Sad that some can't simply enjoy a blog!

I have had such fun doing this blog, sharing my art and faith and receiving such great comments.

I had to delete an entry to remove a comment someone left with a bad link with a virus or something. Enough of giving that person any satisfaction.

I appreciate you all for your support and encouragement and will continue this blog as usual. I have changed a few things to hopefully prevent it happening again and hope it has not hurt anyone's computer and will not deter any from visiting my blog!

I am attaching the same image from the deleted entry. It is a watercolor tree!

Enjoy!

Thanks for the prayers

My Dad is doing great. Thank you all who saw my plea and prayed. Keep praying and thanks again. Here is a little image for you to use for the upcoming spring!

I Am Listening God

This bit of writing I did in my Lenten Devotional...I am listening God was the sentence starter.

The rest is mine. I chose a sunrise from Fernwood for the background.

My Dad is having his surgery tomorrow and

I ask any and all reading this to please pray for him.

Free Valentine image to use

Use this mixed media background for greeting cards, ATC's and other mixed media work.

Enjoy!

Lenten Transformation of the Mind

Our mindset needs to be as in Lent all year.....leaving behind the old ways and moving toward a closer walk with God.

Image is from Cross zine with original text.

My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine-Baby Matthew started when looking at an artist call for paper quilts. I tore up 2 different watercolors, wove them together. All was stitched together with embroidery floss. Glazed the scrap pieces of watercolor paintings with red paint and cut additional hearts from that. I tucked the hearts into the woven places. Then after seeing a contest for Artella I decided to use the piece for that. I added photos of my son as a baby (cut into a heart) and little child (cut out paper doll style.) The lettering title was done with rub on scrap booking letters. All was mounted on a piece of red 12X12 paper.

Lent Begins today

It is Ash Wed. Give up what you must but remember to also replace it with better habits. It's about sacrifice and transformation for 40 days. Know in your heart and soul that you are doing it for the right reasons. It is not for show or simple tradition. It must mean something to your spiritual betterment.

Lent begins.

Life is restored.

Love is evident.

Grace and Mercy is given.

Accept.

Image is from Medley Zine on words.

strength

the mighty oak silouette

against the grey sky of winter

points to the message of

strength

do not dwell on the past struggles accomplished

nor the future challenges to conquer

strength lies in this day

this moment

surviving our present breath

strength is the experience of NOW

Saturday Musings

These thoughts came to my mind while at my personal retreat at my beloved Fernwood.

The mind is our worst enemy and very best ally. If you allow your mind to runaway with worry and fear you will be defeated but if you maintain upbeat ideas and hopeful wanderings you will find many blessings coming your way!

Here is a digital collage I did for Artella.

I call it "Just a sip or Two."

Vessel Zine

I started exploring the theme of vessels nearly 10 years ago at a wonderful retreat called Well of Mercy near Statesville, NC. I had an entire basement to myself and painted and printed for a whole day. It was grand. I was relaxed, unbothered and alone. Sheer heaven for an artist.

I began by printing ferns and then saw this wonderful vessel and started to explore vessel shapes and printed the ferns on them. I did a whole series of vessels and called it Fruit of the Spirit and even made my first zine with that idea which came to me on my morning walk. It was called a devotional until I learned about zines and now I realize I was making zines before I knew what they were.
Be open to all opportunities and ideas will flow.....

Creative Ideas Exhausted

Real leaves, leaf prints, quotes, landscape photos and mini paintings...all this and more in the Nature Zines.

If you never take one idea and push it as far as you can till ideas are exhausted, I recommend it for a creative boost.

Also, all the zines are made with recycled art, papers, and ideas. All the themes are ideas I've been exploring for my whole adult creative life. So, you see, ideas are never really exhausted.

mini zine (within the zine)

The pages featured today show a mini zine and tag in clear pockets.

Each zine in this swap will have a related mini zine and tag to accompany the theme of the zine.

I used ATC clear envelopes for the pocket to hold these items.

There is also an original ATC in the back of each zine accomodating the theme as well. The marble paper is handmade with the shave cream/ink method.

Wanderings

Wanderings

She walks alone and finds her voice
Yet she has nothing say.
She feels the pain of the world and knows her own.
Afraid of her shadow others see her as brave.

Her life is one long profound question
With no answers.

No one sees her demons but they are real to her.

The trees whisper secrets to heaven that only God knows.

