Blue Bird

Learning, learning, learning.

I learned all over again that I MUCH PREFER oils to acrylics.  I learned that straight lines are really hard to paint.  I learned that sometimes you need to tweak the composition and not EXACTLY follow the photo.

After learning all that, I think I love it!

More From My Sketchbook

 

I've had some time to doodle lately...which is both good and bad.  The first drawing was delightful...it was a quiet evening, just hanging out, enjoying a nice fire, and doodling!  The SECOND though...whew!!  I was stuck in the orthodontists office for 2 stinking hours!  Of course, I wasn't the one suffering with my mouth stretched open...that was Murphy.  But I had nothing to do, and the magazines make me want to poke my eyes out.


So I drew!  Looking out the ortho's window is a lovely view of Pikes Peak.  I even threw in the window frame and the curtains for good measure!

Painting Cabinet Doors

Interesting frame, don't you think??

My father is a kitchen designer for Welbourne Cabinets (I think I spelled that right?!) out of Tennessee.  Every once in awhile he has a customer who orders a distressed cabinet style...and then when the cabinets come in they're a bit "too" distressed.  So my dad orders a new cabinet door to replace the offending one.  But the company doesn't want the first door back.  So there has been a moderately steady supply of cabinet doors through my parent's house.

This one just struck my fancy.  What can you do with a cabinet door...no holes drilled yet for the hardware...but a lovely knot hole right in the center of the door!?  And what about that lovely 6" crack?  Well you've got to paint it of course!!  If you look closely, there's a real life knot hole in the tree.  Just the perfect place for a pixie to live.

The cabinet door itself is as smooth as can be...a lovely surface to paint on!  The back of the door looks a little odd, because it's prepped (but not drilled) for hinges.  I just ignore that!  Just paint away, and you've got a piece already framed and ready to hang!

A Page From My Sketchbook

Unless you're really good, and really fast, I don't see how you can draw a dog from life...that is, when they're awake.  So, since I'm neither really good nor fast, I sketch our dogs when they're ASLEEP.  Lovely, still models!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas is about more than our winter decorations, and fun family gatherings.  It's the celebration of the birth of the Savior of all mankind.  The coming of Jesus changed everything.

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."  (Colossians 1:13,14)

Beautiful.

God becoming man is something I don't think I'll ever fully understand while I'm still alive on this earth.  But even though I can't quite wrap my brain around it, I am THANKFUL.  Speechless sometimes, and thankful.

Experimenting

...with color!

This drawing pretty much consumed my day.  Which is no big deal, considering that there's a good 12" of snow, with more falling.  We're not going anywhere!

I drew the inked lines first, and then decided to play around with color.  I have this lovely set of fine point markers that I used to fill in between the black lines.  I can't decide if I like it or not.  It's definitely vibrant!

This bird feeder was made for us by our friend, Jim.  The top tier holds water, and the bottom two hold seed.  Only the small birds can fit, which is the point.  The grosbeaks and the stellar jays are bird seed HOGS, so this keeps them away.  To be perfectly honest, though...I can't really handle the thought of the grosbeaks and stellar jays going HUNGRY...besides the fact that they're absolutely STUNNING to look at!....so we have a standard feeder that they can fit into!

...and a little redemption?!

I know, I know.  I wasn't going to do anything to the snowflakes.  I was sick of the snowflakes.  I thought there was  no hope for the snowflakes.

I guess I was wrong, because this is MUCH better!  Still in-accurate in the science world, but much easier to look at!

Failure!

This is a failure on so many levels!

I started out to draw snowflakes, but then realized that I don't know the snowflake law.  I think they can only have a certain number of points.  So I'm pretty sure my snowflakes are all wrong. 

Then, I didn't use a straight-edge of any sort, so my lines are certainly less than accurate. 

Then, I didn't realize how much the blue would over-power the purple. 

Then I discovered half-way into the blue that the pen was less than desirable.  The little tip had pushed up into the body of the  pen too much, and it required me to hold the pen absolutely upright to get any ink out of it.  Which gave me significant hand cramps.  Which led to me LONGING to just FINISH THIS ALREADY!  So the blue lines are less than straight, and less than uniform, and generally sloppy.

It has occurred to me that I could possibly save this drawing by going in and darkening up the purple lines.  But I'm really, really, really sick of snowflakes right now.  And that has nothing to do with the weather!

So there you have it!  Happy winter, anyways!

