Rockin' in the Summertime -Paint Party Friday

The rock you see above is about the size of my thumb.  I have been painting rocks and leaving them all around town.  It is SO fun.  I rarely hear back from those who find them, but knowing I can spread beauty and kindness...some kind of joy into people's lives, is precious to me.

The rock with waves is about the size of the palm of my hand.  I loved painting it.  The camera doesn't do these paintings justice.  They are like small jewels.  I have SO much fun putting them out around the park and downtown area.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, 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!

Saying Goodbye -Paint Party Friday

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, my heart feels melancholy.  Even now, four years later, it is hard to comprehend I am alone.  Sometimes I feel the presence of my Beloved, but as time passes I feel his presence less and less.  Still, there is a nostalgic magic in the air...

I sense I am saying goodbye to what once was and greeting the possibility of what will be.  Often when a person looses their spouse of many years, there is a reorganization of one's identity.  It isn't that I lost who I am, it is that I am embracing the woman I have become.  I am strong (most of the time), creative, active, loving and hopeful.

A few weeks before my Beloved flew to heaven, he told me if anything ever happened to him, he wanted me to fall in love, get married and be happy.  At the time I laughed, not knowing of course, that in a few weeks he would be gone and my life would change forever.

I am finally saying goodbye--my heart finally realizing he is truly gone.  I have melancholy moments, but this morning every nerve is tuned to the realization something is coming.  My heart, my life, my whole being looks forward to what God has in mind for me.  I feel a mixture of fear and joy as I face this great unknown.  But Life is like that. 

Above you see my reference photo of the beautiful Rena, who is as lovely inside as she is outside.  I am so grateful to this lovely young woman for her willingness to model for me.  She is another of my beloved adopted daughters.

Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Your comments and art are a constant encouragement to me.  May blessing and hope be yours, sweet Friends!  

Got Flowers? -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing of my lovely middle daughter. She is as beautiful inside, as she is on the outside.   I love my children so dearly I often draw them from memory.  Such was the case here.

I haven't seen them in awhile and I miss them something fierce.  I have such wonderful children...A blessed Mom am I! :D

Happy Paint Party Friday dear ones!  Thank you for dropping by--your visits always bring a smile to my heart.

Fairy Princess -Paint Party Friday

I had the flu for over two weeks.  During that time all I could do was lay on the sofa and draw, or watch television.  Long ago, when I was near death in the hospital, I learned that sketching and drawing somehow took way the pain. 

Art has always been my passion--it is something I MUST do.  It is like breathing for me.  :D

This lovely fairy princess is one of the sketches I drew while I was sick.  I had to laugh at the hummingbird.  He's much bigger than he's supposed to be, but he reminds me of Mr. Soots, a black-throated hummingbird who's been coming to my back yard for two years now. 

Blessings and joy to each of you who took time to drop by today.  Thank you, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Tiny Dreamer -Paint Party Friday

Here she is, Spring's tiny dreamer.  January has been so warm, and today I smelled Spring.

I can hardly wait for the unfurling of the flowers, soon to be upon us!  I am sure the littlest faeries nap upon the open blooms found in my garden. How soft and comfortable it would be to snuggle into the petals of a wee blossom.

God bless you, dear ones and happy Paint Party Friday!

Dancing with Roses -Paint Party Friday

I have been pretty busy--not enough time to draw.  It is the Fourth of July. Between the holiday and all the deadlines for the non-profit I run, I have been nearly overwhelmed.  This is a drawing from over 40 years ago--when I was just a teenager.  I loved fairies and flowers with faces even then.

Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sunflower Angel -Postcard Friendship Friday

I posted this back in 2009.  It has been such a busy couple of weeks, I'm re-posting.  

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. They are so cheerful and full of sunshine. If you look closely you will see this lovely lady is a sunflower angel. Her wings are hidden. I've met this angel, and she pours goodness and beauty over everyone she meets. What a blessing she is.

Notice the cup of coffee in her hand...or is it peppermint tea?  I will let you decide.


Have a lovely weekend and happy Paint Party Friday!

Good Morning! -Paint Party Friday

It has been so difficult to be online this time of year with pending taxes and year-end items all combining in one huge cloud of paperwork.  I took some time to draw last week--just a page or two.  I am studying a wonderful book on cloth and how it wrinkles.  This lineart drawing is the result.  I really like drawing cloth.

Have a lovely day, dear ones.  The sun is shining this morning.  I hope you had a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Wonderland Walker -Paint Party Friday

I have a vivid imagination.  I can still remember the places I dreamed of when I was a little girl.  This place is one of them.  Where flowers pile over the ground in brightly colored bunches.  I imagined arches covered with ivy and bright castles where one might find glittering treasures and perhaps a sleeping princess.