Alone in the woods she feels at home
In the midst of the crowd she is lonely and lost.
The woods speak truth to her and she knows
Peace, joy, wonder, hope.

The world's noise tells her
That she is not deep enough into her hearts forest.

The swap of the trees help her realize she can bend and adapt.

She decided years ago to follow Jesus
And was never alone again.
God never leaves her side and gives her strength each day.

Despite the cold winter day
There is life in the green moss on the tree.

Sitting in the coolness of the winter by a chilly creek warms her heart
But on a sunny day she feels chilled to the bone.

Belief in God is most important
But she must also believe in herself
And be willing to trust and let God be in charge.

Maybe the woods only speak to her
But a stack of rocks says "strength, courage, hope, belief…"

To some her view is the same old thing, creek, path, trees and rocks
But the water is new. It's never flowed over these rocks before.
This gives her comfort.

Hard to believe in a few short weeks these frail fragile branches
Will swell with green buds and frilly leaves.
Birds will sing praises but today
The pines moan with pain and chill.

The water in the creek comes from God
It fell from the sky, rose from the earth.
It nourishes the life there.
It is said that bread is life but
Water sustains life.

My son wants me to fly but I fear it.
Perhaps if reincarnation is real,
I will come back as a bird with wings and be able to fly.
I may be an eagle or song bird or maybe just an albatross.
I won't fear flight.

I'm not a Bible scholar but
I know a lot of verses and stories.
The one about the stump of Jesse always puzzled me.
Like a stump with life, sprouts grow new trees.
Maybe that's the message.
Old, cut down and immobile
We can still grow and stand tall.
Maybe every majestic tree in the woods came from a stump.

Image is from cross zine.

Zine pages

Images from Cross Zine.

speaking openly about our faith

In a world of political correctness for fear of challenging someone to think about your own views or consider another idea, we Christians sometimes shy away from confronting it headon. I find that it's easier to ease in through my art. For years my art contained not a single Christian image and yet many often found subliminal messages and images there any way. I guess it was my subliminal intention but I often found it remarkable that so many crosses were found in my art that I did not actually plan and insert. Those are the best messages actually when we don't force them. Even though I occasionally have had a negative comment about my views expressed on this blog, I am happy to say that most comments have always been positive and encouraging.

So today I am posting images from my cross zine which when I asked about using the image of the cross received no contest to it.

So go boldly with bravado and be who you are in a world of "sorry to challenge your beliefs" so I will "compromise mine."

tutorial posted

Cyndi Lavin has graciously posted a tutorial I wrote on her website at the following link.

Just copy and paste into browser.

http://www.layersuponlayers.com/guest-tutorial-by-chris-tessnear-watercolor-and-mixed-media-background-technique/

Zine Themes

All the themes are chosen and I'm 50% finished. In addition to the ones mentioned previously, I am doing one on paperdolls, hearts, and original poems. It's great fun to start with an idea and see where it develops. Sometimes it's in the box of scraps where I begins and sometimes it's the overall theme first. Either way, it's exhilarating and lots of fun for the creative juices.

Pages contain text, images (all original) of mini collages, stamps or paintings, an original ATC, an original mini zine of the same theme along with a tag, and lots of other goodies including a pocket of clipart in the back.

The attached spread is a favorite from the Woman Zine, mosaic of words describing what you think is what you become and a collage of my hand print and cut out doll.

More Zine Covers and random thoughts

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. Thich Nhat Hanh

May you find joy today in the smiles you give and the smiles you recieve.

Joy is our greatest gift and we should not waste it being sad or lonely.

Everyday we have as much joy as we choose to have so take a hearty portion today.

Zine art covers

I am doing 10 zines to swap for 10 from other artists. I'm using lots of recycled art and materials and themes near and dear to my heart: nature, woman, words, cross, vessels, landscapes and more. Here are some working covers.....

generous artist

More free valentine art from artis-how-to.com at the following link. Begins Feb 1 I believe.

http://artist-how-to.com/ValentineCountdown.htm

Words

I read an interesting blog yesterday. I am not the only one in the world to pick a word to focus on for each year. Many do. It's a unique way and more easily accomplished than a resolution.

