Merry Christmas!

You can find your "church" anywhere...

A majestic cathedral, a beach at sunrise, a wedding celebration in a park on a beautiful Spring day...

it's anywhere and everywhere we 
Worship God and Praise His Holy Name.

On this Christmas morning, let's remember the First Church, where a tiny baby who would change everything laid in a manger.  The shepherds came, the wise men came, and we come and welcome him into our hearts on this special day.

Oh Come all ye faithful, Joyful and Triumphant!

Oh Come let us adore Him,

Christ The Lord.

One perfect day in Salzburg

St. Peters Cathedral Square

Salzburg, Austria

This past May, my husband and I took a Viking River Cruise through Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest. We visited more Cathedrals then we could count.  I knew my task of finding the "Christmas Card Church" was going to be tough, but when we visited Salzburg, it was a done deal!   It was a gorgeous day, our wedding anniversary, and I was in the heart of "The Sound of Music" land... if you know me, you know that I can recite all the words and lyrics of that movie!  We toured the magnificent cathedral and the cemetery grounds nearby.  We climbed the old stone staircase to the third floor of the catacombs built into the side of the nearby mountain.

This sketch is from the window in the catacombs built where a monastery thrived in the 7th Century.   That's hard to wrap my mind around!  I tried to imagine what it would have been like to live then, in the early days of Christianity.   Today our lives are much easier in many ways, but in other ways more complicated.   But like the monks of that day, our commitment to our faith is what remains steadfast and gives us hope for the future.  

Church England

Saint Peters Roman Catholic Church

Marlow, United Kingdom

Earlier this month, my church in The Woodlands held "A Lesson in Carols and Service."  A beautiful evening of scripture and music, much of it acapella, that's origins go back to 1880 in England.  Held in our small chapel, the music was so deep and moving, but what came to my mind was this church, I had sketched several years ago, St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in Marlow, UK.

This small gothic church, located on the River Thames, about 35 miles west of London, was built in 1845.  In my mind, I took myself back in time to that day and place and imagined the beautiful voices resonating in the old stone church. 

Take a moment and close your eyes and imagine.... can you hear the singing??

"Upon this rock I will build my church"

"The Chapel on the Rock"

Saint Malo Church

Estes Park, Colorado

On vacation in Colorado, as we were making our way up toward Rocky Mountain National Park, we zipped past this beautiful church and did a quick turn around to check it out... of course it became our Christmas Card in 2015.

I loved the way the church and the rock become one....it reminds me of the need for a solid foundation!!!  Here's a little history of how it came to be.

During a quest to find the impact site from a falling star in 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti came across a large rock formation just east of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Stirred by the biblical phrase "upon this rock I will build my church " Bosetti soon begin to envision a church perched on the rock he had just discovered.  As with many dreams, Bosetti's lack of funds delayed construction for nearly 20 years.

Eventually, land for the church and retreat center was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo, and Denver architect Jacques Benedict transposed Bosetti's dream to paper.  With Mount Meeker as a backdrop, the Chapel on the Rock took shape.  Here in this dramatic Rocky Mountain setting, Bosetti's dream was completed in 1936

My "home" churches

Pasadena Community Church

St. Petersburg, Florida

Pasadena Community Church is where I grew up!  

Not just on Sunday mornings, but at MYF after school, church camp in the summer, and choir tours...we were "The Good News Singers!"  It was my center and helped me to become so much of who I am today.

The Woodlands United Methodist Church

The Woodlands, Texas

Today, my church home is The Woodlands United Methodist.  I've sketched it many times, often donated to an auction or fundraising event., but these are two of my favorites.
Like my years growing up in Florida, much of my life today revolves around activities here.... bible studies, mission trips, working with Habitat, and sometimes just gathering with friends in the cafe.   My husband and I were married almost 12 years ago in it's little prayer chapel with family gathered around us.   Special Memories! 

Central Christian Church in Austin, Texas

Central Christian Church

Austin, Texas

One of my happiest memories in a church was this one!  In 2014 my daughter, Katie married Hector and I was honored to walk her down the aisle in this beautiful old church in the heart of Austin.  Established in 1847, just eight years after the city of Austin was platted, it's faith community met in a small log cabin close to it's present location.  Construction was completed in 1929 and CCC has been an integral part of Austin since.  It was listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in 1992.

God's creation

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Churches come in all shapes and sizes, but this one may be my all-time favorite!

Built in 1925, with it's log pews, and large picture window of the "Cathedral Group" of The Grand Tetons, it connects me to The Almighty God like no other.   Nature.   All things Beautiful!!

I hope during this Christmas Season, amongst the shopping and parties, you can take some time to sit quietly in the midst of God's creation.

This sketch was our 2012 Christmas Card and included this poem:

These things make life worthwhile to me;

A sunset sky, a maple tree,

A mountain standing grim and gray,

Against the sky line far away;

A baby's laugh, a summer breeze,

A roadway winding 'neath the trees;

A friend to trust, a book to read,

And work which meets some human need.

