Flower Gather -Paint Party Friday

Hello sweet Friends!  Once it is all inked in--I think this drawing is good enough to go into one of my coloring books.  It is another midnight doodle inspired by a vintage postcard from the early 1900's.  I love that period of time--a lot of my artwork is in that style.

Spring is here--the sun is shining and I am feeling better than well.  There's something about Spring and awakening to sunshine streaming through the windows that is so hopeful.

Thank you so much for dropping by dear ones.  I am so grateful for your visit!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

He is Risen!

This is a page from a Children's book I was commissioned to illustrate last year.  My niece was reference for the overhead angel and buddy Christopher was my reference for the angel who's moving the stone away.  It seemed the perfect thing to post for Easter.

Today I thought about how grateful I am to have a personal relationship with the Son of God, Maker of the World.  I am astonished that the One Who died and was raised from the dead, loves me.  He was victorious over death and is risen for all people, for all time.  The Good Shepherd walks with those who seek Him and love Him -- even to the end of the age.

How amazing to realize because the Lord conquered death itself, I know I will see my Beloved Alan, my two precious babies, our dear friend Dan, my Daddy, my younger brother Dow, Uncle Jody, Grandma and Grandpa, Sweet Geri and Mr. Earnest again...along with so many others who have gone on before me.

Happy Easter dear friends!

To Dance Again -Paint Party Friday

Even at my late age, one can dream about dancing again. Dreams are beautiful, and though I may not dance as I did when I was young, who's to say dancing in my "golden years" might be just as lovely.

The days are growing longer again, and I yearn for Spring.  Soon the flowers will bloom again.  I smelled Spring blowing in a southerly wind a few days ago, and I am nostalgic.

Blessings and joy to each of you who found 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!

Happy Dancers -Paint Party Friday

Here are my favorite young ladies happy dancing under springtime blossoms.  I missed last week because I was holding a drama camp for a small group of little girls here in my home.  We had a blast!  What a fabulous way to spend summer, eh?

Here is my reference photo with lovely Rena and Heather as models.  They are such wonderful young women.  I have known them for many years now--they've become my daughters and I cherish their friendship.  I am SO blessed.  They are the fairies who come to visit my garden sparkling their joy all around.

Have a lovely weekend, dear friends.  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!

Marry Me -Paint Party Friday

Tomorrow my sweet Friends Nathan and Jennika are getting married.  I am SO happy for them.  This drawing is their finished wedding gift.  I have known Nathan since he was around 12 years old.  Alan loved him and mentored him in drama and performing.  He is one of my "adopted" sons. 

Above you see my original photo of this lovely couple.  It is so wonderful to watch my young friends grow into adulthood.  My heart and prayers go with Nathan and Jennika as they begin this new adventure together.

God bless you dear ones!  Thank you so much for dropping by.  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))

Springtime Beauty -Paint Party Friday

One of my favorite artists is Alphonse Mucha.  He has been an inspiration since the day I saw his incredible artwork.  

Inspired by Mucha, this is my Spring Beauty.  She has been tiptoeing through the Pacific Northwest all this week.  The fruit trees are in full bloom--they've peeking out since before mid-January.  I can't recall an earlier Spring.  Glorious pink flowerings against a slate grey Oregon sky makes a perfectly lovely combination!  Here my Springtime girl is wrapped in grape vines.

Above you see my beautiful model, Rena.  She is not only a dear friend, but the camera loves everything she does.  

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.

Early Morning Springtime -Guest Heart Thursday

This is another tiny painting--only the size of a baseball card.  I love doing these.  This ACEO is one of my favorites.  It seems to me, that tree is dancing in the early morning light.  And, of course, I have hidden a few hearts throughout.

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

Pink Spring -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a little watercolor I painted when my niece was here for a visit.  Watercolor is so much fun with a six-year old!  Of course, I have hidden a few hearts in this tiny piece of art.  It is only 2.5x3.5 inches big!
 
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.
 

Birch Grove -Guest Heart Thursday

Now that the holidays are nearly over, I find myself longing for the tender green of Spring.  This is a drawing I envisioned last summer.  A dear couple who are close to my heart.  (No pun intended!  lol)

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

Beaded Beauty

We had a tremendous windstorm come through last night.  I could not sleep for all the tea in China.  So I doodled.

Here's another little doodle--I found a photo of this lovely lady and was inspired.  I like the idea of a springtime tat with a bit of liveliness.  Have a lovely day! 

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!
 

Springtime Awakening

Springtime in the forests of our childhood is beautiful.  There is a slow awakening, almost like the wintering forest has been sleeping and is stretching as it awakens -- springtime flowers, tender green leaves stealing over the sleepy forest.

Twitterpated - Sunday Scans

I finally got around to coloring one of my Catfish ACEOs.  Isn't she cute?  It is obviously springtime and this small catfish is in love.  In real life, my tiny model was a noble fighter.  Born with significant birth defects, Riblet is still one of my favorite little cat friends. 

Al over at "Al's Photography Blog" is hosting  "Sunday Scans".  It is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, artwork, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!

Springtime Winds - Guest Heart Thursday

I know winter has just begun, but the girl inside my heart longs for the breath of Springtime Winds.  Here in Oregon we have had, even for us web-footers, more than our share of rain so far.  In the event of a soggy winter without much hope for snow, I find myself already longing for spring with its fragrant flowers and green leaves.

Hence, I finished drawing this bit of Springtime just this morning.  With this bit of spring--my heart is happy again!  If you look closely you will find some hidden hearts--how many can YOU find?  Happy New Year everyone!

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