Sheltering Hands -Paint Party Friday

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord,

"My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust."

~Psalm 91:1, 2

His Shadow overshadows Life's Shadows.  
Take heart, be strong, 
There is great Hope 
In the midst of life's gathering storms

I am re-posting this drawing, because I am still ill and don't feel like doing much.  I've been sick for about two months now...   So, I finally went to see the doctor for the third time and she says I have pneumonia.  With antibiotics, I hope to feel better in a few days.  Which will be good, because I am speaking at a Women's Retreat this coming weekend!  Of all things, our subject is "Journey to Joy."

You are such a blessing to my heart when you come by.  Happy Paint Party Friday! ((hugs))

Water Girl -Paint Party Friday

I completed this drawing May, 2014.  There is so much joy and hope expressed here.  Today is so lovely--complete with sunshine and crispy Fall shadows, I've posted the Water Girl because she seems to express my feelings this morning.  

As I am typing this there is a darling little kitten snoozing away on my lap.  He is a happy note!  Though since my Beloved flew away to heaven, there are sad tones in each day--I am beginning to see the tears are like minor keys which often accent the beauty of the day.  It is hard to put this into words.  So perhaps I'll sing a song as I do the tasks of the day--or even more likely, draw some more.  (smile)

Above you see my lovely model Rena.  She is my dear friend and a great blessing to me.  

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

Painting Roses -Paint Party Friday

This is a combination of colored pencils and watercolor.  I painted this for a friend of mine as a gift.  There's something about this piece I just love--the idea of this little fairy girl painting roses in summer delights my heart. I'm sure I've seen this sweet fae out in my garden in the early morning hours, as the dew was drying in the summer sunshine.

Here is another peek into my sketchbook--this one is called Daisy Dinner.  The drawing makes me smile because of the look on that fella's face...he's obviously really going to enjoy eating that daisy!

Have a lovely day, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!  I'm also linking up with Friday Sketches!

Marry Me -Paint Party Friday

This was a wedding gift for a dear friend of mine.  I am SO happy for Janet and her dear love Wayne.  The best is yet to come.  I've been married for over 30 years.  My husband and I have had such a great adventure--and the adventure continues. 

Above you see my reference photo.  What fun to work with these two.  They are such precious young people. 

The graphite drawing above is from my sketchbook some years back.  I was inspired by a postcard of a girl who's father was a photographer in the early 1900's.  He took many pictures of his family, and put them onto postcards.  My favorite photos are of his little girl.  She had such an amazing camera presence.  This is one of the rare pictures of her as a grown woman.  Sadly, in WW2, all of the negatives and information about the photographer and who he might have been were destroyed.  I just love this girl's face. 

Have a lovely day and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Under the Sea

Here is a look at a painting I was commissioned to do recently.  Her hair turned out better than I thought it would, and I was totally surprised at how nice the rock work looked!

This little mermaid was fun to do--I used watercolors for most of this painting.  For her skin, though--I did something a little different. I used a bit of coffee and cream--from my coffee cup--and added a tiny dab of crimson.  The skin tone turned out perfectly--though the scanner didn't do justice to the smooth look of the painting in real life.

Have a wonderful weekend friends--Ah, isn't summer marvelous? 

Fairy Landscape -Paint Party Friday

I am delighted to post this Fairy Forest Landscape as a part of Paint Party Friday.  I love painting my friends as a part of the forest, since I often see such faces in nature.  This watercolor painting is of my sweet young friend Heather. 

This week has been so hectic, I wasn't able to do much of anything except doodling and a bit of sketching, as you see above.

I call this graphite drawing The Huntress.  The story behind this drawing is that this girl is a keeper of the Forest, on a planet far from here.  In that place, the trees are so large, people often use them for homes.  But there are those who would misuse this great gift.  Certain ones have been called out to keep the forest pristine.  This huntress is of one of that clan.

Next week I'll paint something completely new and different to share.  Have a lovely day, everyone!

Peachy Keen -Paint Party Friday

I've posted this little fairy before, but I thought she especially fit a summery color palette of raspberry, peach and a splash of lemon.  It must be so gleeful to be a fairy child--can you imagine what fun it would be rolling an orange hither and thither? 

