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!

Dreaming of Baby Nicholas -Paint Party Friday

I have the most lovely niece in the world.  Haha.  And as you might guess, I am about to become an auntie!  I'm so proud of this beautiful young woman.  I decided to do a series of drawings with her and baby-in-tummy.  When I'm all done--she'll get a print of each of the drawings.

I'm thinking about putting out a coloring book for women who are pregnant!  I am not sure how popular such a thing would be, but I think it might be worth a try!

Above you see my sweet Melissa.  Her Mom took this wonderful photo.

And Happy Father's Day to Tony, who loves Melissa with such sweet strength and devotion.

Thank you for coming by--your visits are such an encouragement to my heart!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Birds and Berries -Paint Party Friday

The drawing above is a sketch/doodle, which I inked in a few days ago.  As you see, there's a story here.  Yes, the little bird in the middle has two suitors.  One seems taken aback, and the other is pretty sure of himself.

There are so many birds around this time of year--they flock into my garden where I watch them flirt, eat and sing.  Spring is such a delightful time of year.

Here's an extra for you all!  Because it is so close to Mother's Day I'm also posting this colored pencil drawing I drew of my sister and her little girl when my niece was a tiny baby. 

Thank you for stopping by today.  Your visit has brought joy to my heart.  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Mother's Day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

First Born -Paint Party Friday

I recently found a photo of me and my first born when she was a tiny tyke.  It was so sweet, I did a little sketch of us.  Here it is, dear ones.  I have had a very busy week--and another one ahead of me.

I pray your days are lovely and that you will find unexpected blessings around every corner.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Mommy's Laughing -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I did for my sister in 2008.  Though my tiny niece is a brunette, I decided to make them both into blondes.  I had a lot of fun drawing them.  They are so beautiful to my heart.

There is nothing so precious as a truly loving Mom.  I am blessed with a Mother who is my precious friend.  It is a great privilege and gift to have such a Mother.  Mumsie is so precious to me.  She taught me how to be a good Mother.

One of the greatest adventures of my life has been to be the Mother of three wonderful kids.  They are all grown and gone now, but they are never far from my heart, thoughts and prayers.

God bless you dear ones!  Thank you so much for dropping by.  Happy Mother's Day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Happy New Year! -Paint Party Friday

Happy New Year, dear Friends!  Though this is a whimsical drawing from years ago, it seemed just perfect for today.   As you can see, these swans are a bit different.  lol  As I drew them, their tail feathers became fireworks.  Each of these cuties has a personality all their own--I just want to hug 'em!  

I can hardly believe an entire year has passed by. A whole year without my Beloved.  A year of tears and growth.  It has been an adventure.  I still don't know where life will lead me.  I am grateful that God directs my path.  I am leaning upon Him for each day.

Happy New Year, and Paint Party Friday, all you lovely artists and truly wonderful people.  May God bless you, dear Friends--have a lovely weekend and thank you for stopping by.  ((hugs))

Mother Nature -Summer of Color

This is a drawing of my Mother.  We laughed because in the picture she is WAY too short and looks a bit out of proportion.  So we figure since she's Mother Nature, she's actually rising up out of the earth--that way we can imagine she is as tall as my darling Mums.  Mom is tall, graceful and queenly--she would actually make a wonderful Ma Nature.

Above is the palette of colors to be used.  What a lovely challenge!  I hope a little blue and brown are allowed--Mother Nature must have the additional colors.

There is a fun story behind this drawing.  Mums and I were at Costco shopping for dish soap.  She could not find the one she'd always used and was a bit disappointed.  A delightful Hispanic man, very short in stature asked if he could help her.  When she explained what she was looking for, he said he was very sorry but they didn't have that kind of soap in stock anymore.

Said my Mother sweetly, "But that's the kind I always use."

Said the little man, "I know."

Replied Mumsie, "Do you know who I am?"

With wide eyes, the poor man practically bowed.  "Yes.  Yes, I do," he whispered.

Then Mums stretching to her full height and leaning a bit forward, said, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature."

"I know," he said, hastily backing and bowing nearly to his knees. Then suddenly without another word he turned and scurried away through storeroom door as fast as he could go.

Mom and I stood open mouthed.  Astonished, Mumsie said, "I was just joking.  Do you think he really thought I was Mother Nature?" 

