Fairy Princess -Paint Party Friday

I had the flu for over two weeks.  During that time all I could do was lay on the sofa and draw, or watch television.  Long ago, when I was near death in the hospital, I learned that sketching and drawing somehow took way the pain. 

Art has always been my passion--it is something I MUST do.  It is like breathing for me.  :D

This lovely fairy princess is one of the sketches I drew while I was sick.  I had to laugh at the hummingbird.  He's much bigger than he's supposed to be, but he reminds me of Mr. Soots, a black-throated hummingbird who's been coming to my back yard for two years now. 

Blessings and joy to each of you who took time to drop by today.  Thank you, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

To Dance Again -Paint Party Friday

Even at my late age, one can dream about dancing again. Dreams are beautiful, and though I may not dance as I did when I was young, who's to say dancing in my "golden years" might be just as lovely.

The days are growing longer again, and I yearn for Spring.  Soon the flowers will bloom again.  I smelled Spring blowing in a southerly wind a few days ago, and I am nostalgic.

Blessings and joy to each of you who found time to drop by today.  Thank you, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Tiny Dreamer -Paint Party Friday

Here she is, Spring's tiny dreamer.  January has been so warm, and today I smelled Spring.

I can hardly wait for the unfurling of the flowers, soon to be upon us!  I am sure the littlest faeries nap upon the open blooms found in my garden. How soft and comfortable it would be to snuggle into the petals of a wee blossom.

God bless you, dear ones and happy Paint Party Friday!

Beauty From Ashes -Paint Party Friday

This bit of art is a little different than my usual art.  There was a page in my sketchbook covered with steaks of color as well as scratchings from micron pens.  I'd been testing colors and nib sizes for another drawing.  But, it was really good paper and I didn't have the heart to toss it.  So--I decided to doodle--and as a result--this drawing.

In some ways this drawing depicts in part, another major heart shift.  The sweet words I heard were "beauty from ashes." I don't know what that means yet, but I am looking forward to discovering what is ahead.  This past year has been one of the most difficult yet since my Beloved flew away to heaven. 

Part of my struggle has been that of becoming the woman I am to be without my Beloved.  I was married much longer than I was single...and we were partners.  There are questions....Who am I really?  I am who I am when I am by myself.   Once again I have realized the person I become now, depends upon the things I put into my heart and life.

Those ingredients are, first of all, time with God and doing His will in my life--then treasuring family and friends.  Acquiring wisdom, knowledge and purpose--maybe even taking some college courses.  Then there are celebration, beauty, laughter...and tears. 

I think my Darling would be proud of me so far, and that is a dear comfort.  The truth is, though I am discovering who I am as a single person--that person was shaped by my Beloved--he made my life an adventure.  We learned so much together.  (sigh)  I miss him.

Blessings to you in your life's journey dear ones--thank you for dropping by, and Happy Paint Party Friday.

Happy New Year! -Paint Party Friday

Happy New Year dear Friends.  The coming year is like a package filled with unexpected blessing, laughter, pain and all sorts of memories.  I am thankful for this new year with it's well spring of surprises.

God bless you, dear ones and happy Paint Party Friday!

Good News of Great Joy! -Paint Party Friday

Here is one of the finished pages of the Children's Book Christmas With Grandma.  It is at the printers and I can hardly wait to see the finished book!

If you would like to purchase a copy, please write to Lorie at larenaleigh@gmail.com. The cost is $15, plus shipping. All proceeds go to help people in Haiti.

May the blessing and hope of Christmas permeate your hearts!  Merry Christmas and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Star Child -Paint Party Friday

This is another midnight doodle.  As my reference I used an old photograph from the early 1900's.  I love the style of that era in time.  This little star child is going to be my Christmas card this year!

Have a lovely Christmas holiday, dear Friends, and God bless you all.

On Butterfly Wings -Paint Party Friday

I have always had a daydream of riding on the back of a butterfly to places unknown.  Perhaps it is the child in my heart who still wishes it were possible.  My reference was a vintage postcard from the early 1900's.  I am a big fan of that era in America's history. 

Yesterday in the United  States, we celebrated Thanksgiving.  Indeed, there is so much for which to be thankful.  As I looked around the room where my family gathered, there was music, instruments,  singing and laughter...we ate the good food, joked and laughed some more.  I felt the presence of my dear husband--I know he was smiling as he saw the laughter and love of our family.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful one.  Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT weekend all you wonderful people!

