I Love Grapes -Paint Party Friday

This is my niece.  As you can see she is such a beautiful little person--I'm in awe watching her grow up.  I remember when she was born, and how she smiled at me then.  (yes, she smiled!)  She's an amazing girl and brings a lot of joy to everyone she knows.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.   Blessings and hope to you!

Little Sleeper -Paint Party Friday

Here is half of a sideways legal length Pen and Ink I finished in 2013.  It's my idea to make it the center pages of a coloring book.  My art computer died, though I was able to rescue everything on it--and I will have a replacement soon. In the meantime it is hard for me to put needed copyrights on the actual scans, so I'm posting artwork I've already scanned and copyrighted.

I am very sick.  As you know, I caught the flu.  At first I felt better but then I got worse again.  If this continues, will go back to the doc to see what's up.

Hope you are having a great weekend, sweet Friends!  It is such an encouragement when you drop by and comment.  You are all a blessing to my heart!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Heart Hug -Paint Party Friday

Hello sweet  Friends.  This is a lineart drawing I created in 2011.  I am really really sick today, so I just didn't feel up to drawing something new.  You can see my background in cartooning came to the fore in this piece!  I hope you enjoy this picture of my darling little niece.  She is the heart of my  heart.

As you can see, she is a joy to draw!

Have a happy Valentine's Day, sweet Friends.  Thank you for dropping by, your comments are always an encouragement to my heart, dear ones.  May God shower you with love, joy and laughter--Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sweet Butterfly Fae -Paint Party Friday

Here she is!  The tiny springtime faery who often comes to visit the flowers in my garden.  She is very happy the sun has been shining this week--you can tell by the sparkle in her eye.  I am SO glad the warmer weather and sunshine has finally made its appearance. 

I often draw my niece in my artwork.  Sometimes she leaps unbidden from my pencil all on her own, other times I am inspired by a reference photo.  This time she appeared as I was doodling one late night.  She is such a lovely young lady.  I am VERY proud of her.

Thank you so much for dropping. You are an encouragement and an inspiration.  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

On Butterfly Wings -Paint Party Friday

I have always had a daydream of riding on the back of a butterfly to places unknown.  Perhaps it is the child in my heart who still wishes it were possible.  My reference was a vintage postcard from the early 1900's.  I am a big fan of that era in America's history. 

Yesterday in the United  States, we celebrated Thanksgiving.  Indeed, there is so much for which to be thankful.  As I looked around the room where my family gathered, there was music, instruments,  singing and laughter...we ate the good food, joked and laughed some more.  I felt the presence of my dear husband--I know he was smiling as he saw the laughter and love of our family.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful one.  Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT weekend all you wonderful people!

Bachelor Button Faery -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing from my mind.  The model here is my little niece--who shows up in my artwork all the time without my thinking about it.  This is a Bachelor Button Faery.  I love those flowers with their cheerful sky blue color and how they love to dance in the wind.

I have been away from my computer, on the road.  I have missed you all!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Friend of the Hummingbird -Paint Party Friday

Here is my beautiful little niece Jena, as a fairy--friend of that cute little hummingbird she holds in her lap.  When this drawing is done, there will be lots of hummers flying all around her, landing in her hair and hanging on her wings.

I am sure there is a hummingbird fairy hanging out in my garden.  I have caught the sparkle of her wings out of the corner of my eye.  Her special friend Mr. Soots, is a black chinned hummingbird who is not one bit afraid of people.

Above you see the reference photo I  used for this charming fairy.  Isn't she sweet?  Have a lovely weekend and happy Paint Party Friday!

Colorful Spring Fae -Paint Party Friday

Here she is, all done.  I inked it in, then used my beloved Prismacolor pencils to add color.  This was my darling little niece's birthday gift.  She loved it--which makes this old auntie very happy.

Here again, is the original photograph from my garden.  The pose was her idea--she's a natural!  Such a dear little girl she is.

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

Daisy Puff -Paint Party Friday

I love drawing this little girl.  She is the most amazing person.  With her pixie haircut she is the perfect picture of Spring.  I often find her in my garden--she is a ray of sunshine to my heart.

Here you see my little friend as I caught her at the end of the walk in my winter garden.

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

Little Mary -Paint Party Friday

When she was five years old, my darling niece posed for this graphite drawing of Little Mary.  I love the Christmas Story.

I'm sure I have shared this before, but when I was a small girl I fell in love with the delightful drama of Joseph, Mary and the Babe.  To me, it was a wonderful story, filled with miracles, angels, laughter and tears.  In my mind's eye, I would picture every dramatic detail.  There is a beauty and truth about their story which still touches my heart today.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people.  May the Creator shed His light and joy into your lives.  You are all precious to Him--and to me.  God bless you, dear ones--have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))  

Little Winged Lion -Paint Party Friday

Here is a lineart drawing which will be published in my first coloring book for adults.  This is a sneak peek for you dear Friends.  My little niece posed for this drawing--she and I are sure when dandelions are out and about in a special garden like mine--they might look just like this little winged lion.  

Today is the three-year anniversary of my Daddy's "Heaven Day."  We all miss him so much.  Dad had an imagination just like mine--he saw things in his mind's eye.  His stories were wonderful--I can still see the places he spoke of--magical, imaginative places full of color, elves, fairies and fanciful creatures.  

We were blessed to have such a dear loving Father.  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people.  God bless you, dear ones--have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Angel Naptime -Paint Party Friday

I am incredibly blessed to have my sweet niece in my life. She often shows up in my artwork, as do her little friends.  

Here you see Stringbean the pup and Peaches the cat along my sweet angelic niece getting ready to take a nap after a day sliding down rainbows.  

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

Crown of Vetch -Paint Party Friday

This colored pencil drawing is of my niece.  She is a free spirit like me, with a grand imagination and a love for the Forest and all things faery.  Flora is a wonderful little friend and I love her very much.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, spring is in the air.  The trees are bright with blossoms.  There are flowers springing from the earth and the birds are trilling their spring songs.  It is a beautiful day today.  I am posting this picture, because on the other side of the country--you all have snow!  I'm envious of your snow, as I am sure you must be envious of our spring blossoms.  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely people. Thank you for dropping by.

Catkins -Guest Heart Thursday

Though it is still snowing in parts of our country, here in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley, Spring has burst upon us.  Overnight the trees have sallied forth in colorful blooms and bright flowers spring from the ground.  The sun is shining today--right through my office window as I type.  Ah, it is SO beautiful and warm.

My niece and I have always enjoyed pussy willows, pretending the small catkins are tiny kittens.  They are one of the first signs of Spring.  It was her birthday recently, so I painted this picture of  her with all those darling little kitten catkins.  Springtime is coming--and there is always hope in the Spring. 

Of course, there is a heart in this picture--though I didn't hide it this time!

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.

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!

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!