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!

There's Hope in a Rose -Paint Party Friday

I have had guests from out of town here all week long, so didn't get to do much drawing.  I'm posting a piece I drew many years ago.  It is one of my favorites.  I'd never drawn anything quite like it before. This faery maiden's heart was badly broken. But the look upon her face, and the rose in her outstretched fingers caused me to believe she found hope and healing.

Hope is beautiful, like a rose. Roses flower throughout the seasons, and astoundingly, I have even found them blooming in January beneath the snow. There is hope in a rose.

Somehow when hope shines impossibly through the cold darkness of hard times, its beauty and fragrance are more precious and lovely than ever before.

Happy Paint Party Friday, dear Friends.

Thumbelissa -Paint Party Friday

One of my favorite fairytales is the story of Thumbelina. The story chronicles the adventures of a tiny girl born in a velvety red tulip, in answer to her mother's wish and prayer.

She has many a perilous journey, but in the end she is rescued, flying away on the feathery back of a sparrow. Her friend brings her to a garden where the fairy folk live in the flowers. (I'm sure the garden must be mine...) There she meets and falls in love with a fairy prince. On her wedding day the fairies give the girl a pair of clear sparkling wings.

I have a collection of old fairytale books, and in the most ancient version, the tiny girl was called Thumbelissa. It's a toss-up as to which name is the most beautiful!

I am going to be out of town, so I'm posting this drawing from 2006.  My model was lovely Melissa, when she was a young girl.  I don't have the original reference pictures to share with you, but I'm sure you will  recognize her wonderful face.

I'm SO grateful for my life-in house sitters, for my watchful neighbors and the policeman who lives across the street.  It makes traveling so much easier to do.  

God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Painting Roses -Paint Party Friday

This is a combination of colored pencils and watercolor.  I painted this for a friend of mine as a gift.  There's something about this piece I just love--the idea of this little fairy girl painting roses in summer delights my heart. I'm sure I've seen this sweet fae out in my garden in the early morning hours, as the dew was drying in the summer sunshine.

Here is another peek into my sketchbook--this one is called Daisy Dinner.  The drawing makes me smile because of the look on that fella's face...he's obviously really going to enjoy eating that daisy!

Have a lovely day, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!  I'm also linking up with Friday Sketches!

Brave Rescuer -Guest Heart Thursday

I had so much fun with this doodle.  As you can see, this handsome swordsman is rescuing the beautiful princess from the clutches of a VERY upset dragon.  As I don't like sad endings, I am of a mind the dragon gets stuck in the trees and the two escape unscathed!

Of course, I have hidden hearts throughout the drawing--how many can you find?  Have a great day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

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

Painting Roses -Guest Heart Thursday

I've always dreamed the flowers in my garden are colorful because God's littlest angels, the fairies painted them.  When I was a little girl I dreamed of winging from blossom to blossom with my pocket's full of paints.  What fun that would be!  I am so grateful to have had a sister with whom to share those fantastic stories.  My sister.  And today is her birthday!

Happy Birthday, SissyClytie, and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

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

 

Faery Dress Up

This little faery fae visited my home a few weeks back.  I could not help but to draw her picture.  She is the dearest of all little faeries and I love it when she comes by for a visit.  We do many things together.  We paint leaves, dig in the garden, gather flowers, play games and, of course, dress up is a big favorite.

Have a lovely New Years' everyone!

Baby Evi's Night Out -Guest Heart Thursday

This is Baby Evi's first night out.  She and her lovely faery Mother are out for a stroll in the midnight woodlands.  It is a crisp winter night and the stars sparkle overhead like jewels.  Yet in this magical place tiny glowing snowflakes flit through the air to land softly on all who would walk this magical path.

Of course I have hidden several hearts in this drawing.

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

Rapunzel

This is a lineart drawing from around 2003. The border was inspired by an old Art Nouveau rose design I found years ago.

I love the way this piece turned out.  There's such an endearing beauty and grace about the girl in this piece. 

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Hubby Update:  The surgeon believes he was able to get all the cancer.  Tests results this week should confirm that fact.  My dear husband has been home since Friday and turned a corner last night--He's doing MUCH better this morning!  I'm so grateful for your lovely thoughts and powerful prayers.  (hugs)

Fairytale Sisters - Guest Heart Thursday

I'm so sorry I haven't posted for awhile--it has been a pretty hectic summer so far.  This is one of my newest pieces.  It was commissioned by a dear young lady for her sister on her birthday.  Yes there are hearts, hidden of course, in this drawing!

