EnGarde! -Paint Party Friday

I loved this picture I took of Rena a couple of summers ago.  There's something about her stance, the twinkle in her eye...I think I've caught it here!

What a talented young lady and lovely, both inside and out. She says she's doing well even in the midst of this pandemic.  I'm so thankful she and her husband are doing alright.

Happy Paint Party Friday, dear Friends

Her Keen Blade -Paint Party Friday

Back in the mists of time there must have been those warriors who wandered alone, sword in hand.  They must have been tough, as well as brave and kind.  Such adventures were peopled with these heroes of old in the tales Mumsie used to tell us when I was small.  I can still see those heroes in my mind's eye. 

Above you see my reference photo of beautiful Rena--who also, in her way is a warrior, brave, strong and true.

Have a lovely holiday weekend, dear Friends, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Angelic Warrior -Paint Party Friday

This is a Cloud Painting I made for my middle daughter for Christmas one year.  This Angelic Warrior could be one of my all-time favorite pieces of cloud art.  I love the wings, hair--and the weapon in her hands.

I clicked the original photo from our back yard. 

I find the heavens are full of fascinating and wonderful things, if only one would look up--I have a habit of walking along looking into the skies.  I trip a lot.  (grin)

Above you see this angel as I first saw her.  As you can see--I didn't have to enhance much.

Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Heather's Pearls -Paint Party Friday

It was a surprise when I ended up with a redhead wearing pink pearls.  Sometimes my artwork has a mind of its own.  In this case, that's exactly what happened.

And here is my lovely model Heather!  She has such a beautiful profile.  I'm so grateful to this wonderful young woman and her friends.  Their ideas and friendship inspire me to be a better artist and photographer.

Here is yet another doodle from my sketchbook.  It is called The point of Her Sword.

Above you see my beautiful and expressive young friend Rena.  Eventually the sword in the drawing will be adorned by the reflection of her face.  I haven't quite figured out how to do it yet! 

Have a lovely day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Wary Heart Walker -Guest Heart Thursday

 

It is dangerous in this lovely maiden's world.  Who was it she heard?  Perhaps a dragon?  Or a warlock?  She is more than up to the fight.  Of course, I have hidden hearts in this drawing--how many can you find?

Above is the reference photograph for this graphite drawing.  My lovely and talented model is Rena, who has as great an imagination as I do.  She is a wonderful Friend.

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

At Bay -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a graphite drawing of a young lady by the name of Paige.  She is a dear girl, and one of my favorite models.  You can find her work at Dove Stock. 

Here is a strong woman who is not afraid to take on the bad guys!  And yes, there's a heart hidden in this drawing.

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.

Hope Bringer -Guest Heart Thursday

"The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them."  Psalm 34:7  "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 37:18  I think sometimes we are unaware of the angels who are sent to bring hope to those who's hearts are broken.

This is a doodle I did a week or so ago--of course there are hearts hidden in the picture.  Have a lovely week's end, everyone!

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

Deborah, The Prophetess - Pink Saturday

 
This is Deborah, Prophetess and Judge of Israel in the time of the Judges.  Her story can be found in the Bible in Judges Four.  It is a dramatic story--Barak, Son of Thunder, commander of Israeli forces is about to lead their armies against the invading armies of King Sisera.  Through Deborah, God promised the commander that He would give Israel victory over the enemy.

However, Barak, Son of Thunder told Deborah he would only fight, if Deborah led the army with him; but if she would not, then he would not fight.  Deborah agreed to do so, but that if she did, he would not receive honor for the victory -- the enemy would be defeated by a woman.  And so it was--all she had  prophesied came to pass.

I was deeply touched by what my friend Shannon wrote.  She writes,  I see a young woman unsure of her capabilities, yet determined to face any fears down. Her sword is still sheathed, so she is wanting peace. But she is steadfastly standing at a "keyhole" opening to protect the things she treasures and to maintain the integrity of her "garden of peace." Her faith is strong, yet she questions herself.

This drawing practically drew itself.  Shannon put into words what I felt as I put pen and pencils to paper.

For more fabulous pink stuff, join Bev at How Sweet the Sound!

Another World

Trapped on the grassy world of Stindotu, the brave warrior Noztes and his companion Jor, the golden wolf of Urpac, seek a porthole leading to safety on another world. Their loyalty to one another is tested as they face certain destruction from the evil shadow beings residing in this world.  Death is not far, as these two face the furious bombardment of molten fireballs streaming out of the skies.

Caught in the death-struggle of a dying planet, the two friends face certain annihilation. Will they find a way out? Can impossible odds be beaten?

AND, what about NAOMI?!

Surely theirs, is a story which must be written. (grin)

Warrior - Guest Heart Thursday

Clearly this angel warrior is on a mission.  I just happened to click this picture in the Safeway parking lot!  I'm sure people watching me take pictures of the sky that day were wondering!  There is a heart in this photo--can you find it?

Above you see the Angel Warrior as I first saw it through my camera's eye.  As you can see, I did not have to enhance much.  I think this original photo is amazing.

