WOYWW and a variety of watercolor bits

 

Sorry I haven't been posting, but I've been busy getting ready for my trip to Canada.  I leave tomorrow!  So I won't be around for about six weeks, but hoping that I will get a bit of painting in when I am away.  In the meantime I will leave you with this.  This is what's been happening on my work station since I last posted.  Enjoy!



Sometimes I just get carried away . . . a little watercolor which is being sent to an art auction/benefit/gallery showing in NYC.  It's only six by six inches, which was a bit of a challenge, but one that I enjoyed!

 

Next was a little painting I did after the Spring General Conference of my church.  It is for the Young Women.   It's also a watercolor, and contains a fab quote from a past YW President and all of the Young Women's Values.



Another small watercolor.  I am practicing doing faces in watercolor.  I think I am getting better at it.  In any case I am enjoying myself!

 

And finally another water colour f a girl on a swing.   I'd like to fly like a Dove too.

This is the last you will hear from me for about six weeks.   Hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see what all the other talented people have been up to this week!

Bye bye for now!

WOYWW . . . this and that

I've had a bit of a busy week art-wise this last week of March 2013 . . . hard to believe it's already almost April.  Wherever has the year gone? 

First up is this little painting I did the other day of a fairy sitting on the back of a little Jenny Wren . . . called "Fruits of the Spirit."  I do so really enjoy painting birds and fairies along with the inspiration of God's word . . . and when I can combine all three I get really excited!   I think this is my favourite one of all time . . .



Then I got all whimsical one day and "Paper-Dolled" us.  That's me on the left and our fur baby Mitzie, and of course the Toddster.   I quite enjoyed this.  I reckon I could "Paper-Doll" just about any family.  Wouldn't that make fab personalized gifts for someone on their special occasions?   I don't know!  They're articulated too, meaning their limbs move so you can pose them.   I want to make myself a pair of wings and a cowboy hat for Todd . . . those are two things we've always really wanted.





And finally this came out of my head yesterday afternoon.  It's a fairy hanging out her wash . . . her laundry basket is a walnut shell, and the clothesline pole a sweet-pea.   I'm not sure which wings are my favourite . . . but I love that she is up to date fashion wise . . . and never has to wear the same thing day in and day out, don't you?

Why not pop on over to The Stamping Ground to see what's on everyone else's Work-desk today?   You are sure to be amazed.

Thanks ever so much for popping in to see what I'm up to!   You make my day every time that you do!

Paint Party Friday . . . Gratitude, Thy Servant Heareth

So this week I got a few new pieces done.    I love it when I have lots of time to play.   It makes me smile.

My first piece was this one.

 

On Wednesday I had Spring and fairies very much on my mind.   That sometimes happens . . .
Especially when it's spring . . . and the cherry tree down the end of the street is about to burst into bloom and make us all smile in the special way that it does.    I love it in the spring time when it looks like it's snowing, but it's not . . . it's just petals falling . . .

Mind today it is actually snowing.    Spring magic . . .




And then this was yesterday . . . I was in a spiritual place.   I love it when that happens too . . . because I love feasting on the word of God.   That kind of nourishment never gets old . . . and it's not fattening either . . .

Do check out The Stamping Ground to see all the other entries for this week's Paint Party Friday.   There is sure to be something there that will blow your mind!

WOYWW . . . my own little world

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I never know what it going to appear when I sit down at my work station with a clean piece of paper and my paints.   I'm always just as surprised at who shows up as anyone is.  To some that big blank piece of paper might be a bit frightening . . . but to me it's an invitation and I just can't wait to get started.



I am in my own little world when I am at my work table . . . I play music to drown out anything outside my little universe . . .  open my book of quotes . . . or my scriptures . . . and then I just let whatever wants to come to life . . . come to life.

This is what came out the other day.   I sat down to paint a Spring Primrose . . . and then I thought a baby chick . . . but look who came out instead!!   I love it when that happens.   Yellow is yellow.

This weeks entry to WOYWW.  Check out The Stamping Ground to see everyone else's.



Oh, and I sketched you a bookmark to print out and have all of your very own.   Nothing special, just a pencil sketch of a girl and her cat.

Paint Party Friday, Life, it's better with friends

Just a little watercolor I did this afternoon while I was waiting for the Toddster to come home from town.   I like crows.  They're such smart birds.   I reckon they would make as good a friend as anyone, and probably pretty loyal as well.