Here is the link: http://christinekane.com/blog/resolution-revolution-a-better-way-to-start-your-year/

Image is the collage of words that inspired yesterday's sketch art.

art obsessions

When I get going on an idea, there is no stopping me. I'm doing a new Zine swap via Artella again and it's 10 for 10. I just signed up and I'm nearly half finished. The deadline isn't until April. I'm doing several themes but at least 3 on the theme of nature, 12 inner pages and covers that act as additional pages. Utilizing old art work, words, pressed leaves, stamping, everything really but the kitchen sink. I will be posting images from these zines all week, maybe the next couple but I have to get back to what inspired this post. Trying to figure out an image for the words zine, I came up with the idea of word sketches. Words designing the image. It's better to show you that try to explain so I've added it to this post. However, I couldn't stop my brain last night and kept doing one more page and then by doing a simple image of words (to be posted tomorrow) I came up with the word sketch idea. I'm sure it's not original but it's a great way to challenge your sketching abilities and a great exercise. Try it!

Lost in the Land of Make Believe

When making art, I always feel happy and content. Maybe it's because the truest me is present. I paint, cut, paste, arrange, plan, layout, design, choose...and it's bliss. I made a discovery too. After having small sales in local holiday venues, I found that the greatest joy is in the making, the creation of art. So what if sales are slim. It give me joy to make it. I love sharing it in this blog and with family and friends who seem to appreciate it. The wonderful comments posted on my blog fire my creativity, give validation to it and spur me on to keep at it. If I were in a cave far, far away from all life as we know it, I'd probably be scratching designs into the wall with creasote sticks from my fire. Blessings to you all and may you all have a place where you feel closest to your true self!

Image is from a recent scrapbook layout.

What leads me to worship?

This question was posed in my daily Bible journal. The answers are so obvious to me but maybe not to you the reader who is looking for a way to express your praise for God and worship Him.

Here is what brings me to my knees and makes me cry with praise to my Maker: nature, music, art, mountain vistas, beach sunrises, scripture, words, journaling, quiet time.

If we never silence the world, we never hear His call to us. Find time today to be alone and quiet. Listen for Him and you will surely be brought to praise and worship!

some days the words aren't there

When the words aren't mine, then I find peace in the words of others....

Besides just liking the quiet and the ability to hear myself think, I love that feeling of peace that permeates the silence. I know it seems strange but in that peaceful quiet place is where great ideas are born for me. William Lehman

She poured her heart out

The words from the fragments post has inspired this collage.

Women pour out their hearts to and for everyone but themselves. History proves this. It's time to change it. Here's a challenge. Put yourself first for one whole day. Get the rest, exercise, nutrition and inspiration you need! See if you feel better. This does not mean to ignore your responsibilities and those you care about but just DON'T IGNORE YOURSELF!

starbook covers

More images from starbook

I worked more on the pages yesterday adding more color and text with the Elmer's paint pens. I think I'm happy with it now.

Fragments

She poured out her heart
till it was empty
but the love she received back
filled the void to overflow.

She learned
she could not receive love
unless there was
an open spot to receive love.

With room to spare her heart nearly broke
until filled with love from others
it nearly burst.

The gray winter day finds blue skies
joy and love,
peacefulness -
for the journey
till the last breath
knowing answers will be found.

With fragments of time
we slowly rebuild
the structure of our heart
that we've lost along the way
it doesn't happen in a single moment
it takes a lifetime.

Sometimes she felt as if
she were buried in a shallow grave
and yet too deep for her cries to be heard
instead of lying there smothering
she dug with all her might
and emerged a new creation.

Sometimes life is a deep fog
a deep dark cavern
where we cannot feel the love with our heart
we cannot see the love with our eyes
that's when we must reach out
with our very hands and
grasp what it is we desire and need
for survival.

Alone with her thoughts
she realized she was not alone at all.
God never left her side.
memories and thoughts of those who
care filled her heart
she looked up to the sky and
grasped a piece for herself.

Knowing which path to take is not
always easy but either will have what is needed
for that day's journey
taking you where you need to be.

Life flows like the water in a creek
our body is battered by the rocks along the way
but respite is found
when we find the calmness in the stream
which flows together with our soul.

In all that you do
all that you know
all that you think
go the way of the cross.

Find the mark
that points the way
for the straight and narrow
follow it each day
asking for God's guidance
in every way
and peace will surely be yours.

Life isn't always about completion
fragments of this and that
but when we come to the end we are whole.

She stood in the very middle of her life
and looked about
she realized it had been a good life and
there was more to come.

Image is first star book; theme is crosses. More to come.

