From Nancy----A Dragonfly Card Holder and A Heart Rock

My friend Nancy gave me these treasures a couple of months ago, and I am only now getting the painting done.  It is a card and I will see her tomorrow night and give it to her then.  I call it a Dragonfly card holder, but it kind of defies description.  I put a postcard of Mount Fuji in it, but could put in a recipe or a business card of someone I want to call or a quote I like.  Many possibilities!  The heart rock is natural....found by Nancy and shaped like a heart.  She looks for them and makes them into magnets.  So much fun.  I plan to look for heart rocks in my future walks on beaches and trails, and whereever I am.  My kitchen chair is in the background as this was on the kitchen table when I painted it.  Thanks, Nancy!   You're all heart!!!!

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.