Bluebonnet and Horse Notecards

My friend and card designer, JoDitt sent

me this link to the following blog.

The Simple Life of the Stars

In her blog, Kimberly features several bluebonnet

and Texas related items. JoDitt used my

bluebonnet and horseshoe image on cards that she

designed and Kimberly featured them on her blog.

YeeHaw!!!

I painted several western designs for JoDitt

to use for wedding related cards.

Bluebonnets and Horseshoes Notecard Set

Now, JoDitt works mostly with digital images.

She designs some awesome graduation cards.

Here is the link to JoDitt's website

http://www.joyfulheartdesign.com/

West Texas Sunset or Sunrise

I'm back. I painted most of the afternoon. I think I

might be to a stopping spot on the sky.

Here is a closer shot of the center canvas. I will

save the "scruffie"brush I made. I will use it

for foliage as the picture progresses.

This painting will contain images from

Snyder's history and steps of progress.

It has been a great opportunity to pray for our town.

As I paint the sunrise or sunset, I think about the

sun setting on the past, the close of the day,

and the gift of each new day.

When the sun set on the earthly life of

Jesus it was the dawn of the ministry

for His disciples and followers.

Comission in Progress- West Texas Sunset or Sunrise

I am working on a new commission.

It is 3 canvases 4' X 5'. This is easier for me

than having to go up and down a ladder.

The client is a photographer so I asked if he had a

sunset or sunrise image that would be used. He did!

OH MY! OH MY! I believe that God may have been

showing of the morning that he took the photo. After working on this for a long while I thought I just

might have to get out the white paint and a roller

and paint over it and start all over. I took several

breaks. I worked in the yard a little bit a

then came back to it.

I decided to move on to the center canvas and

work on the light source. The colors are so vibrant.

It's a real challenge! Mom called about the time

I was ready to start over. She was so encouraging

and she told me how to make a "scruffie" "puffy"

cloud brush. Break time (again)!!! Wal Mart here I come.

Got a brush! Used my razor knife!

HMMM!Well, that didn't work out too good.

I used some C clamps to put the canvases together

to make sure the clouds connect.

The client will be able to hang these side by side

or seperate them and hangin different locations.

And if, they decide to move then

the artwork can move too!

I worked on it some more this morning.

It's geting better but now I need to get ready for church!

Whitetail Deer Acrylic on Canvas Painting Demonstration

I just finished this commission for a young lady.
She will give to her husband as a wedding gift.
The most important part of the whole painting is
the shape of the antlers and the crook or bend
at the tip of one of the antlers

Psalm 42:1-2

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

Why Do I Love To Paint-Part 2?

I said I would post some pictures of my mom and dad painting.

I took me longer than a day or so. It was more like a week or so.

During that time we made a trip to see them.

Here is Mom working on an old service station/store.

It's got to be in Texas. There are bluebonnets.

Here's Dad working on the same painting.

They share the canvas now.

That is so precious to me. Daddy has always had an artistic flair.

I remember him painting and

donating countless signs for churches.

My mom had an easel set up in our garage where

she painted huge landscapes of majestic purple

mountains, tall pines, and log cabins.

Daddy actually went to school and received art training .

I think that he is the only one in this family

of artists that has an art education.

As you can see, he is wearing magnifying glasses.

Daddy just celebrated his 82nd birthday.

His eyesight is not what it used to be but that

doesn't stop him. He still creates and sells works of art.

He and my mom are a great team,

working together in so many ways.

One of the most precious things about my parents is that they
gave me the most awesome sense of what a relationship with
God is like. I have shared this with them before

but it bears repeating.

As I looked through the album of old photos I was
reminded once again what it was to be loved,

accepted, and encouraged. Just like my Father God,

they were and are interested and involved in

every detail of my life. That is a welcome thing now
but as a teenager I wasn't quite so excited

about them being so involved.

Looking back, I could see that we didn't have a lot

but I was never aware of any lack. Daddy always

provided for us. And just like Father God,

he was firm and fair in his discipline.

He used to say, "This hurts me more that it does you."
At the time, I didn't believe that but now I know

that was true. My relationship with my dad taught

me the security of the love of God

and also what it means to fear God.

I am not afraid of God but I sure do not want to

disappoint Him and I do not like trips
to the "Holy Ghost woodshed".

Been there, done that.

I have also learned about the character and

nature of God from my mom. She has taught me

what unconditional love looks like and feels like.

The times when I was and am so difficult

to love, she continued. And she never gives up

hoping and believing for God's best for her children,

her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren.

What a blessing and great

hertiage that have given me.

I pray that I have that same impact

on my children and grandchildren

As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived what God has prepared

for those who love him

but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things,

even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2: 9-10

Why Do I Love To Paint?

This past Christmas, my mom and dad gave me this great photo album. When I saw it I was hoping the album was already loaded. To my extreme delight - it was. They had scanned old family photos and newspaper articles. They included wonderful stories that need to be remembered not only by me but by my children and grandchildren.

I want to share some "evidence" of what I already knew. I used to wonder why I had no interest in nursing or bookkeeping.

Why do I love to paint?
Well, it would seem that "it is in my blood".

This is a picture of my mom when she was a child.

My grandad painted this mural. I don't have any photos of him painting anything. But, I know that he was also a sign painter. He would very carefully letter on glass doors and office windows and then very carefully (while the paint was still wet) blow very fine gold powder onto the letters creating very elegant and impressive lettering. He would sign his work "Venable, of course!"

Check out the panties on my momma.

Probably made of sugar sacks.

I love this picture. My mom is keeping my dad company while he paints a landscape on the panels of the truck. I remember him painting on lots of things. There was an old car that had a rounded trunk. The trunk had a dent in it and he painted a landscape with a waterfall. The waterfall tumbled right over that dent.

When I look at this photo of my dad, I can see my brother and my middle son, Josh in him. It's amazing. That's me in the foreground.

And this is my grandma (dad's mom). She started painting in her latter years. She painted beautiful seascapes. Her second husband, my step-grandad was also an artist. I am not sure what she is working on in this photo but you can see from the easel board that this was not her first painting. She lived in California. When I was 5 years old, I remember living there for a little while. Actually, what I remember is Disneyland. My parents were sidewalk artists at Disneyland.

My mom and dad both still paint. They had some wonderful pieces. I will post some recent pictures of them in a day or so.

Pears and Grapes Watercolor

I have had the photo for this for awhile.

I love painting grapes. Actually, I like painting

just about everything. Creating my art is a gift,

a heritage, a fullfillment of prophecy, a ministry,

a challenge, a release, and so much more.

Psalm 115: 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us

but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness.