EDM Draw #15 A Tree, #155 Steps, #234 Something That Belongs to Another

Finally got around to posting these drawings from Utah that I drew where we stayed at the RV park. We were there two months this summer seeing the sights, and visiting and helping family there. This Wheeping Willow, which was at the back of the park, is the largest I have seen. I gave it the name Grandpa Willow (seemed to fit) and a grown person only comes to the top of the word Grandpa in the drawing.

I first started this picture because I wanted to show how big the cottonwood trees were in the RV park. Most of the park was shaded by these trees. The trailer here is not mine but is about the same size (31 feet). The trees make the trailer look much smaller. The trailer steps I drew in very dark so that they are easily visible. Female cottonwood trees produce big balls of fluff 6 to 8 inches in diameter. It "snowed" on and off the whole time we were there.

This tree rose belonged to one of the full time residents at the RV park. The pot is red and the roses are red and white. I was surprised to learn that it stayed out all winter in freezing weather and snow, and lived. I thought they would freeze since the main part of the tree is above ground. There were tea and miniature roses all over the park. Many full timers there planted all kinds of flowers. Was a really interesting RV park.

All three sketches were done with a Bic ballpoint pen in my 6x9 inch homemade sketch book.

Journal Your Worries Away

This project came about from a prompt from a journaling group I belong to. You write your worries down on the paper then paint over it and put happy things on top. I did this to learn. I did not think I had any big worries, but found out I did as I wrote them down. This was a journey of learning in many areas. I learned I needed to remember where my peace originates. I also need to remember that each day is a day that I can start over new. Transformation and renewal became the theme, thus the butterflies. It also has another meaning as I get a new life at painting. The painting is from a time I tried to paint but had no way to share or learn. Now I get a second chance to paint and can learn from and share with all of you. The butterfly picture is watercolor. The background on both pages is acrylic. This was done in my composition journal. The writing is a black Sharpie.

Butterflies & Flowers -- Watercolor

Sometimes you see something that you just have to draw and paint. This was one of those pictures. I loved the arrangement and colors on a card my mother gave me. It has been hidden in a drawer for twenty years. It is from that time period that I started painting, but gave up because there was no way to share with or learn from others. Today I can share it with you.

Victorian Crackle Window -- Watercolor Journal

I love drawing architecture ( especially Victorian) and these windows caught my attention. It wasn't until I was well into the picture that I realized that there were letters on the window. Took a while to figure out they were A & O = Alpha & Omega. I call them crackle windows because that is what they look like until you get close and find they are really stain glass windows with very small pieces of glass very randomly put together. This was painted using watercolor pencils.

Everyday Matters Challenge #29 Draw Something Architectural

On the way to Utah to see family we stopped at a little tourist town. It had all kinds of quirky, ornate, and one of a kind Victorian storefronts. The weather was cold and rainy. Thus, I had to sketch this one inside the store across the street looking through their front window. It is just the upper part of the storefront. I was sketching fast holding my sketch book in one hand and drawing with the other. I was not happy with it at the time. Later I inked it in with ball point pen and it helped. Still just a fast and raw sketch, but it was interesting trying to sketch on location with people all around.

Victorian House -- Pen & Ink

Did this one in pencil a few months back, but could not decide what I wanted to do with it. I ran across it the other day, and decided to do it in ink (Sharpie). A few lines suffered from my freehand tracing. I had fun playing with the shading and shadows. I love Victorian architecture. The homes are usually so elegant. The inspiration for this came from a picture in a book.

Portrait of a Pink Rose -- Watercolor

A tea party (see previous post) needs flowers and here's a rose. This is the first rose I ever painted, and I finally get to share it with others who love art too. It was painted 20 years ago and is part of the paintings I just found again. They are from the time when I painted in watercolor and quit because there was no one to share it with. What a blessing to have all of you who are interested in others endeavors and encourage them. Roses are my favorite flowers. This was painted from a photograph I cut out of a magazine.

Everyday Matters Challenge #32 Draw a Teapot-- Watercolor Journal

If we have a teacup (previous post) we need a teapot. I love everything to do with tea (the tea itself, the beautiful teacups, the silverware, the teapot, and even the dressing up for formal teas). I love to have tea with a friend in our homes or in a tea house. Even love tea luncheons. Any excuse to participate in the ritual of slowing down and enjoying the presence of others. Even a personal cup of tea gives you the opportunity to slow down and contemplate life in a different way.

Everyday Matters Group Challenge #4 Draw A Cup Watercolor Journal

I would drool over this very expensive girly girl pattern at the big mall stores. Knew there was no way I could ever afford it. Then found it at Sam's Club greatly reduced. As I was writing about this in the above watercolor journal this scripture came to me "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4.

Church Windows View From Inside - Watercolor

I drew this for the new group just formed "Drawing in Church" which is for posting pictures doodled in worship service or drawings of any type of religious architecture. I love church architecture especially church windows. They can be very beautiful. I drew them in a loose manner (i.e. none of the lines are perfectly straight).

Everyday Matters Challenge #244

The oldest thing I found in my frig. was Orange Marmalade (i.e. Orange Jam/Jelly). I could not resist putting a couple of other things I had in the kitchen into the picture. Makes it more interesting. Love the bear. She has traveled all around my house. She also has traveled out of my house (to my grand daughter's) and back again. Orange marmalade is delicious with biscuits.

"First Painting" Composistion Journal

Imagine my excitement when I found the first picture I painted (with color pencil) that started my current interest in painting/drawing. I made a copy of it and pasted the copy in my composition journal to remember this event. It was painted for a Bible class to teach what Alpha and Omega means in the Bible. The "W" is another way to write the Omega symbol/letter. Alpha and Omega is another way of saying God is the source of everything, and is this is equal to the "I am the true vine" (i.e. true source). Thank for letting me share this with you.

Asian Pillow Art -- Watercolor Journal EDM Challenge #243 Draw a pillow

I love these pillows. Though we bought four as a birthday gift for our son, only two have survived several years and three kids. I'm glad the Everyday Matters challenge was to draw a pillow. Now I have the memories of these pillows recorded, so when the last two give up I will still be able to enjoy them. They are definitely works of art in themselves. Painted with watercolor pencils.

Lily Ponds-- Composition Journal EDM Challenge #116 Draw something green

When I started this journal entry I did not know that it would come with a poem. Have always loved the beauty and serenity of lily ponds. The poems says"Lily Ponds. One of God's Creations, Serenity- Beauty, Flowers Bloom, Leaves Unfurl, Continual New Life. The Sun Shines, Warming the Skin, The Winds Blow, The Waters Move, Bringing Peace to the Soul." This was painted in Acrylic. The poem is on a piece of paper I painted and glued in. The white streaks on the paper in the background are suppose to be there.

White Cat in Watercolor

Twenty years ago I painted in watercolor for a little while, but gave up when there was no one to encourage or share my love of art. To have people today to share my love of art is wonderful. I just came across my paintings from twenty years ago and wanted to share some of them with you. This is the last one that was painted back then.

Everyday Matters Challenge #76 Draw a flower

My inspiration came from a picture I cut from an advertisement. I was able to practice doing glass, velvet ribbons, shading, shadows, and transition from above the vase to inside the vase. The shadow cast by the vase does not show up well here, but there is one to the right. This was done with color pencil.