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

Tranquility

Sweet Fae sleeping in soft crimson rose petals.  She slumbers until the sun rises then is about her duties taking care of the wee caterpillars until they grow fat and cheeky.

The butterflies are faery friends--she is new to taking care of the little ones--when she has spent a summer watching over them, the butterflies will give her wings and she will fly.

I know...I have a GREAT imagination.

Little Red Riding Hood - Guest Heart Thursday

Here she is, Little Red Riding Hood!  Her basket of food is sitting on the ground behind her, just in case you are wondering!  This pen and ink was inspired by my nieces, darling Malaya and Sweet Peyton.

I have hidden a bunch of hearts in this drawing!  Can you find them all?!

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

The Traveler - Illustration Friday

As you can see--The Traveler walks the trail on a journey to somewhere, and she's not alone.  Her companion is a parrot, who, of course is not what he seems.

Who do you think he is?

For more wonderful artwork please visit Illustration Friday!

Lucky Buck

There are books full of tales of enchantment.  Many are stories which include an angry immortal casting a spell upon a handsome prince--a spell which can only be broken by the kiss of true love.

True love or not--this fellow is one Lucky Buck! 

Raccoon Rhapsody

We had a wonderful time away.  Part of the charm and magic of our trip was that I spent time each day doodling another Pen and Ink.  I've been itching to draw this one ever since I saw Abe Lincoln's inspiring Raccoon picture below.

If you look closely you will see the dear little Raccoon is playing a "daisy" harp--at least she is in my imagination!  Hence the name Raccoon Rhapsody.

If you would like to see more wonderful photography by Abraham Lincoln pop on over to My Birds Blog.

Abe, thank you so much for your wonderfully inspiring photography, stories and comments.

Bluebell Faery

The bluebells are blooming in bunches beneath the cedar trees.  What a lovely color they are!  I think they look like tiny flowering blueberries--each so exquisitely made.  I heard the faeries playing the bluebells last night in my dreams.  From what I understand, there is a bluebell festival in my garden each Spring.  Sometimes if one listens very closely one can hear the music as the faeries ring the bluebells in the soft moonlight.

I can always tell Spring has come when the bluebells in my garden ring.  I know, I know--I have a GREAT imagination.  LOL

The Mermaid and the Fisherman

This pen and ink drawing is a result of a few days spent at the ocean a few years ago. I was fascinated by the bubbles in the surf and the rivulets of ocean water as the waves pounded the shoreline. I sought to capture the motion and grace of the sea.

I've always loved the idea of mermaids. The latest tale (no pun intended) I read was interesting. Mermaids were able to remove the skin of their tails, which they would then hide among the rocks. They did this so they could walk along the beaches unhindered.

According to legend, a man could steal a mermaid's tail skin, hide it and woo the mermaid as his own. However he had to keep the tail hidden, because if she found it, the pulse of the sea would be irresistible and she would disappear into the waves once more.

Do I believe in mermaids? Well, they haven't found Bigfoot yet, have they? Hmmmm....

New Dwarf in Town

I have always loved Dwarves and often found "evidence" of their presence in the forests of my childhood. How extraordinary to find one of my old friends floating into town over the trees of the back yard! He's such a darling Dwarf cloud--nice to see him again after all these years. (grin) I know--I know, I have a GREAT imagination!

.

I've added the original photo above so you can see what I saw in the sky. A friend of mine thought this cloud formation might have been an actual funnel cloud. EXCEPT the funnel is pointed upward not down....hmmmm....

Plumage

She is a princess who is doomed to become a swan by day, holding her human form by night. The man the Princess loves is also beloved by a beautiful, but wicked witch who has wreaked her rage and jealosy upon her unfortunate rival.

Only the kiss of true love upon the beak of a swan will break the spell -- but who could fall in love with a swan? And who would kiss a swan upon its beak? Hmmmmm . . . .

It is fortunate that nearly every fairytale I've ever read ends with the words, "and they lived happily ever after."

Shelter in the Storm

I love the red mushrooms in this drawing--though someone once told me most red mushrooms are poisonous! However, if they are I am convinced the faery folk are immune. Faery folk love to use mushrooms as giant umbrellas in stormy weather.

This small sparkle-eyed faery is one of those who frequent the forest near here. She sometimes comes to my garden to visit and tells stories you would not believe if you heard them. (grin) I know, I know, I have a GREAT imagination.

To draw this picture, I started out with a light pencil outline. I carefully inked in the lines I liked, erasing the remaining pencilings. Then I added color using my beloved Prismacolor pencils--which are wonderful because they are made with beezwax.