Sorry, I was supposed to post this yesterday.  I had 15min left on it and I just didn't get it all done.  I will try to not let that happen again.  This is a good friend of mine's new husband.  They just got married last month.  I will add her beside him today!  : )





 Kalvyn is doing potty training all day today!

Memorial day . . . a day to remember and reflect on those who have died protecting our right to be free.  Praise God for our brave men and women!  In honor of today I have drawn a picture called Reflections.  I hope it reminds you to take time out, of our busy lives, to pray for our country and the brave souls protecting it.

I also did a 5 hour art project this morning for a coffee shop . . . 

 And here is the better picture of Kalvyn's new hair cut.  : )

The other sister . . . they are beautiful girls, and it was fun to draw them.

 

This is one of two sisters that were sweet enough to pose for my blog.  Kalvyn and I met them at the zoo . . . 

 
Have you ever wondered how a mother could leave her baby after the scent of a human is on it?  I have many times, and been appalled.  Well yesterday I got a small glimpse into how that might be possible.  Kalvyn had six inches of beautiful blonde hair on his precious little head . . . and I chopped five inches off.  Needless to say my efforts looked terrible, and half way through I just broke down in tears.  Kalvyn didn't want to stay still, so there were long pieces and uneven sides.  My sister Rachel came to the rescue, and soon Kalvyn was all even and had a very cute hair-do.  Don't worry, I'm coming back to the baby bird story.  : )    Even though it was cute, for several hours I felt like I'd lost my baby boy.  I couldn't look past the drastic change in the hair and see he really was the same Kalvyn.  There was a time of adjusting to the change, and yes, mourning the wave blonde locks.  Thanks God we are human and not birds.  We stick it out long enough to see our baby really is still the same.  I am so thankful that Kalvyn doesn't have to endure long hair all summer. I like it, I'm just always going to love his long hair best. 

 Half way through : (

 After Rae worked her magic . . . but we were playing at the splash park so it is all messed up.  Better picture will come soon : )

Talking on the phone sporting the new and cool hair cut!

I am in mourning tonight . . . my baby's beautiful curls are gone.  I will tell you all the story tomorrow.  But until then let's just enjoy what he used to look like! : ) 

People have often asked me how many portraits I have done of my son.  The answer is one . . . this one.  I have started a few, but just never thought I could get his face right.  In an hour I did better than i thought I would, but still have a long ways to go!  I love this little man!!!!!

I found this picture on google and fell in love with the lighting . . .

 I know our culture is all about staying young and keeping the wrinkles at bay, but you have to admit there is such beauty in them.

This is a lovely woman whom I met at the zoo and graciously allowed me to take her picture!  I don't know her name, but she was very sweet and loves art too.  Thanks you . . .

It honor of going to the zoo today, I drew the animal Kalvyn was the most excited and nervous to see . . .

I decided to do it in ink this time .  Usually I use charcoal ,  and I'm not as comfortable in this medium.  It was fun though, and I think I'll try a person portrait in it sometime!  

Kalvyn loved the zoo so much . . .

I am not on a famous person kick . . . even though it looks like it!  I just needed something in a hurry cause I wanted to go out and draw while Kalvyn was playing in his sandbox.  So I grabbed the cover of the movie Brian and I watched last night for our stay at home date night.  I love Mark Wahlberg, and this last movie was good except for the extensive use of language. Good things . . . Mark was a husband and dad who would do anything for his family, and it showed how our actions effect those we love.  It did take me a while to get interested it it though.









Kalvyn is starting the first stages of potty training today.  He is teaching Bear how to be a big boy.  He had fun with it, and I'm hoping he is understanding.

Doing a puzzle while waiting for bear to have to go poo poo!  : )

I LOVE LUCY !  : )


I'm sorry to all you Lucy fans . . . I couldn't get her likeness in an hour this time.  Maybe I'm try again sometime!

Just white charcoal on black paper today!  I was all the way to 45min before I realized her eyes are off . . . too late to do anything.  Oh well , I'm learning!      : )

This was another little boy at the park . . . Charlies friend.  I don't know his name, but if his mom sees this, please feel free to post it! : )

So I discovered something about myself today I hadn't realized before. . . I talk to myself out loud! I am sure other people know this about me, but I had not realized it till today.  Maybe I just do it when I'm alone . . . I hope so! : )

This is a sweet little guy that I met at the park where Brian, Kalvyn, and I were having a picnic.  His mom graciously let me take his picture.