Above you see my reference photo of dear Rena.  I am SO blessed by the friendship of my sweet models.  When the camera is on--magic happens--the camera loves this girl.  

This week has been a difficult one, as yesterday was my Daddy's Heaven Day.  He left us four years ago, and I still grieve for him--I was a Daddy's girl and when he left, he took a bit of my heart with him.

It gives me great joy to know Daddy is in heaven, strong, whole and young again--I can see him smiling at me with that wonderful smile of his.  I know he is proud of me.

Have a lovely weekend dear Friends.  Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sisters of the Heart -Paint Party Friday

There are Sisters related by blood and still others who are Sisters of the soul.  I am SO blessed to have both in my life.  In fact, I don't know how I would have survived this past year without the precious Sisters God has placed in my life.  Thank you--you know who you are.  You have a tender place in my heart.

I just finished inking this in, this morning.  I am working on a coloring book, and each night before I go to sleep, I ink in some of the artwork I've done over the years.  This is yet another drawing of the lovely ones who walk in my garden in Spring and Summer.

Here are my lovely models.  These two young ladies are as beautiful inside as they are outside.  It is a privilege to work with them.

Happy Paint Party Friday.  Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends and thank you for dropping by.  ((Hugs))

Madrona's Tiny Friend -Paint Party Friday

This little faery doesn't quite know how to walk yet--she's pulling herself up on a flower and greeting a small butterfly, which decided to land on her wee finger.

Above you see my reference picture of this darling little girl.  Our tiny Madrona makes all of us laugh and smile.  She has been the subject of many drawings and sketches since her birth.  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people. May God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.

River Rock Painting

One lazy summer afternoon, after gathering rocks down at the river, my darling little 7-year old niece and I decided to paint them.  We used acrylics, which worked very well.  She painted some pretty neat patterned rocks for her Mom, and I painted this one for my husband.

He loved it!  I was tickled when he asked if I could paint a little cat in the meadow. I did--can  you find her?

Above is a hint as to where the tiny kitten can be found.

Oh, I think I'm going to paint some more rocks--that was SO much fun!

Flower Face -Guest Heart Thursday

Of course, there are many many hidden hearts in this drawing from my sketchbook.  I thought this lovely Flower Faced girl would be just perfect for this Spring day.  Even though it is raining, there is a distinct feeling of newness in the air.  Flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.  And just now, that is enough for me.  (grin)

Have a lovely 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.

Mommy's Laughing -Guest Heart Thursday

There is nothing so lovely as the laughter shared between Mom and child.  That early bond is so very precious and they grow up quickly.  Enjoy every moment you can.  Of course, there are hearts hidden in this drawing!  Have a fabulous day!

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.
 

Heart Flower -Guest Heart Thursday

Last week I found an old sketchbook from the 1990's.  This is one of my graphite sketches.  It appealed to my eyes and I thought this heart flower would be just perfect for 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.
 

Blue Flowers, Gorgeous Sunset

I have been longing for Spring...in our part of the world, the fog has descended and we haven't seen the sun for ten days!  We are used to the rain--but this freezing grey fog has been a little tough to take.

Yesterday was a bright day, as I spent time with my darling niece.  We had a wonderful time painting with watercolors.  This is an ACEO I painted.  I adore this color of blue--the color of forgetmenots.

The painting above is only 2.5x3.5 inches and was painted by my talented niece.  She says it is a sunset.  Pretty amazing work for a five-year old!!!

Flower Face -Guest Heart Thursday

A few years ago, one early morning in Spring, I came across a tree which reminded me of a faery with long tresses of flowers.  I photographed those blossoms with the idea of using it in a drawing someday.

Here is the springtime faery who's pink tresses were inspired by a springtime tree with flowing beauty.  I've never seen that tree in bloom since--she seems to have vanished.  But, then--that is the way of fairies.

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

Hope

There are days when life seem so overwhelming it seems there is no way out. Sweet friends, there is hope.  There is always hope.

Trusting in the mighty hand of my Creator. 

Resting in His grace. 

I am leaning into his Strength, 

Accepting His embrace. 

I am at that moment at peace. 

Only then.

~ Beth L. Niquette

Fuchsia - Sunday Scans

If the Fuchsia flower had a face, this is what she would look like.  No wonder the hummingbirds flock to kiss her lips!  This original pocket art drawing is only 2.5x3.5 inches big!

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!