Pen and Ink Butterfly

Here is the inked in version of The Butterfly.  The next phase will be color.  Thank you for your encouraging comments, they mean the world to me!

Have a perfectly wonderful day!

Graphite Butterfly

While we were away, I had opportunity to do quite a bit of sketching.  This is one of six, 6x6 pieces in graphite, which I will eventually ink and then add color.

I was greatly inspired by our dear Friend Darlene, of Dancing Mangoes, who shows her work from conception to finish.

As I finish each stage of this drawing, I will post it, so you can see my progress!

Have a GREAT week!

Valentine Moon - Guest Heart Thursday

There is something so romantic about summertime with its hot days and warm nights.  I am sure should I kiss my darling the moon would turn into a heart.  After 27 years, his kiss still makes my heart beat faster and melts my knees.

Ah romance!

For more wonderful heart art and randomly found heart photography check out Clytie's Guest Heart Thursday!  You won't be disappointed!

Spilled Milk - Illustration Friday

The poor little LeoButterfly has spilled his breakfast of milk from the milkweed plant.  He's heart-broken and is telling his faery friend all about it.  Of course, she will gather another blossom of milk for the tiny fellow, but he's so cute, she's having a hard time not smiling.

For more wonderful artwork on the topic of Breakfast, visit Illustration Friday!

She Guards Her Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

I was looking through some old drawings of mine and came across this Pen and Ink of my darling sister Clytie.  I had drawn it from a photo from her younger days.  She had shorter hair then, but was and is, just as lovely.

I thought this piece was especially perfect for today's Guest Heart Thursday.

GUEST HEART THURSDAY

Faery Magic

This is my second Cloud Painting--back then I used the mouse as my paintbrush.  This took a great deal of painstaking concentration and time.  I thought you might enjoy seeing one of my very first efforts at painting Sky Art.

Here she is as I first saw her, flying over the alley fence, toward the sun.

Diary - Illustration Friday

Mumsie was a writer--even as a child, I remember she wrote and sold stories long before her books were published. One of the blessings of my life is that Mum kept a journal of her quiet times with God.  She not only wrote out her prayers, but would often write about what was happening in the lives of her children and family.  Because of Mum's Journalings I have read how God answered her specific prayers for me.  You can read her wonderful insights at Everybody Loves a Story.  I know she'd love to hear from you.

I learned to journal from watching my darling Mother's example.   I was recently going through one of my old diaries and came across something really funny--so I thought I'd share it with you. Here goes:

"You really NEED to take a bath, son," I said inspecting the dirt my four-year old had thrown into his hair.  

"But Mom," he explained patiently.  "Superman doesn't NEED a bath!"

 For more wonderful works of art on this week's subject "Diary," visit Illustration Friday!

Fireworx Maiden

The fireworks on the Fourth of July were the best I'd ever seen--I was able to catch a few with my camera.  I actually saw the Maiden's face just before I clicked the camera.

Above you see the Fireworx Maiden as I first glimpsed her--she seems to be smiling!

Fragrance Faery

Here is a closeup of a this fairy's lovely crown.  This drawing is the size of a baseball card.  I love how the detail pops. 

Have a lovely day!

Beneath the Arch

I found the model for this wonderful archway in a pioneer graveyard located in Shasta, California. I've never seen so many gravestones of people who lived over 100 years old--and not just back when people had worked very hard and their lives were shorter--but in recent times.  I wonder if there is something in the water?

These two are great friends. One is a faery, one human--yet their worlds intermingle. 

Elea Repose - Illustration Friday

I am laughing at myself this morning.  The topic for Illustration Friday, is "Satellite."  However, my eyes told me our topic was the Hawaiian flower, Elea.  I must be getting old.  Elea Flower is the dear soul who came up with this Friday's topic!!!

I'm going to post this drawing anyhow. I could not find many facts about this beautiful flower online. It is a lovely bloom.  The soft pinks and gentle swirls of this flower reminded me of baby's faces.  Hence the title Elea Repose.

For more wonderful artwork please visit Illustration Friday!

Lion in the Skies

I have always loved lions.