Morning's Grace

I greet the morning

face to face with God.

He greets me too

with His precious nod.

I find my joy

in Him alone;

knowing His presence

I'm near the throne.

This is today's given by God words.

Image is a recent journal page made with images from napkins.

From the Heart

Life begins when a tiny heart is formed. It grows and grows and like any muscle if we don't use it, it withers and dies. Use your heart. Grow your heart. Let it be the biggest part of you. How does one do this you ask? Simple.

• Love


• Share


• Give


• Hug


• Inspire


• Encourage


• Guide


• Understand


• Believe


• Trust


• Thank

Make your own list of ways to grow a BIG HEALTHY HEART!
These thoughts were inspired by Beth Moore's Wisdom from the Heart study.

Image is of several Heart cards made for church shut ins, using my own decorative paper and cutting into various hearts and strips. Words are stamped and inside will have the person's name.

Time and Creativity

Creativity takes time. For those who aren't artists, creators, writers, etc., they do not realize this. Yes, my head is always thinking and planning. Yes, I have hundreds of ideas. Yes, I always have a project to start, work on or finish BUT I NEED TIME AND SPACE TO DO IT!!!! Uninterrupted time. Time I can plan on and count on. Time to prepare, work, execute, sift and work through the project. A few minutes here and a few minutes there is not enough. I often need whole several hours, days, weekends or several days in a row to get the project done start to finish. Just as I make some headway, someone calls or comes to my door. Someone has a question or need. Someone needs attention. Sometimes it is legitimate. Sometimes it is not! Creativity takes time!

Image is a recent mini collage called "Lois Angel". Lois was my dear mother in law.

Recurring Themes

As an artist or writer, I believe we return to familiar themes and content. I believe we do this because of the comfort and familiarity it gives us. It's always been said to write what you know.

Paint what speaks to you. Create that which is part of you. I've done this my whole life. At times I am urged to stretch beyond my comfort level and that is fine but if the stretch is uncomfortable then the results are not pleasant. I must be who I am. I must do what I do best. I must continue to seek my true soul in my art and in my words. This is how I live my life as well. New experiences are fine but if they don't speak to my soul then what is the use? I am not an adventurer. I am a simple, quiet soul and seek simple quiet respite from a confused and complicated world. If others are unimpressed, bored or feel they've seen it all before, then too bad. I simply have to do what is in my heart and soul. It comes out of my very own true self and spills onto the page or canvas. In doing so I relax and find peace. I strongly urge you to go your own path, follow your own heart and soul and let the comfortable themes recur.

Image is from a recent journal page...a mosaic cross of magazine squares and prismacolor leaf rubbings.

God is my Day Planner

When I don't know which way to turn, I turn to God.

When I don't know the answer, I ask God.

When I don't know how to do something, I seek God.

When I don't know what to do about a situation, I let God guide me.

When I don't know where to find peace in the world, I turn inward to God.

When I don't feel joy I spend more time with God's word and in communication with him.

The image and words are from my beloved Fernwood (retirement/family property).

Recent Art Activity

With holidays, deChristmasing and just plain stuff to do. I haven't blogged very much recently.

Trying to change that!

Here is a simple list of recent art goings:

• ATC's


• Greeting cards


• Journal collages


• Scrapbook pages


• small watercolors


• cleaning the art room again

Image is my collage from the Distressed Alphabet Swap. I made letters A,K,L, and U. Different folks made 26 of one letter and mailed them in to swap. Since we were short a few, I just made up the difference. They were so great! I couldn't wait to mount them. Enjoy!

If I had 3 weeks to live

Watched the Queen Latifa movie LAST HOLIDAY with a friend.

Latifa had a disease and 3 weeks to live. She blows all her savings on

a trip with enough experiences and adventure for a life time.

Thus the obvious thought for me: WHAT WOULD I DO WITH ONLY 3 WEEKS TO LIVE?

Here is a beginning list:

• more time with my family


• more time with friends


• more time in prayer and mediation


• more time in nature


• more time in my art room


• more time listening and learning


• complain less


• grumble less


• appreciate more


• share more


• laugh more

It doesn't have to be filled with jumping off dams in a winged suit, eating gourmet foods or meeting new people. It should be about being with and enjoying those in your life. Those kind of memories would last eternally.

I'd make each day count for something!

How about you?