Water Lilies

Over a year ago I was blessed with a trip to North Carolina with my sis and my mom.  We visited family there, and they took us to their botanical gardens which is where I got the reference pic for these pieces.  Water lilies don't exactly thrive in the mountains of Colorado!

I did the colored pencil sketch this past February, and was only mildly pleased.  This past week I resurrected the reference picture and attempted to paint it.  It's pretty doggone rough, but I'm hoping I've learned SOMETHING.  Like the fact that water is REALLY HARD to paint.  Really.  Hard.

Last night I "doodled" the ink drawing.  It was by far the most fun to do, although I ended up with a hand cramp by the time I was done!

Warm and Cozy

Those of you who know me know that I sort of have orangutan arms.  Getting sleeves long enough (and keeping them long enough after multiple washes!) requires some effort.  So, of course, my definition of warm and cozy includes having my cuffs come down past my wrists!

I started this in the middle of a 2-hour meeting and finished it at home in front of a wonderful fire in the wood-burning stove.  I have a friend who chews me out for drawing in my moleskine, saying that I can never mat and frame this!  But I suppose the truth is that I draw these for the value it gives to my spirit, not for selling. 

Leopold

I'm pretty sure this guy's name is Leopold.  He just looks like a Leopold to me.  He lives at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  I drew this last night while watching a presidential debate.  Clearly I needed a healthy distraction!  I guess this is what a giraffe might look like if giraffes got tattoos!

Stormy Highway

I painted this 2 years ago.  Don't you just love a stormy sky?  The blues completely alter, turning into something almost midnight looking, and then the bright spots really, really stand out.  Yellow is stunning against a dark blue or purple!  I'm not sure how I did it, but I love how the stripes on the highway stand out.  I think this road might belong in Kansas.

Christmas Gifts

How do you decide which print to give to someone for Christmas?  I have a whole stash, and as I thumbed through it trying to pick one it dawned on me...sometimes I don't really KNOW my friends.  Isn't that pathetic?!  There are those beautiful times when I'm really paying attention, and THEN I KNOW.  But in the waxing and waning of life, it's easy to NOT pay attention.  So, when gift time rolls around, I find myself bereft of ideas!

I hope they like it!

Paper Murphy

I found this on my desk the other day.  I think Murphy was bored!! Self-portrait, perhaps?

Christmas Lights

I painted this yesterday.  My hubby asked me, "Why did you paint a light bulb?"  (you can imagine the tone of voice here).

My answer?

1.  Because I wanted to see if I could.
2.  Because it's my response to "christmas run amock".
3.  Because I was playing around with a new kind of paint.
4.  All of the above.

You choose!

Coffee Cup Rings

I  painted this a long time ago.  Mostly I was just playing with watercolors, but by the time I was finished it was a poignant picture (to me) of how our lives touch each other.

We get together.  Maybe over coffee.  And we talk and laugh.  We share stories, and speak courage.  And our coffee cups leave a ring behind on the table.  Just like we leave a mark on each others lives.  Sometimes our stories blend, making a whole new color.  Sometimes brilliant spots stand out.  It can be a little bit messy, but always beautiful.  All orchestrated and mixed by the loving sovereignty of God.  He is the consummate artist.

A Little Perspective

 

Every once in awhile we need to slow down life and realize some fundamental truths. This quote is from the book of Job.  It's God speaking.  It reminds me of something important:

 

Who I am.

And WHO GOD IS.

And what it took to bring us together.

I am small.  And God is not.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Not exactly a turkey with all the trimmings!  I drew this last night.  I love the circles in the burger patty.  Do you suppose the fast food places make ANY money on Thanksgiving?  Are they even open?  I guess I'm a purist, but I can't fathom eating a burger instead of turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!  May you revel in God's kindness to you!

Flowers in Glass

Shame on me!!!  I found the reference pic for this painting in a magazine, which probably isn't the most ethical thing to do.  I tweaked it significantly, which speaks grace all over me.

The water bothers me.  The glass vase bothers me.  But I love the flower!!  And I love the background!

This is currently hanging in a friend's home, which is delightful.

A Day at the Beach

Living in  Colorado, beaches are a mite rare.

However, we do have a fantastic combination of sand, and dunes, and snow-capped mountains in the background!  A few years ago we went camping at the Great Sand Dunes, where we played in the sand, mucked about in the water (from the snow melt coming down from the nearby mountains), and generally had a great time.  That's where I got the reference pic for this painting.

I think we need to go back!

