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.