The Christmas Pageant watercolor on paper
The cast of the children's Christmas Pageant has two unlikely roles who are the best of friends. Peace on earth truly resides over all at this magical time of year! This is when the lion and the lamb truly come together.
Are you beginning to feel the Christmas spirit yet? It has taken me over, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head!
So you have no doubt seen a lot of little snippets, bits and bobs and pieces of my work lately. Well, all of these little glimpses have been a part of a larger picture, and I have been pursuing my dream of storytelling: I have illustrated a book! I'll share more details in the weeks to come, but until then I want to savor a beautiful melancholy-ness in my heart.
This pile represents all of the days, and minutes, and months, and weeks that I have joyfully poured into my first book. It's a wonderful feeling to actually be able to reach out and hold a piece of time like this! I can not wait until you, too, can hold this tangible form of time.
I am thankful.
Another sneak peek: Once again, the love of a true furry friend! So glad I have my sweet golden retriever to keep me company, and she just loves to have an arm wrapped 'round her!
I just adore days like this, that's probably why autumn has a special place in my heart! Warm cups of tea, pumpkins, and the smell of cinnamon. And all the while, the sound of a windy day is an enchantment to me!
A lovely little note: That bouquet that keeps popping up in my recent posts are my Mama's that she has had dried for years (a special thanks to her for letting me carefully borrow them!) I think I love a good dried flower more than the real thing sometimes!
Farmer O'Hare & Bonny Bunny: The Morning Chores 12"x10" watercolor on paper
A glimpse into the charming country life of Farmer O'Hare & Bonny Bunny. I'm convinced there could be no sweeter homestead than theirs.
Another something sweet from the same project as my deer & mushrooms. It certainly looks like that crown suits him.
An Afternoon of Hygge 8"x10" watercolor on paper
A simple practice of cozy. There's nothing like the comfort that can be found in the company of good friends and a warm bowl of hot soup.
A Definition: Hygge: (noun) A Danish word for a quality of coziness (=feeling warm, comfortable, and safe) that comes from doing simple things such as lighting candles, baking, or spending time at home with your family: You can read more about Hygge here, through this fun article courtesy of The New Yorker.
Come to find out, I've been practicing this lifestyle since I was a child, I just never knew the word for it before now.
Something I have been busy working on lately that has a lot to do with coziness. Finished watercolor to follow.
The Kindergardener Snake 8.5"x11" watercolor on paper
Here it is! The finished illustration I painted and designed for a guide on the Python computer programming language written by Mike Driscoll.
Since the subject of the project revolved around a vintage school house, mice, and a friendly snake, I titled the finished piece: The Kindergardener Snake. I had so much fun creating this little school house scene for a book on learning and teaching yourself a modern language!
Almost done with this project, and I am very much loving the mice! I'll be posting the finished illustration for this fun book cover tomorrow!
The first soft, barely-there layers of color. I love this stage of the painting process!
The beginnings of a fun project I am working on. Painting mice and a friendly snake, for a book cover on Python computer programming!
More sneaky peeks coming soon!
Sweet William 8"x10" watercolor & ink on paper
A Sweet William peddler employs the help of a friendly, obliging snail who is pulling along his little cart full of spring cheer.
Maggie Among the Magnolias 8"x10" watercolor & ink on paper
A fairy and a robin make for the best of friends. These two are singing the sweet first notes of spring.
February 10th was when I spotted the first robin in my backyard. And now, we're having a taste of spring here in Michigan this week, and I must say that I a little bird told me it was coming.
Froggie Went a-Courtin' 8"x10" watercolor & ink on paper
Miss Mousie has a pleasant surprise waiting for her outside of her front door. Froggie has come a calling for her hand, with a bouquet of waterlilies. It seemed so appropriate for a Valentine's theme, and being animals I couldn't help myself.
Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day- whether that means sharing the day with a sweetheart, a friend, family, a loyal pet, or extending some love to the natural world around us. Even if there might not be a frog outside your door with a bunch of posies, I hope today has a few special surprises for you as well! ♥ ❤
The Magical Story Hour 12"x12" watercolor & ink on paper
After building their new friend, the following day the children returned to enjoy his company again. And they all settled down for a quiet and magical story hour with their new friend. Everyone is hoping to have their favorite book read aloud, even the animals (the birds are carrying their favorite in the air!) What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!
Thinking of teaching my own snow sculptures the handy trick of reading a-loud from favorite books.
Building Friendships 12"x12" watercolor & ink on paper
One of my favorite things about the winter is being able to sculpt a jolly being from all that snow. These clever kids have thought of all of the right ingredients for making a new friend and bring him to life! (Sequel illustration to follow shortly)
Wishing happy trails to this original that has just been sent off to its new home!
I'll miss these little trick-or-treaters, good luck out there guys!!
Hope is the Thing with Feathers watercolor & ink on paper
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -" -Emily Dickinson
Making Friends with Furry Friends: Hello 9"x11" watercolor and ink on paper
Greetings. Hello. Salutations. How-do-you-do. Bonjour. Ciao. Howdy. No matter how you say it, there's nothing quite as nice as saying hello to a friend.
These two are becoming acquainted over a fence post; and I'm sure that it won't be long before the little girl will be sharing some goodies from her basket with her new pals.