What warms your heart on a cold day? What warms your heart when the tides of change come crashing in? What warms your heart when the” no’s” become overwhelming? What warms your heart when the crowd scatters and you are “Home Alone”?
I have a whole list of favorite things I like to look at periodically. These are things that Warm My Heart. I found myself smiling and even laughing. They are things I feel that God has blessed me with. When I look at them I see stories! I see people, I see events… and more. Life is so much more than what we see during our day. Life is a tapestry of stories that intertwine and make memories for us. Some are so real we can almost re-live them just recalling them to our memories.
Favorite Things
- God my Father, Jesus my elder brother, the Holy Spirit my helper.
- All my Family
- Friends / art friends
- People
- Rosie and Violet
- Coffee with cream
- Purses
- Odd things for the house
- Floor Pillows
- Blankies
- Coffee Shops
- Art galleries
- Hankies
- Sketch books
- Lists
- Personal chef
- Trip to Maine and beyond
- Jeep
- Toys
- Children’s books
- Goat yogurt and blueberries
- Zinnias
- Colors : purply blue, raspberry, Yaya green
- Good movies with popcorn
- Breakfast in bed with a good magazine.
- grandsons!
- my SONS.
- a zillion best friends!
- colors
- the valley between Kenosha and BaileY
- the mountains
- a crackling fire in the stove
- falling snow
- deep snow and 4wheel drive
- My cozy studio
- a good book
- a comfy chair
- writing a story
- a bike ride . . …… and today…. Matthew!
Today’s Warm Fuzzy came from a friend. She took this wonderful picture of her son sleeping with my Peepsqueak plush. He is so cute! Matthew is on my list!
What are your favorite things? I am sure mine will grow!!
Filed under:
Kicking Around Thoughts 
Oh little Peepsqueak. This picture of you reminds me of something that happened to me when I was little. We were visiting an aunt in Washington. She had a rope that dangled from a tree in her backyard. She also had a big DOG that came running into the yard barking at ME! I jumped on that rope and UP, UP, UP I went! I did not even know I could climb a rope! I just did it! ha ha!
Most of my art comes from my imagination, but it is also from my memories and from my life experiences. All that being said, I think I can still climb a rope!
Filed under:
My Characters,
Peepsqueak!,
Reflections 
I was shocked to find these shoes copulating at the back of my wardrobe.
Marker pen with digital colour. Click to enlarge.
The search for truth began in 1956.
Watercolour,gouache,ink. A4 size. Click to enlarge.
The emotional intellectual.
Pen and ink with digital colour. 14cm x 6cm. Click to enlarge.
I pickled my heart back in '82. I've been searching for the jar this week, but it hasn't turned up yet. It should be well marinated by now.
Pen and ink with soluble crayon. A4 size. Click to enlarge.
We add to our history every day of our lives. That history might not written on pages made of paper, but it can be found in our hearts.
Looking back on the events in our lives may help us to define who we are today or who we may become in the future. By tracking events, we may even see a pattern or a path.
Here is a picture of my 1 and only art gallery show at the Denver Children’s Museum. It did not draw big crowds, family members did not pour in to see it, but it was FUN!!!! It drew in LITTLE crowds… tiny people. All the art was about 18 inches above the ground! It was all about “Fairy Tales”. My painting was titled, “The Princess and the Pea”. It is still one of my most favorite fairy tales. This show was key in my journey to discover what I liked doing and that was illustrating for kids!
What history will you write on your heart today? Where is your path leading you? Sometimes you have to rise above the mucky muck to find it. The world is full of mucky muck, but there are always grand adventures around the corner!
“Let’s sit upon a cloud today or hop on a bird and fly away! “
Filed under:
Kicking Around Thoughts,
Surprises 
 |
| © Holly DeWolf |
http://sweethappyjoyjoy.blogspot.com
He may be artificial, but his love is not.
Good thoughts in,
Bad thoughts out.
Deep breath in,
exhale slowly.
