Forest Greetings -Paint Party Friday

This little sketch is another I completed on my trip away from home.  When I draw deer--I always think of my sweet Mumsie.

She loves the forest and the deer.  She's the one who taught us how to forage in the forest for good things to eat.  She taught us what NOT to eat, too.  She is such an amazing lady.  I sketched this piece for Mumsie's birthday.  She will be 80  years old on the 18th!  I know it's a little early, but....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMSIE!
And Happy Mother's Day, my precious Mom!

I am SO blessed by my dear Mom.  She has always been my biggest fan.  And I am one of her biggest fans!  We have a mutual admiration society!  :D 

Thank you for dropping by--your comments always make my day!  Blessings and joy to you dear ones--You are an encouragement and a delight to my heart.  Happy Mother's Day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Herald of Fall -Paint Party Friday

I have been so busy, I have posted this drawing from 2016 for your perusal.  This pen and ink piece is of a Friend of mine by the name of Zack.  Alas, I can't find the original photo of him blowing that wonderful horn, just know it was an inspiring photograph. 

Blessings and peace to you all.  Thank you for dropping by, you are such an encouragement to my heart.

Happy Paint Party Friday!

Bird Watch -Paint Party Friday

This lovely girl loves birds.  She often walks through the woodlands to visit her sweet feathered friends.  When I was young we roamed miles of woodlands, complete with creek and moss covered trees.  It was a wonderland for kids.  We built forts, caught crawdads, played with the fish which were spawned in that small stream.  I love the forest--the animals living there were special friends.

Above you see my exquisite reference model, Heather.  She is the dearest, sweetest young woman.  I am blessed by her friendship.

Thank you for your encouraging comments.  Your visits make my day!  Blessings and peace to you dear ones.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Forest Moon -Paint Party Friday

Today is Friday the 13th.  Many folks believe it is an unlucky day.  Rather than cowering from the day's bad reputation, I have chosen to honor the beauty of dawning Springtime.  The drawing above is of a sweet deer who, a couple of nights ago, haphazardly wandered through the woodlands of my heart onto my sketchbook.

There is so much to see and experience...so much for which to be thankful. And the greatest blessing of all?  Not just the loveliness of Spring as it unfolds, but life and love.

Thank you so much for dropping by sweet Friends--your visits are another reason to be thankful!  Have a lovely weekend, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Mountain Dancer -Paint Party Friday

One of the ways I handle sleeplessness is to draw in the late hours of night, or the wee hours of the morning.  This is one such piece.  I haven't slept well in a long time, but I don't mind as much when I end up drawing something like this.

Above you see my lovely model, Rena.  The girls came over for a photoshoot a couple of weeks ago.  It was SO much fun!  They are wonderful friends, and I am privileged to work with them.

Thank you so much for dropping by--your visits mean a lot to me.  Blessings, comfort and joy to all of you, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Brave Rescuer -Paint Party Friday

I have been awfully busy.  There are so many things to do regarding year-end paperwork, along with our dear friend Dan's passing last Friday, and another precious friend who is very ill in the hospital.  As you might guess, I didn't get much artwork done last week.

This drawing is from long ago, before my husband flew away to heaven.  He was my dear love, my rescuer--he would have done anything for me.  He was my hero.  Our Dan was his best buddy--both of these dear fellas were heroes to their families.

I posted this graphite drawing to honor them both.  (Though in real life, if I were that young lady, I'd have spotted the dragon and would be knocking him over the head with my baseball bat.  I never was the damsel in distress.)  (grin)

Above is the lovely reference photo for this drawing.  I could not find the page where this stock once was available, but you might find it on DA, an online art and stock site.

Thank you so much for dropping by.  Blessings, comfort and joy to all of you, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Beauty From Ashes -Paint Party Friday

This bit of art is a little different than my usual art.  There was a page in my sketchbook covered with steaks of color as well as scratchings from micron pens.  I'd been testing colors and nib sizes for another drawing.  But, it was really good paper and I didn't have the heart to toss it.  So--I decided to doodle--and as a result--this drawing.

In some ways this drawing depicts in part, another major heart shift.  The sweet words I heard were "beauty from ashes." I don't know what that means yet, but I am looking forward to discovering what is ahead.  This past year has been one of the most difficult yet since my Beloved flew away to heaven. 

Part of my struggle has been that of becoming the woman I am to be without my Beloved.  I was married much longer than I was single...and we were partners.  There are questions....Who am I really?  I am who I am when I am by myself.   Once again I have realized the person I become now, depends upon the things I put into my heart and life.

Those ingredients are, first of all, time with God and doing His will in my life--then treasuring family and friends.  Acquiring wisdom, knowledge and purpose--maybe even taking some college courses.  Then there are celebration, beauty, laughter...and tears. 

I think my Darling would be proud of me so far, and that is a dear comfort.  The truth is, though I am discovering who I am as a single person--that person was shaped by my Beloved--he made my life an adventure.  We learned so much together.  (sigh)  I miss him.

Blessings to you in your life's journey dear ones--thank you for dropping by, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Cats in the Forest -Paint Party Friday

Speaking of felines, my own furry little friend, Toez the Polydactyl Cat, is comfortably seated between me and my computer, her front paws resting on my forearm as I type.  I laugh, because her head bobs up and down as I press words into the keyboard.

