First Born -Paint Party Friday

I recently found a photo of me and my first born when she was a tiny tyke.  It was so sweet, I did a little sketch of us.  Here it is, dear ones.  I have had a very busy week--and another one ahead of me.

I pray your days are lovely and that you will find unexpected blessings around every corner.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Her Keen Blade -Paint Party Friday

Back in the mists of time there must have been those warriors who wandered alone, sword in hand.  They must have been tough, as well as brave and kind.  Such adventures were peopled with these heroes of old in the tales Mumsie used to tell us when I was small.  I can still see those heroes in my mind's eye. 

Above you see my reference photo of beautiful Rena--who also, in her way is a warrior, brave, strong and true.

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

Joy in the Morning -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I drew a few days ago.  I entitled it Joy in the Morning.

Above is my lovely reference model Heather.  I am honored this dear young woman is a part of my life.  I am blessed  She is a a wonderful, sweet Friend of mine--a dear daughter.

But now there is sad news.  The title of this drawing is significant, because the evening I drew this picture, my precious Grandma Gladys flew away to heaven.  She was 91-years old.

Everywhere I look, I see Grandma in my home. Everywhere. Knickknacks, strange cutlery, cookbooks, pans, her lovely artwork, art books, the beautiful bed set in the cloud room and just about everything in my craft room...all are her legacy. Her life has been intertwined with mine since the very beginning of my life with my Beloved.  One of our first dates was to meet Grandma and her precious family.

I know she is in a better place, but this earth is less without her. She was full of years and longed to be with Jesus and her Beloved Vic.  I rejoice for her because she is free of pain, and she is in the Presence of her dear Savior.

So many memories...so many. She taught me how to be a Mom and a good friend.  Her influence on my life has been profound.

I love her. I love her so much.  Dear sweet friends--take time to cherish the people you love.  You never know how long you have with them.  Every moment is a gift.

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!

Her Melodramatic Friend -Paint Party Friday

This is a graphite doodle from the middle of the night.  It made me laugh and I wanted to share these two with you.  One of them is totally melodramatic, the other looks on tongue in cheek.

Above you see my delightful reference models, Rena and Heather--they bring such light and laughter into my life.  As you can see they are a lot of fun to have around! 

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

Maple Tree Fairy -Paint Party Friday

I adore maple trees.  They are everywhere in our little town--flooding the skies with their broad green leaves and covering the ground with refreshing shade on hot summer days.  A few weeks ago, seated beneath those gently bowing giants, I was inspired to draw this lovely maple tree fairy.

The truth is, she and her friends adore twirling down on the helicopter seedlings in the Fall.  However, she's on her best behavior here--all ready for a fancy fairy ball.

Above you see my wonderful reference model, Rena, who is one of my dearest friends and inspirations.

Have a great weekend, dear friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Eclipse -Paint Party Friday

I created this pen and ink drawing last week to commemorate the Great American Eclipse.  I happen to live in the line of totality--the eclipse will start around nine, with total darkness at 10:18 Monday morning--an amazing event which will not happen here again in my lifetime.  I only wish my Beloved were here to view it with me.

My town will be celebrate all weekend in anticipation of Monday's once in a lifetime event.  There will be an influx of up to 500,000 people in our area over the next few days.  I can't even imagine what the traffic will be like.  I have special glasses one must wear to keep from being blinded.  There is a family camping out in my back yard and there will be quite a party going on downtown.

I am looking forward to this wonderful eclipse.  In the meantime dear friends, have a GREAT weekend.  Stay safe 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!

Happy Dancers -Paint Party Friday

Here are my favorite young ladies happy dancing under springtime blossoms.  I missed last week because I was holding a drama camp for a small group of little girls here in my home.  We had a blast!  What a fabulous way to spend summer, eh?

Here is my reference photo with lovely Rena and Heather as models.  They are such wonderful young women.  I have known them for many years now--they've become my daughters and I cherish their friendship.  I am SO blessed.  They are the fairies who come to visit my garden sparkling their joy all around.

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

Bluebell Fae -Paint Party Friday

I love bluebells in Spring.  This year they came too early and the frost got to them.  However, they did spring back into life a little later, though a bit less blue than normal.

Here is my little bluebell fae.  She visited us twice this year! 

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

Lovely Nouveau -Paint Party Friday

One of my greatest inspirations has been the artist Alphonse Mucha.  I have loved his work since I was a child--though I didn't know who he was back then.  I had several postcards with his artwork and I treasured them.  It was only years later after I met my husband's older brother Paul, with his wonderful collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, that I put two and two together.

My artwork often reflects the style of this great artist, who ushered in a whole new era of design which continues today.  I will not ever reach the stature of this great man...but I like to think I honor him with my choices of model and design.

Here is my lovely reference model, Rena.  I am truly blessed to have this sweet young lady in my life.  The camera loves her every stance, and I am SO happy to draw her!

Have a lovely weekend and 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!

She is Beauty -Paint Party Friday

I like the way this particular piece turned out. I believe it will be spectacular when I put it into Pen and ink.  This piece will go into a coloring book I am working on for this Fall.   I adore this girl's graceful pose and artless confidence--indeed she IS beauty!

Above you see my lovely model, Rena.  And by chance, her favorite Disney cartoon happens to be Beauty and the Beast.  I love working with her--she is a photographer's dream come true.

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

Lifted -Paint Party Friday

I have had lots of trouble sleeping at night.  I miss my Beloved husband very much--and the nights are the worst.

So, when I am unable to sleep, I often doodle.  The doodle above took several nights of drawing.  It is called Lifted.

There were tears in every line as I drew this--but when it was done, I realized it is a picture of my song of hope.

Above you see my reference photo.  This beautiful picture is of lovely Jessica, a DA stock model.

God bless you all, and 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!

 

Tiny House on Sunset Hill -Paint Party Friday

Hello sweet Friends.  I have been busy speaking in Washington State and then traveling over 500 miles to speak to a wonderful group of ladies in Spokane, Washington!

Whist there, my dear sweet little sis once again introduced me to Sunset Hill.

Amid the gatherings of moss, mushrooms and catnip, we came upon this amazing little home.  You can see how I was inspired.

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