Ocean Strider -Paint Party Friday

I am working on putting together another coloring book--this one with horses, unicorns and even donkeys.  This graphite drawing is of my dear Friend Cheryl.  What an amazing young woman she is!  This is just the first rough rendition...

Above is the picture I loved so much--it's just perfect, isn't it?   

I hope you are all okay.  Have a lovely weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Sharing Secrets -Paint Party Friday

I love elves...  This little one has a friend--a bird in hand, so to speak.  My precious Daddy could talk to birds and I have some of his abilities.  This elf has the gift of bird speak, too.  One can tell they are exchanging important secrets.

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet Friends--thank you SO much for dropping by. 

Hello Little Flower Fae -Paint Party Friday

I was spending the weekend with my sweet Mumsie--she came to keep me company in the new year.

She's the one who taught my brothers and sisters and me about fairies.  We lived on the edge of a vast forest and explored its mysterious places.  We knew there were real fairies!

Here is a picture of one I remember from my mind's eye as a child.


I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Thank you for dropping by--it is always a joy to read your comments. 

Bright Eyes -Paint Party Friday

This is another drawing I did awhile back.   I love the grace and artistry of the Art Nouveau style.  Alphonse Mucha is one of my favorite artists of all time.  You can often see his influence in my artwork.

Above you see my lovely reference model Lyric.  I've had the blessing of knowing her since she was born.  What a dear person she is.

Thank you for dropping by, even though I'm a bit late in getting this out.  Your comments always are a bright spot in my day!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Startled Woodland Fae -Paint Party Friday

I have been on quite a trip.  Thursday I left for Kamiah, Idaho.  A few days later, I drove to Spokane, Washington, then it was off to The Dalles, Oregon.  I arrived home in the mid-Willamette Valley late the following Thursday afternoon, just in time to dash out for an important meeting in Salem.

The next day I spent time with my precious little Buddy--who had chemo for the first time last Monday.  Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, she's doing extremely well!

Then Friday afternoon it was off to a special Historical Preservation Commission Meeting concerning historic signage.  It was a fun meeting--though a few fireworks went off!

This drawing was one I fashioned whilst on the road.  I spent time drawing this piece at the Kamiah Victorian Spring Fling Crafter's Fair where I offered my coloring books and prints for sale.  Though not many attended, I did make a few sales.

Best of all, I made some new wonderfully talented friends.  I had a delightful time interacting with them--and though bartering, I acquired some beautiful items for my home--with sweet memories attached to each item.

Thank you for dropping by--your comments are so encouraging and you  always make my day!  Blessings and joy to you dear ones--and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Saying Goodbye -Paint Party Friday

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, my heart feels melancholy.  Even now, four years later, it is hard to comprehend I am alone.  Sometimes I feel the presence of my Beloved, but as time passes I feel his presence less and less.  Still, there is a nostalgic magic in the air...

I sense I am saying goodbye to what once was and greeting the possibility of what will be.  Often when a person looses their spouse of many years, there is a reorganization of one's identity.  It isn't that I lost who I am, it is that I am embracing the woman I have become.  I am strong (most of the time), creative, active, loving and hopeful.

A few weeks before my Beloved flew to heaven, he told me if anything ever happened to him, he wanted me to fall in love, get married and be happy.  At the time I laughed, not knowing of course, that in a few weeks he would be gone and my life would change forever.

I am finally saying goodbye--my heart finally realizing he is truly gone.  I have melancholy moments, but this morning every nerve is tuned to the realization something is coming.  My heart, my life, my whole being looks forward to what God has in mind for me.  I feel a mixture of fear and joy as I face this great unknown.  But Life is like that. 

Above you see my reference photo of the beautiful Rena, who is as lovely inside as she is outside.  I am so grateful to this lovely young woman for her willingness to model for me.  She is another of my beloved adopted daughters.

Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Your comments and art are a constant encouragement to me.  May blessing and hope be yours, sweet Friends!  

To Catch An Angel -Paint Party Friday

I am pretty busy today, so I thought I'd share a pen and ink I created a couple of years ago.  It was inspired by a dream.  The story in my dream was almost like being in a  movie--and I hated to awaken.

 Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by.  Your visits are a real encouragement to my heart.  Love, joy and peace to you, dear ones!

