She Knows -Paint Party Friday

I absolutely love how this one came out.  This drawing captures my feisty friend Heather to a tee!   I referenced an old Art Nouveau card in my collection for the designs behind her.

Below is my reference photo of my lovely friend Heather.  She's so sweet and kind--but as you can see, she can be quite saucy!

Summer is finally arriving here--it is to be 100 Sunday and Monday!  I surely do hope to stay cool.  Time to get the air conditioner running. 

Happy Paint Party Friday.  Stay safe out there.

Lavender Flower Fairy -Paint Party Friday

I have these flowers in my garden.  They bloom in late Fall and have the most beautiful lavender flowers.  Of course there's a little fairy who comes to paint them just for me.

Have a good weekend, dear ones and Happy Paint Party Friday.

 

Pretty Pansy Fairy -Paint Party Friday

Here is another of my little fairy drawings.  This one is in honor of my sweet Grandfather, who taught me everything I know about drawing.   He also had an incredible imagination.  He saw pansy faces--like colorful little lions.  He taught me how to see people and animals in both clouds and trees...  I miss him so much.

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends.

Nutmeg the Elf Boy -Paint Party Friday

I've been drawing a lot of little fairies lately.  I suppose these hard times turn my heart toward the whimsical.  This little fellow reminds me a lot of Timmy--the little fairy Mom told us about in her stories.  I call him Nutmeg.  What a cutie!

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends.

Tear Falls -Paint Party Friday

It has been a week or so, since the "stay in place" order has been in effect.  There's no traffic in the streets--no rush hour to speak of.  Nothing is open in this little town I love.  I hope the small businesses here will be able to survive.  The joy I have is that my own precious Mumsie has been with me for two weeks now--she can't go home for a bit, until the rules are relaxed a little.  She misses her place a LOT.

I also had to cancel our Lady's Retreat last weekend.  But there IS a silver lining.  With a only few small changes, we'll be all ready for next year.

Ah, well...  Here is a fairy in front of "Tear Falls."   Perhaps thing will be better soon.


Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends.  Stay safe and have a great weekend!

Hello Little Flower Fae -Paint Party Friday

I was spending the weekend with my sweet Mumsie--she came to keep me company in the new year.

She's the one who taught my brothers and sisters and me about fairies.  We lived on the edge of a vast forest and explored its mysterious places.  We knew there were real fairies!

Here is a picture of one I remember from my mind's eye as a child.


I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Thank you for dropping by--it is always a joy to read your comments. 

Papa's Little Darling -Paint Party Friday

This is Papa's very first Great Granddaughter.  Sweet Daka asked me to draw this little one for them.  I am not finished--this is the first full sketch of her--she'll likely be sitting on a mushroom--or in the middle of a fluffy flower by the time I am done.  :D

Here's a glimpse into my sketchbook--above are my preliminary sketches of this darling little one.  That first full sketch is only about 2 inches in height.  :D  As you can see, I didn't get her face, or feet right the first time through...

Above is my reference photo.  What a dear tiny girl.  Children are such beautiful beings!

Thank you for visiting, dear Friends.  Your comments always brighten  my day!  Blessings and hope to you and Happy postcard Friendship Friday! 

Startled Woodland Fae -Paint Party Friday

I have been on quite a trip.  Thursday I left for Kamiah, Idaho.  A few days later, I drove to Spokane, Washington, then it was off to The Dalles, Oregon.  I arrived home in the mid-Willamette Valley late the following Thursday afternoon, just in time to dash out for an important meeting in Salem.

The next day I spent time with my precious little Buddy--who had chemo for the first time last Monday.  Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, she's doing extremely well!

Then Friday afternoon it was off to a special Historical Preservation Commission Meeting concerning historic signage.  It was a fun meeting--though a few fireworks went off!

This drawing was one I fashioned whilst on the road.  I spent time drawing this piece at the Kamiah Victorian Spring Fling Crafter's Fair where I offered my coloring books and prints for sale.  Though not many attended, I did make a few sales.

Best of all, I made some new wonderfully talented friends.  I had a delightful time interacting with them--and though bartering, I acquired some beautiful items for my home--with sweet memories attached to each item.

Thank you for dropping by--your comments are so encouraging and you  always make my day!  Blessings and joy to you dear ones--and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Hospital Fairy -Paint Party Friday

Hello!  I had the privilege of being the designated driver for my sweet Friend Theresa as she faced surgery on Monday.  She asked me to draw a pretty picture while I was waiting, so I sketched this little fairy.  Her wings are from a picture I took of some leaves--and the rest of her is from my imagination.  She's hugging a flower, and when I get the chance I'll add the lovely design of the curtains in the hospital room.

My dear Little Buddy begins cancer treatments next Monday.  There's a year of such difficult things ahead of her.  She is brave and wonderful. I would appreciate your prayers for this precious gifted woman.

Theresa is not only my dear Friend, but she's often modeled for me as you can see when you click on her name in the list below.

Thank you for dropping by--you always, always make my day!  Blessings and peace to you--and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sweet Butterfly Fae -Paint Party Friday

Here she is!  The tiny springtime faery who often comes to visit the flowers in my garden.  She is very happy the sun has been shining this week--you can tell by the sparkle in her eye.  I am SO glad the warmer weather and sunshine has finally made its appearance. 

I often draw my niece in my artwork.  Sometimes she leaps unbidden from my pencil all on her own, other times I am inspired by a reference photo.  This time she appeared as I was doodling one late night.  She is such a lovely young lady.  I am VERY proud of her.

