Illustration Friday: Fresh

Fresh is the theme for this week's Illustration Friday. I almost immediately thought about a trip that my husband and I made 2 years ago to Europe. During our stay in Salzburg, Austria, we just happened to be downtown on a Thursday which was market day. Oh, what a great treat for all the senses that was! It was so fun to see ladies of all ages riding their bicycles with their little baskets on the handlebars up to the market to do their shopping for the day. Fresh eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, and fresh flowers in abundance. It was so neat to see the women ride off with their wonderful fresh purchases tucked neatly inside their baskets. Much more fun than a trip to the boring supermarket.

I've included a few snapshots I took of the market and all the fresh goodies.

Here's a gorgeous pile of cherries...

And a random selection of eggs, jam, and flowers...

And such wonderful roses...

Lastly, my personal favorite - sunflowers...

"...for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."
(Psalm 107:9)

Illustration Friday: Escape

No time whatsoever this week for anything new for Illustration Friday - so I pulled out an ancient charcoal that I did in art class 10 years ago - seemed to fit the escape theme and shows a quite *different* style for me. I'm sure it was some kind of commentary on the ubiquitous nature of technology and how it was imprisoning people...blah, blah, blah. I have no idea what I was thinking :o)


Meanwhile, my thoughts and prayers turn homeward to Houston and Beaumont Texas tonight as my entire immediate and extended family are in the direct path of Rita. Most are hunkered down fairly well inland with ample supplies, but it's sure to be a rough ride. Im praying that they will escape harm....

"Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge."
(Psalm 16:1)

Illustration Friday: Depth

The depth of Daniel's convictions

got him into deep trouble with the king.

But a miracle kept Daniel safe,

the poor lions couldn't eat a thing.

Ok, a silly little poem to accompany this week's Illustration Friday design for "Depth". I couldn't help myself. This was a fun one to do, though it took me most of the week to finally get to it. To all those out there in need of a miracle, big or small, stick to your convictions and don't stop believing! The answer is closer than you think...

"Then you called out to GOD in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time."
Psalm 107:13 (The Message)

Just to say hi...

Once again - short on time

No time for anything new

But before this day is done, I'll say

That I was thinking of you!

"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." Jude 2

Studio Friday: Favorite Tool

The theme for this week's Studio Friday is "Favorite Tool". Really, my computer - equipped with a wacom tablet and Painter 9 - is my most often used tool, but my favorite tools would have to be my colored pencils. They're versatile, colorful, clean, and quick. They combine my favorite elements of drawing and painting into one. When I open my drawer that holds my colored pencils, it's very much like the thrill I used to feel opening a big box of crayons! Anything can happen when you have every imaginable color at your fingertips.

(click on the image to see it larger)

Illustration Friday: Roots

(click here to see a larger version)

My Southern Roots
(or more precisely, my Southeast Texas Roots)

The horrific events of this past week have me thinking about a lot of things - like my priorities, and how important family and friends are. When I saw that the topic for this week's Illustration Friday was "Roots", I immediately thought of my own roots in the southern Gulf Coast region and the little things that make it so special to me to this day: the beach, big southern hair, good old Tex Mex food, and sweet iced tea.

I was born in Beaumont, Texas (near the southern Louisiana border) to parents whose families hail from Louisiana. I spent all of my school years in Houston, and though we didn't visit Louisiana too often, my family was still deeply steeped in the Cajun culture, at least as far as cuisine was concerned. Gumbo and rice, red beans and rice, anything and rice, were staples in my home. My grandmother had a lovely soft Cajun accent that I can still hear echoing in my mind today. I am thankful for my family, and our traditions, and good food, and plenty of laughter - these were the hallmarks of my modest but wonderful childhood.

Although I make my home in Colorado these days, my roots still go deep into the South of my memory - they will be a part of me forever; they helped shape who I am today. I know my roots are still there because I felt them ache so deeply this week for the places of my childhood, and the people with whom I share a heritage. I am touched by their suffering, and moved by their bravery. May God bless them all!

HUGS and a Prayer

Hearts United in Grace and Spirit

My dear friend writes and prays a daily email prayer, based on scripture, that goes out to hundreds of subscribers 365 days a year. I share in her prayer today for all those affected by the unspeakable devastation all throughout the Southern Gulf Coast region:

“What a wonderful God we have - he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (TLB)

God of all comfort, we pray for your tender mercy to flow to all who are suffering today in hardships and trials. You hear Lord, their cries. You know Lord, the pain of loss, the confusion of unexpected hardship, and the darkness of despair. Pour out your love upon the afflicted today. Use us as vessels of comfort and hope to those whose lives we can touch with your love. May our hearts and hands be extended in mercy and encouragement to all those who suffer today. And may the Lord deliver and restore them all. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.