Wishing You The Best This Holiday Season!

Hi, Friends! Can you believe that the holiday season is here already and 2023 is just around the corner?

Because I’ve never painted a portrait but wanted to use this on the front of our Christmas card, drawing and painting of the Holy Mother and Child began in August just in case I had to find a back-up idea. We saw this statue of Mary and Jesus at Castel Gandolfo‘s St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church when we visited Italy in 2015. I was taken by the detail and beauty this statue evoked but knew I wasn’t skilled enough to try it until this year, and even then, I reluctantly painted and put it away a few times while reflecting on how to do the best I could.

Holy Mother and Child Statue

From our home to yours, may you have a very peaceful, joyful, and relaxed holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy New Year, and Happy all other occasions celebrated this time of year. May 2023 be kind to all of us! ❤

Draw A Bird, August 2022

The bobwhite is a type of quail that lives in open fields and brushy boarders. Unfortunately, the bobwhite population has decreased by almost 85% over the last many years, thought to be due to the use of pesticides and habitat loss.

Bobwhite

These ground birds roost in “coveys” of 3 or more in a close-packed, outward-facing circle, their tails pointed toward the center, providing them with protection and warmth. If you’ve ever heard a bobwhite call, you’d know it right away because it sounds like they clearly are saying “bob-white.”

How has your August been? It is hot and humid here, but in the next month or so I am looking forward to cooler autumn temperatures. Take care ❤

Draw A Bird, August 2020

I can almost hear the shrill squawk of this spirited, sassy seagull!

Squawking Seagull

This reference photo made me LOL at first sight, and I hope this painting made you laugh, too! Happy Draw A Bird Day, August 2020 edition. Be well!

Draw A Bird, February 2020

Gosh, how quickly a month rolls around. I’ve had the itch lately to do some early spring cleaning and purging around the house, which has eaten into my art time!

At least I’ve been going to my weekly art club and started a series of animal paintings. I am working on water animals first, starting with this paddling penguin. These birds make me smile with their funny antics and quick underwater maneuvers.

Paddling Penguin

Hope your winter has been gentle in all ways, and here’s hoping spring is right around the corner (and that I am almost finished with the spring cleaning!).

Chipmunk

This is a special chipmunk card I painted as a birthday greeting for my sister-in-law, Julie.

Chipmunk Card

She enjoys watching the chipmunks in her yard as much as I enjoy watching our squirrels, and I’ve painted a chipmunk for her each January for many years now (I’ve lost count). Julie, I hope your birthday is extra special this year!

It’s My Blogiversary

WordPress alerted me that this week marks the sixth year since my first blog post, aka a blogiversary. The first few years were dedicated mostly to my beloved card making papercraft, and while I still enjoy making cards, I now spend more time working on my watercolor skills and techniques.

Happy Puppy

Because this blog began with card making, it seems fitting to share what I made last week at a craft retreat.

Garden Gate

These cards were made with stamps that are pieced together to create little vignettes suitable for card fronts. They are “inked” with waterbased markers and then “watercolored” around the edges of the images with a damp brush to give them a painterly look.

Really, these stamps were probably a gateway into my wanting to paint on a bigger scale, and it’s fun to go back and use them every so often.

Bird Bath

Thanks to everyone who follows my blog and especially those who have taken time to leave a like or a comment.

Sleeping Puppy

I’ve found that followers/bloggers are some of the sweetest, most encouraging and passionate folks and am glad to have gotten to know so many of you over the years. Here’s to a seventh year of blogging and creativity!

Rustic Barn Scene

Meet Sadie

This is Sadie, a rescue that belongs to my daughter-in-law and son, which makes her my granddog 🙂

Meet Sadie

Sadie’s bark is much bigger than her bite, and although she is a large-sized pooch, she thinks she is a lap dog and loves to cuddle. I enjoyed the challenge of painting her lighter fur colors and hope Maura was happy with Sadie’s portrait for her birthday gift. Happy birthday, Maura! ❤