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.

Love's Eternal Kiss -Paint Party Friday

I attended the wedding of Tony and Melissa last week.  It was a beautiful wedding, one I will always remember.  This is my wedding gift to them.  It isn't finished yet, but when it is, I think it will be beautiful.

Above you see my reference photo.  Taking pictures of this lovely couple was SO much fun.  This is one of my favorites.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely 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.

Best Friends -Paint Party Friday

I am indeed blessed by friendship.  I don't know what I would have done without the prayers, help and encouragement of my Friends during this time in my life.  This lineart drawing is a celebration of Friends--Best Friends. 

 

Above you see my wonderful reference picture.  I adore these two young ladies.  They are my beautiful models, Rena and Heather.  I treasure their friendship.  This lineart piece turned out better than I'd ever hoped.  When I add color, the girls will each get a print.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely 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.

Hope of my Heart -Paint Party Friday

It is time for me to post another of my Cloud Paintings.  As long as I can remember, I have admired artwork found in Nature itself--its beauty authored by the Creator.  I even dreamed of painting a sunset with Him someday.  I'm sure God smiled over that dream.  

In 2007, I nearly died of MRSA.  Two hours more, and I would have lost my leg, my life, or both.  I  prayed that God would let me live. Not long afterward, my family bought a camera for me.  The gift I was given after my brush with death, allows me to see things hidden in nature.   

Years ago, looking into the sky, I caught sight of this beautiful young man, who looks so much like my own dear son.

This morning I was thinking about how important hope is to each of us.  I am so grateful God has given me a heart of hope.  Life would not be worth living without hope.  I am so glad He is the God of hope, and I do not walk my life's path alone.

Above you see the original cloud as I captured it with my camera. 

Have a lovely day, dear Friends--My prayer for you, is that you will live in the Hope God gives to each of us.  Hope lives.

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

Something More -Paint Party Friday

I lost my sweet younger brother to cancer in early 2002.  We were only a little under fourteen months apart in age.  I have always expressed my feelings through my art--in my grief I began to paint Dow's hands.  As I did so--the picture became something more.

This painting, though from a long time ago, seemed perfect for Easter weekend--a time when many of us celebrate God's gift of hope.  Indeed, I know will see my Beloved husband, my little Brother and my Daddy again someday.  

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

Wrapped in His Feathers -Paint Party Friday

I was going through some piles of my old artwork when I found a drawing I'd penciled onto lined paper, dated the year 2000.  The drawing struck such a chord in my heart, I put the idea to paper once again. 

My life has been so different since my husband passed away recently.  I have run into the arms of Him Who loves me so many times over the past few months.  Ah, He covers me with His feathers and keeps me safe, next to His heart.

He will cover you with His feathers, 

and under His wings you will find refuge; 

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

~Psalm 94:1

A Song of David 

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely artists and beautiful people. Thank you for dropping by.

Kitty Cat Cloud

It has been awhile since I posted one of my cloud paintings, so here he is--this sweet little Kitty Cat Cloud.  I love how his ears turned out.  What a cutie.  I do so adore cats.  (grin)

Above you see this beautiful little fellow as I first saw him, floating and stretching across the skies.

Have a lovely week, dear Friends.  Eyes to the Skies!!!  You never know what you will see.

Grapevine Princess -Paint Party Friday

I was inspired by an Art Nouveau border I found online.  I've made it my own, but I can't claim full credit.  I have done a lot of doodling in my sketchbook lately, and this is one of my most recent graphite drawings. I like the look on this lovely girl's face.  I caught something beautifully appealing here--but with such a lovely model, I am not surprised.

Above you see my wonderful model Rena.  I love the way the camera sees her.  Her beauty is that of the old Greek statues.  How blessed I am by her friendship!  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely artists and beautiful people. Thank you for dropping by.

Crown of Vetch -Paint Party Friday

This colored pencil drawing is of my niece.  She is a free spirit like me, with a grand imagination and a love for the Forest and all things faery.  Flora is a wonderful little friend and I love her very much.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, spring is in the air.  The trees are bright with blossoms.  There are flowers springing from the earth and the birds are trilling their spring songs.  It is a beautiful day today.  I am posting this picture, because on the other side of the country--you all have snow!  I'm envious of your snow, as I am sure you must be envious of our spring blossoms.  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely people. Thank you for dropping by.

Springtime Beauty -Paint Party Friday

One of my favorite artists is Alphonse Mucha.  He has been an inspiration since the day I saw his incredible artwork.  