Since I arrived home, she has been so affectionate she's embarrassing herself!  (grin)  The last time I was out of town, she wouldn't look at me, or "speak" to me for two days.  Not this time--she must have missed me, but good.

I adore cats.  This picture started out as a doodle and ended up a full-fledged picture.  I hope you enjoy this bit of lineart.

Have a beautiful day, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Lady of the Hill -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing from last year at this same time.  I added color to it last week and I rather like the way it turned out.  This is my sweet middle daughter, who's beauty and kindness lend enchantment to every piece of art I feature her in. 

It is very cold where we are--for our area of the world 17 degrees is REALLY cold.  I can't remember feeling this cold in my life!  But the sun is shining and it is a new day.

God bless you everyone 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.

A Walk in the Forest -Paint Party Friday

Here is one of my friends from the Forest.  She is a good friend of my old buddy Leonard the Bluejay.  They often visit my garden.  Especially around the Fourth of July.

Above you see my lovely model Emily.  She is as lovely inside as she is on the outside.

Have a lovely day, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday!  Thank you so much for dropping by. 

Friends of the Forest -Paint Party Friday

This drawing has the whimsical idea of the woodlands pictured as a person and the wolf as friend and defender of the forest. 

I have always loved wolves.  In fact, my senior paper was all about wolves.  Wolves live in family groups called packs. They live in dens, which are small caves or a hole dug in the ground. It shelters a mother and her pups weather and protects the little ones from animals who might want to make a snack of them.

Like human families often do, all wolves in a pack help take care of the younger ones. When the pups are very small, other pack members bring food to the mother so she does not have to leave the den. Wolf pups love to play, stalking and pouncing on each other.  Baby wolves also find toys to play with, such as bones, feathers or the skins of dead animals.

Wolves are amazing animals.  Though they can be solitary and lonely (I often feel like howling myself), I admire their loyalty to family and the friendship they share with one another. 

 Above you see my lovely model, Miss Melissa.  She is a wonderful inspiration to me.

Happy Paint Party Friday, my precious Friends.  May God bless you with joy and unexpected laughter.  Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Unexpected Surprise -Guest Heart Thursday

I am a bit late posting for GHT because of all the activity here as our chimney and fireplace is being replaced.  I did this graphite drawing especially for Guest Heart Thursday--a little Unexpected Surprise!

Of course, I've hidden hearts in this drawing.  Have a lovely day, and Happy Guest Thursday!  

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

Maiden in the Woods -Guest Heart Thursday

Recently I did a photoshoot with some dear friends.  This doodle is of one of those amazing photos.  I love the leather belt Emily wore, the sword in her hand, the horn hanging at her side.  This picture was a pleasure to draw.  Later I will ink it in, then add color with either watercolor or colored pencil.

Above you see my reference photo.  Here are Emily and Melissa.  I love these two young ladies--the camera loves them!  They are SO sweet to pose for me.  

Of course, there are hearts hidden throughout the drawing.  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.

Snowy Day

'Tis the hope it will snow next week.  It can snow here in the Willamette Valley, but over the years I've decided we live in a vortex where it snows everywhere else but here.  I keep hoping and praying for snow--perhaps I will get my wish this time?  Just enough for a snow man.

The above painting is only 3.5x2.5 inches--the size of a baseball card.  I just love painting these tiny pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and have a lovely day!

Forest Charmer -Guest Heart Thursday

Here is another of my graphite doodles.  I was gone for five days--visiting family.  I imagined what my darling niece would look like when she grew up--and here she is.  Her favorite flowers gather around her feet as she tends the birds of the forest beneath the great maple trees. 

Have a lovely day! 

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

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.

Blue Green Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

This winter has been especially hard.  With the long, rainy, gray days of winter in the Pacific Northwest this season, I find myself longing for green woodlands and spring flowers.  I have seen some amazing pictures of bluebells carpeting the forest floor and was inspired.  Hence the bluebells beneath spring green leaves.

Yes, this Blue Green Forest has hidden hearts, but something else is there.  Can you see it?

Have a lovely day, everyone!

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

Into Heaven's Sunrise

Ten days ago, Daddy left us at Sunset--here he is, joyfully stepping into heaven's sunrise.

This is the final effort of one of my first attempts to meld my own artwork into a real photograph.  The actual photo is very small.  I'm so grateful for this wonderful scanner.

May God be gracious to you 

And bless you 

And cause His face 

To shine upon you.

Welcome Home

Thursday I lost my breath and my heart started to beat so hard, I could not even stand to wash the dishes...my knees were weak and I was shaking.  So, I sat down and drew the artwork which is incorporated into this picture for Mom. As I was drawing my heart slowed, the shaking stopped and my breath returned.

This is is an old picture of Dad hiking along a trail.  He loved to hike and explore.  Mom says that's Mt. Jefferson in the distance.  I still have to figure out how to make the drawings more detailed in the photo. I'm also not sure I will be using the fiery sunset clouds from a photo I took in the back yard.  Nonetheless, I thought you would like to see my first attempt at melding art and photo.  It isn't very good yet--but it gives an idea of what I'd like to do.

Daddy is headed for heaven any time now.  He will be soon clasped in the gentle arms of the Great Shepherd Who loves him.

 Thank you for your warm thoughts and continued prayers.

UPDATE:  Daddy left for heaven at 5:45 p.m. today.  He is out of pain and I know he is in a much better place.  We will miss him SO much.  Ah, our hearts are breaking.