Girl in a Purple Cloth oil painting

Here's an oil painting I painted this week. And of course, here's the photo of Hannah that inspired the painting. She is my daughter. She is my muse. She is my love.

"Wearing my red shoes" girl

This is an oil painting I call Red Shoe Girl. I don't know if it's finished yet, but I've had fun with it, learning a little about oil painting.

All for now,
Tricia

January musings on motherhood

I thought I'd share some sweet stories of Hannah, things she's said lately I thought were endearing:

Cute: The other day Hannah was talking about how a sweet lady we know, who recently had a baby, was looking really good. Hannah said she was impressed that the lady had "gotten back in fit again" so soon. She meant in shape, of course, but I thought, as only a mother can, that it was cute. I know she won't get her words mixed up like this too much longer, and one of the greatest pleasures of motherhood for me was hearing her get things "almost," but not quite right! ha!

Funny/confused: When Hannah and I were at Walmart the other day, we had just checked out. In the cart were tennis shoes for her, as well as a couple of inexpensive Barbies we'd told her we'd get for Christmas, but wanted her to pick out. Anyway, as I was leaving the cashier, I told her, "Okay, let's make sure I keep this receipt somewhere safe in case there's anything wrong with the shoes." Her response? Oh, it should be okay, mom, because I hardly ever have the Barbies wear their shoes when I play." I know I got a funny look on my face, and said, "No, I meant YOUR shoes." We had a good laugh at that, it was fun to see her laugh at herself on that one.

Sweet: Last night John was praising Hannah because lately she's done a lot better about doing her homework without being asked, or when she's asked, she just buckles down and does it. After he finished encouraging/praising her, she looked at him and said, "Well, Daddy, that's not me, that's Jesus in me."

That's my girl! I'm glad she gives Him credit at this age, that's what we all need to do. It's a lesson I am still learning, to be sure.

The above photos were taken at Christmastime at Lake Grapevine. I think she looks beautiful.

I took an oil painting class last week for fun. My watercolor teacher teaches it on Thursdays. I won't be able to go this semester because of our schedule, but I was just curious to see what it was like. I had a lot of fun. I am so grateful God has given me something I enjoy. I hope I can get better and better and perhaps get good enough to sell some paintings in the future, but for now, I'm having a great time just learning.

All for now,
Tricia

Mary, Did You Know?

I forgot to mention in my last post that Hannah and I had a nice time taking some photos of her dressed up as Mary, holding Baby Jesus. Hannah knew what she wanted the shots to look like and it was fun seeing her be so creative. One of her favorite games ever is Bible Charades. We were playing on a Friday night and decided I should take some pix of her looking so authentic. I think they turned out very sweet.

I also wanted to boast a little bit that my (shy) daughter has been singing for performance chapel at school. The first song she sang was called The Hammer, by Ray Boltz. The most recent one she sang was Mary, Did you Know? by Mark Lowry. I think it's so great she's coming out of her shell enough to enjoy something like singing for people. I hadn't even had the pleasure of hearing her perform until she sang for mom, dad, John and me on Christmas day (with the stipulation that we don't look at her while she sang! ha!) Then after she said that, she said, "well, go ahead. I have 75 pairs of eyes on me during performance chapel... a few pairs of eyes right now shouldn't bother me!" ha! I don't think I'm just biased when I say that she has a lovely voice. Sweet. Pure.

This picture is of her playing "Queen Esther," from the Bible. I think it's so cool that she's growing up to love the Lord, to love His Word. And I love seeing her passionate about music--and hey, it's in her blood. Her two grandmothers are wonderful musicians, who both love to sing and play the piano. I am thankful for the song in her heart. Ever since she was little, she has sung most all day long.

All for now (or until I think of something else to add!) ha!,
Tricia

Tufted Titmouse

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Okay, so here's two pictures of a little bird I painted. The first is, of course, a scan of the not-yet-completed painting and the second is the finished piece. I worked in some pen & ink detail on the branch he's sitting on.

I'm working on a couple of other paintings right now and will try to share soon!

We're having a nice vacation. Hannah's really enjoyed being home and reading and just spending time with all of us together. I decided to just chill this year and so I didn't send out any (gasp!) Christmas cards this year. But I've always been one to correspond throughout the year and so I'm not too worried about it. Besides, I try to send out Valentine's cards or something, to let people know we're thinking of them. I figure everyone appreciates a little note right about then, once the hustle and bustle of Christmas has passed.

All for now,
Tricia

Watercolor portrait of Hannah, age 8

Okay, so the photograph is obviously the inspiration for my portrait. The next picture is a sketch I made of it, and the last one is where I am so far in the painting. I don't know if I'll finish tonight, but I'll probably work a little more on it.

Not too bad for my very first portrait. I'm trying to not be hard on myself, looking at the flaws, but to just enjoy the progress I've made in the last few months.

Can't recall if I mentioned we went to a wonderful Christmas program last weekend, at a local church. They had a choir, orchestra and vocalists perform. It was a dreary night to be out, but oh, the music was simply lovely!

All for now,
Tricia

Bluebird of happiness

I thought I'd share this little bluebird I painted. I found the image in a Birds & Bloom magazine and did NOT trace, people. So proud! :) ha! Now, he has his faults, he's not perfect, but I like him anyway. I know my dad will like him, Mr. Birdlover! I worked some pen & ink into his feathers as well, and even some special pigment powder into the blue to make it pop.

John and I had a funny conversation about him. I told him I thought the bird's beak looked like the carrot on a snowman. John said, "Well, now that's all I'm gonna think when I look at him!" ha!

I haven't been posting much lately, mostly because I'm in the "taking classes" and learning mode, which has been great. And I'll try to post more about our family soon. We had a good Thanksgiving. I was sick, unfortunately, but still felt like we had a nice time since John wasn't having to work so much and Hannah was out of school. Good family time!

All for now,
Tricia