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

Shelter in the Storm -Paint Party Friday

A couple of nights ago we had a huge windstorm with pounding rains--this cute little drawing, inspired by a vintage postcard, was born during that storm!  Thankfully there was not any damage to the property, other than a big canopy which escaped its tethers to land on its head in the alley next to the house.

The storm was quite an adventure! The wind was so strong at times it wiffled its way through the sealed air conditioner, causing the curtains to puff and breathe. 

With every additional noise, my little friend, Toez the Polydactyl Cat, became more tense.  Her sleepy eyes grew wider as she slowly perked her ears forward.  Then her sudden saucer eyes began to glow bright yellow. Especially when the wind began to howl down the chimney. I could see the hair on her nape rise, and her nostrils twitch as she considered the sound.

Abruptly she leaped from her comfy spot in front of the fireplace to skitter up the stairs, flying back downstairs, sounding like a herd of miniature elephants.

I giggled as she stealthily climbed to the top of the fat chair by the front window moving the curtains aside to position her nose against the glass. When she tired of the view, suddenly she was stalking something on the floor. I couldn't see anything there--but whatever it was seemed to tremendously interesting. Every now and again, she would suddenly leap straight up into the air, then go back to snooting yon non-existent bug...

I did try to go to sleep--the wind was a nice lullaby. However each time I was finally close to curling up and dropping off, Toez would catapult herself onto my shoulder, to walk stiff-legged across my arm, onto my hip, skipping on her kitty toes down to my feet.  This, of course, left me pop-eyed and wide awake.

I did manage to sleep toward morning as the storm eased. Thank the Lord for that!

Happy Paint Party Friday!  May the adventures of your New Year be glorious and fun!  Blessings and peace, dear Friends--thank you for dropping by.

Of Dragonflies and Elves -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I recently found in one of my keepsake files.  It is an early illustration for a children's book.  I believe I was 19.  This girl looks SO much like my own daughters.  I did a double take when I found it!  Amazing, almost prophetic.  And you can definitely see how much I've improved in my artwork over these last 39 years!!!

Anyhow, Happy New Year, sweet Friends.  May God bless you with joy, wisdom, strength and comfort over this coming year.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Marry Me -Paint Party Friday

Tomorrow my sweet Friends Nathan and Jennika are getting married.  I am SO happy for them.  This drawing is their finished wedding gift.  I have known Nathan since he was around 12 years old.  Alan loved him and mentored him in drama and performing.  He is one of my "adopted" sons. 

Above you see my original photo of this lovely couple.  It is so wonderful to watch my young friends grow into adulthood.  My heart and prayers go with Nathan and Jennika as they begin this new adventure together.

God bless you dear ones!  Thank you so much for dropping by.  Have a lovely weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday!

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.

Taking a Ride on a Sharp Shinned Hawk

When I look at Abraham Lincoln's photos on his Bird Blog, I am transported to another place. My artistic reference for this wonderful, fierce bird came from his blog entry.   

Abe, your photos are just wonderful--I thank you for your inspiring work.