Going Public

It's been a couple months since I last posted and very busy ones at that. In between house reno projects I have been doing quite a bit of drawing. After some deliberation and encouragement from family and friends I decided to get a booth in one of our local charity fairs in late November. I had a great time! The response was amazing and I ended up with several commissions for Christmas. It's a great experience to work on something for someone else and very gratifying to see their face when they take that first look at their finished piece.

 My husband of 26 years, Ted, who asked why I hadn't ever drawn him...:)

A sweet little girl who is the grand daughter of one of the artists I know.

Two little darlings; a commission piece for a young mans wife for Christmas.

My youngest son's young lady, a beautiful girl, inside and out!

A commission piece; a Christmas gift for the parents of these 3 lovely kids.

My grandson Liam, a sweet troublemaker!

I still experience a great sense of wonder as I watch a drawing unfold under my pencil...how on earth do I do this? Sometimes its as if someone else is guiding my eyes and hand, because I am quite certain that this could not come from me! Nevertheless, I am enjoying every minute of it, am very thankful for this ability in this time of my life and look forward to more drawing adventures in 2012.

A third and 2 firsts!

After being talked into entering some work into the local fall fair Fine Art competition I tried not to think about it too much. This is the first time I had put my art on display for 'all to see' in  a live art venue and, truthfully I vacillated daily from  'of course I won't place' to 'maybe I actually have a chance, but I'm determined not to be disappointed if nothing happens', to abject embarrassment at the very thought... Last night the fair opened and with the accompanying support of most of my family :) , off we went to the fair to check out 'Mums' work; and to ride the midway, of course!
Imagine my surprise when I rounded the corner into the fine arts displays and saw a third place ribbon on my portrait of my mother, 'Joan' (April)! I was totally happy with that! Then, I looked up and two pictures down hung the portrait of 'Lauren' (March) complete with a first place ribbon! Could it get any better? On the other side  of the wall were the acrylic entries and there, sporting yet another red, first place ribbon, was my "geraniums on a windowsill"(September) !
What an encouragement this was and an affirmation of my efforts...I can hardly wait 'til next year! :)

Geraniums on a widowsill

This is my second attempt at working with acrylics (18x24) and I am quite pleased at how it has turned out. As much as my favourite medium is graphite, this painting will keep me trying my hand  in the painting world...It makes me smile when I look at the bright red blooms on the old country kitchen window sill!

Erika in the Snow

Summer seems to be a time when I don't spend much time in my studio; there's always something to do outside, it seems! Nevertheless, I did get a portrait done of my oldest daughter ( after much 'complaining' on her part that I hadn't done a recent one of her)  A snow portrait seems fitting for summer, and this one shows off her mischievous streak.

Amazing eyes!

The newest addition to our church family! I love the arrival of a new baby, not only for the wonder of new life but because it means I get to enjoy a wonderfully cute baby face for a little while as I reproduce it on the paper!

Joan

My mother at age 21,  a fair British rose! I did this portrait in graphite from an old photo that my dad carried with him while he was 'doing his bit' overseas in Kenya in the mid- fifties.

Paul

 Friends of ours for almost 20 years, Paul and his wife continually encourage us in all aspects of our lives and are a real blessing to us.

Alex

This is our last born, our son, Alex, at 11; He has since grown up; taller, wiser and with a wonderful talent for music and laughter.

Newest Additions

 Recently arrived in our church nursery, these two little sweethearts are sure to bring many blessings to their happy parents.

Lauren and Drew

Our beautiful middle daughter, always the practical one, has blessed us with the best son-in-law in the world! He has added so much to our family and absolutely adores her!

Colleen

My last born daughter, at age 4, who captured my heart, and everyone else's too!  Daddy used to call her his little "lapel pin" because one of her favourite places to be was in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder.

Erika

My firstborn daughter....so precious! I remember thinking when I was expecting my second daughter, "How can I ever love another baby as much as I love Erika?" ( I discovered that, fortunately, love is unlimited!)

Lauren

At 2 months old she wowed us all with her HUGE blue eyes! The baby photographer was amazing, I have no idea how he got her to keep the position and then, get her to beam at him with such a saucy smile!

Liam

Liam is my first grandson and so occupies a very special place in my heart. He just turned a year old at the beginning of March and because his daddy is in the Navy, they live far away and I don't get to see them very often. I am thankful for Skype!