The Process

I thought I'd show you the process!!  It was great fun.  I started with a black canvas and just went to work.  The colors really pop against the black, don't they?  This is sort of backwards painting, because I painted all the light spots, and left the black canvas to show through on the dark spots.  My friend Lois taught me how to do it.  Thanks Lo!

Here's the finished product:

This is a commissioned piece, which means it leaves my house on Tuesday.  I may have to paint another one just to keep!

(the previous post was practice for this one.  You notice I HAD to get more blue sky in it.  After all, that's one of the things I love about  Colorado.  The skies are almost NEVER gray!)

Playing Around

So today, while I was waiting for some paint to dry, I decided NOT to live the cliche!  I was NOT going to give in to boredom!  So I got out another canvas and decided to play around.  And this was the result!  I love, love, love it!  Who knew a painting doesn't need a ton of planning, and preliminary sketches, and another photo shoot, and more sketches, and then some color sketches .... JUST PAINT ALREADY!!

From the Archives

I painted this almost a year ago, mostly just to play with some canvas sheets that I found in a pile of old art supplies.  I called it "I Will Fear No Evil."

Sometimes God asks us to do things that we find daunting, even frightening.  Perhaps impossible.  Maybe horrifying.  Somewhere, on the other side of that mess of brambles and thorns, there's something delightful.  Hope.  Peace.  Eternity.  It suddenly makes the mess of brambles bearable.

Psalm 121

This is really the best way to spend a Bronco's football game.  A little bit of lulling noise in the background, a few disrespectful comments from my hubby, and doodling away.  A lovely Sunday afternoon!

The whole psalm makes for great reading:

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

He will keep your soul.

The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in

From this time forth and forever.

THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR SOUL!  Good news.

What Have I Been Working On?

This is the initial sketch for a  painting I've been asked to do.  Imagine a brilliant blue sky, empty black aspen branches, and brilliant yellow leaves with a touch of red.  Today's the day I get to go buy the canvas, and then I get to start painting on Monday!

These two are rough sketches for a different client.  He wants images for his church that depict our reaching out to the world, our worship of God, and our service to others.  I'm still doing a lot of prep work on this project, which is why you don't see an image yet for our service to others!

Other Blogs

My friend Kelley has a blog.  It's delightful.  Simple, yet profound.  She weaves words together beautifully.  Just brief thoughts, with meaning that sticks with you for days.

Just today she used THIS DRAWING to illustrate her point.  And I feel well loved!  Go check it out...she's definitely worth the time. 

http://kelleyjleigh.wordpress.com/

SOLD!

Can you hear me taking a deep breath?  The month of October was consumed by all the preparations for the art sale, and now IT'S DONE.  And I'm sitting here believing that I have nothing to do (of course, that's not true....I'll move on to the rest of my life in just a little bit!).

The sale went far beyond all my expectations.  I've been thinking and thinking, trying to come up with the words to describe it, and so far, all I have is a list of how I FELT as the day progressed:

stunned

amazed

really honored

goose-bumpy

nervous

delighted

giddy

speechless

thankful

small

speechless again

very small

child-like

Thank you, everyone who clearly loves me.  You surprised me over and over again.  And God grew bigger.

Also, there's a story linked to the sale of this pencil sketch.  I have to ask the purchaser if we can share it.  I'll let you know.

FOR SALE!!

Yes, this original ink drawing is for sale!!!  Not long ago I told you about an art sale that I'm having with my artist friend Kristen Simons.  I SO, SO wish I had an image on my computer of her work to show you.  Instead you'll have to visit her etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/kristensimons to see her work.  OR, better yet, you can come to our sale!

This saturday (the 22nd), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 744 Blue Spruce Street in Woodland Park.

Lots of cool fine art prints, some nicely framed originals (like the one above), and a whole boat-load of greeting cards.  Oh!  And cookies!

On a side note, I called this drawing "Eight".  It seemed fitting, somehow.  I think it's one of my favorite ink drawings to date!

From the Archives

I painted this years ago...maybe 2003?  It's a quirky painting made up of an odd combination of ink (the black) and watercolor, with a small bit of cutting and pasting added in for good measure.  The biggest of the white spots were made using bubble wrap....although it's been awhile, and I'm not sure I remember all the details! Strange, but true!

It was really meant to be a fun project, and I don't know that I ever intended for it to hang on a wall.  But my mother seemed to love it, so it's now framed and hanging in her living room.   Mothers make for great cheer-leaders!!

