Abby's Little Fairy Friend -Paint Party Friday

 I am going to see Abby on her birthday.  I am working on her birthday present--and it is half done.  All that's left to do is to add some color!!!  Isn't my sweet Niecey beautiful?  I hope she likes the idea of a wee whimsical fairy sitting in her hair.

Above is my reference picture of dear Abby.  I adore how she's done her hair.  :D  The camera loves this precious young lady.

Have a beautiful weekend!  Happy Paint Party Friday. 

Grapevines in Spring -Paint Party Friday

Here she is, my Lady of the Grapevines.  I had so much fun putting the detail into this drawing.  One day she will be in my coloring book featuring these beautiful creatures--it will be out sometime next Summer, entitled Fairies, Fine and Fair.

Above you see my lovely models Emily and Melissa.  They are so sweet to pose for me--Melissa on the right, is the young lady featured in this drawing.

It is so beautiful outside today--Spring has finally arrived almost overnight--here in the Willamette Valley.

Have a beautiful weekend!  Happy Paint Party Friday. 

Good Morning! -Paint Party Friday

It has been so difficult to be online this time of year with pending taxes and year-end items all combining in one huge cloud of paperwork.  I took some time to draw last week--just a page or two.  I am studying a wonderful book on cloth and how it wrinkles.  This lineart drawing is the result.  I really like drawing cloth.

Have a lovely day, dear ones.  The sun is shining this morning.  I hope you had a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Her Prayers -Paint Party Friday

I have been away for quite some time.  I have missed all you wonderful people.  Though it has been nearly two and a half years, this past month has been one of the most difficult since I lost the love of my life.  This is a drawing I did just after he passed away--I completed the lineart version last week.

I hope you enjoy the details.  The sea is a picture of grief--how it is always there--the light house signifies the hope of landing on solid ground and the Light which guides me.  The boat represents courage and strength.  I will battle the rising waves--I will hang on.  The high seas engulfing that tiny craft will soon smooth themselves into peace.

Above you see my lovely model Rena.  I adore this photo--there's a sunbeam coming down upon her.  Something the camera did all on its own.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  It is good to be back.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

A Time for Weeping -Paint Party Friday

February has been especially hard for me.  I have a fondness for the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon and found in the Old Testament of the Bible.  He was the wisest man in the world and had a lot of wonderful things to say.  In chapter three, he writes, "there is a time for weeping and a time for laughter."  Ah, how true that is.  This has been a month of tears for me, as I miss my Beloved with all my heart.

David, who was King Solomon's Father wrote the songs found in the Psalms.  He wrote, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) I have felt the crushing burden of grief, where I am hardly able to function under the terrible pain of sadness.  I  miss the love of my life.  Yet there is hope. 

I will choose to trust the Lord--the One Who loves me--He will bring me through these tears and there will be joy in the morning.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  

Fairy Friends -Paint Party Friday

While out of town, taking care of my sweet Grandma who just turned 91, I did a bit of doodling.  Here is what I came up with.  I have always believed cats have wings--they just don't show them when humans are present. But this young lady is a fairy--so she gets to see them.

Toez the Polydactyl Cat, who has claimed me as her human, often wraps her tail around my arm, just so.  Toez still has not shown me her wings.  (grin)

Have a great weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship 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!

Bachelor Button Faery -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing from my mind.  The model here is my little niece--who shows up in my artwork all the time without my thinking about it.  This is a Bachelor Button Faery.  I love those flowers with their cheerful sky blue color and how they love to dance in the wind.

I have been away from my computer, on the road.  I have missed you all!  Hope you have a great weekend!

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!

Dreams of Flight -Paint Party Friday

I finally had to take a moment and just draw.  I haven't had much time for art, since just before Christmas.  I couldn't sleep one night and this popped out of my brain.

Years ago I was treated to a hot air balloon ride.  It was an amazing experience--one of the highlights of my life.  It was exactly like I felt as a child when dreaming of flying in the sky high above my home.  To be in the air above the ground in that way seemed so natural and right.  Here this little fairy is dreaming of flying... 

She will be in one of my coloring books someday.  I am happy to announce I did a one-time run for a coloring book--self published and sold a few copies through facebook and by word of mouth.  It has been an exciting time for me.  Now that I see people really seem to like them, I'll be doing one through Amazon.

Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Lady of the Hill -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing from last year at this same time.  I added color to it last week and I rather like the way it turned out.  This is my sweet middle daughter, who's beauty and kindness lend enchantment to every piece of art I feature her in. 

It is very cold where we are--for our area of the world 17 degrees is REALLY cold.  I can't remember feeling this cold in my life!  But the sun is shining and it is a new day.

God bless you everyone and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Of Dragonflies and Elves -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I recently found in one of my keepsake files.  It is an early illustration for a children's book.  I believe I was 19.  This girl looks SO much like my own daughters.  I did a double take when I found it!  Amazing, almost prophetic.  And you can definitely see how much I've improved in my artwork over these last 39 years!!!

Anyhow, Happy New Year, sweet Friends.  May God bless you with joy, wisdom, strength and comfort over this coming year.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Merry Christmas! -Paint Party Friday

I have been away for a long time.  I have had a hard time of it this holiday season--But as I think back over this year, it has been such a wonderful year in so many ways.  When I remember the time I had with my Beloved--I am SO grateful for our 31 years together.

The above illustration is from a Christmas Children's Book I designed.   It is called Christmas with Grandma.

I have missed you all very much.   I pray all is well with you, and that your Christmas is a lovely one, sweet Friends.''

