A Request for Patience

I am so thankful for those of you who are loyal readers of my blog and who enjoy stopping by to visit and see what I've been up to in and out of The Water Bucket Studio. Thank you, thank you!! If you are one of them, then you have noticed and probably have been disappointed as of late to find that when you arrive, nothing has changed. No new posts! What is wrong with this picture?!
Between the busyness of life, the process of major decisions in our family, illness, etc., I simply have not had time or energy. Sound familiar? If so, then my loyal readers will understand and will keep coming back just to check in.
We have been blessed with a career change that has been much wanted and desired for several years now. It was a huge decision for us. But when you leave it at Jesus' feet and let Him be your guide. What grace!!!!!
The big changes are to take place in the next month and so I will be taking some more time off from my blog in the meantime. Please be patient!!!! And please check back soon and I will give you the full story. If the Lord wills, all will go smoothly and we will just step into place.

New Year Greetings to All!

Can you believe 2007 is almost ended??? As a child I heard adults saying things like "Time flies by so quickly.", "The older I get the shorter the day.", and "Every year gets shorter and shorter!" I never understood what they were talking about, as I'm sure everyone of you can relate to and remember also. NOW I UNDERSTAND! It is true. There truly is so much to do and so little time to accomplish it.

The Lord has showered me with blessings in 2007 and I am so very grateful. He has continually clothed me, fed me, and sheltered me from the storms (both literally and figuratively) this year, all the while teaching me some powerful, wonderful, and sometimes difficult lessons. I never wanted to experience some of these things, and yet, I am so much better off having been through them and learning from them. I am thankful for it all. Even more, I am thankful for a loving God, who guides me through all of it.

3 Paintings and A Quick Note to All

5x16 watercolor Moleskine

Wow! How far away I have been!!! I hope you all have continued to visit and I apologize to those who have and found no new posts. Lots of things are happening here at home and we have some huge changes coming real soon, but more about that later. For now, I wanted to share with you a few new paintings. Above is just a quick sketch done in my wc Moleskine and below I repeated the painting on 11x14 paper. Of course, no two paintings are ever alike, I like them both. What do you think???

11x14 watercolor

Never Let Go, 11x14 watercolor

I have always been drawn to the Bible story of the woman with an issue of blood that is recorded in Matthew 9:20-21 and in Mark 6:56. "Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well."

Just to touch the hem of Jesus' garment!!! Imagine. I trust Him and I know that no matter what happens to me here on earth, no matter how difficult life may be, I can hold on to the hem of His garment today by reading God's word and obeying Him. What a wonderful and precious blessing that is!

Please do come back again! It will be a couple of months before I can get back to regular and consistent posting, but please don't give up on me. I so enjoy sharing with you all!

Another Bird Story

Being delinquent about posting here has made me feel quite cranky. To all of those who visit regularly, I apologize. I'll tell you it hasn't been for lack of desire, but rather, just too busy to get even one painting completed! I have several projects in the works and will post them as I am able.
All of my life I have had a loving interest in penmanship, calligraphy, and lettering. Oh, my poor parents! how frustrated they must have felt with all of the paper waste! You see, as a child, I remember my school projects and homework had to be "perfect" (at least, in presentation) and if the very first letter written was not acceptable by my standards I would simply wad up the page and throw it away. Sometimes this took 1/2 a ream! LOL!!! And so, my attraction for beautiful penmanship grew. I never did take instruction in calligraphy or any other form of lettering arts through the years, but have been self-taught. I did let the interest and obsession wain over the years, but recently, it has been revived and there are not enough books (or paper, possibly) on the subject in our tiny local library. I have purchased a couple of pens with italic nibs and a wonderful fountain pen with a very springy and flexible nib that I am anxious to put to work. It needs a new sac and just a thorough "once over" though...something that I do not feel qualified to do. Look for some artistic lettering posts in the future here.
I must tell you a funny story! I wish I had pics to post, but alas, I did not have my camera ready. Whilst flitting around the house doing chores and getting ready for my watercolor class the other morning, I noticed Miss Kitty running back and forth from window to window. I looked out to see what was so interesting to her and found that there was a huge flock of Starlings flying and diving about just outside. I didn't think much of it. I went out to get in my car a couple hours later to leave for class and was given quite a shock. My car (which btw, is new) was covered (and I do mean, covered) in bird poop!!! I was not parked under any trees or electrical lines, as you might expect, but those Starlings had decided to swarm my car and leave me parting gifts anyway. I could hardly see through the front window and even the door handle was covered! I didn't have time to spray it down at the moment, so headed out to class. I stopped at the coffee house on the way and the girls at the shop were rolling laughing as I pulled up. One of the girls said "If you don't have time to wash that off, I'd suggest taking the backroads. It's embarassing!" It really was funny! I kept thinking "Have you ever had one of those days when you just felt like you'd been c____ed on?" Well, I did. There's something about birds................

