Pretty Glass Heart from Sheryl

I visited my friend Sheryl in Mill Valley on New Year's Day.  We had a great visit--lots of laughs---and she gave me this very pretty glass heart ornament.  I didn't do it justice in this painting.  I had it on my table and was making this card when Celeste came over.  She made a sketch of this same heart, and had a little fun with it.  Hope she doesn't mind my "blog-jacking" it from http://www.behindthescenes-ppasp.blogspot.com/



Louisa is a great hostess!

I visited Louisa, Peter, Griffin and Sophia for Christmas in Washington DC.  She gave me a book (The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver which I highly recommend), but I didn't want to paint that.  I decided to paint a pineapple--the symbol of hospitality.  She had two parties, organized an outing to see my cousin and his family in St. Michael's, organized art outings and visits to the National Arboretum and to the Botanical Gardens.  All that, and Christmas too!   It was a great visit.  This painting is on a watercolor card from Strathmore.

Thanks, Jen

After Christmas, I went to California and spent a little more than a week at Jen's apartment and drove her Mercury Mountaineer.  So, as thanks, this is a little painting of the Mountaineer.  It was fun to drive.  Jen also gave me a lovely little handmade ornament.  Making a painting of the car was fun!   I'll be sending  the card to her. 

Lots of NoDak Food from Bob

My friend Bob in North Dakota sent a gift of speciality foods from his state.  It is very welcome, and I was inspired to paint all of it!  It kept me entertained while I was doing it, and will keep me well-fed now that I can eat it.  Actually, the bison summer sausage has already been "taste tested" and found delicious.  The painting is mostly watercolor, but I used some ink and gouache because there is so much detail. 

A Dragonfly Gourd from Jan

Last night, I had dinner with my friends Jan, Patty, and Nancy.  We were at Patty's house.  So nice and warm.   We really enjoyed each others' company.  I gave Jan this painting (on a card, of course) of a gourd she had given me as a little Christmas gift.  My joy in doing these little paintings continues.  

Pitt pens from Celeste...in landscape colors

....resulted in this sketch of the Bodega Bay area in California:

The pens are really fun.  I need more practice with them, but I had fun trying out some experiments with them.  Of course, I made this sketch into a card!!!! 



Glass Fish from Jeff

This is the same fish that was in the painting I posted yesterday, but this is a closeup.  I made this into a card and sent it to my brother Jeff.  Thank you, Jeff.  The fish looks a little silly in this picture--he is very cute.  Making these small paintings and sending them as thank-yous brings a smile to my face.

Sketchbook from Carrie--Gifts from Jeff

My friend Carrie gave me a handmade sketchbook for Christmas.  On the first page of it, I made a little painting of some gifts from my brother Jeff--a red silk box with an ornament in it, a little silver dish, and a little glass fish who loves to sit on the dish.  Then, I thought it would be fun to paint a little picture of the sketchbook with the painting.  So this is it!  It is now a card which I will be giving to Carrie. 

A rose for Virginia

I made a card for Virginia, who is a special friend of my family's and took a picture of the rose painting on the front before I gave it to her.  I love to make a special card for special people.