Toez the Spider Hunter -Paint Party Friday

Here is Toez the Polydactyl Cat.  She was charging around the house, eyes as big as saucers.  Eventually she cornered a HUGE spider.  I caught the look on her face as she looked up to congratulate herself.  She played with it awhile then had a quick snack.  Ugh!  I'm so glad I am not a cat!  LOL

Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT week all you wonderful people!

Funky Flying Purple Bean -Paint Party Friday

My sister-in-law and I decided to draw purple beans.  Mine sprouted feet, wings and a curly tail.  Kind of odd what pops out of one's pencil sometimes!  :D

Happy Paint Party Friday, and have a GREAT week all you wonderful people! 

Green Eyes -Paint Party Friday

I am SO busy this week I have scheduled this pic to post on Friday. It is a piece I created long ago--but it is one of my personal favorites of all time. 

This is my sweet Melissa.  I love to draw her face--I've been drawing her since she was a little girl.  There's something so lovely about this young lady.  She is not only beautiful to look at, but her heart is equally as precious. 

And when I put pencil to paper, magic happens.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones and Happy Paint Party Friday!

 

Life's Sweet Sadness

The drawing above is a draft of a card from our family, to be sent out at Christmas in the early 1990's.  I see the bright happiness and sweetness of our family reflected in this graphite sketch.  How life has changed since those long ago days.

Three years ago, right about this moment, Alan was being rushed to the hospital to take his last breaths.

That day is emblazoned upon my heart and into my eyes.  I miss my Beloved.  There is a certain heart hunger for his presence which will always be a part of my life.

I am SO thankful to have shared this great adventure with my husband.  What wonderful fun we had.  Such tussles we had--a great love with all the ingredients of life--laughter, tears, sweetness, anger, work, companionship, love.  My family and I have been blessed.

I am grateful to God for bringing Alan into my life.  My Beloved put the flavor into living.  I grieve, I always will.  But there is so much for which to be thankful.  Blessings to you all, dear ones.

My Beloved in the Clouds -SkyWatch Friday

Here is the face of my Beloved.  Monday is Alan's Heaven Day.  It will be the third anniversary of his parting from us.  He left a big hole in all our lives, and is sorely missed.

He was a beautiful person.  I miss him with all my heart.

Above you see the original cloud I caught with my camera.  I hardly had to do a thing.

God bless you, dear ones.  It is a good thing to look up. Have a lovely weekend and Happy Skywatch Friday.

And Glory Shone Round About Them -Paint Party Friday

When I was a child I loved the story of Christmas found in the Bible.  I saw the whole thing as beautiful and romantic.  I didn't really care for St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus much.  He didn't appeal to me as much as the magical story of Mary and Joseph.

I have been working with my Friend Lorie on a children's book entitled Christmas With Grandma for a little over two years.  We've added six new pages.  It is our goal to have it printed and assembled in time for Christmas orders--which means only a few more weeks left to put it together!

This pen and ink drawing illustrates the part of the story where angels appear to shepherds who were watching their sheep by night.  They are announcing the arrival of the newborn Baby sent from God.

I like how the drawing turned out.  I especially love the sheep--there's one little fellow who is SO endearing I wanted to pop him out of my drawing to give him a little cuddle.

And now to put color to all these new pages! Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

A Beautiful Beginning

This is a pen and ink drawing from years ago.  It is of me, my Beloved Husband Alan, and our first born.  Oh, we were so young, with many adventures ahead.

I still feel like he might come in the back door laughing, his eyes sparkling, with a story to tell and a joke to make me laugh.  I miss him so much.  We were married for 31 years.  It is hard to believe he has been gone for three years at the end of this month.

I will always treasure our adventure. 

Flower Face Bouquet -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I just finished.  It is for a poster to be used at a Women's retreat the first week of November.  I will be speaking on the importance of friendship--The Fragrance of Friendship. 

Since my husband's passing three years ago October 30th, I have learned so much about the power and beauty of Friendship.  How grateful I am for true friendship--the kind which is worthy to be cultivated, nurtured and protected.

Treasure your friends, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

The Journey Begins -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I completed last week to be included in a new coloring book on Friendship which will be available in mid-November.  It depicts Ruth and Naomi, from the book of Ruth, found in the Bible.

Naomi's husband and two sons have passed away.  She has been living in another country and determines she must return to her homeland.  Naomi has, in her bitterness, told her daughter-in-law Ruth to go back to her own people.

But Ruth clings to Naomi and cries out, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

This story is a beautiful picture of friendship, loyalty and love.  Though they endure great hardships, in the end Naomi finds hope and meaning in her life and Ruth is given the desire of her heart.  It is a great picture of God's goodness.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.