Paint Party Friday and a few pieces

I am a bit behind in my posting artwork lately.  I get a bit down sometimes and discouraged because my artwork doesn't seem to get anywhere.  It doesn't stop me from creating.  I can't help creating.  It is as much a part of me as breathing is a part of me.  These things just fall out of my mind and fingertips . . . it does keep me from sharing though . . .

I need to be better about that.   Here's what I've done since the last time I posted.



I was practicing my watercolor and ink painting.   SO I came up with a fairy in a teacup.  I quite like how it turned out actually . . .



Then, I have a friend who is acting in this summer's British Pageant at the Preston Temple.  She wanted a special card to share with the other's she has been working with.  This is what I came up with for her.  The title of the Pageant is "Truth Will Prevail," and it's about the church's beginnings in the UK.  (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)   I made a border of covered wagons, hand cards and sailing ships, then in the centre a family praying before they make the journey West.   All the early saints from the UK made the hazardous journey to Zion.



I've been working on an Illustrated Cookbook, so I did this . . . it's an AGA in the winter . . . cat resting on the mat in front of it . . .

 

A study watercolor of tomatoes.  I quite like it.



A tin of beans . . . can't say any more about this. It is what it is, lol.

 

Another Ink and Water color study.   I quite like this as well.   It makes a nice card for a friend.



Finally . . . she fell out of my head yesterday and landed on my paper.  I think those bunnies are quite enraptured by her story, don't you?

So that's my offering for Paint Party Friday this week.  Do hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see all the others.  There's some amazing talent there!

Thanks for looking!

Paint Party Friday, Angels and other things . . .

I've been quite into painting these little angels lately.  I do enjoy the feeling they inspire in me.  Part playful, part soulful . . . joy and sweetness and everything in between.

"Cherish what makes you YOU!"

 

I firmly believe this.   I think it is what doesn't kill us that makes us stronger, and I am grateful for all my broken bits that have been strengthened through experience.

"Courage to Grow Strong"



A little play on the words of Elizabeth Barret Browning.  No, I do not have them backwards . . . I mean to say what I say . . .

"How I do love thee!"

For all the sweetie pies in your life.



More angels.  I can't get the colours to scan right on this for some reason.  I kind of like the brightness in this . . .

"Awesome just like me!"

But then again . . . more muted and with different words . . .

  

It's not so bad either.   For all the kindred spirit friends out there . . .

(Kindred Spirits.) 

Do pop over to Paint Party Friday to see what everyone else has gotten up to!

WOYWW and a lot to show . . .

 

I can't believe that I haven't posted anything for a couple of weeks!  I have gotten so slack.  I think it's probably taken me a bit longer than I thought to get back to the swing of things since my return to the UK.  Nevermind . . . I am getting there now and I have lots to show you this week!

 

I've been taking a watercolor course from Tascha which has been a lot of fun.  It's moving me out of my comfort zone for sure.  

This was card I made.  We were supposed to employ a few different techniques with this, using crayons, inks, pencil crayons, gel pens, washes.   Not sure that I like it, but . . .



Then I was supposed to do something which employed the skill of using a masking liquid.  So I did words on this cat, a cat is a cat . . . and that is that!   I think the cat turned out great, but I am not loving the Beret.



Then we were supposed to use a whole big letter in a painting.  So I did this.  I think this is getting better, but not happy with the colours . . .
 I know . . . nit-picking . . .

But I've not just been working on course work.  I've also been working on hand-painted post cards, which are for sale by the way.  I might become famous one day, so they could be an investment, who knows!  (dreaming here!)



I put words on this one . . .



No words on this one . . . not yet anyways.  Still trying to find the right ones . . .

 

and I've been working on illustrations for a new cookbook project I am working on.  This one's not finished yet.  I still have to paint in the shelves above the AGA and the cat laying on the mat in front of it . . .



A warm cup of grog . . .



Pears and peppercorns . . . I know . . . lose the peppercorns . . .



Sunflower and words . . .

And then just a little something to make you smile . . .



Hope you're having a great Wednesday!  





Do hop on over to The Stamping Ground to see all the other entries for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday!

Paint Party Friday and lots to see

As most of you know I have spent the past six weeks in Nova Scotia helping my mother to recover from a recent surgery. I did manage to get a lot of art work done while I was there, but couldn't get it scanned until I got home. This today is only a portion of it. I still have more to scan, believe it or not! I was very productive!

First up, I got started on my Christmas Card Line  for 2013!



Do You See What I See?

Based on the carol.

 

What Can I Give Him?

Again the carol



It's Beginning to Look

Another carol



Angels We have Heard



Dashing Through the Snow

I didn't just to Christmas Cards though.  I also did a few muses . . .



Stars Make Me Dream



The Prayers of Righteous Mothers



You Can See The Stars



Keep Your Face to the Sun



Places of Enchantment

So anyways that's my post for todays Paint Party Friday.   Hop on over to the Paint Party Friday blog to check out the other entries.  There's always a lot of talent to oggle!

Thanks for looking!  Have a great day!

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

Source: Uploaded by user via U.Tuğçe on Pinterest

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.