Playing with Hearts -Paint Party Friday

I have a full day ahead, so I'm posting a drawing from a few years ago.  My model for this piece is Rena.  She is every bit as graceful and lovely as this drawing turned out to be.

Thank you for dropping by, sweet Friends.  This time of year is pretty difficult for me. When you come by and comment, I am encouraged and inspired.  May joy and peace be yours, dear ones.   Happy Paint Party Friday!

Happy Iris Dancer -Paint Party Friday

This is a recent ink drawing.  To see my original graphite sketch, here's the link: Happy Iris Dancer.  If you look closely you'll see a fairy house in the reeds of this beautiful garden and swamp.  There's a certain joy in her stance--I have felt that dancing hope in my heart...

Though it is nearing the anniversary of my Beloved's home-going--I know he would be happy for me.  I am not alone.  The God who made the universe holds my hand.

Above you see my reference photo.  This talented photographer's name is Jessica Truscott.  You can find her wonderful stock pictures at FaeStock on DA.

Have a glorious weekend.  May God fill your heart with light and joy even though difficult circumstances surround you.  Thank you for your visit.  Your comments are such an encouragement to my heart!  ((HUGS))

Kitty Butterfly -Paint Party Friday

This is one of my little cartoon characters--quite different than my normal work.  I have drawn these since I was a child--it is the whimsical popping out.  LOL

I am convinced cats hide wings under their fur--and they use them when we are not looking.  I'm not the only one who believes this--there's a children's book series out called CatWings, by Ursula K. LeGuin.

I don't have much time to burn this week.  So I'm posting a drawing from spring, 2017.  I was trying out some new coloring pens--I LOVED them.  So bright and pretty.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones.  May God fill your heart with light and joy.  Thank you for dropping by.  The comments you write are so encouraging to me!   They keep me going!  ((HUGS))

 

Springtime Apple Blossoms -Paint Party Friday

Here is yet another midnight sketch which somehow turned into a full drawing.  I will one day include her in a coloring book featuring Spring and flowers.

Above you see my beautiful reference model Rena.  Her grace and beauty translate well into this springtime maiden.  

Spring has arrived here in the Pacific Northwest.  The Mid-Willamette Valley is filled with flowers and blossoming fruit trees.  The apple blooms are just now beginning to bud.

It is raining hard, the fire is merrily lit, and we are expecting a wind storm tomorrow morning.  I am such a kid.  I LOVE storms, as long as no one is hurt and property damage is minimal.  I hope the power goes out!

Thank you so much for dropping by--your visits bring my heart a sparkle of happiness!  Have a lovely weekend, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

 

Violets and an Angel -Paint Party Friday

This is a doodle from last week.  It was inspired by two different vintage cards from my card collection.  I love violets and angels are a favorite, too, so it seemed logical to bring both ideas together here.

I hope this one makes you smile--it will be fun to ink it in and when I add the color--oh, it will be lovely!

Have a GREAT weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Stones and Roses -Paint Party Friday

When hard moments persist, one of my greatest comforts is to let my fingers draw what is in my heart.  This drawing was done in a difficult moment after the Fourth of July, when I was missing my Beloved.

Today is my parent's anniversary--they would have been married for 60 years today.  Daddy flew to heaven in 2012.  It is also my brother's birthday.  Cancer took him in 2001.  So many precious friends and family have gone on.  I am happy for them--but they are missed.

Grief is like the ocean...rising to crash into the shoreline--then sliding back to a subtle life rhythm.  It will always be a part of my life.  The storms still rise now and again, but not as many as before.

This little tear-filled faery leans upon the rocks to weep.  But in a moment she will smile through her tears to flit into the warmth of the sun and the fragrance of the roses.

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

Dancing with Roses -Paint Party Friday

I have been pretty busy--not enough time to draw.  It is the Fourth of July. Between the holiday and all the deadlines for the non-profit I run, I have been nearly overwhelmed.  This is a drawing from over 40 years ago--when I was just a teenager.  I loved fairies and flowers with faces even then.

Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Candice -Paint Party Friday

This is  Candice.  I did not have a reference picture for this lineart drawing, which started out as a midnight graphite doodle.  I do a lot of doodling when I can't sleep at night.  I love how it turned out.  It wasn't until after I was done that I realized this girl looks exactly like one of my sweet nieces.

