Paint Brushes in Hand!

The globe was done for my dear friend's son for his graduation.

This one was commissioned last spring.  I love the feel of it! 

Makes me want to go out and ride my bike!

A student from Northwood University commissioned this work for the

Northwood University International Auto Show.

I am currently working on a

"Favorite Flower"

series to have

for purchase at a local studio here in town.

I donated this to raise money for a friend fighting cancer!

A Painting For A Life Well Lived

This is probably the best personally I have ever done.  So much love and so much effort went into this piece. I can truly say on this one I put everything I had to give into each brush stroke.

I decided to paint this picture of my grandfather and give it to him for his 90th birthday.  When I gave it to him, he was so proud.  I didn't do it for him to be proud of me.  I did it because I loved him and show him my love through my brush. But, to see his reaction I wouldn't exchange for all the money in the world. He loved my painting. However, I knew he loved me more. That day would be the last day I would see my grandpa this side of heaven.  He died a few short days later. But God in His loving mercy gave me a gift in return, a forever image of my grandfather permanently etched in my mind of that beautiful day.

Until we see each other again Grandpa!!!

Art and Jesus

I had this wonderful opportunity to be the speaker at the Ohio Girls Ministry retreat this past summer.  It was such a great time.  I decided to incorporate my art in my sessions.  That was such a fun challenge. I loved every minute of it.  The girls seemed to really enjoy it as well and responded to the message in ways that only God can draw people to do.   It was an amazing, stretching experience.

This painting I had covered with multiple layers of color material.  I walked through the story of grace with girls.  Each color represented how we come to know Jesus and what He can do in our lives. After I removed the last color it revealed the beautiful painting underneath.  We are all God's works of art. He has beautiful plans for us when we give our hearts to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to work in and through us. 

The next night's painting was this friendship piece. We talked about how we need to share Jesus with others.  But we can't allow our selfishness, jealousy or pride damage our testimony.  I took black paint and began to mark up the painting.  The girls gasped as I began to destroy this work of art.  But it was a great illustration on how sin slowly begins to damage the good news of Jesus and His love.  But to the girls relief I used a spray bottle, labeled the Holy Spirit, to rinse away the black paint to make it beautiful once again. What a great representation of how we can always come to God and ask for forgiveness no matter how far we stray.  He can make us clean once again.  

Get Joy

A Teacher Gift

I wanted to do something really special for my co-worker this Christmas.  She is a pre-school teacher and I am her assistant.  We worked on a really fun art project with the students.  It had a fun Eric Carle theme.  I scooped up all the scraps and saved them for this little work of art. 

It is a mixed media of the kid's tempra painted scraps and acrylics. The texture every where in this art is so fun.  I think the tree is a wonderful symbol of a child's growth in school and life in Christ.  The colors on the tree are backwards on purpose, because it is by Christ blood alone that we can have life.  What a HOPE!!!

Puppy Love

I did this piece for a friend at church this Christmas.  I just needed to paint and this is what I had to do...LOL.  Anyway, it was fun canvas to paint.  I used acrylics and some strange tools to create some fun texture.  Tools like my pick that I use for my hair, my antacid pill bottle, and my sons legos. Oh... and by the way this little guy has a perfect name, Oscar.  

Capernaum

I have been working on a special Christmas gift for my pastor and his wife.  It was really fun to do and full of wonderful symbolism.  Our pastor has been to the Holy Land 10 times and will be going again in 2 years.  He loves it there so much.  So, this is what I came up with....

The scripture in the background is from John 6. I copied the Bible passage...no actual bibles were harmed in the making of this piece of art.  

The red thread (which represents Christ through the Old and New Covenant) has olive oil from the Holy Land rubbed on it. Did you know certain oils never dry up?!  I learned that while researching it for the gift.  I thought that was pretty cool

The water color is done with water from the Jordan River and salt from the Dead Sea.

The drawing is a synagogue in Capernaum a special place that my pastor has been to. 

Hebrew words…Abba, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

I picked out the frame because it reminded me of the cross.  

I Am Written In Your Book!

 This is a beautiful project that I am working on.  It is full of healing and love for a wonderful family.  With the mom's permission,  I have linked their story here.  I know that in my guidelines I said I did not feel comfortable with these types of drawings.  But, a girl can change her mind here and there.  I needed to take this project on.  Please, take the time to go read their story about little baby Nathan and Haylee.

  This verse has ministered to the parents in a very deep way.

The two children at the top are an image that the mom found and is how she envisions Nathan and Haylee in heaven.  In the bottom right hand corner are Nathan's tiny footprints, less than an inch long.

I decided to sit down and do this picture in one sitting.  I was not sure how my emotions would handle it, since I miscarried our first child.  But, I was amazed at the deep love of God I felt while drawing each pencil line.  God loves us so much that not even death can separate us from that love.  One day they will get to meet their beautiful children as they step into God's glorious home.  Someday, John and I will also meet our child too.  What a hope we have!  We are blessed that earth is not our home, we are just passing through.  One day we will get to go home and join our loved ones as we all worship our God who is so big and strong.   

It Is A Surprise....Shhhhhhhhh!

 I started a project today!  I was pretty excited about it.  It is a house warming gift for a dear friend.  She just moved and I wanted to draw a picture of her old house of 40 years as a special memory to have in her new home.  I am pretty happy with the results. 

 I am loving my new pencils.  They are pretty awesome to work with.  

 And here is the finished product.  I plan on giving her this on Saturday.  So, if by chance you know who this is for...keep it a secret please.  LOL

 This is a great gift idea for the holidays or for someone who is moving.  It is also a great for realtor who would like to give their clients a special "Thank You" gift.  My parents realtor did this for them and they loved taking a little memory of their old home with them to their new home.  

Check out my tabs above for ordering and pricing today!  

I have another special project I am starting tomorrow.  Stop by again and check it out.

What...Another Giveaway!!!

Yes that is right! Go get your chance to win an 8x10 "Individual Pencil Portrait" by me over at one of my favorite mommy bloggers!

I'm a Lazy Mom!

And while your there check out all her "lazy mom" tips.  I promise you will love them.  

 

Giveaway!!!!!

Hey Everyone, I'm doing a 8x10 Individual Portrait giveaway over at my friend's blog.  Check it out...hurry up it ends in 2  and  1/2 days! Sign up!

I hope you enjoy her blog.  She has some really good post.

How FUN!  And be looking for another chance for another giveaway soon!

GET JOY!

Big Surprise Coming Soon!

Hey, everyone I will be doing a 

big surprise very soon. 

 Keep checking in for further details. 

I am so excited!

Celebrating!

Celebrating my new venture.....

If you place an order with me in the month of October, I will give you 10% off of your total order.

Book with me today, Christmas is quickly approaching!

Also, be on the look out for my daughter's duct tape art, purses & jewelry in the month of November.  She is trying to raise money for Speed the Light!

GET JOY!

Inspiration

This is one of my very first portraits. I did this one for my mother for Christmas. It is from a photo I took of my girls at Christmas time. It is the piece that inspired me to begin this journey of drawing portraits. It hangs in my mother's living room along with my mother and great grandmother Clara's portraits. I am so thankful for the gifts that God has given to my family.  I am also thank for the inspiration passed down through the generations.