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

Forest Defender

This is one of my more "whimsical drawings." As a youngster I loved and dearly enjoyed all fairytales, myths and legends. Coupled with a big imagination, I would often make up stories about the lives of the faery folk I imagined living in the forest. I was the staunch and brave defender of the woodland!
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The forest near where I grew up is beautiful. There is a small canyon, complete with tall trees, and a rippling, singing brook. In these magical woods grow snowdrops, pungent skunk cabbage, star flowers, vine maple and fiddle fern. The moss grows thick beneath fragrant fir and cedar trees, where vast bunches of green sword fern grow unrestrained. A few years ago, we found ferns growing near the creek, with fronds more than six feet in length!
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As children, my brothers, sisters, cousins and I played in Leprechaun Valley and Deer Valley. There were beautiful places we named Bambi's meadow, Reflection Lake, Castle Stump and Fairy Wing Pond. We would follow the distinct trails of the deer into thickets of low growth beneath the cedar trees. There we would find green-walled rooms, complete with lush moss carpeting. I remember the loveliness of delicate maiden hair fern and the rare find of an Indian Peace Pipe plant.
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I recall long summer days spent exploring, building forts and tree houses, eating blackberries from vines covering the steep hillsides, and red huckleberries from "Huckleberry Bridge." I can retrace wading in the cool stream and the way the soft mud felt when we would sink our feet deep into the Mud Flats formed by natural springs bubbling up from the rich brown earth.
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On this cold winter day, if I think hard enough, I can still smell the fragrance of the cedar trees and feel the green coolness of the forest on a hot summer day. I hear the stillness of the woods, spiked with bird calls, the creek's song and the crackling of underbrush beneath my bare feet.

A Tiger and His Boy

Here you see the fierce warrior and his fighting friend. They stand for justice and will fight to save the oppressed from their enemies.

I entitled this piece A Tiger and His Boy, because no one can actually "own" a cat--especially a big fellow like this one. As all cat lovers know, the friend of a feline has been chosen by the cat. These two are wonderful partners and no one had better bother that young man. There might not be much left afterward.

Guardians

Here you see a fairytale warrior and his friend--guardians of the castle, valient defenders against those who would wrong others.

Bright Angel

I've been doing some reading about WW2. I collect little books. The Great Answer is a little book in my collection written in 1944, by Margaret Lee Runbeck. In this book are stories of incredible supernatural intervention during wartime. I can't help but believe that a bright warrior angel was sent to aid the soldiers who fought to save those who were powerless to help themselves, and who stood against evil for what was good and right.
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In honor of those brave men and women who fought and died, and to honor those who continue to fight for the good of our nation and other peoples across the world, I post this Bright Angel I caught hovering in the skies just a few days ago. .

Below is the original cloud formation.

I would like to add here a quote from my Sister Clytie's blog. She wrote what I feel so eloquently I cannot add much to it.

I would also like to extend my remembrance and thanks to those
soldiers who did not die in battle ... who came home to lead separate lives.

Because they carried home the "ultimate sacrifice", and somehow
managed to live with it the rest of their lives.

I also thank the families of ALL soldiers -- those lost in
battle, and those who came home changed.

Because when you see what these brave soldiers have seen, have
done what they had to do ... you die a little. It may not show for years; the
scars stay hidden in their hearts. And their families who see (and saw) them
suffer, also feel the pain.

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On a personal note ...

Thank you to my grandfather, who served in WWI.

Thank you to my father, who served in WWII (and was a POW).

Thank you to Uncle Kelly, who served in Korea.

Thank you to Uncle Joe, who served in Vietnam.

Thank you to my (Clytie's) ex-husband, who served in the first
Gulf War.

Thank you to my (Beth's) nephew David, who continues to serve in
the Army Special Forces Unit.

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You all have our everlasting gratitude

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On a more cheerful note, my incredibly talented Sister Clytie has a new blog to show off her vast card collection! I'm so excited! Check out Random Cards at http://clytie-randomcards.blogspot.com/ She has some beautiful cards I think you'll love!

Angel Warrior

Time for another angel story!

We were on our way back from another performance, traveling over a mountain in our van, trailor in tow. The pastor's son sat in front with Alan, I sat behind with the children next to me.

Suddenly the van began to sway dangerously. At the higher elevation the road beneath us had unexpectedly iced over and we were sliding over the slick mountain road toward a steep cliff. I clutched my children, and heard myself shouting, "God help us!"

Everything went into slow motion. We were in the gravel, slipping inevitably ever so slowly toward the cliff's edge, when something big hit the side of our van with a tremendous thump! The van swerved, its wheels bumping back up onto the pavement, where we skidded to a stop. Time snapped back into focus. For a moment I thought we'd hit a barrior of some sort. But nothing was there. Stunned, we thanked God for His protection.

Alan drove slowly, inching down the icy mountain, finally pulling into the driveway of the pastor's home where we were to spend the night.

The first thing everyone did was to leap out to look at the side of the van where we'd all heard that huge whack. There in the tough road dirt and grease from miles of traveling, we saw the shiny imprint of a mighty shoulder, and a trace of feathery lines.

An angel? We think so. I can just see that giant angel warrior, eyeing our danger, shooting toward our van, colliding into its side with a mighty blow, to blast us back up onto the road, out of harm's way.