Hi Blogger friends!

Christmas is almost here and another new year is approaching. I have been working on a new series of snowman. This year the proceeds will be given to a young couple's missions efforts in Thailand. Their work there is extensive and incredible. Here they are, I hope you enjoy them!

Merry Christmas

and a very

Happy New Year

Everyone!

Back in the spring I promised pictures of my finished studio and here they are. I still have one item I am waiting for that will go on the wall above my art table. It is decorative vinyl lettering that reads: Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." It's author is unknown. I absolutely love this quote and the truth of it. We were created in the image of God, Who is the ultimate Creator and Artist—Just look around you at all the beauty on and in this Earth.

I know this looks too uncluttered to be an art studio. This shows the smaller right side of my brain—organized, neat, clean—however when I'm in deep painting my studio takes on that crazed, look!

Good morning!

For several years I have illustrated and painted for a small business "Just Around the Block." They specialize in keepsake memory buildings mounted on wooden blocks as the one I painted for them here. If your church or local historical society is interested in having a building done, you can contact Just Around the Block. I have posted their business information in my sidebar, or email them at: JATB@zoominternet.net.

Good morning! Thought I would share this latest bookmark I painted. It is a nice reminder of the Sermon on the Mount and how important is for us to grow in our walk with the Lord.

All of us has a life experience, a trial or circumstance, that will affect and help another who is struggling with a similar situation. It is at that point of impact that we reflect the light of Christ.

Summer is flying by and still haven't been to the ocean, so I brought the ocean home . . . well a wave at least.

I really could use a nice long vacation on some tropical beach away from civilization; no phones, no TV, just relaxation.

Wow another beautiful day in western PA. Hi everyone! Would like to tell you about this little treasure of mine. I bought him with a gift card I received for Christmas four years ago. He was so cute I just couldn't bear putting him outside to catch rain drops, so I decided to use him to hold my watercolor brushes at my art table. Meet Iggi (with a long g sound). I actually stole the name from a friend's sister who had a Lab named Iggy. I thought it was such I cute name I couldn't resist using it but I changed the spelling, and the name seemed to fit my little hedgehog to a T.

Have a blessed day!

Happy Independence Day America! We are still free lets fight to keep that liberty and freedom. That is what makes American Great, there is no other country like it on the earth.

Hi All! What a beautiful day, perfect actually, warm sun, nice breeze, perfect temperature . . . can't get any better than that.

I'm getting ready to start on a new series of Snowman Christmas Cards. I have wonderful new characters to add to the line of my Frameable Art. Just in case you haven't seen any of last years here are a few and there is one on my initial post.

Hi every one,

Its Monday and what a beautiful day it is. Had a chance to think about sharing my testimony last week and the impact it had on the women of each club as well as on myself.

I had been praying that the Lord would give me a boldness and He has. It is not easy for me to share my testimony, it dredges up those trials in our own life that we would want soon not to remember. But if it helps another pass through the storm they are facing, and realizing that they need Jesus to go with them, then it is so worth it. If just one person invites Jesus into their heart, what could be so much more valuable than having Christ . . . nothing compares . . . nothing!

Good morning to all!

I finally had the opportunity to share my testimony at two Christian Women's events yesterday . . . I was a nervous wreck! Both went extremely well though. One lady gave her life to Jesus and if I encouraged or planted the tiniest of seeds in others . . . Praise the Lord!

Today I will share again at another Christian Women's luncheon—yes I am still nervous but I know the Lord is with me and speaking through me and keeping me calm.

I had brought a couple of bookmarks with me yesterday that I had painted a head of time to bless both chairpersons. I've included them in this posted. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a third done to bring with me today but will send it along with a thank you to them next week.

I create a light (but not too light) a wash with these colors. First I mix a light wash of cobolt blue as shown here. Then I add small amounts of Davy's Gray until I get a greenish gray color (see the photo below on the left).

I then add a tiny amount of purple lake until I have a gray with a slight purple hue. I realize it is hard to see the actual color in the photo below. Just be careful not over do it on the purple lake.

Once I achieve the suitable coloring I select my escoda 5/0 1212 Kolinsky watercolor brush to paint over my penciled lines around and in the area that I will be painting yellow. You will have to keep stirring the watercolor mixture to keep it from separating as you work. Don't worry if the lines are on the light side. Let dry and erase your pencil lines. You could actually cover all the pencil lines of your sketch should you desire as this color will blend in well.