The image is some of my watercolor greeting cards, now available at http://www.artellawordsandart.com/

De Christmasing thoughts

After a rainy stay inside morning (although I did manage my morning walk) I began the deChristmasing of the house. I go for the main living areas first and then branch out. Trying to organize and clean as I go, moving some furniture to new places too, it becomes very tiring and seems endless but I will succeed. Will attempt finishing Monday. Doing all this makes one realize the many blessings for there are so many gifts to put away, old items to move out for new, and some things you just can't decide what to do with them.

I know that I have 52 years of stuff myself, 27 years of married stuff, my husband's 56 years of stuff and a 23 year old son's collection minus what he has at his apartment. One does not rid and organized all this stuff in a matter of moments. It takes time, effort, and thought. Like moving my old desk from my son's room back into the den where my soon to be retired husband (and I) can be a little more organized as we start the new year. That alone means a new path for each item that moves to accomodate a new place.

Little by little it will all happen or be put on hold for regular routine stuff. I can't help but think about how empty my house seemed when we moved in. We actually have two homes full of stuff. We still own the house my husband grew up in, along with stuff his parents and he collected part of those years. We would like to eventually build a new house. Maybe by then I can be rid of some stuff I no longer use and can part with. Admittedly a pack rat, I am thankful for all I have but I have to change my ways and give it up. I cannot bear the thought of something happening to me and my husband or son being left to deal with all the clothes, junk, art etc. I saw a neighbor recently cleaning out his mother's house. I saw boxes in the yard or probably treasures to her but junk to those left to sort.

Maybe this will give you something to think about yourself as the new year begins. May we all deChristmas our houses but not our lives. The Christmas spirit must remain with us each and every day throughout the year.

The image is one I took recently of a blue bird enjoying the pyracanthra berries on my deck.

New Year's Resolutions?

Just start each day with prayer!
Close each day with prayer!
Be verrrrry THANKFUL in between and open to God's leading hand!

Christmas time

Christmas time is a joy to behold.

It's a season of remembering days of old.

Giving gifts around the tree

Laughing and talking and telling stories of the gospel of Thee.

Finding a reason for the season here.

Our purpose for living through the year.

Knowing and sharing a God's true love,

Given to us from His throne above.

He loves our celebrations of His Son's birth

For it adds much to our Christian worth.

The holidays soon pass the calendar

But we've no reason to forget and meander.

With God's love in our heart each day

We can show a hurting world a better way.

To live a life of meaning

And share its faith's gleaning,

Christmas joy is meant to share and not just keep;

There's much to celebrate and more to reap.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
one and all!

Perfect time of Year - A Personal Revelation

Slowly the list is being checked off for the Christmas tasks…I read an article yesterday, forget where or I'd link to it. The emphasis was on simplification of the holidays versus creating a perfect illusion fantasy (an obvious misnomer). Fantasy is make believe and the only way to reach perfection. The holidays must be about family, love, peace, sharing - humans are not perfect so we must not fake it. I must admit that I've always had a struggle with perfection. I've tried and found it impossible yet people like the Martha Stewarts of the world influence us otherwise. I have continued in strife and finally realized it is impossible and wrong to even attempt it. Ridiculous as it is many still waste a lot of effort, energy and money on the fantasy. The perfect life was lived by only one and that one is the real reason, meaning and belief behind Christma, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate at this time of year.

On a different theme and yet the same, I was watching Dr. Zhivago recently and realized the story is of a man in love with two women, certainly no a perfect situation but despite it's conflict of split love, Russian war and human struggle, happiness is found. We too can find the perfect happiness available to all during Advent by realizing the true meaning of Christmas. We don't have to wait until everything is in place and like we want it. We only have to be open to true happiness, bliss, or whatever word you choose.
That is the way to real perfection, a reality version.

Image is an ATC made with cut up bits of dried acrylic paint. Don't waste a thing!

What to do for Anyone who has Everything

It gets harder each year to find creative gifts for people like parents and grandparents who have so much and need so little. I had mentioned this before and told about the idea I got from another artist (don't remember who) to give a box of wishes. I posted the tags I made with 55 wishes for my parents 54th wedding anniversary. Well, here is the finished gift ready to wrap.

Variations on a theme

I love this clip art image of the Madonna. Forgotten where I got it.

If you know tell me and I'll post it.

I usually make my own Christmas cards but most people get the duplicate version.

A few get original designs. Here are those for a dear friend or two and my

dear parents, husband and son. The greeting inside will simply read REJOICE!