And through it all, a sense of God

Lifting my soul above the sod, 

The hope and peace which He can give - 

These make it worth my while to live.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

I've been keeping busy with sketches for clients to give as gifts, and haven't posted much lately...  so in keeping with the season, I thought I'd repost some of my favorite church sketches from over the years and a little bit of a story behind them.

First Congregational Church

Lee, Massachusetts 

Founded in 1778

In 2010, I started the tradition of sketching a church for our Christmas Card... this was my first!  My husband and I had visited The Berkshires in Massachusetts for a Fall getaway, and toured the quaint little towns, each with it's tall steepled church in the heart of it's community.  Since that time, it's become a mission of mine to find THE church that would be our Christmas Card on our vacations... as you will see in the coming weeks!!

Happy Thanksgiving from Accents in Art

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!  

May your day be filled with Family and Friends and an abundance of Joy!!

And of course, lots of Pumpkin Pie!!

Cologne Cathedral

Another favorite memory from our River Cruise this past summer in Europe.  This scene is from Cologne, Germany... of the Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge on the Rhine River.... spectacular!!     

Special Offer for Pre-Christmas Orders

Fall has arrived and even here in Texas I actually felt a nip in the air last week!   Of course, with that my thoughts have now started to drift toward Christmas shopping and like me, maybe you have that “what-to-get-the-person-who has-everything” challenge.

I have the solution!!

Consider a custom, one of kind, illustration of 

“their special place.”  

Typically that's usually a home, past or present, but consider some other places with special significance… 

a college campus, favorite restaurant, engagement location or their church or wedding location.  

(I’ve attached a few previous sketches to help spur your imagination!)

Until October 15th I am offering a 20% discount off my regular price on Christmas pre-orders.

For $200, you’ll receive a 11 x14 pen and ink sketch that will be a personal and unique keepsake for that special person in your life.

I am limiting this offer to only 12 sketches “first come first serve!”    So, if you'd like to get in on this special pricing, don't wait....

And of course...  If you have any questions or thoughts you’d like to kick around on this, feel free to give me a call!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Favorite Church or Wedding Location

Restaurant for Special Occasion

Homes - Past or Present

Or just that place that holds a special memory or significance

Colossians 1: 11-12

Last week I attended the "Living Proof Simulcast 2017" at my church.  Beth Moore was telecast live from (Holy!) Toledo, Ohio with 4500 in attendance, 5000 individuals streaming live, as well as churches in all 50 states and 11 countries worldwide!  

Wow!  It was a powerful message!

In the morning session, Beth Moore shared the characteristics of being a Christian as verbs.... not just as adjectives or nouns.  And we must be willing to step up and BE ACTIVE in our faith.  Based on this verse in Colossians we are to Bear Fruit, Grow in Knowledge, Be strengthened, and alway Give Thanks.   

Following this segment, our church Director of Women's Ministries Dori Barber, shared with us this "visual."   She asked us to close our eyes and imagine this scene.  Of course, after painting this picture in my head, I had to put it on to paper, and now it lives forever in my heart.  I've never been great at memorizing Bible verses, but this sure worked for me, and I hope it means something to you too! 

"Little Venice" in Bamberg, Germany

The holidays are already in the air, with quite a few "Christmas surprise's" in the works... unfortunately I can't post them here until later, so I took a break last week to work on one of my favorite scenes from our Viking River Cruise earlier this summer.   

One of my favorite stops was this one in Bamberg, Germany.  This little stretch of homes along the river is the most expensive real estate in the area and often referred to as "little Venice."   I particularly loved the little home, center right, tucked in with the others!  

Do you know someone who would love a sketch for Christmas this year of one of their favorite places?  Watch your e-mail next week for a special offer!!

Wine, Women and Shoes - September 21

What goes better together than Wine, Women and Shoes??

Maybe Texas, Bluebonnets and a Barn!!

I'm honored again to donate a work of art to the "Breast Cancer Charities of America" Silent Auction at their upcoming Fundraising event!   It's not too late to get tickets and support this great non-profit.  All proceeds this year will benefit Breast Cancer Patients in the Houston Area affected by Hurricane Harvey.

For more information:

http://www.winewomenandshoes.com/event/houston/

Cedar Creek Lake House

There's just something about rocking chairs on a porch that lures me in!!   It makes me want to grab a good book and park it for an hour, or two, or the whole day!!  

This home on Cedar Creek Lake brings about just that feeling!   This is actually the back of the house, facing the lake.  It's hard to imagine a better place to enjoy life!

Matagorda Bay Sunset

This was a switch from my norm... instead of sketching the view OF the house, I did the view FROM the house!  

This Bay House is the home of my clients fiancé ... they got engaged at the end of the pier watching the sun set... one of their favorite pastimes, can you see their silhouettes?

I was happy to commemorate this special occasion for them with this sketch and wish them the very best in their lifetime together!!