Since I read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe as a young woman, Aslan has remained close to my heart. Here you see him in the clouds. He is wise, noble and gentle, but strong and fierce if need be.

Above you see Aslan as I first spotted him--I did have to add an ear--but you can plainly see his noble face.

My Hero

This is a drawing of my Hero. The original photo was taken by my younger brother Mark, who is a photo journalist in The Dalles. In the actual picture, Dad is tenderly looking down at his first born grandson, cradled there in his arms.

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Dad was on his own very early in life. The eldest of nine children, at a mere 18 years old, he was drafted into the US army. He was still a kid, really, when he took part in the Battle of the Bulge in WW2, parachuting down behind enemy lines.

Dad was captured by the Germans, miraculously, for nine months, he survived unspeakable conditions as a prisoner of war in a Nazi prison war camp. Bad Orb was the worst of them--Dad was 96 pounds, only skin and bones, when he arrived back home.

He is the father of six children. I am the eldest. Dad built a home for us with his own hands. All his life, he worked very hard to provide for his family. 

Dad loves birds. He whistles to them and they sing back. He's an honorary bird. They trust Dad--sometimes to the point of perching upon his shoulders.

Children of all ages are drawn to him. They know he loves them. Dad has a special way with people, too. He charms everyone he meets with a cheery comment and a twinkle in his eye. People always smile when Dad is around.

 

I have been blessed by the gentle strength, wisdom and love of my earthly Father. Because of Daddy, I see God as my dear Heavenly Father, who loves me unconditionally, disciplines me in love and who watches over me and my family every day of our lives. Because of Dad's loving example, I am able to call my Heavenly Father, Abba Daddy. 

A true hero will often say, "I'm no hero, anyone in my place, would have done the same thing." Not so. A true hero's unselfish deeds, often in the face of grave danger, are accomplished by instinct, their actions born from a nobleness of heart.

Today Dad must wear a brace because his neck hasn't healed from the accident last July.  The bones are still broken.  The miracle is he can still walk, sit, eat--he still has all movement intact.  Though this is a constant hardship for him, he still keeps going on. 

 

May God always and ever bless our Hero. Our father. Our Daddy. Our Hero.

Angel Song

I was driving along Highway 99, just past some gorgeous rolling fields of grape vines, when I saw this angel.   I pulled over to the side of the road--jumped out with my camera and clicked her photo.

As you can see from the picture above--I didn't have to enhance much!

Woman in Bark

This is a whimsical nude I found in some silvery driftwood on a beach near Lincoln City.  At first I felt a little shy to upload this organic painting--but Woman in Bark is such a phenomenal naturally beautiful piece I wanted to share her with you. I was astonished at the detail--you can see I did not have to enhance much. 

The lady seems to be painted by one of the masters of old--washed ashore in a froth of bubbles.  Perhaps she is indeed a portrait of Venus who, according to ancient myths, was born from the foam of the waves.
 

Above you see her as I first saw her, the Woman in Bark.

Leaf Me Alone - ACEO

This is a miniature of one of my favorite pen and inks.  I added color with my beloved Prismacolor pencils.  I especially like the leaves she hides behind--the picture lends itself perfectly to the title Leaf Me Alone!

I hope everyone out there is having a lovely day today.  For the second year past the half century mark, this day has been remarkably wonderful.  These and more are available at My Etsy Shop, Beth's Artworx.

Fragile - ACEO

This is another of the Artist Cards I've made.  Some of you have asked if I will have these up for sale.  The answer is YES!  In a couple of weeks I hope to have a little online "shop"-- which will be a dream come true for me.

This ACEO is one of my favorites.  The girl's face is so lovely and the colors came out very well--she seems truly Fragile.   I love the small size of these cards 2.5 x 3.4 inches--the detail I can put into them is just amazing for their tiny size.

I like them so much, it's hard to think about selling them!  Though the scanner doesn't do the real thing justice (the colors are much richer and smooth in real life), I still thank heaven for scanners!

Thank you everyone for all your encouragement.  It means quite a lot to me.  You can see this and other ACEOs at My Etsy Shop at Beth's Artworx.