This is my entry for this week's Paint Party Friday.   Hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see more.  There's also an auction going on there this week to help benefit the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

WOYWW and Standing Firm in Your Faith

  To me it is just amazing how quickly the weeks seem to roll around.  One week no sooner begins and it is finished.  If I could spend all day every day painting and playing I would . . . alas . . . real life gets in the way and the playing has to wait until the more important things are done.  I suppose it is like that for everyone . . . the child in me wants to play all the time, but the adult in me . . . knows I must do what I must do.  I just wish I had more hours in my day.  Then I could please both sides of my self . . . the playful one and the responsible one.  Of course painting and drawing was my job, well then that would be perfect wouldn't it?  A gal can but dream . . .


This is my entry for this weeks What's on your Work-desk Wednesday.   Sometimes it seems like there are more rainy days in life than sunny days . . . that's when our faith comes in mighty handy and keeps us upright . . . but if we allow our faith to falter . . . well, then we truly won't stand at all.  I am very grateful for my faith which has seen me through some pretty difficult times.

I love this girls Go Go Boots.  When I was a girl I wanted a pair of Go Go Boots more than anything.   I never did get any . . . but thankfully I can draw myself a pair anytime I want to!   This is how I would have loved to look in a dream world.   Suits me to a T.  Unfortunately I had kinky hair and no Go Go Boots . . . and parents without a lot of money, and so this Mod look was only a dream.  Good thing fads pass . . .  they don't stand still do they?   Unlike faith.  Faith built on Solid Ground stands firm and never passes.

And that's my thoughts for this week.

Do hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see all of the other entries for this weeks WOYWW!   You are sure to see something which will inspire you.  Many thanks for popping by to have a look!

Paint Party Friday and the Word of God

I have a deep love for the Word of God.   I like to think of the Scriptures as being somewhat of an owner's manual for our journey here on planet earth . . . and a bit of a directional map for where we ought to want to go.   I love it when my work is inspired by the Word of God.  I think that's when my best work comes out.




I am sure many of you are familiar with this famous prose from Corinthians about Love.   One of my favourites.



As is this one from the Psalms.  Don't you just love the Psalms?  I do, and I love that our Heavenly Father knows the secrets of our hearts.

  

But my absolute favourite scripture of all is this one from Jeremiah, the weeping prophet . . . these words have carried me through many a hard row to hoe in my life.

Just what's on my work station this Paint Party Friday.   Hop on over to the Paint Party Friday blog and have a gander at all the other entries this week.  You will be amazed at what you find.  There is a fabulous lot of talent out there.  I am terribly in awe of it.  It cheers my heart.

WOYWW, Robins, Red Shoes and Scripture Love . . .

I've had a fairly busy week this week.  I like it when I am busy art-wise because it means I am doing what I love to do best of all and that is to create.  Dirty paint brushes are my favourite things and this is how I have dirtied them this past week . . .



First up was a Spring Robin.   I love the thought I put on it . . . it's all about Easter and the promise it brings to us each and every year.   I love the thought of rended chains and I am grateful for the Savior and all He did for us.

 

Next up was a little "Bouquet" of flowery girls for cupcake toppers and wraps.   I didn't realize until I was done that I had inadvertently given them the names of the sisters on "Keeping Up Appearances."    It was a happy co-incidence.



Then I had the happy opportunity to create a poster/invite for a RS group over in America.  ME   Not sure what state that is, but They had bought my Forget Me Not print and requested this for an activity they were holding this month and so I was happy to oblige them.  No charge, how could I resist doing such a service for my Sisters in the Gospel.  I had fun doing it and that's what counted.



And then there were red shoes.   I have been thinking of red shoes for a while, and the power that Dorothy found in hers in the Wizard of Oz.  When I was a girl I always wanted a pair of red shoes . . . I never got them, and so I decided to paint myself a pair . . . and just like Dorothy's they took me on a journey.

 

Last but not least . . . my favourite scripture.   I love the Scriptures.   I love how they speak to my heart and I especially love it when they inspire me and my paint brushes.  I am always amazed.   No credit to me however . . . it's my HF's doing.   He is the master at inspiration.

 

And that was what was happening on my work table this week.  What was happening on yours?

Please do hop on over to The Stamping Ground to catch up with all of the other ladies and see what that talented bunch has been up to this week.

Little Red on a Paint Party Friday

Not a lot to show you on this Paint Party Friday.    I've been working on this newest paper doll.  Little Red.   I want to do a stand up background for her that is summer on one side and winter on the other.   Real life keeps getting in the way though.   I wish I could just spend all my time playing in my studio, but alas . . . I cannot.



I would love to be able to spend all week in here channeling Mary Englebreit and Joan Walsh Anglund and Susan Branch, my three art heroes . . .

