Journal Pages . . .

Quick sketches. Just some fun stuff.

Lake Erie Lotus

The final touches have been applied...finally finished.

Slowly Moving Forward

Layering takes time. Although not evident, there are hours of work here since the last post. I am reserving the background for the final rendering waiting for the mid and foreground to be finished in order to determine the detail of the background, or rather, the lack of detail.

Lake Erie Water Lotus

Trying to focus again on my art. My brushes have been lying still for too many days. These water lilies line the shore of Lake Erie. Beautiful yellow blossoms bob in the water if water levels are high or sway in the breeze if levels are low. I will post as progress is made. Here's hoping you will enjoy. 

First stage:

Lake Erie Water Lily...Stage 2

 Progress...slowly moving forward. I decided that I wanted some company. 

And I wanted to make my little buddy comfortable. A little puddle would be nice for the little guy...

"A Room With a View"

This little dove, when I discovered her, was complacently sitting on her nest awaiting the advent of her little family. It took about 3 hours to get her picture. I first placed my tripod and camera near her little sanctuary. I then waited about an hour for her to adjust to this foreign object now in her vision, to become familiar. Then I projected myself in her vision, allowing her to become accustomed to my presence. Finally, after about three hours, I stood behind the camera and took her picture as she nervously tried to ignore me. However, my patience paid off. I was able to get several good shots of her.

Alas, the next morning. . . I discovered her feathers strewn upon the lawn. Her nest was discarded in the grass. The precious eggs, her hope and her purpose, were broken and littered at the base of the tree. She had braved a vicious attack during the night. I watched the branches the next few weeks and was releived that the couple was still with us. She and her mate had not been killed in the onslaught.

I started this painting as a tribute to this brave little bird, a tribute to her courage in adversity and her faith to begin a new life. I placed her in the top branches above the dark tangle of limbs beneath her. She could see the sky and remember that she belonged to the One who loves many sparrows.

Her lesson is hard; her lesson is real... look to the sky, my little sparrow.

Psalm 84:3, 4, 7
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
even thine altars,
O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Psalm 84:11, 12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from the that walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

XCA's Thursday Afternoon Art Crew

Xenia Christian Academy Art Class 2010/2011

Tahan Burnham, Jonathan Kirchoff, Mrs. Glenda McClellan, Nekoda Burnham, Jeffrey Kirchoff (Watercolor and Colored Pencil) and Alan Landers (Graphite and Charcoal)

Every day is a good day. But anytime you can draw or throw color on paper is an especially good day. That makes Thursdays a great day.

The "Smile Boxes" below will showcase these students' hard work and dedication to building their talent. I am very proud of them and I do invite you to view their creative efforts. I know you will enjoy!

Most of the students, have worked in watercolor in our class time. At the beginning of the 2010 School Year we took time to learn and to master new skills in a new medium, colored pencil. Colored pencil rendering is a painstaking and time consuming skill. It requires patience, as well as, talent. Independent homework drawings were done through the year by each student using colored pencil.
Our first year student has used graphite and charcoal exclusively.

XCA Art Show 2011 Part 1

Create a photo album