I am delighted to post this peachy little fairy as a part of Paint Party Friday.  Next week I'll paint something completely new and different to share.  Have a lovely day, everyone!

Toez and the Faery -Guest Heart Thursday

This tiny watercolor is the size of a baseball card, only 2.5x3.5.  My niece and I were happily painting at the dining room table, when I noticed Toez the Polydactyl Cat had climbed into one of the chairs to see what we were up to.  She was so interested, and my niece was so darling, I had to draw them both.  Of course, she is a fairy and I've hidden hearts in the painting.

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.

Baby in Blue Rose

My husband and I spent five fine days at the Oregon Coast in a cabin owned by a friend of ours.  It was sunny and gorgeous.  Such a romantic time!  I also spent some time painting this darling baby boy in a blue rose--it is a commission for a friend of ours.

I thought I would share him with you, he turned out so cute

Above you see the original photo. What a sweet boy!

Have a lovely week, everyone! 

Rainbow Angel -Guest Heart Thursday

This is an ACEO--a tiny piece of art the size of a baseball card.  I created this doodle while watercoloring with my tiny niece.  Everyone should have the opportunity to see the world from the eyes of a six-year old.  Of course there are hearts to be found.

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

SKETCH BOOK UPDATE: I was so heart broken when I lost my sketchbook and thought I had lost it forever. I looked everywhere, made phone calls, put it out on the internet...then Monday morning I was cleaning the house for housesitters, when I picked up a dark blue cloth bag. Beneath it, half under the carpet, between the wall and our dining room table--was my sketchbook. I have NO idea how it could have slipped beneath the carpeting--but someone suggested it must be Toez the Polydactyl cat. Hmmmmm....scary thought. (grin) I can't tell you how overjoyed I feel to have my sketchbook back!!!!!

Painting Roses -Guest Heart Thursday

I've always dreamed the flowers in my garden are colorful because God's littlest angels, the fairies painted them.  When I was a little girl I dreamed of winging from blossom to blossom with my pocket's full of paints.  What fun that would be!  I am so grateful to have had a sister with whom to share those fantastic stories.  My sister.  And today is her birthday!

Happy Birthday, SissyClytie, 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.

 

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.
 

Valentine Doodles -Guest Heart Thursday

This is an odd little watercolor doodle I painted when my little niece was visiting.

We had SO much fun that afternoon.  Everyone should have the chance to paint pictures with a five-year old!  (grin)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Joy, peace and love to each of you.

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.
 

Blue Flowers, Gorgeous Sunset

I have been longing for Spring...in our part of the world, the fog has descended and we haven't seen the sun for ten days!  We are used to the rain--but this freezing grey fog has been a little tough to take.

Yesterday was a bright day, as I spent time with my darling niece.  We had a wonderful time painting with watercolors.  This is an ACEO I painted.  I adore this color of blue--the color of forgetmenots.

The painting above is only 2.5x3.5 inches and was painted by my talented niece.  She says it is a sunset.  Pretty amazing work for a five-year old!!!

Glorious Day Lily -Guest Heart Thursday

Day Lilies come in Summer heat.  There is a whole forest of them outside my office, and in the garden out back.  My darling little niece was over one warm afternoon, and we commenced to paint--this is what my paintbrush revealed when the paper gave the brush its way.

Of course there are hearts to be found.  I have hidden four of them in this painting.  Have a LOVELY day!  Summer is just around the bend.

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

Happy Dance -Guest Heart Thursday

What a happy heart this little girl has--she loves to come to my house and play dress up!  With all the costumes I have, the selection is endless.  As you can see, the leaves are in the shape of hearts, just perfect for 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.
 

Faery Dress Up

This little faery fae visited my home a few weeks back.  I could not help but to draw her picture.  She is the dearest of all little faeries and I love it when she comes by for a visit.  We do many things together.  We paint leaves, dig in the garden, gather flowers, play games and, of course, dress up is a big favorite.

Have a lovely New Years' everyone!

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.
 

Butterfly on Kitty Nose

Today the sun is out.  The funny thing is--it's raining at the same time.  Just now, it seems--we are in someone's rainbow.

I felt the need to lighten the air with a little humor.  When I saw this little watercolor ACEO I'd painted a few years ago, it made me laugh out loud.  SO--here's my small smile for you today. 

May joy and laughter color your day!