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. 

Chelsea Elf -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing of my sweet Friend Chelsea.  She's had an extremely difficult life, yet despite that, her heart and attitude inspire everyone around her.

Here is my reference photo--you can see how the courage and sweetness shines from her face!  I count it a privilege to be this wonderful young woman 's Friend.

Happy Paint Party Friday, dear Friends.  Thank  you for dropping by--you are such an encouragement to me.  I LOVE PPF!  :D

Springtime Snowstorm -Paint Party Friday

I heard on the news, that in addition to damaging tornadoes and storms, there was a springtime snow storm in Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins!  What a surprise.  This morning some folks awoke to temperatures in the 20's. A lot of records were broken--I wonder what it would be like to find snow on the ground the end of May?

It is beautiful and mild here in Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley.  There are blue patches between puffy clouds--some of them are quite dark!  I keep hoping for a thunder storm.  I adore them.

I looked and looked for the reference photo I used for this drawing--it was inspired by a magazine ad!  When/if I find it, I will add it to the post later.

Here in the United States, it is Memorial Day Weekend.  I will be going with my family to the Willamette National  Cemetery to visit Dad's brothers; Uncle Jody, who fought in Vietnam and Uncle Kelley, who fought in the Korean War.  And especially to honor Dad, who fought in World War II.  He's been gone almost seven years ago, and I miss him So much.

Thank you for dropping by, dear Friends.  Your comments are a bright bit of sunshine in my day!  Blessings and hope to you, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Crocus Baby -Paint Party Friday

Hello, sweet Friends!  This is a little drawing I created while on my trip to Idaho.  Isn't he cute?  I can't decide whether he's an elf or a fairy!  What a dear little fellow.  I am suddenly inspired to add ladybugs.  What do you think?

I hope you are having a wonderful day.  Here in the mid-Willamette Valley the sun is trying very hard to break through the clouds.  Such a beautiful day!

Thank you for dropping by, dear ones.  Your comments always bring joy to my heart.  May God bless you with peace and laughter, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Fair Marissa and Russell the Elf -Paint Party Friday

This is a piece I made especially for Russell and Marissa in honor of their recent engagement.  They are such a dear and charming couple.  I was impressed that Russell didn't mind that I had portrayed him as an elf.  Ah, young love!  I used pen and ink for the outlines and my beloved Prismacolor pencils to put brilliant color to the piece.

Above you see my reference photo of this sweet couple.  May their life together be a wonderful, continuing adventure!

I may not be able to post very much over the next few weeks, as I discovered only last week that I need immediate surgery on my hip.  I am not that seriously old, so this was a real shocker to me.  I would appreciate your prayers.

Happy Paint Party Friday and have a great weekend all you wonderful people!

Baby in Blue Rose

My husband and I spent five fine days at the Oregon Coast in a cabin owned by a friend of ours.  It was sunny and gorgeous.  Such a romantic time!  I also spent some time painting this darling baby boy in a blue rose--it is a commission for a friend of ours.

I thought I would share him with you, he turned out so cute

Above you see the original photo. What a sweet boy!

Have a lovely week, everyone! 

Autumn Surprise

I remember the day she was born, the first beautiful leaf on our tree of life.  She was everything we'd dreamed about and more.

She is beloved.

As you can see, these two are GREAT friends.  That kitten loves to pounce on her mistress--no afternoon naps for this young lady!

Have a GREAT week everyone!

Playing Hide and Seek - Guest Heart Thursday

This whimsical piece is for Guest Heart Thursday.  Once again, I've hidden a bunch of hearts--I haven't even counted them yet--can you tell me how many there are?

This was also part of an art challenge my Sisters Clytie and Deann encouraged me to take part in!  But I have been so ill I haven't been able to upload it until this morning--I think I'm probably too late to take part in the actual art challenge--There are some wonderful samplings of people's creativity at Art Creations Friday Challenge.

However, even though I'm late, I thought I'd share it here--enjoy!  These little elves are playing hide and seek.  I am pretty sure the fellas sitting on the toadstools know exactly where their playmate is hiding and are planning some kind of mischief.  Have a great day!

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

Elven Earrings - ACEO

I've been working on a bunch of ACEO's [Art Cards, Editions and Originals].  They are fun to do because  they're so tiny--only 2.5 x 3.5 inches--each card is a small piece of original art. 

The history behind Artist Trading Cards is fascinating.  Art cards, or miniatures were all the rage back in the 16th Century.  They were the first wallet "photos."   Sometimes they were exchanged when rich people arranged marriages.  There was quite a rumble when Henry the Eighth divorced Anne of Cleves, because in real life, she did not match her miniature. 

During the Impressionist Age, artists traded Art Cards among themselves to study differing artist style and techniques. They even traded, or sold the art cards as necessary for supplies, food and lodging. 

Today's Artist Trading Cards developed from the mail art movement and has its origins in Switzerland.  They say an artist by the name of M.Vanci Stirnemann is the reason modern Artist Trading Cards have become so popular.  In 1996 he held the first Art Trading Card [ATC] workshops in Zurich, Switzerland. This caused a resurgence of interest and is where today's ACEO movement began. By the way, the difference between ATC's and ACEO's, is that Trading Cards are traded, ACEO'S are offered for sale.

Artist Cards are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers, etc.), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, paper cuts, found objects, etc.).  Or they can be numbered, signed, limited print editions of larger art pieces. 

I have been fascinated to discover the volume and popularity of these baseball card sized pieces of artwork.  They're a delightful art form.   They're almost like small pieces of jewelry.

My Etsy Shop is at Beth's Artworx.

Elven Mischief

This is one of my few attempts at watercolor.  I love the expression on this handsome young Elf's face.  What a wonderfully mischievous boy he is!

Malaya Leaf

The day my darling little niece was born, I knew my life would never be the same. She brings such joy and hope to my heart and into our lives.

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There is no more wonderful tribute to Easter than seeing the beauty of Spring through the eyes of a child. So here she is, our sweet Malaya Leaf.

Papa and the Pink Cat

This is Papa. Papa is one of the most lovely down to earth people you could ever meet.

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In this picture, you can see Papa is really an elf. You would never guess it to look at him. I surmise he must be an elf because of the magic he does with cement. Papa is a true artist. He can turn cement into an authentic looking wooden porch, or add color to make the most lovely rock walkway imaginable.

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Papa is so gifted, in these hard times, he does not lack for work. People know the incredible quality of service he gives, and of his honest, hard-working nature. I consider it a great honor to know this wonderful, gifted artist.

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Here a pink cat is perched upon his shoulders because it chose to do so. I have NO idea how it ended up in this drawing. (grin)

Touch Not the Elf

This is my first attempt at using the computer in my art. First I did a pen and ink drawing, then scanned it into the computer where I added the stars and color.
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It is not nearly as sophisticated as what I have learned to do since, but there is a certain lovely simplicity about this drawing which speaks to me. It is whimsical, both in simplicity and title. Touch Not the Elf is one of my favorites, and I am very happy to share her with you.