Come Hither -Paint Party Friday

"Come Hither," says the maiden of sultry eye and golden green hair.  She who longs to walk upon dry land with two bare feet.  Perhaps the miracle will happen, perhaps not.  When the moon is full, she will sing her siren song until the day her impossible dream comes true.

Have a lovely week, dear friends.   I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving this year!  I had the blessing of watching five cousins get re-acquainted.  What a joy that was!  God bless you, and thank you so much for dropping by. Your visits are encouraging! 

Holly Mermaid's Seahorses -Paint Party Friday

This picture was originally drawn from memory in 2011.  Holly has been in my life for years--I met this delightful young woman when she was around eight years old.  She has always loved horses--this whimsical piece pictures Holly as a mermaid who's best buds are the sea horses.  I just recently finished adding color to this pen and ink drawing from long ago.

For those who may be wondering, I am doing well after surgery.  God is so good to me.  The two-year mark of the passing of my Beloved has come and gone, and though I miss him dreadfully, life does go on.  And there are often sparkles of joy along with the tears.

Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Ocean Robes -Paint Party Friday

Here is a lovely lady of the sea, draped in marvelous heart bubble ocean robes.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could actually wear the waves?  I imagine the colors of teal and sunshine would be gorgeous.  Though I originally drew the graphite version long ago--I only inked it in a few days ago, in preparation for a coloring book, to be available hopefully soon on Amazon! 

Above you see my photograph of Emily.  She is such a delightful young lady--a blessing to my heart.

Keep me in your thoughts dear Friends.  This weekend I am hosting my very first Lady's Retreat.  It is called Making Friends with the Rain."  I know my Beloved would be proud of what I am doing...

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

Tide of Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

I've been on a mermaid kick lately, can you tell?  I thought it would be fun to show the ocean with foam made of hearts--a tide of hearts.  It might be that I miss the ocean.

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.

Under the Sea

Here is a look at a painting I was commissioned to do recently.  Her hair turned out better than I thought it would, and I was totally surprised at how nice the rock work looked!

This little mermaid was fun to do--I used watercolors for most of this painting.  For her skin, though--I did something a little different. I used a bit of coffee and cream--from my coffee cup--and added a tiny dab of crimson.  The skin tone turned out perfectly--though the scanner didn't do justice to the smooth look of the painting in real life.

Have a wonderful weekend friends--Ah, isn't summer marvelous? 

Daughter of the Sea -Paint Party Friday

I am delighted to post this little mermaid as a part of Paint Party Friday. This is one I've been working to finish for a friend of mine, for several months.  This was done in colored pencil.  I also did two others, one in watercolor and another in mixed media.  This one is my favorite!

 
Above you see a picture of Denise--the sweet girl, who's face was my inspiration for the mermaid. 

With last night's tremendous sky show of lightning and thunder boomers which shook the house from 11 p.m.- 4:30 a.m., I felt restless and couldn't sleep--so I did a bit of doodling.

She's a tree dryad, you see...

And here is my lovely model Rena--she is such an inspiration to me!  Have a lovely day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Daughter of the Sea -Guest Heart Thursday

This graphite drawing from my sketchbook is the preliminary sketch for a commission I'm working on.  I'm drawing this for a dear friend of mine, who will be giving the finished piece to her daughter for her birthday!  

Above you can see the original photo I've been working from.  Her real name is Denise, and I have had so much fun figuring out what her hair should look like as a mermaid.  

Of course, I have hidden hearts in this drawing--how many can you find?

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

Gathering Sea Shells

This is a commissioned piece I just finished.  I love the way the rocks turned out--almost translucent in places.  These two are great friends in real life.

Making Mermaids

This is a little pencil doodle I was inspired to draw last week.  I thought you'd enjoy the idea of Making Mermaids.  My love for fairy tales is once more evidenced in this drawing.

I apologize for being a bit out of touch this summer.  It has been a difficult three months.  It looks like there is a light at the end of the tunnel now.  I hope to be around a bit more in the days ahead.

May life's best blessings be yours.  Have a great evening!

Quiet, Please - Guest Heart Thursday

While we were at the Coast last week, a winter storm roared in our ears for two days.  It was difficult to find a way home because of downed trees, snow in the mountains and flooding!  I would have loved to have been stranded at the beach--but alas, we finally made it home.

This is the mermaid who made her appearance during those stormy days.  Clearly she wants the wind to quiet down!  Yes, there are hearts everywhere in this painting--how many can you find?

