Coll Beach house #1

I grew up on the west coast of Florida, so when I'm asked to sketch someone's beach house, I feel like I've come home! 

 This one for Sarah and Mario is #8 in a series of 7!  Haha, originally they commissioned me to do all the homes they've lived in over the years, but this one (and the next) are extra's.... I think I can safely assume that some fun times and good "living" has happened here too.   

It is located in the panhandle of Florida on the Gulf Coast. 

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Texas

It's always a pleasure for me to donate a custom sketch to local charities.  Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Texas is one of my favorites as my son in law Hector, is a "big" and recently he and my daughter Katie chaired their annual "Ice Ball" to raise funds for this wonderful non-profit!  The winner of the auction item had recently bought their first home and it was fun to sketch.  A charming bungalow with a front porch that just called my name out to come and "sit a spell!"  

Mission San Jose del Cabo Catholic Church

Each year, our Christmas Card is a sketch of church from somewhere we visited during the year.  Last April my husband and I enjoyed a relaxing vacation in Cabo San Jose.  A quiet little town, about 30 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula in Mexico.   

This church dominates the town square, where on Thursday nights in the summer you can stroll their "art walk" with the works of local artisians!   The Mission San Jose del Cabo Anuiti church was first established in 1730 and prospered as the anchor of the community for many years, but primarily due to "acts of God" ....fire, hurricanes, and even a mosquito infestation it moved it's location four times, finally resting here on this spot across from the Plaza Mijares in 1932.  I think our lives can be like that too!  The "acts of God" can detour our best laid plans, but somehow with His help and hearts of faith we land on our feet and we don't just survive, we can thrive and life often turns out better than what we ever imagined!  

Maine Homestead

Finally I get to share some of the fun projects I worked on for Christmas gifts!

I've known my friend Bob for about 20 years now and he has always talked about his family home in Maine!  When he asked me to do this sketch and sent me the photo's I was quite surprised.... not what I expected.  When asked if this was "the cottage in Maine" he had talked about he laughed and shared that No, it was owned by good friends, nearby!   I assumed it was an estate from days gone by, but it turned out it's relatively new.... here's what he had to say about this house!

"The house is actually about 10 years old. It is representative of the coastal "shingle style" homes you find in the northeast, and specifically in Maine. It sits on 6 acres of land on the eastern shore of Cousins Island off the town of Yarmouth Maine, 20 minutes north of Portland. Designed by Joe Waltman and built by Anastos and Nadeau. My family's summer cottages are right next to this property and as a kid I used to play on it as if we owned it. Many a tree fort was built here in my younger days! The views of Casco Bay from the bluestone patio are quite spectacular." 

Of course I was intrigued about his "cottage" so he shared some photo's and I couldn't help myself... clearly this home had to come to life through watercolor!  So I did it and I sent to him along with his commissioned work as a Christmas Surprise!!!   

Where would you prefer to live??

"Upon this rock, I will build my church"

"The Chapel on the Rock"

Saint Malo Church in Estes Park, Colorado

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  began 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, the land for the church and retreat center was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo, and Never architect Jacques Benedict transposed Bosetti's dream to pair.  With Mount Meeker as a backdrop, the Chapel on the Rock took shaper.  Here in this dramatic Rocky Mountain setting, Bosetti's dream was complete in 1936. 

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

St. Peters Church in Marlow, England

Last Sunday evening, 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 over a year 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??

Steeple churches of New England

In the Fall of 2010, my husband and I enjoyed a long weekend getaway to The Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.  We loved the tall steeple churches in each quaint community we traveled through.  This one is The First Congregational Church in Lee, Massachusetts.  It was built in 1857 and is the tallest timber framed steeple in all of New England, reaching a height of 185 ft.   These small towns were scattered about, sometimes just few miles apart, but each with it's picturesque church on Main Street in the center of town.  It reminded us of the time when church was the central part of the community and at the heart of it's people.  Those days were a bit slower and simpler...  something I am striving for this Christmas Season.