I hope you rejoice as well this holy season of Advent and Christmas and into the New Year and everyday of the years to come. Christ is the best gift of all. Spread His love and joy to all you meet along the journey.

Christmas spirit

Sunrise, morning light

God reminds us, "all is alright"

He tells us to follow his lead

we'll make it to heaven indeed

seek His face

in the human race

share your gifts

other's spirits you'll life

ABC sampler, watercolor, color pencil and packing tape transfers

Gratitude Journals and other good ideas

We've all heard it!

• keep a gratitude journal


• give back


• pay it forward

The list goes on and on but do we stick with it? We write resolutions and make New Year's promises. We try to start fresh but we keep going back to square one! Let's take a new challenge:

1. Spend one day a week immersed in only GOOD NEWS!

2. Give presents to others on your birthday.

3. Take personal days when YOU need them.

4. Visit the elderly and lonely. Make them smile.

5. Pray. Meditate. Commune with God daily as much as needed.

6. Spend time in the great outdoors daily.

7. Each day ask youself:Am I happy? Why or Why not? ONly YOU can choose to be happy.

8. Don't let troubles get you down. They are of the temporal world.

9. Find your purpose for living.

10. Never stop dreaming, believing and hoping.

Erase the negative and behold these ideas for peace and balance during the busy holidays and everyday!

Family Christmas

Christmas is a time for family.

Gather where you can as many as you can.

Mix with laughter and fun.

Share some homecooking.

Remember.

Relive.

Cherish forever.

another free link to goodies

http://www.ragtagsf.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Sarah Fishburn

and a little clip art from me from my vintage Christmas ornament selections.

another generaous artist

http://artist-how-to.com/Christmascountdown07.htm

hosted by Diane at artist-how-to.com

Thanks Diane!

The Season for Family

I love when I come up with a good idea for my parents, you know how hard it is to find creative and thoughtful gifts for parents. They will celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks and so I not only have to do Christmas gifts but anniversary as well. Christmas is the usual things except for one of the new digital picture frames which I'm really psyched about but for their anniversary, I got a great idea from another artist whom I forgot but if you are reading this and it is you please come forward and take a bow. It's a box of wishes. I purchased a photo box, the kind you can put photos in the top and inside will be the wishes. I'm hand cut 55 (1 for each year and the coming year) tags from different color card stocks, attached hearts punched from various art papers some handmade and printed 55 words from the computer and attached to each, then distressed it all with distressing ink pads to make it look vintage. I plan to have them laminated and then either tie together or attach with a binder ring.

Please look at the layout of the multiple colored tags. It was so fun and fairly quick and easy. choosing the 55 words was the hardest part. I will list them below and attach a photo of the tags.

Christmas is EVERYDAY!

Nothing is Impossible

The last of the autumn leaves
Glitter my yard
Each one unique and special
Reminding me of the fragility of life
They say
Life isn't as good as you think
It's better
That which does not kill us makes us stronger
Cliches come and clichés go
But God promises to never leave us
Nor forsake us.
He is the alpha and omega
He is the beginning and end
He is all powerful and
Omnipresent
If we don't find Him
It's because we moved
Nothing is impossible with Him
Glory be to God.

Image is cover of an altered book I am making as a gift for a GWTW fan.

Christmas is in the air

Here is another link to a great site for free images: http://www.karenswhimsy.com/

Please continue to inform me of other favorite sites. Many just ask for a small donation or a link provided on your blog or website.

It seems to me that artists are some of the most generous folks in the world. I know so many fine ones who literally give their fine work away just to have it appreciated and enjoyed. I've been guilty myself.
I would gladly rather give a finished piece to someone that really gets it than to have it piling up in the corner somewhere. How do you feel about that? Are artists more charitable at Christmas or are artists just more charitable period? I think the latter is just about right.

Whatever your thoughts, I do hope you remember to share your abundance with others this Christmas and all through the year.

Image is a watercolor I used on my Christmas card several years ago.

Once again Christmas is a Charitable Time

Here are a few links to wonderfully generous folks giving of their talents for your Christmas cheer:

http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/index.html

http://faithsisters.com/shop/

http://www.clipsahoy.com/

http://www.mayang.com/textures/index.htm

There are dozens more. Feel free to share your list in a comment and I will post them all here. Feel free to copy and use the attached images of some of my own original angel images. Thanks and blessings to all!