To this day we laugh over the incident and I tease her about being Mother Nature in disguise.

But as you can see above--Mom does indeed have a deep connection to nature, the woods and her garden. (wink, wink)  This is actually an untouched photo I took of Mumsie--the angle of the sun was perfect for that bit of glory light you see.

It is so delightful to be a part of drawing to a specific palette of colors.  To learn about the fun to be had each week visit Summer of Color.

Have a lovely summer day all you wonderful people!

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!
 

Forgiveness - Guest Heart Thursday

As children grow older and yearn to fly, great hurt can take place between parent and child.  Forgiveness between child and parent is incredibly important for growth in later life.  Bitterness can grow when forgiveness is not given, or received.   

I remember the day I realized my Mother was an extraordinarily interesting person.  It was an astonishing revelation how much she and I had in common.  She became someone I would seek out -- I loved hanging with her.  What a wonderful time in my life to live close enough to go walking with her every morning--how I cherish those memories.  She was (and still is) really fun!  I am so grateful for the friendship we have.

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

 

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!

Springtime Faery

This little faery is about to embark upon one of the most amazing adventures possible! There is nothing so lovely as springtime, and nothing so beautiful as new beginnings.

Motherhood is an adventure, full of joy, happiness, sadness, fear and sometimes even anger. All in all, even with its difficult aspects, being a Mother is never boring, and is truly one of the most fulfilling and wonderful adventures to be had.

Lioness

This lovely Lioness has taken charge of two small kittens. She seems to love them as her own. I am sure there is a story in here somewhere--perhaps she lost her own and rescued these little ones to raise as her own. To see her best, click for the larger view.

Above is the lioness as I first saw her. More detail can be seen in the larger view.

Byron's Lessons

Even faeries teach their children a trade. Here a little faery Mom teaches her small boy how to scent a flower and put its colors into place. However, seeing that mischievous look, I'm sure when she's not looking, one might find a crazy pattern of pinks, blues and greens splashed across the flower's petals.

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Daddy Update: Dad made a breakthrough this morning! He actually got up and made coffee this morning. He was able to go outside with his walker yesterday afternoon--he even walked a few paces with his cane. Dad is healing faster than anyone could predict. Thanks to the prayers of people everywhere, I believe we are watching a miracle unfold! Thank you! Keep praying--Dad sees the neck doctors the first of September!

Treasure Within

This drawing is a reflection of the poignant memories of becoming a Mom for the very first time. The idea of a child growing inside is such a beautiful and intimate miracle. I am very grateful for the children God gave my husband and me. We have been immensely blessed to have them in our lives.

The Lady and the Lambs

In honor of Mother's Day I'm re-posting The Lady and the Lambs.
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This drawing is dedicated to our own darling Mumsie. When Mum was young and unsure of herself, her Father gave her a picture--he told Mum she looked just like the lovely woman in the picture, and that she was beautiful. A few years ago, Mum and I actually found a copy of the original drawing on a card, so I bought it for her. I loved the old photo so much I used it as my inspiration for this graphite drawing.

Now here's the fun part! I photographed my drawing (it is very big), and ran it through a new photo enhancing program I was learning at that time. The resulting picture was infused with a brilliant rainbow of color.


I was astonished, and oddly, I never was able to duplicate those colors again. There's a little bit of a miracle in every day, don't you think? And to be a Mother is one of the greatest miracles of all.
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Happy Mother's Day!

Little Princess

I've decided to dedicate the rest of this week to Motherhood.

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This is a drawing I created for my brother's son's darling baby girl. How Dow would have loved to hold his tiny Granddaughter in his arms. I can picture that quirky little smile on his lips, and the pure delight beaming from his eyes. I am so happy our brother lives on through his son, daughter-in-law and Granddaughter.

In the future I plan to draw her inside of a rose--as her name is Rose.  She is a dear little girl.

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Happy Mother's Day!

Saturday Morning

When my children were small, Saturday mornings were a celebration--Bugs Bunny ruled the television set, and a myriad of toys covered the floors, draped across the coffee table and over the couch. I would sit in the midst of it all and sip my coffee, my face wreathed with smiles at the children's funny antics.

They are nearly grown now--In another year or so, we will experience what is fondly called an "Empty nest." Those years went by so quickly.

I am not sure I enjoyed my children as much as I could have. In the meantime, I smile remembering.