Thank you so much for dropping. You are an encouragement and an inspiration.  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Flower Gather -Paint Party Friday

Hello sweet Friends!  Once it is all inked in--I think this drawing is good enough to go into one of my coloring books.  It is another midnight doodle inspired by a vintage postcard from the early 1900's.  I love that period of time--a lot of my artwork is in that style.

Spring is here--the sun is shining and I am feeling better than well.  There's something about Spring and awakening to sunshine streaming through the windows that is so hopeful.

Thank you so much for dropping by dear ones.  I am so grateful for your visit!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Maple Tree Fairy -Paint Party Friday

I adore maple trees.  They are everywhere in our little town--flooding the skies with their broad green leaves and covering the ground with refreshing shade on hot summer days.  A few weeks ago, seated beneath those gently bowing giants, I was inspired to draw this lovely maple tree fairy.

The truth is, she and her friends adore twirling down on the helicopter seedlings in the Fall.  However, she's on her best behavior here--all ready for a fancy fairy ball.

Above you see my wonderful reference model, Rena, who is one of my dearest friends and inspirations.

Have a great weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Stones and Roses -Paint Party Friday

When hard moments persist, one of my greatest comforts is to let my fingers draw what is in my heart.  This drawing was done in a difficult moment after the Fourth of July, when I was missing my Beloved.

Today is my parent's anniversary--they would have been married for 60 years today.  Daddy flew to heaven in 2012.  It is also my brother's birthday.  Cancer took him in 2001.  So many precious friends and family have gone on.  I am happy for them--but they are missed.

Grief is like the ocean...rising to crash into the shoreline--then sliding back to a subtle life rhythm.  It will always be a part of my life.  The storms still rise now and again, but not as many as before.

This little tear-filled faery leans upon the rocks to weep.  But in a moment she will smile through her tears to flit into the warmth of the sun and the fragrance of the roses.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Bluebell Fae -Paint Party Friday

I love bluebells in Spring.  This year they came too early and the frost got to them.  However, they did spring back into life a little later, though a bit less blue than normal.

Here is my little bluebell fae.  She visited us twice this year! 

Have a lovely weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Abby's Little Fairy Friend -Paint Party Friday

 I am going to see Abby on her birthday.  I am working on her birthday present--and it is half done.  All that's left to do is to add some color!!!  Isn't my sweet Niecey beautiful?  I hope she likes the idea of a wee whimsical fairy sitting in her hair.

Above is my reference picture of dear Abby.  I adore how she's done her hair.  :D  The camera loves this precious young lady.

Have a beautiful weekend!  Happy Paint Party Friday. 

Grapevines in Spring -Paint Party Friday

Here she is, my Lady of the Grapevines.  I had so much fun putting the detail into this drawing.  One day she will be in my coloring book featuring these beautiful creatures--it will be out sometime next Summer, entitled Fairies, Fine and Fair.

Above you see my lovely models Emily and Melissa.  They are so sweet to pose for me--Melissa on the right, is the young lady featured in this drawing.

It is so beautiful outside today--Spring has finally arrived almost overnight--here in the Willamette Valley.

Have a beautiful weekend!  Happy Paint Party Friday. 

Fairy Friends -Paint Party Friday

While out of town, taking care of my sweet Grandma who just turned 91, I did a bit of doodling.  Here is what I came up with.  I have always believed cats have wings--they just don't show them when humans are present. But this young lady is a fairy--so she gets to see them.

Toez the Polydactyl Cat, who has claimed me as her human, often wraps her tail around my arm, just so.  Toez still has not shown me her wings.  (grin)

Have a great weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

Bachelor Button Faery -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing from my mind.  The model here is my little niece--who shows up in my artwork all the time without my thinking about it.  This is a Bachelor Button Faery.  I love those flowers with their cheerful sky blue color and how they love to dance in the wind.

I have been away from my computer, on the road.  I have missed you all!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Dreams of Flight -Paint Party Friday

I finally had to take a moment and just draw.  I haven't had much time for art, since just before Christmas.  I couldn't sleep one night and this popped out of my brain.

Years ago I was treated to a hot air balloon ride.  It was an amazing experience--one of the highlights of my life.  It was exactly like I felt as a child when dreaming of flying in the sky high above my home.  To be in the air above the ground in that way seemed so natural and right.  Here this little fairy is dreaming of flying... 

She will be in one of my coloring books someday.  I am happy to announce I did a one-time run for a coloring book--self published and sold a few copies through facebook and by word of mouth.  It has been an exciting time for me.  Now that I see people really seem to like them, I'll be doing one through Amazon.

Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Blue Faery -Paint Party Friday

I once read a poem which had the whimsical idea that faeries are God's smallest angels.  I rather like that idea.  This little blue faery is a frequent imaginary visitor to my garden. She's part Genie as you can see. She lives in a brown glass bottle next to the fence in my yard, where in summertime she oft comes out to play with the gold fish after dark.

This is a drawing from long ago.  I have been away from my computer for a bit, so haven't had time to scan in my latest artwork.  My reference photo was lost with a tragic crash of a hard drive years ago--so I don't have the original picture to show you--but I can tell you this, she is not only lovely, but she is a sweet and talented young woman.

This Sunday will mark two years since my sweet husband flew away to heaven.  It will be a bittersweet time.  Sometimes it seems like forever since he left us--at other times, it is as though it were just yesterday.  I am also speaking and performing for a women's retreat on Saturday.  I would dearly appreciate your prayers for my family and me.  I continue to improve daily from my surgery. 

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet, wonderful Friends!