Charlie 

My two year old just went poo poo in the potty chair!!! We are so excited! : )  Ya the life of a mommy . . . it is full of new adventures.  I'm so ready for Kalvyn to be potty trained, and yet I'm sad to see him grow up.  I'm having the same problem cutting his hair.  What if he looks so much older?  I just can't seem to do it . . . but it will have to happen soon.  His hair is so thick it will be hot this summer around his neck.  I'm not ready for him to leave behind his toddler stage! 

I decided to do an animal portrait for today! Even though no one has gotten back to me on weather it is a good idea or not! So if it's a bad idea I'll stop.  He is just so cute I have to post him!  : )

So today I thought I'd do a baby.  Their facial features have always been a challenge to me . . . they are so cutely squished.  So I picked one making a face, and I couldn't quite get it right in an hour, but here is what I have . . .

  
So I don't know if I really have any follower.  It has only been a week, and mostly I feel like I'm just doing these for myself . . . but if anyone if following, I have a question.  What do you think of adding animal portraits to the mix?  I said a portrait a day, but I guess I didn't say just people . . . It's just a thought.  I did an animal portrait for a friend today and it got me thinking it might be a nice change every once in a while. What you think ? ? ?

I have to admit, I laid around for over an hour doing nothing but watching a movie.  It was nice to not have more to do in one day than I could get done.  I feel rested now, and ready to get serious about this blog! : )  I have been so crazy busy that I haven't really been saying much.  Not that I will say lot's everyday,  but it's nice to have the option.

I'm excited about this year.  This blog has been a growing experience already, and it has only been a week.  Where will this blog take me . . . where will I be in a year?









This is Naomi!  She is adopted from Africa by the same family as Redeemed.  We love these girls, and I've heard so much about them I feel like I've meet them.  Naomi is a beautiful women!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!  In honor of this day I am drawing the beautiful woman who gave me life.....

Thanks you mom for encouraging me to pursue art, and always making me feel like my dreams are possible!  I love you very, very much!

A picture I found and quickly sketched.

I'm sorry I 'm late with this post.  I had the play yesterday, and in honor of that I drew our younger Anne. :)

Here are a few pictures from the play!  It went to well, I'm so proud of my cast!

Today was busy with dress rehearsal, and setting up for the play!  It went well, and I'm so tired.  So I only did a half hour sketch. This is a cute girl I found online.  This next week I'm going out to take pictures.  Play day tomorrow!!!!

This is Randy.....

And this is Pam and Randy together.  We are so glad they are a part of our family now!

My family has been such a blessing to me today.  My sister and I started an acting play group a few months ago and the performance is on Friday.  My whole family is making a big effort to pull the whole thing off. . . my Dad helped greatly with putting together the props.  It will be exciting to see how it all turns out . . . Anne of Green Gables.

                                         Pam is a dear friend who has become part of the family! : )

Today I drew outside while Kalvyn played in our makeshift sandbox.  He also ran around with Brian kicking a big beach ball.  It was so windy this picture flew away a few times, but we made it work! : )

This is Mia a beautiful young lady from Argentina who was a part of our lives for a few months . . . we miss her!

 I have had a wonderfully relaxing day today! :)  A very special family birthday party, my husband cleaned my kitchen for me, and I took a long nap with my baby boy . . .  Oh, and I got to have my first watermelon of the year! GREAT DAY!

                                                                      My little man eating our first
                                                                      watermelon . . . he worked on
                                                                      this for an hour. : - )
                                                                      Not looking forward to tomorrows
                                                                      diaper!





 It doesn't quite look like her yet, so I will need to spend more than an hour later.  Redeemed is a beautiful girl, with an even more beautiful story of redemption . . .

MARK,   GET SET,   GO!!!! I am going to do an hour portrait everyday for a year! You are welcome to join me on my journey. 

 So here I am....already off schedule on my first day!  :)  Yesterday was my birthday, but also a beautiful wedding that I was blessed to be a part of.  I was gone all day and did not get a chance to draw or post anything.  So today I am posting this picture for yesterday.  I did this a month ago for a dear friend, and it took about an hour.   It will have to do for yesterday since I couldn't fit everything in . . . but now I'm going to get going.  FULL SPEED AHEAD!