Inspired by Mucha, this is my Spring Beauty.  She has been tiptoeing through the Pacific Northwest all this week.  The fruit trees are in full bloom--they've peeking out since before mid-January.  I can't recall an earlier Spring.  Glorious pink flowerings against a slate grey Oregon sky makes a perfectly lovely combination!  Here my Springtime girl is wrapped in grape vines.

Above you see my beautiful model, Rena.  She is not only a dear friend, but the camera loves everything she does.  

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you lovely people. Thank you for dropping by.

Kitty Surprise -Paint Party Friday

I've posted this before.  This is one of my favorite drawings from long ago, so I would put it up again.  It is hard to believe so much time has passed since I drew this picture.

I'm not sure who is the most surprised, the faery, or the kitty cat! In my mind's eye, this is one of the faeries who frequent my garden--I am sure there have been more than one skirmish between cat and fairy folk over the years. It is my belief the winged ones love teasing the cats.

I know, I know--I have a GREAT imagination!

I did the first part of this drawing in graphite. Once that was done, I carefully drew in the lines using India ink. Once the ink was good and dry, I erased the pencil lines and used my beloved Prismacolor pencils to achieve the bright effect you see here.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful people. Thank you for dropping by.

Stars in the Desert -Paint Party Friday

Here is a recent graphite drawing from my sketchbook.  I have started drawing again in earnest.  My fingers are not near as stiff as they were--I believe my inability to draw had much to do with mourning the loss of my Beloved.   I was frozen for awhile.

Sometimes the road I travel is rocky and full of tears.  But then I remember to look up at the stars and to Him Who made the Heavens.   He is the Creator Who loves me and walks with me. 

For the twinkles in the skies, I used the Star of David.  I love the way the star looks--so perfectly balanced and beautiful.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful people. Thank you for dropping by.

Wilderness Walker -Paint Party Friday

I am so grateful to the Friends who have walked by my side through this awful time in my life. You know who you are, and I love you. ((hugs)) 

This path we tread is difficult, but with each step we bear each other's sorrows.  We shoulder one another's burdens--sharing the great adventure yet to come.  Though hard times will be a part of what is ahead, we will walk hand in hand with God, together.

This is an acrostic I wrote long ago.  It perfectly describes where I am right now, and inspired the drawing you see above (which I finished yesterday).

WILDERNESS WALKER

                       T  he desert blooms

                   H  ealing the heart.

                   E  ncouraging fragrance

                        W  ill new things spring forth?

                        I   long to know it.

                        L  et me watch the blooming.

                        D  esert Redeemer

                        E   mbracing me.

                        R  iver Maker

                        N  ew things shall spring forth

                        E  ternal Trail Breaker

                        S  trength to walk the path before me

                        S  afe in His hands.

                   ~Copyright ©1995 by Beth L. Niquette

"Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.  Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert...The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare my praise."  ~Isaiah 43:18, 19, 21

Thank you for dropping by, dear Friends.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

                                                                                                      

Loyalty Through Hardship -Paint Party Friday

This will be my third piece of art since my husband left for heaven recently.  This is a watercolor I painted New Year's Evening. There is a fun fact about this drawing.  The circle part of this, was created by a tea cup saucer!  (grin)

Rena and Heather were my lovely models for this painting.  They are so dear in every way.  I painted this picture for them as a late Christmas gift.  I am blessed by their friendship!

Thank you so much for dropping by!  Happy New Year, sweet Friends.  May God bless you with strength, peace and joy this coming year and beyond.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Sky Dreamer -Paint Party Friday

This dreamer in the sky was made especially for a young friend of mine named Emily. She has a bit of the dreamer in her eyes.

Above you see the sky dreamer as I first caught her floating along the cloud's edges.

Thank you so much for dropping by!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

The Lady and the Lambs -Paint Party Friday

This is a graphite rendering from 2005, of an old picture my Mother loved. It was a gift from long ago--the person who gave it to Mums said she looked just like this beautiful woman. It is true! Indeed, in her younger years, Mumsie was beautiful--but not in the classical sense. She is still lovely--a stately yet mischievous and fun lady whom everyone loves.

Years ago, when color programs were first coming out, I scanned my sketch into the computer, then played with the paint programs. I was astonished to see so much color coming from a grey and white graphite drawing--I saved the results. But after that, any attempts to recreate these color patterns failed. I wonder . . .

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May the joy and beauty of Christmas permeate your lives--even through great tragedy and loss.  God is good. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thank you so much for dropping by!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!