Puppy Passion

Okay, is this a cuteness overload or what???

I've always shy'd away from sketching people and puppies.... there's something so personal about capturing "that" look, but I faced my fear this past summer and gave it a go!!  The first two or three I tried over and over again.  Pen and ink, watercolor, colored pencil and combinations of these mediums and .... I had so much fun!!  I've still got a way to go, but I am hooked!!

These two above I did for a friend, as a Christmas gift to her daughter and I must say I giggled the whole time I was working on them.  

"That face, those eyes".... I kept saying to myself.

But then just before Christmas, another friend asked if I did pet portraits so I showed her these and she asked if I would do one for her son-in-law whose precious companion "Parker" of 15 years crossed over the "Rainbow Bridge" just a few weeks before Christmas.  Like the previous two, I kept saying to myself "That face, those eyes" but with such a different emotion, my heart was breaking.  

I love what I do!  

For me, it's so much more than doing a sketch of a house or a dog.  It's the memories, it's the hopes and dreams for the future, it's LOVE! 

Whether it's found in the walls of your home or in the eyes of our beloved furry friends, I am blessed beyond words to be able to share these things with you!  

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Friends!

It seems like forever since I've shared a sampling of the sketches I've been working on, so I thought I'd drop a few of these in your in-box and the stories behind them!  

It's such a joy for me to capture the love of our homes and their memories on paper!  I wasn't surprised with the number of sketches requested this year as Christmas gifts as our home was where we spent most of our time in 2020!  Instead of sharing those that meant something to someone else, I thought I'd share these three that meant the most to me!

 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Those of you that know me, know that I've spent more summers in Jackson Hole in the past 40 years than anyplace else.  It was my "home away from home."   It started with a 3-week time share my parents purchased in 1980 and grew and changed over the years to this full time residence of my brother, Chip and his wife Ginger for the past 10 years or so.  It was bittersweet that with the development of Chips ALS over the last few years that they would have to sell and move to Chattanooga so I decided to sketch this for them to "capture the memories."  I had planned to bring it to them when I travelled to Chattanooga in November to help them settle in their new home, but sadly Chip didn't make it that far.  He died at peace in the place he loved the most on Oct. 25th.  

I did bring the sketch with me when I visited Ginger and we all had a good cry and remembered the best of days in Jackson Hole.  This is the back of the house, facing the Teton mountains where there were countless parties on the patio.  Where the elk stampede through the yard on the way to the Elk Refuge in the winter and indeed... the buffalo roam!  A neighborhood favorite was fondly called "Old Bill" and delighted in stopping traffic to sign autographs!!  

Crawfordville, Florida

My other brother, Doug and his wife Jane live in this ranch styled home in the midst of the woods in Crawfordville, Florida.  The peace and tranquility shines though.  I did this sketch for them and since they had recently painted this pretty blue, I thought it would be nice to add some color for the house, and highlight the landscaping that surrounds.  This has been their refuge during the pandemic and I am so happy I could sketch it for them to remember the blessings of home!

Manzanita, Oregon

On a different note, my daughter Katie and her husband live in a 3 story condo in Seattle and both work from home.   So.... it's great when good friends have a "getaway" place in Manzanita, Oregon just a block away from the Pacific Coast.  They met up with their friends, and their combined three Golden Retrievers for some much needed time for friends and fresh air!   I did this sketch as a thank you gift for them to give to their friends during their most recent get-together over New Years.

2020 will be written in the history books.... what's your story??

Coming up next time.... I have found a new love in the art department!

Merry Christmas!

The First Church

Bethlehem

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace"

Isaiah 9:6

On this Christmas morning, we 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.

Merry Christmas!

 

The Painted Churches of Texas

St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

Dubina, Texas

Each year I sketch a favorite church from our travels for our annual Christmas Card.  But, like most of you, travel plans this year were cancelled or postponed.  We were excited to go with 4 other couples on a Viking River Cruise in France to celebrate my husbands retirement.  But that didn't happen.

With time at home, I read more and sketched more, in particular I enjoyed (and still am) James Micheners book about Texas.  All 1400 pages!  Having not grown up in Texas, and really not traveled much in my home state, I was intrigued!   

This prompted a day-trip in late September, on a beautiful fall day, to Schulenburg and the surrounding areas to see the famous "Painted Churches of Texas."  There are about 20 of these churches scattered throughout Texas, with six found in this area.  Settled by Czech and German immigrants in the late 1800's, the church was the center of their communities.  They built beautiful tall steepled churches, like this one in Dubina, but the true beauty lies within.  The colorful murals and decor will surprise you and leave you in awe.  Each one beautiful, but unique in its own way.  Sometimes painted by local members of the church, others painted by itinerant artists, who just happened to be passing through the area.  

This has been quite a year... for me, a time for more reflection on the busy life I was living.  I have missed some things, but like these churches, I appreciate the simplicity of the outward appearances, and have learned to value the beauty within.  

"but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."

1 Peter 3:4

12/18

 St. Mark's Mission

Nenana, Alaska

Last year my husband I enjoyed a "bucket list" trip... an Alaskan Cruise with a land excursion to Denali National Park.  I read Michener's "Alaska" (all 1156 pages!) in preparation and loved knowing the history and background behind the areas we were going to visit.  

As with most trips, I had my eye out for THE church that will be sketched for the Christmas Card.   I did my homework and was prepared to choose the historical St. Michaels Cathedral in Sitka.  I took a zillion photo's from every angle.  Done!  Then, about a week later, while on the land excursion we literally made a "pit stop" in Nenana and across the little road from the rest area / gift shop I saw this log cabin church and it captured my heart.  

The moral of the story... our days and weeks can be planned and scheduled, but it's the unexpected joys that fill my heart and create the lasting memories.   With just a week left before Christmas... slow down and open your eyes to the unexpected joy surrounding you!

A little more about this church:

The St Marks Episcopal Church was established in 1907 serving the native population.  It was a mission, a schoolhouse, a hospital and church.  Due to river erosion and a new Railroad, it was moved to its present location in 1955. 

St. Peters Cathedral Square

St. Peters Cathedral Square

Salzburg, Austria 

Talk about a room with a view!!

This sketch is from the window in the catacombs built where a monastery thrived in the 7th Century.  We climbed the old stone stairway to the third floor where several rooms had been carved out of the mountain for the monks to live and worship.  Oh, if walls could talk!  

I try to imagine what it would have been like to live then, in the early days of Christianity.  Obviously, at that time, the view from this spot would have been the small village of Salzburg, life would have been much simpler and slower.  But for the monks that lived there, their faith was everything!  Their hope for the future and all that would life would bring.  The same remains true for us today.  

It's our commitment to our faith, that gives us hope for the future.   

Mission San Jose del Cabo Catholic Church

Mission San Jose del Cabo Catholic Church

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico 

Cabo San Jose is a special place for my husband and me!  It's just 30 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, and much quieter and laid back.  We went there on our honeymoon in 2006 and have returned almost every year since.  Mostly we relax, read books and play a lot of backgammon!  A short walk from our hotel is the town square, always bustling with activity.

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!