Apricots in a Paper Sack - Watercolor

This spring we had abundant rains

and the last cold snap was not cold

enough to kill the young blossoms.

In 16 years this is only the second time

that our apricot tree has produced fruit.

I gathered the fruit just a little bit green and

put it in a brown paper sack to ripen.

After a fews days -

Voila!

First- peel, pit and put some in the freezer.

Next, a painting, of course.

Tomorrow, fried pies.

Apricot fried pies are my favorites fried pies

We thought about cutting down the

tree since year after year it did not bear

fruit but we decided to leave it in hopes

that it would eventually.

It had fruit once before and maybe it would again.

God sees the potential in each of us even when

we are in the barren, unfruitful seasons of our life.

He knows the plans He has for us,

for a hope and a future...

Cherries in a Fiesta Yellow Sugar Bowl

A handful of red, almost black cherries,

a yellow Fiesta sugar bowl, a vintage tablecloth,

and some wonderul morning light --

all the ingredients for new watercolor painting.

My parents are antique dealers and

have blessed me with many wonderful pieces of Fiesta.

The smaller vintage tablecloths and tea towels

have been my newest quest as I visit antique shops.

Old Piano and Old Jar Watercolor

I just entered my first art contest.

This is the painting that I submitted.

The piano is at the

Manhattan Coffee House.

Good Coffee!!! The glass jar, tied with sisal rope

and filled with stones and

Texas wildflowers, was sitting on

a little table by the front door.

I thought the combination would

make an awesome painting.

I was thrilled with how it turned out.
I think I will make limited

edition prints of this one.

I think it also needs a good name.

Any ideas?

King of Glory Hand Painted Silk Flag

One of my silk flag customers

wanted a "King Of Glory" design.

I thought and prayed over many

different concepts -regular crown, crown of thorns,

letters and rays of glory, etc. etc...

Then I remembered!!!

25 years ago I made this very ornate
and heavy fabric banner. I have always loved the
image and the elegance.
This banner has graced many
awesome worship services over 2 decades.

I reproduced the design so I could transfer it to silk.

The outline is made using resist for

the serti technique, a silk painting technique.

I love this technique. It is sort of stained

glass on fabric but staying in the lines

can be tricky. Silk dye can be tricky to control

and sometimes it just doesn't want to mind at all.

I have had some real disappointments with color

going where it's not supposed to go.

It jumps over the resist, another color gets too close

and pulls the original color in a direction the

I did not intend for it to go. I don't like to discard

a project, so I stand back, stretch the creativity

just a bit more and redeem the mess! (That will preach!)

This one was exciting to me!

There were no mishaps! No redos!

And I love it! More than that-

I love HIM - JESUS - MY KNG OF GLORY!

Oh yes, the finished flag (1st image) -

I have added a crown!

Thanks for stopping by!

In The Secret Place

For a little over a year, my good friend Melissa

has been writing a series of articles

about Ruth and Boaz for

New Realms Prophetic .

It is a precious, love-filled work
where she shares the hidden riches

she has discovered “In The Secret Place”,

in the presence of her loving Heavenly Father.

She decided to put the articles together in a book

for Christmas presents for her family.

I was allowed the priviledge

of designing the cover for her.

"In The Secret Place" is an invitation

in to the Holy of Holies by God.

He is a gentleman – He won’t force us to accept

His invitations, but He desires, more than anything,

to have intimate relationship with us so that

we, too, can experience the manifested

presence of God Himself. “We have this

hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

where Jesus, who went before us,

has entered on our behalf. He has become

a High Priest forever…” Hebrews 6:19-20a and

“He is able to save completely those who come

to God through Him, because He always

lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25

After some encouragement,

Melissa has decided to make the book

available for purchase. I don't know about you

but as much as I love reading online sometimes

I just want to hold a book in my hands

or make notes in the margins.

Melissa's book can be purchased from

New Realms Prophetic or leave me a comment

with your email and

I will send you more information.

Sword of the Spirit - Finished

Here is the "Sword of the Spirit" finished. I took a bit of time and sharpen the sword...
reworked the flames...

added details to the grip and
a crown of thorns on the pommel.
As I researched the proper names
for the sword parts I discovered ... the part between the blade and the grip

is called the guard. How perfect is that?

ON GUARD!

Here are a few scriptures about being on guard:

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard;

stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been

entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter

and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

1 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was

entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the

Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Phillipians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends

all understanding, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Sword of the Spirit - WIP

I started this painting last week.

I love standing in front of a blank canvas

as the music team at our church begins to worship.

I love the challenge of "hearing and seeing"

and then in 30 to 45 minutes letting the brush

and my heart dance to the sounds of praise.The Sword of the Spirit;

it seperates light from dark and

it seperates the spirit and soul.

I finished the painting at home.

I will post the finished work in the days ahead.