Savour the peace within.
patterned paper, acrylic paint, colored pencil
I just got the best Christmas gift ever.
AND
the winner of the book giveaway is JONI! I'll be emailing you next week for your info! Congratulations! :)
I've had a vision of wacky raven tags in my head for a while now. It was time to let it fly!
I started out by painting a raven head on sturdy scrapbooking paper, a favorite medium of mine. Then I made a tag shaped body, added a stamped heart from another patterned paper, applied the monarch butterfly sticker on heavy paper, a few jewels, a black Swarovski crystal for her eye, a phrase on a clear sticker that says "Believe in Yourself" and the finishing touch that cracked me up...the Chuck Taylor sneakers!
I'm actually pretty sick of butterfly wings and party hats, but they really do work when called for. I tried doing heart wings and raven wings. Nope, didn't look right.
I also kept the back in mind when creating this even though this side won't show.
At least the colors are pretty together. I'll add my signature to the back too, and then onto Etsy she goes!
Here she is on the studio door, hanging out until she moves to her new family.
Okay, I've had my little bit of fun for the day.
Now on to the sketchbook project!! Pressure, pressure, pressure as the deadline nears!
~Happy Sunday~
Commissioned Piece
sketch in colored pencil | 2011
"In Heaven, children angels spend their days frolicking in ever blossoming gardens filled with brightly colored flowers. They play among sweet scented fruit trees on soft wind-swept grassy pathways."
Daughter in Heaven
watercolor & colored pencil | 2011
The painting was created for someone who lost a child, it like many commissioned pieces, this was especially spiritual. Lots of prayer during the entire process until paint. I then just let it be without thought as to what I was doing. Kind of letting my hand do it's own thing.
I am anxious to see how the parent will respond to this painting, and it is my hope to share this as a print in the future. But I am leaving that up to the recipient. I will let you all know either way. :)
I wish all of you a very happy Valentine's Day! In honor of this occasion, I painted this piece. It's a combination of acrylic paint, collage, pen, and digital painting. You can purchase it
here.
My husband surprised us with a couple of early Valentine's gifts yesterday—an iPad and a Kindle! He's definitely a keeper and not just because he spoils us. He has lots of other wonderful qualities that we love so much. The kids have taken over the iPad, of course, but I'm hoping to play with it today. I need to find some useful apps for me (any suggestions?) and of course, I'll have to sew up some covers for them.
Carmen Brunson pointed me to this
tutorial that I might try (minus the flowers).
By: Diana,
on 2/22/2011
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Diana Levin Illustration
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This set of 5 art buttons are so cute, you will want to pin them everywhere.
Includes: Fairy Fashion Chick, Lemur, Fairy Girl, Miss Wonderland (Alice in Wonderland) and Bunny heart.
Each pin is 1 1/2″ in diameter.
They are all handmade and they come in a cute little organza bag.
Only $6. Buy Now
By:
nicole,
on 4/20/2011
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my version of Alice...from Wonderland! for the last couple of weeks, i just wanted to draw up little Alice bec i couldn't get the idea out of my head (which is OVERFLOWING with ideas at ALL times)! so, this is what i came up with. i am anxiously awaiting dipping my brush into my paint and getting started!!!! this will be offered as an ORIGINAL in my etsy shop as soon as it is complete. it is on an 11x14 stretched canvas (as opposed to the boards which i usually use for my illustrations). that is why i will be offering it as an ORIGINAL. oh, and by the way, there is and never will be a cheshire cat in any Alice illustrations i do! everyone who knows me knows how i feel about cats...NOT A FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!! just sayin'...;)
By:
Joe Sottile,
on 5/7/2011
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Joe Silly Sottile's Blog
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A number of years ago, I read this at my mother's funeral mass. I am sharing it today with you to honor my mother and sister. It was the last gift that I could send upward to Heaven dedicated to her.
Our Mother, a Gift of Words
If my mom were alive today, she would thank you for coming here. So her family thanks you today. Besides prayers, the last gift that I can give our mother is a few kind words. She used to say, “If it makes you happy, do it.” And I am happy to share these words with you.
