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.

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???