Bird Watch -Paint Party Friday

This lovely girl loves birds.  She often walks through the woodlands to visit her sweet feathered friends.  When I was young we roamed miles of woodlands, complete with creek and moss covered trees.  It was a wonderland for kids.  We built forts, caught crawdads, played with the fish which were spawned in that small stream.  I love the forest--the animals living there were special friends.

Above you see my exquisite reference model, Heather.  She is the dearest, sweetest young woman.  I am blessed by her friendship.

Thank you for your encouraging comments.  Your visits make my day!  Blessings and peace to you dear ones.  Have a wonderful weekend!

There's Hope in a Rose -Paint Party Friday

I have had guests from out of town here all week long, so didn't get to do much drawing.  I'm posting a piece I drew many years ago.  It is one of my favorites.  I'd never drawn anything quite like it before. This faery maiden's heart was badly broken. But the look upon her face, and the rose in her outstretched fingers caused me to believe she found hope and healing.

Hope is beautiful, like a rose. Roses flower throughout the seasons, and astoundingly, I have even found them blooming in January beneath the snow. There is hope in a rose.

Somehow when hope shines impossibly through the cold darkness of hard times, its beauty and fragrance are more precious and lovely than ever before.

Happy Paint Party Friday, dear Friends.

Friends of the Forest -Paint Party Friday

This drawing has the whimsical idea of the woodlands pictured as a person and the wolf as friend and defender of the forest. 

I have always loved wolves.  In fact, my senior paper was all about wolves.  Wolves live in family groups called packs. They live in dens, which are small caves or a hole dug in the ground. It shelters a mother and her pups weather and protects the little ones from animals who might want to make a snack of them.

Like human families often do, all wolves in a pack help take care of the younger ones. When the pups are very small, other pack members bring food to the mother so she does not have to leave the den. Wolf pups love to play, stalking and pouncing on each other.  Baby wolves also find toys to play with, such as bones, feathers or the skins of dead animals.

Wolves are amazing animals.  Though they can be solitary and lonely (I often feel like howling myself), I admire their loyalty to family and the friendship they share with one another. 

 Above you see my lovely model, Miss Melissa.  She is a wonderful inspiration to me.

Happy Paint Party Friday, my precious Friends.  May God bless you with joy and unexpected laughter.  Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for dropping by.  ((hugs))

Maiden in the Woods -Guest Heart Thursday

Recently I did a photoshoot with some dear friends.  This doodle is of one of those amazing photos.  I love the leather belt Emily wore, the sword in her hand, the horn hanging at her side.  This picture was a pleasure to draw.  Later I will ink it in, then add color with either watercolor or colored pencil.

Above you see my reference photo.  Here are Emily and Melissa.  I love these two young ladies--the camera loves them!  They are SO sweet to pose for me.  

Of course, there are hearts hidden throughout the 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.

Lady in Red -Guest Heart Thursday

Here she is, the Lady in Red standing with her blue unicorn friend.  I put color to the lineart drawing (posted earlier) whilst staying at my parents' home to help watch Dad while Mom was attending a writer's conference.  Daddy seemed to enjoy watching the colors and drawing take shape.  Though it was dreadfully hot, I loved staying for a few days in the home of my childhood.  Sometimes it seems as though I see the past and the present superimposed upon one another here...it is a strange feeling.

I get to go back for a few days next week.  I am looking forward to it!  Yes, there are hearts hidden throughout this drawing.  I LOVE hiding hearts for you to find!

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

Forest Dreaming - Sunday Scans

I often draw faces with forests and mountains surrounding them.  Each face brings a different scenario to my mind.  In my photography I often see faces in clouds, trees and traced along the folds of hill and mighty mountain.  Sometimes my imagination translates from reality into fantasy.
 
Here you see one of these whimsical drawings, which reflects my great love for Nature.

 I am so grateful to our Creator for His amazing Creation.


Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!  

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.

Little Red Riding Hood - Guest Heart Thursday

Here she is, Little Red Riding Hood!  Her basket of food is sitting on the ground behind her, just in case you are wondering!  This pen and ink was inspired by my nieces, darling Malaya and Sweet Peyton.

I have hidden a bunch of hearts in this drawing!  Can you find them all?!

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

Early Rains, Woodland Waters - Illustration Friday

I love the magical forests of our childhood.  My sister Clytie and I often walk there with our cameras.  This year, with the arrival of early spring rains, tendrils of water thread their way down the canyon to the creek below.

For more wonderful "Early" artwork visit Illustration Friday.

Woodland Waters

One of the great blessings of my life was a childhood spent roaming free through canyon and woods. I have a great heart for the forest--perhaps my love for woodland whimsy comes from those wonderful days spent roaming through the wild lands.

Ready For Action

Here he is--a forest dweller perhaps from ancient Ireland. I believe he would be ready for anything--just look at his stance. He would be a good friend, fiercely loyal and stout hearted.