Our mother is gone, but she’s here in our hearts and memories—like Father Jim said. She’s here in her children and their spouses, grandchildren and many others. Yes, she’s here in her grandchildren. She was a “grand” mother to all of them. Whenever we closed a long distance phone call, she would add, “Give everyone a kiss for me and tell them that I love them.”
She even included our dog, Rosco, in her good wishes. Dogs held a special place in my mom’s heart because they asked for so little and gave so much. Dogs like Rudy and Lucy. Mom is here in her nieces and nephews and her friends.
So, who was this woman we call mother, sister, grandma, great-grandma or friend? She was an angel on Earth. That’s who she was. Those who used to watch “Touched By An Angel” know what I mean. This earthly angel wasn’t perfect, but she was as perfect as a person can be. She earned her angel wings by spending most of her teenage years without a father, a father who died in a fire. Her oldest brother, John, became her rock of Gibraltar, her substitute father. This lovely lass fell in love with a hard-working macho Italian man. It was a classic case of “Romeo and Juliet,” except that the relationship survived growing up in two different houses, with two different cultures and lifestyles.
In the first year of marriage, there were challenges and the background of World War Two. Out of love, my mother gave into her groom in many ways. She waited hand-and-foot on a man used to European ways of living. That’s partly how she earned her heavenly wings today. She pleased this tough macho man as much as she could because she knew that he would love her all the days of his life; that he would work hard for her and their family, as long as he could.
She knew a profound secret about him that escaped the minds of his children, even as their lives unfolded into adulthood. She knew that he wa
The TeachingAuthors are proud to be part of the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) Summer Blog Initiative. We're especially pleased to be the first blog to feature these inspiring and practical posts by students and graduates of the MFA programs because four of us (Jeanne Marie Grunwell Ford, Carmela Martino, Mary Ann Rodman and JoAnn Early Macken) hold MFAs from Vermont College. As for me, I’ve vicariously attended Vermont College since it began in the late 90’s via my writing friends, colleagues and even students whom I recommended. One of these days my Summer teaching schedule will change and I can at least attend a Summer Intensive. (I’m saving the Winter Intensives for my Next Lifetime.) Our series began last Monday with Jodi Paloni's entry, "The Point of Point of View." In last Wednesday's guest post, "Decide vs. Discover," Cynthia Newberry Martin shared a technique for letting the characters tell you what happens next in your story. Sion Dayson gave us another method for moving forward in last Friday’s post, “What Happens Next? Inch Forward in the Dark.” On Monday, Lynn Miller-Lachmann put forth the VCFA way to critique a fellow writer’s manuscript in "Critiquing Others" The Constructive Critique."
Today’s post by Pam Watts, "Finding the Heart in Your Story," addresses the heart of your story and how it can be found. It captured my writer’s heart instantly. Following the post, I've offered a related Writing Workout. The next stop in the VCFA blog initiative? Pam's very own Strong in the Broken Places blog.Thank you, Pam, for sharing your insights with our readers and writers.Learning from you and your fellow VCFA bloggers these past two weeks gladdened this teacher's heart immeasurably.--Esther Hershenhorn &nb
as many of you who follow my blog already know, i did this painting for a sweet little girl named josie basta who was waiting on a heart down at AI DuPont hopsital. www.thebeatgoeson.org this was done for a silent auction that took place back in april of this year. this painting has changed my life in so many ways that if i state them i will surely start to cry while typing. (yes, it's that good:))
well, even better, is the news i received tonight...that josie's long awaited and much needed heart is finally on it's way to her. her long and harrowing journey may be coming to an end...a happy end...and in turn a beautiful beginning!:)
prayers and love to this little girl, her family and the amazing donor family willing to take part in this miracle!