Dear Girl -Paint Party Friday

I love to draw my sweet Friend Melissa.  We have been pals since the day she was born.  I drew this ACEO back in 2006.  This particular drawing is no bigger than a baseball card!

I apologize for putting up a drawing from the past, but I've been incredibly busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, and haven't had much time to draw.

Due to a terrible loss of data, I don't have my original reference picture, but I do have other pictures of her--so you can see why I love to draw my dear girl's face.

Isn't she lovely?  I am SO proud of her--she has grown into a lovely young woman, not only beautiful outside, but inside as well.   

Happy Thanksgiving dear ones--there is so much for which to be thankful.  Happy Paint Party Friday all you wonderful people!

Wonderland Walker -Paint Party Friday

I have a vivid imagination.  I can still remember the places I dreamed of when I was a little girl.  This place is one of them.  Where flowers pile over the ground in brightly colored bunches.  I imagined arches covered with ivy and bright castles where one might find glittering treasures and perhaps a sleeping princess.

Above you see my reference photo of dear Rena.  I am SO blessed by the friendship of my sweet models.  When the camera is on--magic happens--the camera loves this girl.  

This week has been a difficult one, as yesterday was my Daddy's Heaven Day.  He left us four years ago, and I still grieve for him--I was a Daddy's girl and when he left, he took a bit of my heart with him.

It gives me great joy to know Daddy is in heaven, strong, whole and young again--I can see him smiling at me with that wonderful smile of his.  I know he is proud of me.

Have a lovely weekend dear Friends.  Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Esther, Star of Persia -Paint Party Friday

This is a Prismacolor pencil drawing of a young friend of mine, Casandra.  She has always reminded me of Esther.  I am posting this older drawing, because I have been so very busy this week--getting ready to produce a new drama--so I've been away from my drawing board.

My original reference pic was lost--but below you get the idea of the beauty and loveliness of this dear young woman, who reminds me so much of Esther.

The true story of Esther is a fascinating one.  Before her name changed, she was known as Hadassah, a lovely young orphan living in a foreign land with her Uncle Mordecai.

It came to pass the King of Persia put on a lavish feast for the kings of surrounding countries.  But when he asked Queen Vashti to come forth and meet the revelers--she refused to obey him.  It was because of her choice, she was no longer queen.

But soon, in a fit of loneliness, the King of Persia decreed the most beautiful and accomplished women be chosen from each province of his kingdom. From these candidates he vowed to choose his Queen.

Because of her exquisite beauty, Hadassah was taken from her home to the King's palace.  There she was given a new name, Esther--which means "star." After months of preparation, she met the King of Persia. The King was so charmed by Esther, he proclaimed her Queen of Persia.

However the King did not know Esther was Jewish. Her Uncle Mordecai had admonished Esther not to disclose her nationality to anyone.

Meanwhile, Haman, an evil man who hated the Jews, had became very powerful. Haman deceived the King into authoring the wholesale slaughter of Jewish men, women and children throughout the entire empire. This malevolent man callously cast lots to determine the exact day they would die. When the date was set, decrees were sent throughout the kingdom and the Jewish people went into mourning.

Mordecai informed the Queen of this decree, asking her to intervene for her people, saying, "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?"

Esther had not seen the King for several months.  The law of the land was that anyone who appeared before the king in the inner court without being invited was doomed to die unless the King held out his golden scepter.

Mordecai sent word.  He said, "If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

This brave young woman replied, "I will go before the King, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish." After fasting three days, she carefully adorned herself in rich royal robes. Then she entered the inner Court in front of the King's rooms--uninvited.

When she entered the inner court, the king saw her standing from afar.  His heart turned within him, perhaps he wondered that she would risk certain death to see him.  He welcomed her, held out the golden scepter and she drew near to touch its top.  Thus her life was saved and in the end, the lives of her people.

Queen Esther was a powerful woman. But her power came from something deep within her soul. It wasn't because she was the most beautiful woman in the land. There was something else which caught the King's heart. "Why are you troubled, " he queries. Though Esther must have been terribly frightened, she bravely faced death for the sake of her people. In making herself vulnerable in a time of great danger, she risked everything. Because she did, she saved an entire nation of people from the evil plotting of a murderous man.

Queen Esther was just one woman, but her wisdom, obedience, bravery and trust in God, changed the tide of history itself.

Greatness is when an ordinary person risks everything to do what is right in the face of grave danger. We live in dangerous times.  Life can change in one moment--and an ordinary person may be asked to do the extraordinary.

I believe every woman has a "Queen Esther" deep inside. Each of us has a purpose and have been given great power to influence the lives of those around us. Let us choose to face life with courage, wisdom, and trust in God. Let us speak words of peace and truth to those we love, just as Queen Esther spoke them to her people in the days of Purim.

If you get the chance, read the book of Esther.  It is a wonderful story of a young woman's courage in the face of monstrous circumstances.  It can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Holly Mermaid's Seahorses -Paint Party Friday

This picture was originally drawn from memory in 2011.  Holly has been in my life for years--I met this delightful young woman when she was around eight years old.  She has always loved horses--this whimsical piece pictures Holly as a mermaid who's best buds are the sea horses.  I just recently finished adding color to this pen and ink drawing from long ago.

For those who may be wondering, I am doing well after surgery.  God is so good to me.  The two-year mark of the passing of my Beloved has come and gone, and though I miss him dreadfully, life does go on.  And there are often sparkles of joy along with the tears.

Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!