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

Quiet, Please - Guest heart Thursday

Here's another of my doodles I just finished in honor of Guest Heart Thursday!  This little mermaid bids us to be quiet for a moment--to enjoy the sea with all its sounds, scents and sights.

Of course I have hidden hearts in this drawing--how many can you find?

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

The Awakening - Guest Heart Thursday

Even in the Sea there are stories of faeries and enchantment.  This drawing is from the tale of Sleeping Beauty as told by the Merfolk of the deepest Oceans.  (Ha, ha--No pun intended.) Since this is a story of love, of course, there are hearts hidden everywhere.  How many can YOU find?

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

Beauty Flowing - Art Creations Friday

This is my first real submission for Art Creations Friday.  This challenge was fun--especially since I have been sick and have not been able to do much more than sit on the couch and veg.  I find when I am expressing myself artistically I forget I'm feeling miserable.  I love Art Nouveau!

This, of course, is a re-make (as if anyone could actually remake anything by Mucha) of one of my favorite artists in the world, Alphonse Mucha.

To see more wonderful creations in all kinds of artistic venues, visit Art Creations Friday!

Costume Party - Guest Heart Thursday

I love mermaids--being a part of the Mermaid Artist group has been great fun for me.  Here's my latest.  As you can see these two are preparing for a Costume Party!  Both are quite demure.

I have hidden 17 or more hearts in this drawing--can you find them all?  I thought this would be perfect for today's Guest Heart Thursday!  Have fun--and be sure to let me know how many you found.

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

Bangles - Guest Heart Thursday

Have you ever wondered about salesmen at the bottom of the sea?  Perhaps you haven't, but as you can see the thought did invade my mind one recent rainy day.

Well now you know--this is the bangle salesguy--and who better than an octopus with all those arms?  There are two hearts in this picture--can you find them?

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

Deep Sea Romance

This is number one in a set of various pieces of artwork dedicated to mermaids and merfolk in general!  I thought you would enjoy being the first to see them.  I just now finished the first two.

I love fish--I have a pond full of them.  I decided I didn't want a complex background interrupting the grace of the two merfolk.  Hence these happy looking fishies.  I was pleasantly surprised at the way the fish seem to glow, giving the piece an almost 3-D look.

With the kiss trembling between these two, anyone can see they are deeply in love--Theirs is the classic story of two kingdoms at war.  He is from one, she is from the other.  They will move heaven and earth to be together for the rest of their lives.  Their adventure is only just beginning as they seek to end hostilities between their homelands beneath the sea. 

I have this drawing up for sale on Ebay under Bethartworx.  I'm SO excited!

UPDATE:  This original drawing has been SOLD!  

Malaya's Lessons - Happy Mother's Day!

I have been collecting fairy tale books for years--a whole shelf full of them. In particular, I've loved stories of mermaids, mermen and their families. I even found a book called The Mermaid Reader, which details the lives, stories and legends of the merpeople.

This morning, in honor of Mother's Day I am re-posting one of my favorite drawings.

Here you see a tiny mermaid learning how to swim, instructed by her lovely green and blue tressed mother. The fish is a helpful friend--bubbling encouragement to the little one as she learns to flip her fins.

My reference models were my Sister Leigh and darling little niece Malaya.

Happy Mother's Day!

Kiss the Girl

This confident lover boy seems to think he's "all that."  And maybe he is! However, the mermaid seems rather amused.

This pen and ink drawing drew itself. I laughed and laughed when the fish's face came into view. It seems this funny fellow is truly expecting to kiss the girl!

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....

Ocean Dancer

Pacific City along the Oregon Coast is famous for its good food, surfing and dramatic Dory Boat landings. Most summer days you can watch surfers skipping over the threshing waves, as the Dory Boats slice through the waters--sliding ship's belly up onto the sands.

Here you see a beautiful sky mermaid perusing the beaches. She seems fascinated by all the activity. Below you can see this lovely ocean dancer as I first saw her.

Daddy Update: Dad is a miracle kid! The surgeons gave the wound on his head (which exposed quite a bit of bone) a one percent chance of healing without surgery. At present, the bone is completely covered and the skin around the wound only has about one and a half inches to go--if that! Dad is a walking miracle! Early next month, Dad will be going in for a neck check up--we are praying for the same miraculous healing in his broken neck bones.

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My siblings and I cleared and cleaned our parents home and property enough that they were able to return home last Sunday morning! They seem so happy. Next weekend we are tearing down a rotten section of their home--down to the floorboards, so I would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers for safety for everyone who will be coming over to help.

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THANK YOU for your thoughts and prayers--they have meant more to me and my family than you will ever know.