Healing
Nowhere to go but the heart. - Sufi saying
Every day I'm better. Every day I feel fully myself for a little longer. I'm sleeping less—though I still took two short naps and one long one yesterday, felt depleted much of the day regardless, and then slept soundly through the night. On the other hand, friends were here from 9 in the morning till 1:30 in the afternoon, helping in the house, bringing delightful food, and sharing their healing energy with me.
My hand is close to completely mobile now. The areas around the scabs are tender, so I avoid using those parts of my hand - the finger easy, the palm not so easy - but I haven't been in real pain since the third day following the surgery, a gift I attribute entirely to Dr. Wood's extraordinary craftsmanship.
At the heart of the matter is caring: channeling the light of consciousness through the heart.
I'm very fortunate. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the extraordinary care I received through this experience: from the folks at MedStop who recognized the danger and sent me right to the ER; to the ER staff who called Dr. Woods so quickly; to the nurses and hospital staff who managed the regimen of IV antibiotics pumped into the wound and my veins over the days following; to Dr. Holland who recognized the C. diff so quickly, and the ER staff the second time around who re-hydrated me and set me on the course to overcoming it; to Tom's round-the-clock compassion, to Josephine who showed up at my house the day after I came home bearing baskets of probiotics, burdock root, sauerkraut and yogurt, washed my hair, and fed both Tom and me and healing meal; and to the long list of friends who've sent loving thoughts, reiki, prayers and other forms of distance healing, to others who've visited, cleaned the house and brought meals. No wonder I'm healing as quickly as I am.
Nonetheless, this is a dualistic world, one in which heaven and hell co-exist. The loving care of all these individuals is balanced by the descent I experienced during the first few days of the ordeal.
The first instance of the opposite of caring came in the form of that sunny Californian optimism that makes San Luis Obispo the
second happiest place in the world. We all assumed the dog bite would be fine; the dog's owner didn't even give me her name. A quick apology was enough.
2 Comments on Nowhere to go but the heart, last added: 7/16/2011
By: Basak Savcigil,
on 12/19/2011
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Basak Savcigil
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By:
Sara Burrier,
on 1/25/2012
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warrior princess dream
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I would like to start a new tradition around here, and I want it to be something special given at least once a year.
I want to give away a painting, and I think Valentine's Day is the perfect time.
Title: "Love Floats"
Image Size: approx. 6.5 x 11 inches
Paper Size: 9x12
I created this piece just for the giveaway, and it's particularly special because of how I went about the process. In my previous post I mentioned I was going to take a watercolor class and I found many awesome videos/tutorials on youtube.
I applied much of what I learned, and something clicked last night as I completed
"Love Floats". I am VERY excited to see the new discovery in my later work.
(discovery will be revealed in next blog post)
Why the original giveaway? I truly believe my artwork goes to those it was intended for, and I know in these times it can be difficult to obtain something extra that isn't a necessity.
So, is this intended for you?
Here's how you can find out...
Mandatory Entry: Post below about one of the biggest blessings you've ever received. What truly touched you and made you stand up straight knowing you were/are loved?
Additional ways to enter (get your name in multiple times):
2 entries - Visit
my shop and share your favorite art print below
3 entries - Write a blog post about this giveaway and share the post here
Please be sure to post all comments here so that nothing gets lost. If it's not below it won't count. I will use Random.org to determine a winner.
There's More?!
Yuppers! There will be a second and third place winner too!
Second Place Prize: *Two (2) 8x10 prints of your choice from
my shop and one (1) Print of
"Love Floats"
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This picture reminded me of a time when I was about 11 years old. We used to go to a local “pond” and there was a big old oak on the bank which had a rope hanging from it. We would run, jump “tarzan style” onto the rope and swing out over the pond – letting go as we swung out and taking a “flying leap” into the water. One Sunday afternoon, I ran from the car, jumped for the rope – grabbing it with both hands and – BANG !!! My head hit the tree and left a scar which I still have in my temple until this very day. I had not noticed that someone had wrapped the rope around the tree one time – it was not hanging free. As I swung out – I actually flew in a circle, right back into the tree trunk!
oh no! Owch! I can just picture that!!!!! haha!