Late Spring Daffodils -Paint Party Friday

I like to put the full moon into a lot of my artwork.  There's something charming about the full moon--it does indeed frame just about any drawing in a certain beauty.

I love daffodils.  They smile at me in Springtime.  This year the tiny dwarf daffodils grew in great bouquets along the edges of my garden.  They shone through the chilly rains to bring sunshine into my house.   I'm so grateful for these beautiful yellow blooms!

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

Springtime Snowstorm -Paint Party Friday

I heard on the news, that in addition to damaging tornadoes and storms, there was a springtime snow storm in Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins!  What a surprise.  This morning some folks awoke to temperatures in the 20's. A lot of records were broken--I wonder what it would be like to find snow on the ground the end of May?

It is beautiful and mild here in Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley.  There are blue patches between puffy clouds--some of them are quite dark!  I keep hoping for a thunder storm.  I adore them.

I looked and looked for the reference photo I used for this drawing--it was inspired by a magazine ad!  When/if I find it, I will add it to the post later.

Here in the United States, it is Memorial Day Weekend.  I will be going with my family to the Willamette National  Cemetery to visit Dad's brothers; Uncle Jody, who fought in Vietnam and Uncle Kelley, who fought in the Korean War.  And especially to honor Dad, who fought in World War II.  He's been gone almost seven years ago, and I miss him So much.

Thank you for dropping by, dear Friends.  Your comments are a bright bit of sunshine in my day!  Blessings and hope to you, and 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!

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!

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))

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.

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.

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.

A Walk in Spring

How lovely the springtime with its delicate bloom and bright green leaf! The tentative sunshine shines through wind and rain, to warm the rich brown earth.

I have to admit, this year, more than any other, I have longed for Spring. This drawing reflects that yearning.

I used Derwent colored pencils to create a soft springlike feel. These pencils are used differently than my beloved Prismacolor pencils. Rather than pressing the pencil tip deeply onto the paper or blending with a blendr pencil, one must softly layer various colors over the same areas, to create form, shadow and deeper coloring.  Because of the technique required when using Derwent pencils, this piece has a different look than most of my other work.

The drawing has a soft sense about it which I equate with springtime. I can imagine walking along that pathway toward the bridge. I can hear the bubbling brook, feel the warmth of springtime sunshine on my shoulders. Overhead the warm wind sweeps through the fragrant blossom of the fruit trees. Ah, sweet Springtime!

And so, at the risk of seeming a bit silly--but with great hope that Spring will continue to bloom--I must repeat something I heard a long, LONG time ago:

Spring has sprung,

The grass has rizz,

And all this rain,

Makes my hair frizz.

Daffodil Faery

This picture was a recently commissioned piece. I'm so glad the lovely lady who commissioned it was pleased. There are daffodils everywhere here--they are pushing up through the earth, springing brightly forth in all shapes and sizes. I love daffodils--they are the picture of Spring. I think we might be one of the few places in America right now with daffodils!

So, I share this bright little faery with you today. To my friends who live in places where the snow still lies heavy on the ground--Take heart! Spring is near!