Springtime Bridge

This one came from a book with step by step instructions - I enjoyed painting it, but can see all the flaws in it. I am anxious to learn my own technique, so I don't have to rely on someone else to tell me how to paint.

Beach Chairs

One of these days I'll be confident enough take my easel outside and paint what I see, and not just paint from a picture. For now, I'll stay indoors and keep on doing what I'm doing.

Fog

I used Bob Ross's technique to paint a scene from a picture I had taken off Bill's deck one foggy morning. It's not very good, but I did it without a book telling me what steps to take.

I'm also learning to mix my own colors and to paint on a dry canvas. I'm liking that technique better, because you can leave a painting unfinished, and even start another one until it's convenient to go back to the first one. I have two paintings started right now - hopefully I'll finish one by the end of this week and post it here soon.

SeaScape

I enjoyed painting this one, though it took some time before I was finally satisfied enough to tell myself to put the brush down and leave the painting alone. I like the play of colors and the hint of movement that I've seemed to capture.

Bad Trees

I painted this painting back at the end of March, but didn't think it was good enough to post. I finally decided it didn't matter if it was good or not, it was enough that I had painted it.

Shared Joy

Kimberly and I shared the joy of painting a few weeks ago, and though we ran out of time to put the finishing touches on our paintings, I thought I would share our paintings here. For an eleven year old, I would say that Kimberly has such a natural talent, as evidenced by this first painting. We read the instructions out of the book and then applied them to the canvas. The results are quite amateurish, but we enjoyed the activity and the time together, and really, that's what counts, right?

This picture shows both paintings side by side:


Here is Kimberly's painting - I just love her clouds!


Of course, I wasn't happy with my own clouds. I thought that Kimberly did a much better job, over all, but I am still pleased with the painting


We still need to go back and put the finishing touches on the paintings - shadows and highlights on the trail, and more bushes and plants at the waters edge, and of course we still have to initial them, but who knows when that will be so I figured I'd post these now.

Howling Winds

She's home alone where it's warm inside and quiet
Wrapped in a blanket with a book and a mug of cocoa
Outside it's getting dark and the storm clouds gather
Wind whips around the trees and batters the house
Forcing it's way through the space around the windows
Howling like a lonely wolf desperately seeking it's mate
Replacing the tranquil solitude she'd been feeling
With a sense of loneliness and a need to be held

A Shield of Love

I'm learning to think of love like a shield
That can be wrapped around myself and my love
Projected like a force field around the two of us
Protecting us from outside influences
That might bring harm or disharmony within
For inside the shield there is only each other
Wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and safety
Strengthened by the force of the shield
That allows only love to penetrate

Love me for who I am

I want to be allowed to be myself
To be loved for who I am
I want to be accepted, flaws and all
Despite the mistakes of my past

I want to live beyond our past
To spend our time looking forward
I want to celebrate the goodness in each other
Offering the gift of forgiveness and trust

I want the opportunity to grow
To show off the person I've become
To shine with the love that's in my heart
For you to tell me that it's enough

Numbers 15:38

The tassels dangle from the corners of the afghan
So soft and fluffy and colorful
And as I wrap the afghan around myself
Caressing the fabric of the tassel
I'm struck with a memory of God
Who said to put blue thread in the tassels
As a reminder of His commandments
So that we might turn from the promptings
And the sinful inclinations of our hearts
Denying ourselves instead and changing our ways
Becoming holy like God is holy
And so I wrap the afghan around myself
Caressing the fabric of the tassel
Feeling myself enfolded in His love
And knowing that He is near

Emerald Waters

This is another Bob Ross technique - it's my new favorite

Autum Stream

This painting took several days - not my best, but worth posting, I guess