Pikes Peak!

This was commissioned by a friend a really long time ago.  It took awhile to find the right reference picture...which is funny, considering I look at this mountain every single day!  Once we agreed on the pic, I fell off the ladder!  So this job was delayed repeatedly.

But now it's done!  We took it to the framer yesterday, and within the week it should be ready to hang on the wall.  To quote my sister-in-law, closure is good!

God, the Multiplier

I painted this for a friend a year ago.  She gave me the quote but gave me freedom over the image.  I wanted to paint the idea of God multiplying our small obediences.  My first thought was to paint a purple thistle.  You get just ONE of those that goes to seed, and the following year you'll have a yard-full!  And the thistle itself is pretty beautiful...all rich purple.  I even went for a drive and got a bunch of reference photos.

But as I was standing in front of my easel, I discovered that I couldn't bring myself to paint a weed for this friend!!  So I went hunting for a different idea, and landed on scrub oak instead.  They're magnificent in the fall, and they really can take over a hillside.

One step of obedience to God, and He goes to work and multiplies it.  I love the thought.

Imagine the Color

Today I went to Mueller State Park with two friends to paint.  Well, they painted.  I drew.  It was delightful.  Warm.  Just the slightest breeze here and there.  The dirt smelled good.  The trees are changing with enthusiasm!  Which is why I call this "Imagine the Color"...an ink drawing is great fun to do, but it can never communicate the beauty of God's palette!

Gnarled Watercolor

There's something about a gnarly old tree that just begs to be sketched...or painted...or sketched again.  I'm not sure how many times I've done a similar subject, but I love it every time.

And don't you just wonder what's over the hill?

SALE!!! COME ONE, COME ALL!!

Mark your calendars!!

A friend of mine has been selling her artwork at Art Fairs around the state for the past two summers.  This fall she decided to have an Art Sale and Reception in her home, and she has NAGGED me to join her.  I had to use that word, just to get her goat!!  Seriously, she very graciously invited me to join her and sell my ink drawings (originals as well as prints).

So, if you're looking for the perfect piece to put in that little wall space....or if you need a decidedly unique Christmas present....then come to our sale!  We'll have numbered, signed prints...matted or framed...some originals...individual greeting cards.  And hot apple cider!  And coffee!  And fresh chocolate chip cookies!  And some other form of goodies, I'm sure.  Because we can't help ourselves.

The grand event will take place Saturday, October 22nd in Woodland Park.  I'll give you more info as the day gets closer.

Hathaway Family Tree

Not long ago I told you that I missed my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.  Well, sort of.  I started working on this the DAY OF their anniversary, and finished it about a week late...and then my sis went and had it framed...and we just gave it to them last Sunday.

It was great fun to do.  Although, this is the third attempt, I think.  The first one had everyone's birth dates squeezed in, and I decided it was too crowded.  So I started over.  The second one was looking great until I realized that I had smudged the ink up by Caleb's name.  So I started over again!  The third one was accident free!

I think my parents liked it.  Fifty years is a beautiful thing, and I'm thankful to God for His faithfulness throughout the generations!

Mr. Bland

I was going to say that I started this last week, and it's unfinished....blah, blah, blah.

But the more I look at it, the more it cracks me up.  The guy on the right is clearly wondering what happened to his clothes!  Maybe he was still half-asleep when he left the house this morning?

The Lord Bless You

These are "sketches" I did awhile back for a prospective client.  They wanted scripture, and a beach theme.  These verses are from Numbers 6 in the Old Testament, and have always been favorites of mine.  They're a paraphrased version, which ended up being necessary to make the words fit on the canvases.  I left out the phrase, 'The Lord lift up His countenance on you.'

The job never came to fruition, but I have delightful sketches in my portfolio, so I'm happy.  I love the feet on the frog!

Brown Flower??

Is there something disturbing about a brown flower?  I'm not quite sure what I think about that.  I keep telling myself it's sepia....you know, like the old time photos.  But there's no escaping the fact that this is a brown flower.  In fact the more I look at it, the less I like it!  Ah well.

Up On The Roof

This is Murphy.  It was a lovely summer day and he wanted a sunny spot to read his extremely fat book.  We lived in Narnia at the time...you know, always winter and never Christmas.  At least that's what it felt like because there were SO many trees.  So finding a sunny spot wasn't always easy.  On this particular day Murphy climbed up on the roof, which made for a fantastic picture!  And, of course that made for a fantastic drawing!