Summer Flowers

Painting in my daughter's and son-in-law's backyard yesterday and today was relaxing and fun. I am technologically challenged with no camera right now, as I left it at their home. I'll try to take a picture of the painting with my phone once again, and see how that goes.

I loved hearing my grandsons playing in the background while I was painting en plein aire. They have a lovely waterfall in their yard, its peaceful, continuous sound added to my daydream-like state while painting. It is fun making art on days like today. Those bright yellow flowers are God's picture of cheerful sunshine on a Seattle gray day.

Thought for today: "It began to dawn on me that we artists tend to put too much value on the power of art to affect people and too little value on how our own lives affect those with whom our art puts us in contact." artist Wm. Swetcharnik

Hot Chocolate In My Shoes

Calvin Joshua sketch while sipping cappucino in Borders

Today was a happily relaxing day with Katie and the grandchildren, although it started with a funny event. We had all taken off in Katie's car for her haircut appointment, loaded with bright plans of great accomplishments. We started at Borders so I could get my traditional "summer has begun" cappucino, and Katie grabbed a little breakfast. I got the boys some hot chocolate. Well, I got Caleb and Micah hot chocolate because it is still gray and cold here.

Before I knew it, Micah had accidentally spilled his hot chocolate across the table and down into my blue summer shoes. These shoes have fashionable holes, ha ha, here and there. Said holes were perfect for the hot chocolate to land into quickly. I sloshed around swiftly to find napkins; then a friendly clerk found towels to really clean up. I used baby wipes to clean my feet and shoes. Caleb shared his hot chocolate with Micah, and we were back on track. All in the day of the life of an 365 day artist, Gigi ( grandma), and mom!

I will post art later today after the kiddos are in bed.

Mosaics With Children

I am enjoying a visit to my grandchildren for a bit. We have played hard and laughed throughout the day. Caleb was especially funny in his Batman mask. We made some art this afternoon. The boys enjoyed some scratchboard. After baths, devotions and an Uncle Bob story, I made a demo of a mosaic to do with the boys tomorrow. I hope to make several examples this summer. It would be nice to get to a free form version.

The Gift of the Word

I have a passage of scripture that was given to me today. When someone gives me scripture, it is just as much a gift as a tangible gift, maybe even more.
Here it is.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (The Message)
20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Now what sort of art will I make today in response to this gift?
This is scratchboard and the lines are made with a little wooden stick.

Computer Woes

I was working in safe mode so I could post my funny cartoon that shows how happy I am about my ongoing computer issues. I wonder if it will work??? I had so much fun at our end of the school year dinner, then came home to a dying computer once again. One more day of work at school and then I can take some time for getting this piece of technology up and running again.

I gave up on the cartoon, and I am posting a sketch of my pastor when he was preaching yesterday. I added black fine sharpie when I got home.

Hebrews 11

I sketched this during the sermon tonight. It's all about Jesus....so many followers of Him have gone before us. We are all being resurrected as we use His escape route from our sin and death. He came to die on our behalf. Amazing love. Just a sketch of worship. Rehearsing the gospel by drawing the gospel. Click on the picture to see the word "resurrection" more clearly.

Graduation Day

I've just returned from my school's senior high graduation, The teachers all wore gowns, walked to Pomp and Circumstance, and looked all professorial. It was fun being with my fellow teachers in a different setting. We showed off our shoes and the funny things we were wearing under our gowns. (Jeans, capris). The students all reflect the excellent place that my school really is. I was proud and thankful to be a part of it.

This morning, I taught 2 former first graders a bit of watercolor. I showed them the watercolor with the boat and fish stamp. I modeled how to do it. They did paint, but they were happier with markers and drawing their own thing:-) I am going to be good to myself and just post my demo of the boat and the fish. It is my second one, so maybe I will post the old one and the new one.














The lighter colored one would not load until I put a mat around it. The first one has the reds.