Empty Nesting

We raise our kids... celebrate birthdays and graduations and then they're gone making lives of their own, it happens so fast!  We are left with a big empty house full of memories.  

That's the story for my clients in The Woodlands, whose beautiful home, where they've enjoyed making those memories since 1996, is for sale as they "right-size" (not down-size) for the next chapter of their life!   It was my pleasure to sketch this house, that will be framed and enjoyed in their new home!!  

So here's to Life!!   

To moving on and making new memories in new places!!

Congratulations to Lauren and Christian!

My husband and I were thrilled to attend the wedding last month of his nephew Christian, and his beautiful bride Lauren.   They were married at The Monastery in Cincinnati, Ohio!  I had never been to Ohio before and loved this historic city, it's active waterfront of parks and ballfields, old historic churches and of course spending time with our family!!   

"The Monastery" was originally built as an observatory in 1843, it eventually closed (due to air pollution, even then!) and was leased to the Catholic Church to serve as the Holy Cross Monastery and Church from 1873 until 1977.   After sitting empty for nearly three decades, it was purchased and remodeled, opening as this beautiful event venue just last year.  Oh, if walls could talk!!

I hope that his sketch, will serve as a reminder of their special day and beginning of their new life together!  

Best wishes to Lauren and Christian 

for a happy and joyous life!

Congratulations to Julie and Marc!

I love the sketches that celebrate special occasions in ones life, and this is no exception!!  

My good friends Julie and Marc got married last month!  I wanted to give them a one-of-a-kind gift, so I sketched Bistro Chat Noir in NYC, where they got engaged the previous October!  I received the photo below in a text the following morning that said..."so this happened last night!!"  

Congratulation Julie and Marc!

Wishing you a lifetime of joy and happiness!!

Pine Grove House

I was thrilled to do this sketch of the Pine Grove House, located in Pinehurst, North Carolina and 

built in 1894.

I did my best to capture the feeling of the photo's my client sent me to work from, but the pen and ink just didn't do it justice... so I went at it from a different angle and added watercolor.   

Yes, I'd like a mint julep now please!!  

Kates Family Tree

Congratulations to Laura and Curt Kates, who recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary!  

I love sketching Family Tree's, but this one was especially fun for me since I've known the Kates family since our kids were in Pre-K together!  What a treat to have watched them grow into such great young adults and start families of their own.  

Our Viking River Cruise!

Ver Welkoming, Guten Tag, Szia, Hello!

I'm back from what really was a "trip of a lifetime!"

Thought I'd share a few of my favorite photo's before getting back to the business of posting my sketches!!

Our trip began in Amsterdam!  We had two and a half days to explore this historic city and recover from jet lag!  I was inspired in the Van Gogh and Richtsmuseum, intrigued by the the maze of canals throughout this charming city and entertained by the "window dressing" in it's famous Red Light district!

The first few days were spent drifting down the Rhine River, visiting the windmills in Kinderdijk, Holland, exploring Marksburg Castle near Koblenz, Germany and along the way passing quaint little towns with their tall steepled churches and ancient castles towering above.

One of my favorite stops was in the town of Miltenburg.  This view was from Mildenburg Castle, overlooking the arched bridges over the Rhine River, the half-timbered houses and it's famous pubs!

Along the Rhine-Main-Danube rivers, this was a familiar site, along with about a million beautiful swans!  I'm pretty sure this one will become a painting!

Saturday, May 27th was our 11th anniversary and we spent the day in Salzburg, Austria!  We visited countless cathedrals on our trip, but this one St. Peter's Cathedral, was my favorite.  

This view in Salzburg is from the Catacombs where early Christian Monks lived in 775 a.d.  We enjoyed lunch nearby in the oldest restaurant in Europe (some web searching said the oldest in the world!) that began serving (the monks, I assume!) in 803 a.d.  

Our last day was spent in Budapest, Hungary!  

After dinner, we cruised the Danube to experience the breathtaking view of the city lights!

A Change of Focus

Art comes in many forms....  on canvas, with my pen and ink, and through the lens of a camera.

I've been blessed to be able to travel to some amazing places... and loved taking photo's of the beauty of this world.  Just last year, these three..... 

spotting a "local" on the streets of Antiqua, Guatemala following our church mission trip...

The peace and tranquility of a sunset in Cabo San Jose...

And the majesty of a sunrise over the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

It was in Wyoming, on my third pre-dawn wake up of the week to find the perfect location to capture the first light on the mountains I found myself surrounded by photographers with tripods and long lenses, I decided it was time to upgrade from my iPhone camera.  So I did, and although I've a lot to learn, I am looking forward to practicing this new "art!"    And I have a great opportunity!  Next week, my husband and I leave on a "bucket-list-trip" across the rivers of Europe on a Viking River Cruise.  

I won't have the ability to update my blog while I'm gone, but you're welcome to follow my journey on Instagram @accentsinart.