Kitty, Chef in the Kitchen, and My Guide

Life here on the Oregon coast is pretty wonderful lately. I haven't been posting regularly lately, because so much is going on in our neck of the woods and for the most part, I have to say everything has been good, good, good. Since moving to our new place in August, we have had many "visitors" to our home, all with the hopes that we would be keeping a bottomless dish of cat food on our porch. Yes, cats are abundant in our neighborhood! I warned the cat lover in our household that he was not to start feeding them and he took it to heart for a good 2 months, I'd say, until a little female revealed that she was living under the church building next door AND that she was starving. After a few bowls of milk and a morsel of left-over cod, she decided to follow us home and she has not left since. She now has run of the house (though she never strays far from the "princess chair", where she lounges and bathes herself regularly) during the day and then she promptly wants out at night. The arrangement works well for all of us, so far. I was talking with a friend about this new arrangement and she made the remark "All strays that you take in are 1. pregnant, 2. full of fleas, 3. wormy, or 4. all of the above." Miss Kitty is quite clean, but also quite PREGNANT!!!! I'm not sure how we will deal with that, but all in all, we like our new guest. I'll try to post a picture of her soon.
It has been a treat this week to have our son home, in good spirits, and to see his love of cooking at work in our kitchen! Today we will be feasting on a wonderful smelling pot roast with all of the trimmings.
My Guide, My God. He is so good and His love never ceases to amaze me! In the turmoil of this life, I am thankful, beyond description for His goodness and peace of mind he provides to me and my family.

There's something about birds...

Western Tananger, watercolor 11x15
There's something about birds that I just thoroughly enjoy painting! I've noticed that I keep getting drawn back to them in my paintings.

Hooked.....line & sinker

Aside from all of the busy-ness and business of life, I have been playing with a couple of "new to me" fountain pens. I joined the Fountain Pen Network and have been obsessively researching everything there is to know about fountain pens. Absolutely wonderful!!!! I even have received absolute approval from my dear hubby to persue this beautiful art. Yesterday he and I had to make a trip to Eugene to visit a friend in the hospital (that's another story) and we stopped into the local pen shop, Pensations. The clerk there handed me a Namiki Falcon and instantaneously a thrilling shiver went up my spine! Oh My! What a beautiful pen! The nib has a nice flex to it, producing lovely line variations. I handed it to Larry and his immediate comment was "This pen sells itself." Understandably though, at a retail price of $175, it did not sell itself to us yesterday. There are so many beautiful pens in the world, you can easily acquire many wonderful writers for less than $50.
I have also been playing with brush lettering on my watercolor paintings and that has been fun too. The other day I painted these rabbits (notice the spelling) and being not extremely pleased with the painting itself, I decided to play with lettering on it with a small flat wc brush. I was so focused on the lettering itself...well, you can see for yourself the error made. I aced spelling and english throughout my school years, but you wouldn't know it by this painting. LOL!
I also am very interested to begin learning Spencerian and Copperplate Script. It is so lovely! And I have completed a painting with just that in mind, so watch for it in the future here on my blog.

I Won! How Fun!

I really am so honored to have been selected as the winner to last weeks "Bird" challenge!! There were so many wonderful and talented entries. Do visit Monday Artday to see my entry, but also, to check out some great work from other artists!

I'm posting this a day late, but as they say.... better than never!

1. Illicit :: affair


2. Go :: into all the world and preach the gospel
   


3. Jacket :: coat


4. Blow :: hard


5. Coach :: trainer


6. Effort :: discipline


7. Leadership :: example


8. Snore :: a rough night


9. Fearless :: brave
   


10. Network :: resource

Lilac and Rambling.........

Okay, well it seems like I have been away for a long time, but really, I haven't been away at all. I have just been busy and tired. Needless to say, but my paintbrushes have been getting thirsty also. I feel so neglectful! But, after being up till 1:30 a.m. doing our books and then wide awake this morning at 5:30 a.m., I did manage to go to my watercolor class and amazing to me, managed to accomplish this little painting in my Moleskine. This picture does not do it justice at all. All of the purples, blues and pinks blend so much nicer than what it is showing here. Also, it is a pen & ink. You can't really tell here, can you?
I also have a couple larger paintings I am working on, but I have gotten to "a dead zone" in my mind on them, so they are set aside for a bit of time.
Keep coming back! And thank you so much for visiting!

I WANNA WIN!!!!

