Storm Comin'

     I'm used to, by now, putting my artwork out into the world for people to view and possibly comment on. With the exception of my blog posts, it's rare that I share my writing. I need to get over it. I did this little illustration to go with a writing exercise I did for the writing prompt: Explain lightning to a five year old.

STORM COMIN'

      Close your eyes, child. Can you smell the rain? It’s comin’. 

      Shhhh. Hush now. Listen to the thunder boomin’ in the distance. It’ll be here soon.

      See how dark the sky is over that field? That’s the backdrop for the show.

      Now pick up your things and let’s move inside the house. We can watch everything from Grandma’s picture window.

     Let’s turn this chair 'round so we’re facin' out front. Come on up here on Grandma’s lap. There now. All cozy? 

     Look at it comin’. See how the rain is fallin’ in the distance? Look at it pour! That’s what you call buckets ‘o rain. Ever hear of it rainin’ cats and dogs? Well that right there is lions and wolves comin’ at us. Are you ready? Don’t be frightened, Baby. We’re all safe inside here.

     Oh my! That’s what you call lightning. Did you see that? That was a beauty! I just love the way lightning snakes and sizzles its way down through the sky like that. All that energy can’t just come down in one beam of light. It breaks out of that one beam and jaggedy jumps in all kinds of directions.

     Oh! There’s another! 

     Listen. Let’s count. One . . . two . . . three . . . four. . . Hear that? That’s the thunder come followin’ that lightning. The less numbers you can reach, the closer the storm is gettin’.

     Haha! That one was beautiful! Let’s count. One . . . two . . . thr . . . Ooooo! It’s almost upon us. Close your eyes again. 

     Listen. 

     There. 

     Grandma loves the sound of rain dancin' on the roof, and me knowin’ I’m safe and dry, and God out there real close, waterin’ my garden and givin’ drinks to those in need.

     Oh my! I think we both jumped! Haha! This is a good show isn’t it? Grandma sure does love a storm. Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be enjoyin’ this show with either.

     What do you think?

     Hmmm?

     Child?

     Awe, Sweetheart. You just go right on sleepin’.  Grandma’s got you right here. All safe and dry.

     

Spring

     

     It's almost this time of year! My eyes are on my lilac bush and I intend to appreciate every last blossom this year. I intend to make bouquets and bring them into my house and sit and just breathe. 

     I did a piece very similar to this about 3 years ago when I was participating on a website called Illustration Friday The word prompt for the week was LUSH and below is my old submission. 

I wish everyone a Happy Easter!

For anyone checking out this blog on a regular basis, I'm nearly done with the portrait of my great-granddaughter and will probably post it by the end of the week.

Ashley the Great

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks because we have been in Cuba! This is a portrait of my great-grandaughter (yes! a perk of marrying an older man - he made me a great-grandmother. Look at her! I'll take it.)
When I got back and started going through my photos I was a little overwhelmed with where to start. So many beautiful images! So I pulled out this photo of her:

 and did this quick pencil sketch in my sketchbook:

I thought it might make a nice little portrait.

The technique I used is called grisaille. I started by using only black and white paint and once that dried I glazed colors over the top of it. 

Here she is!

     I don't know if I did this in a true grisaille style because I felt more like I was painting over the black and white rather than just glazing colors over the top. Oh well. Once she is dry and I am able to varnish and frame her, she will be on her way to Cuba to her parents' house.

I also want to share the portrait I painted, over ten years ago, of her father.

He was 11 years old when I last saw him (prior to this visit). I thought he was a wonderful and affectionate boy and he has grown into an amazing young man, willing to pose for me under a palm tree on the same beach. 

And . . . one last photo for this post (I'm sure I'll be posting more of Cuba as I work on paintings.) Probably my favorite of the whole trip. 

Me and my grandson.