Angel Naptime -Paint Party Friday

I am incredibly blessed to have my sweet niece in my life. She often shows up in my artwork, as do her little friends.  

Here you see Stringbean the pup and Peaches the cat along my sweet angelic niece getting ready to take a nap after a day sliding down rainbows.  

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

Brave and True -Paint Party Friday

This is a T-Shirt I painted for Alan, long ago.  I love this lion.  There's something so sweet, brave and true about his eyes.  Alan adored the T-Shirts I made for him.  It makes my heart happy to think of him wearing them and bragging about his "one-of-a-kind" shirts.  I can still see him in my mind's eye, smiling with delight.

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

Grandma and the Girls -Paint Party Friday

This drawing will be on the dedication page of the Children's book, Christmas With Grandma, which I'm doing for my Friend Lorie.  To work with Lorie is one of the delights of my heart.  It certainly distracts me from the terrible sorrow of losing my Beloved.  

The photo above is my reference for the drawing.  I am so blessed by my dear Friend and am SO honored she would ask me to illustrate this book.  She tells me this is one of her dreams come true--and to tell you the truth, it is also a dream come true for me.  I've always wanted to illustrate children's books.  What a blessing! 

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

Grandma's Christmas Story -Paint Party Friday

I have been commissioned to produce a self-published children's book for a friend of mine.  The title is Christmas With Grandma.  I have completed the drawings in graphite and took them to my friend for her perusal last Monday.  She LOVED it!  Next I will do the lineart, and the last step will be to add full color.

I have had SO much fun with this project.  This is my favorite drawing so far.  The book is ten pages long, along with a front cover, dedication and title pages. 

Above you see my lovely model, Lorie, who commissioned the project.  I LOVE her face.  I did a photoshoot for reference photos--as you can see the camera loves her!  I admit though, it was quite a challenge to make the dolls into little girls--but I think I have succeeded.  

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

Maiden Walking -Paint Party Friday

Last Fall, whilst visiting my brother and his family, I drew this picture of my niece, Flora.  She is a lovely girl, imaginative and a lover of the forest and all things fairytale.  This is what I imagine she will look like once she is all grown up. 

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

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.

Sweet Smiles -Paint Party Friday

Here is a recent sketch from my sketchbook.  The mosaic window behind this dear girl actually has roses hidden in it.  When it is inked and color added, I think it will be more easily seen.  I love to hide things in my drawings.

Above you see my reference photo featuring my sweet Friends Rena and Heather.  By the way, I made the red cloak from some old velvet curtains which once hung in my in my office.  The green cloak was made from an old army blanket.  I believe these days, they call this "re-purposing!"

This time around, I'm including an old ACEO drawing from 2010.  It is called What's a Dragon to do?  As you can see, the poor fierce dragon is totally baffled by the loving attentions of that amorous little birdie. 

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.

Madrona's Tiny Friend -Paint Party Friday

This little faery doesn't quite know how to walk yet--she's pulling herself up on a flower and greeting a small butterfly, which decided to land on her wee finger.

Above you see my reference picture of this darling little girl.  Our tiny Madrona makes all of us laugh and smile.  She has been the subject of many drawings and sketches since her birth.  

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.

The Pit -Paint Party Friday

This morning I was looking through some old drawings and came across this one.  It touched my heart SO deeply.  There is no pit so deep, that GOD is not deeper still.  These are the words of Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of a Nazi Concentration Camp during World War Two.

I was outside watering, when I had the overwhelming feeling that any moment my Beloved would come striding around the corner of the house with that wonderful smile of his.  The one he had just for me.  The feeling was SO strong...and I waited...

And then I remembered he was gone.  It  was heartbreaking.  I miss him so much.

There are many of us who've lost friends and family we love.  Each of us wrestles with that pain, sorrow and loss every day.  These words, this drawing is for you.  You are not alone, dear ones.  If you are lost in the depths of sorrow and despair, He is there beside you. 

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people. May God bless you, dear ones, especially those of you who weep, with His joy and peace.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.

Gardener at Heart

I am proud and honored to announce that my incredibly talented Sister-in-Law Jane (lil' Sis) has published a collection of poetry, Gardener At Heart!  