5 Minutes for Mom is doing another Giveaway!!!! This time it is for the new Casio EX-Z75. The highlight is it's PINK in recognition of October Breast Cancer Awareness month. I really, really want this. But, you too, can go and sign up to win.

Busy-ness, New Wheels, & An Apple a Day

1. I have not posted any paintings this week as my life has been so busy!!! It's just been one thing after another, it seems. In the midst of the whirlwind yesterday, I thought, "I wish this could stop!" But, after more thinking I realized that if life were not busy most of the time, then I would have to learn to make myself busy, in order that I didn't get bored. Funny how that works?! It is a blessing to have the health to be able keep moving.

2. One of the things that kept me on Friday was the purchasing of a new vehicle. Now that is a blessing! I'm thrilled with the ride! Also, for the most part, the experience with the dealer and salesman was quite pleasant. I have experienced worse.

3. I bought some beautiful apples this week and have been faithfully eating one a day. Yummm! they are so good! Like the old saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." (the updated 21st century saying goes like this, "An apple a day, peeled, keeps the doctor away.")

1. Cluster :: group

2. Announcement :: birth

3. Respect :: honor

4. Incident :: accident

5. Accordian :: musician

6. Drunk :: slobbering

7. If :: only

8. Dexter :: thick glasses and fountain pen?

9. Wedding :: dress

10. Gambling :: greed

WC Class, Peacocks, & Crab Puffs

1. Watercolor class was such a joy today. I have missed the last 2 weeks due to being sick with a cold and today was just so much fun! The ladies in class are all so dear and it is delightful to see what all of them are working on and how they improve with each week that passes.

2. After doing the little peacock in my sketchbook, I decided to work on a large painting of a peacock. I accomplished much on it today and it is coming along quite well. I should be able to post it in a couple of days.

3. When my hubby got home this afternoon, the temperature was dropping and it was actually turning cold. His suggestion and solution to warm up? A cup of hot tea at the local Chinese food restaurant. And dinner. I really like Crab Puffs!

A New Sketch

I just had to post again today! I had a bit of time before dinner and while the subject was napping, so I did a sketch of him (from a picture). I'd never done a portrait sketch before, let alone one with ink. I thought it turned out pretty good...considering it's being my first. He says it makes him look fat. mmmm.... Well, this will take more practice, I can see.

Art as Therapy and Just Doodling.....

I remember, many years ago, that I used to doodle everytime I was on the phone. I don't think I do that much anymore, in fact, I haven't been doodling at all! In retrospect, I think that was during a time in my young life that I didn't have many pressures on me (or, at least, I didn't think I did ???) and the carefree artistic side of me had no problem with attempting art. It seems that I woke up one morning and life had become chaotic and stiff and I found myself struggling along like so many others...and the doodling (the attempt to create) was GONE! Suddenly, I had this need to get back into my artistic self....I needed the therapy. The good news is that last night while on the phone, I doodled! And it felt so good. Even the conversation was more lively and pleasant. Below I've posted my "telephone doodles" (watercolor washes were added this morning). So, what is it about creating art that is so therapeutic? Please leave your comments and tell me why art is therapeutic for you.

A Pumpkin Vignette & My New Pet

Stumbled upon a fun little gadget yesterday and just had to adopt it! Scroll down and in the sidebar you will find my new pet, a virtual pet created by BunnyHeroLabs. I just thought this little tiger was adorable, so I brought him "home" and named him Zipper. Turn your speakers on and give hi a pet........he has a great purring motor! Also, click on the More tab and feed him a steak!

1. Crook :: thief
   
2. Career :: lifestyle
   
3. Freckles :: spots
   
4. Scramble :: eggs
   
5. Mistake :: error
   
6. Telephone :: booth
   
7. Thank you :: No, thank you!
   
8. Obstruction :: walls
   
9. 24/7 :: all day, everyday
   
10. SciFi :: thriller
    

3 Sketches

New pens, Monday Artday, and Garden-Fresh

1. If you've been reading my posts lately, you will know that I have been bit by the "sketching bug". Well, I just did not have a pen that I liked for sketching, but now I have a new 6 pc Sakura Pigma Micron set in black! I am excited to get started sketching with these and we'll see the results.

2. This morning I received a sweet comment on yesterday's post from Ronni over at Monday Artday. She has a wonderful weekly art challenge to sign up for and some of the participants work is really good. Thinking I might give that a try......will be fun, anyway!

3. While fighting with this nasty cold all week, it has been such a blessing to have fresh garden tomatoes for dinner every night! Yummmmmy! A dear old friend loaded my hubby up with them earlier this week as a gift for little 'ole me.