilot knew such a hungry eagle was about to grab him, I'm certain he would pray. My husband came up with the title Pray or Prey?--I wanted to add "A Matter of Perspective" but that seemed a bit long. What do you think? (grin)

Below are the eagle (minus his beak) and the airplane as I first saw them.