Her insights resonate with beauty, mystery, fun and something beautiful I can't even put into words.

You can order this remarkable volume of poems in paperback, or e-book format on Amazon: A Gardener at Heart .  

You can find more information about this enchanting book, as well as a donation page and contact information, at Jane's website:  The Flying Crow Press!  Isn't that a cool name?  I love the cover of her blog--Both the website and the book cover were designed by her son, a young man with exceptional talent. 

I am SO proud of my Lil' Sis.  I adore Jane's poetry, which reflects the beauty of her heart.  Even if you are not a gardener, I believe you will enjoy this book of lovely words.  

I'm one of the blessed ones! I have a SIGNED copy!!!! 

Storyteller -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing from long ago.  The imaginative little boy was a born storyteller.  When he was small his stories would spill from his room, down the stairs and into the kitchen.  He used all kinds of toys and props, even music followed his story as it streamed along.  

I didn't realize what was happening at first.  When I would try to clean everything up before bed time, it was not a happy event.  Then I suddenly understood I needed to hear the story before putting it away.  What a delight--I asked him to tell me his story and all was well.  Each evening held a fascinating new storyline.

What fantastical adventures!  What a wonderful privilege to share them with him!  I will never forget those wonderful days.

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

Vintage Beauty -Paint Party Friday

Years ago, I found a photo of an old lady wearing a hat made of sticks.  I fell in love with her whimsical face and beautiful wrinkles.  It makes me happy to look into her eyes--I'm so glad I finally sketched her likeness.  

I have not been feeling very well--it is just a simple summer cold, but boy oh boy, I can sneeze.  You know something is amiss when one sneezes and the air pressure from that sneeze lifts the roof from the walls!  

Anyhow, whilst I was ill, I found solace in drawing.  I finished this graphite sketch a couple of days ago.  When I draw the world fades away, even when I'm feeling awful.  

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

Mushroom Faery -Paint Party Friday

Here is another doodle from my sketchbook.  I love how her wings turned out and I have a soft spot for mushrooms.  

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

Decorating Roses -Paint Party Friday

Here is a wee baby faery decorating roses with spiderwebs, strewn with sparkling dewdrops.  In my mind's eye, she was out in the garden just this morning--because all the rose bushes were draped so beautifully with sparkling dewdrop webs.

As you know by now,  I have a GREAT imagination.  Above you see dear Evie, the inspiration for my little dewdrop faery baby. 

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

Family of Faeries -Paint Party Friday

Here is a little family of faeries.  I found them by the river after a wedding.  And such lovely folk they were.  It is fun to be able to see fairies.  

Of course, you know, I have a GREAT imagination!  (grin)  Above you can see my reference photo.  This is Jonny, Amanda and Sophia.  They are such a beautiful little family.

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

Him Who Loves Me -Paint Party Friday

As summer draws near, the aroma of roses and honeysuckle fill the still warm air.  Sunshine sparkles, as thin wisps of white curl across the blue sky.  

This is my first summer without my sweet husband.  I miss his blue eyes, the way they would glow with excitement as he related stories from his day.  I miss his wisdom, tenderness and kindness and the touch of his lips on mine.  

This week has been very hard.  The numbness which first shields the mind in times of emergency and extreme trauma, has worn away. Renewed grief, like an underground river, flows through each day.  I know this will pass--it is the work of grief to weep and struggle on through--to stay whole, it is something I must do. 

I am grateful that I am not alone when the tears come flooding into my eyes.  The Good Shepherd--Him Who loves me, is here.  He walks beside me, and holds me in His arms when I do not have strength to keep going.

How grateful I am for the Lord.  He is indeed well-acquainted with sorrow, but He is also the author of joy--He is the one who promised, "Joy comes in the morning..."  For now I am safe in the arms of Him Who loves me.

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

Popping Bubbles -Paint Party Friday

It only took a moment to make the connection that any faery maiden worth her salt would use a pool cue to pop bubbles. 

Above you see my reference photo.  Taking pictures of this lovely couple during their wedding and reception was SO much fun.  Above you see my lovely model Melissa!  I'm so honored and blessed to be her dear old auntie.

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