"Painting Class 2, Project No. 1 - Autumn Study"

Everybody liked this one. My husband liked it, my stepdaughter liked it, my friends liked it. I hope you like it, too. As the title says, it's project no. 1 from my second painting class. I have to acknowledge the awesome support and the help from my painting professor Mr. J. Tilley.

The painting is quite appropriate because fall is fast approaching. I got some fantastic news today. Another answered prayer! God is good all the time, -- even though sometimes it's hard for us to see it in the midst of life's storms. It is not easy to do but it's during those times that we really need to cling to the Lord... when we need to have more faith, and trust in Him.

"Thank you, dear Lord. Thank you and praise you! You are worthy! Dear Lord, I pray for all the people, bless us all Oh Lord, and give us all the grace to know You. Lord, please increase our faith during times of trials. Let us always remember that You love us, always, and nothing can separate us from Your Love."

"Strawberry Fusion"

Hi! I hope you like this painting. My stepdaughter said it's almost realistic. My husband said "Hmmm, strawberry!" I like strawberries. I didn't know I'd have such fun painting one, too.

"Lord, thank you for your mercy and your grace. Lord, we lift up to you all who are sick and suffering, please help them, Oh Lord. Please heal them, dear Lord. Amen."

"Flower Puzzler"

I've wanted to paint these flowers for so long but only got around to it today. I took some photos of some flowers at a place we visited in New Hampshire in July. My stepdaughter said "oh, i know, they're marigolds!" I looked up marigolds on the internet and they don't look like the flowers from my original photo. I wonder if they are dahlias. I checked my book of watercolor flowers but it only had a picture of African Marigold and it had more petals. Ditto with the dahlia -- the picture in my book had too many petals. Whatever flowers they are, I hope you like the painting above.

I am posting two photographs that I took of the flowers at the place called the Polar Caves. The flowers were in the flower bed in front of the Klondike Store. These photographs inspired the above painting. What do you think? Can you name these flowers?

"Dear Lord, thank you for beautiful babies and the joy they bring to our lives. Bless all children, dear God. Send your angels to watch over them always. Thank you for your healing as we pray for our brethren who are sick. Thank you, dear Lord for your unfailing love. I love you, Lord, you are awesome!"

"Purple Pansies"

I really had a great time with the last painting (Three Pretty Pansies). Hence, this is the second set of pansies. There are still three big pansies in this one, but there are also four buds, so that makes a total of seven flowers. Whew! (I only learned today that you always paint in odd numbers. Never two, or four or six... like birds in the sky are always three or five, never two.)

Well, my husband thinks these pansies are really nice, and I hope you like them, too. I think I'm going to try to work at achieving more realism in my art. I'm learning that you need to start with a really good drawing, the more detailed, the better. After that, it should be just like coloring... easy, right? The really great artists make it look so easy. But it's not, at least, for me. It's a lot of fun, but it's not easy,... not yet.

I got my second comment today. Thanks, Tammy, I really appreciate that. Thanks also to Dr. Love for posting his comment and greeting Nanna.

"Today I thank the Lord for His saving grace, that we are saved not by our own merits or works, but by His grace. Thank you Lord for your love. I love you, Lord. You are awesome!"

"Three Pretty Pansies"

I really liked how this painting turned out. My husband liked it, too. That's always a plus! I used a combination of wet in wet and wet in dry techniques for this one. I also did some spattering for the background. Pansies are really beautiful flowers, full of color and rich in contrast. I would love to be able to paint more pretty pansies.

I was scheduled to go out of town today but we were informed late last night and early this morning that the appointment was cancelled. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Sometimes we don't understand the why's or wherefore's of things, we just need to trust in God.

"Thank you, Lord for all your blessings, for your loving care and protection. I put all my trust in You. You know what is best for us. Praise to you, Oh Lord, Jesus Christ!"

"Daisies in a Vase and Pears"

I hope you like this composition. I liked the warmth of the colors in this picture. What do you think? My husband's grandmother loves daisies and she's celebrating her birthday on the 21st of this month. Happy Birthday Nanna! My stepdaughter drove herself to school today. I was so happy when I saw the truck coming up the driveway. We're so proud of her! I thanked the Lord for keeping her safe, we love her so much!

"Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your unfailing love. You are awesome, Lord, praise you!"

"Fantasy in Yellow"

I saw some pretty black-eyed susans in New Hampshire. This is my first attempt to paint them. I used wet-in-wet, and some spattering in the background. I liked the fantasy effect of the purples, pinks, greens and yellows in the background, hence the title. I hope you like it, too. What do you think?

"Dear Lord, thank you for your provision in our lives. Praise to you, O, God! You are worthy!"

A Pear and A Pair of Peaches

This is project no. 3 from my painting class. This was quite interesting to paint. I love how the purples blended in the foreground. What do you think?

Belated Happy Birthday to a lovely girl who was one of the flower girls during my wedding-- Chelsea! Keep on smiling! Stay as sweet as you are.

"Dear Lord, thank you for your love. Love that is patient and that is kind. Because of your love, we have hope."

Everyone needs hope in their life. Then there is something to look forward to.

"Barn Scene 101"

Here it is, Project No. 2 from my painting class! I hope you like it. I think it's pretty neat. I used a lot of wet in wet washes in this painting, to get the sky effect, and the foreground as well. This started as a very simple composition and it turned out to be an interesting study.

"Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy. We praise you, Almighty Father, you are worthy!"

"Hidden Beauty"

I found this beautiful white lily in the midst of green leaves in a small garden pond in New Hampshire. It took several attempts to paint it.

Sometimes, like this flower, we feel like we are in a place where we stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes we wonder why God put us there. Maybe, like this flower does to that pond, our presence adds to the contrast created, and voila! - there is beauty to behold.

Congratulations to my stepdaughter for her successful graduation from high school and for her two-year scholarship! We love you, darling and we are so proud, so very proud of you!

"Dear Lord, thank you for the many blessings, for good health and loving family and friends."