It is very warm for our part of the world--in fact, they expect heat records to be broken this weekend.  I love the good weather, but don't do well in hot temperatures.  However, there's a nice solution--at least here in Oregon where water is plentiful.  I just head for the park by the river--go wading and splashing with the young'uns, and all is well.  :D

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.   Enjoy your family and may you find joy and laughter in the sunshine.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Against the Bricks -Paint Party Friday

I love the style of Art Nouveau.  I loved the look of it before I knew the name of the style.  I have my wonderful brother-in-law Paul to thank for educating me about the artwork of that era.  He lives in France now.  Alphonse Mucha, one of my greatest inspirations, moved to Paris in 1887. 

Above you see the lovely Jaymasee, a DA stock model.  I love her pose and the flowers behind her.  The drape of her costume is exquisite.  In my drawing, I think I should have drawn her a little taller! 

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

 

Cats in the Forest -Paint Party Friday

Speaking of felines, my own furry little friend, Toez the Polydactyl Cat, is comfortably seated between me and my computer, her front paws resting on my forearm as I type.  I laugh, because her head bobs up and down as I press words into the keyboard.

Since I arrived home, she has been so affectionate she's embarrassing herself!  (grin)  The last time I was out of town, she wouldn't look at me, or "speak" to me for two days.  Not this time--she must have missed me, but good.

I adore cats.  This picture started out as a doodle and ended up a full-fledged picture.  I hope you enjoy this bit of lineart.

Have a beautiful day, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Blue Faery -Paint Party Friday

I once read a poem which had the whimsical idea that faeries are God's smallest angels.  I rather like that idea.  This little blue faery is a frequent imaginary visitor to my garden. She's part Genie as you can see. She lives in a brown glass bottle next to the fence in my yard, where in summertime she oft comes out to play with the gold fish after dark.

This is a drawing from long ago.  I have been away from my computer for a bit, so haven't had time to scan in my latest artwork.  My reference photo was lost with a tragic crash of a hard drive years ago--so I don't have the original picture to show you--but I can tell you this, she is not only lovely, but she is a sweet and talented young woman.

This Sunday will mark two years since my sweet husband flew away to heaven.  It will be a bittersweet time.  Sometimes it seems like forever since he left us--at other times, it is as though it were just yesterday.  I am also speaking and performing for a women's retreat on Saturday.  I would dearly appreciate your prayers for my family and me.  I continue to improve daily from my surgery. 

Happy Paint Party Friday, sweet, wonderful Friends!

Frisky Friends -Paint Party Friday

This lineart drawing is of my adopted niece Abby.  She is the most delightful girl--sweet and kind, with  wisdom far beyond her own and a wonderful flair for fashion.  She reminds me of a lovely red rose--hence the rose bushes growing in her hair.  She also loves animals and has a special bond with horses.  I am honored to be her friend and Auntie.

Above you see the reference photo of my sweet niece.  Don't you just love her haircut?!  I think the red color is awesome, too.  

I know many of you have been praying for me as I am facing surgery next week.  I can't tell you how amazing it has been.  God has answered so many specific prayers and needs in such a miraculous way, that I am in awe.  Thank you.  May God bless you, dear ones...for you have blessed my heart.

Happy Paint Party Friday and have a great weekend all you lovely people!

A Fairy Lantern -Paint Party Friday

My little niece and I made fairy lanterns yesterday!  We had SO much fun!  The lantern above is the one I made.  I am putting this up for Paint Party Friday--yes, we painted--with glue and glitter.  (grin)

I needed to find some fairies I could use as silhouettes in the fairy jars.  I could have drawn some, but I was running out of time.  Too late to order some from Pixie Hill, and the craft store didn't have anything like what I was looking for.

Then while at the craft store I had a brainstorm.  I found some beautiful fabric designed with fairies. I bought a yard of it and took it home, where I glued the material to thin card stock.  When they were dry I cut them out--I liked this a lot as some of the colors of the fabric showed through as well.

I think it looks pretty neat!

If you would like to make your own fairy lantern, visit Pixie Hill Fairy Lanterns for the tutorial.  Also be sure to visit Pixie Hill.  It is a wonderfully creative blog with all kinds of fun projects to be seen.  If you scroll down to the entry about the Fairy Lanterns,  you can find where to order some truly beautiful fairy cutouts.  It was a lovely project, and I love this website. 

Happy Paint Party Friday and thank you for dropping by again.  ((hugs))