 

I think sometimes I just have too many fingers in too many pies . . . but I have always been the sort who gets bored easily of the same thing day after day . . . so I need variety.  Variety is what feeds my soul . . .



I think I just love creating . . . be it a cake, or a cupcake wrapper . . . or a fairy or a little girl, or a paper doll . . . or a cloth doll, or a canvas . . .

 

It has been ever so and I hope that it never changes.



May I always see the world around me through the eyes of my creative spirit.

For more goodies to fill your eyes and soul, hop on over to Paint Party Friday to see what's on everyone else's creative mind this week!  There's a lovely featured artist there as well.   I am in awe of all the talent that is about.   Aren't we creatures just so amazing???

WOYWW - Cupcake Toppers and Easter Goodies

I don't know why but the other day Easter was on my mind and so I painted these little cupcake toppers.   They just came out . . .

 

First the bunny hopped in . . .



Followed closely by the chick . . .

 

And then the spring lamb . . . and they brought such a gentle spirit with them.  I fear I am quite in love with them . . . so much so that I couldn't resist . . .



Making a little spring coat for them to wear in the form of a cupcake wrap.   The verse on it reads:

"See the land,
her Easter keeping,
Rises as her Maker rose.
Seeds so long
in darkness sleeping,
burst at last from
Winter snows."

Now I'm all set for Easter Treats . . . but I have been working on a few other cupcake toppers and wraps as well.  Stay tuned . . . also for a new paper doll.  Watch this space!

 

In the meantime do hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see what all of the other peeps have been up to!

Paint Party Friday

My goodness but the weeks seem to roll around quickly.   It's no sooner Monday than it is Friday again.   I have quite a few things to show you for the Paint Party today!

First up a new paper doll.

 

This is FiFi L'amour . . . she's a romantic paper doll with the heart of a CowGirl.   I have had ever so much fun doing her and plan on adding to her clothing range as time goes by . . .



At the moment her wardrobe is sadly lacking as I have been rather busy this week finishing up these . . .
 yes, it's more illustrations for the children's book.



This one was a bit challenging as there were so many faces in it and I wanted to make everyone look a bit different . . . like people do, no two alike.

 

This is one pretty amazing cat.   He reads.  He also looks rather lazy in this . . . but as we all know dogs have masters and cats have slaves!

 

Magic blanket anyone???



This was the real challenge . . . getting it to look like a night sky and like they were actually flying above a city.  I wish so much I could have gone to art school, because then I would actually know what I am doing.

 

This is one of my favourites.   He's sleeping.   I wish I could sleep that contentedly!



This has been a really fun project.  I still have a few more drawings to do . . . but it won't take long now.

I hope you've all enjoyed your visit with me here today.   Please hop on over to the Stamping Ground to see the rest of the Paint Party Friday participants.   They are a real talented bunch!

Happy Paint Party Friday and thanks ever so much for looking!

WOYWW on a Winter Wednesday

 

So, it seems that Winter is not quite ready to loosen it's grip on us just yet.  It is cold and I hear it is snowing in Wales, not five minutes from where I live . . . indeed the skies here in Chester look about ready to open up with goose-down as well.   That's life . . . each day a magical gift for us each to explore and enjoy.

This is what is keeping me busy this week . . .



First there has been a little Valentine Match Box for my husband for Valentines Day.   I had so much fun doing this . . . my brain was ticking the whole time and my heart was smiling and all a-flutter with love for this special man I am lucky enough to share my life with.



That's what a Valentine should be all about don't you think???  Love that makes your heart all a-flutter!

 

He is not perfect . . . but he's perfect to me and that makes us the perfect match I think.



Yes it is . . . very beautiful.

I have also been working on the final illustrations for the Children's book I've been working on.  Three more to go . . . which I will hopefully get done today!

 

I redid this one because I liked the softer feel of water colours for the book.   The first one I had done was in copic markers and whilst cute . . . I didn't like the feeling it put out . . . too harsh and bold.   I wanted something subtler . . . and I found it in watercolours.



You can probably tell it is a book about a sweet old lady and a cheeky cat . . . say no more!



Together they make magic . . . tis all I can say for now.

I struggled a bit with this one as I wanted to portray a night sky, but with my limited art skills it was very challenging.   I know other artists would have the know how to know how to add a night sky digitally . . . but I am also very technologically challenged and so I must do it the old fashioned way . . .

 

This week has also seen me playing with photographs taken . . .



My paper dolls . . .



And organizing my work space.   A typical week.

What have you been up to??   Why not hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see what everyone else has been up to.  There is sure to be something magical and inspiring to see there!  Such an amazingly talented group of creative people!

Thanks for looking!