Have you ever wanted to do something but couldn't get it quite right and then finally it happens and it's better than you ever thought it would be? That's how I feel about my latest artistic creation (found in this post and the My Art/Pen & Pencil Drawings section). There are variations of the lion floating about in cyberspace--numerous, in fact--and all using a variety of approaches...pen, pencil, metal, wood, watercolor, acrylics, etc.

I wanted to give up because I kept failing, but this time... This time I think it works. :-) For as long as I can remember (and that would be childhood), I've associated Jesus with the Lion, so...this piece is of particular value to me. What does this mean to you?

That said, I'm dedicating this picture to everyone in need of Comfort, answers, Joy, rest, Peace, Love, kindness. Jesus loves us all unconditionally. He sees, feels and hears our every feeling, thought, dream, pain, happy times, tragedy. We are never ever alone. He is always there, always Loving each and every one of us.

Enjoy! :-)

I'd love to give artistic credit where credit is due, however, I have no idea who did this. It's a beautiful, inspirational piece, for certain! The artist is very talented.

Fresh. New. Photography.

YES I've updated my Photography tab (located under the My Art section). There are two categories now: Nature and Where I Want To Be. Both sections have an intended range of color, emotion and natural beauty that I hope you enjoy. The Where I Want To Be section is indeed the former Photography tab. However, some of the pictures have been updated.

Making cards and gifts for loved ones is a great idea, especially if you find yourself strapped for cash. There's such fulfillment in watching people light up with happiness.

This year, the majority of gifts I gave were handmade. Custom cards. The "Love and Light" gift: a mason jar that could be filled with sand, water and or shells, complete with the forementioned materials (except for water), votives and matches. The "You Matter" gift: a design in a delicate frame with a purposely imperfect white tissue paper background. Here's a picture of that design (you might recognize the famous poem):

Chronic Lyme Disease. Can't say I'm completely grateful to have that. It benched me from the life I had (though I've got a much better life in store for me!). Lyme will always be in lurking around in my system like a Logic Bomb (malware). Even when healed from the worst of it, Chronic Lyme Disease lays dormant waiting for the immune system to flip out. But this particular entry isn't a 101 snippet. Rather, it's related to my most recent post on appreciation.

It's been a long long long road. Chronic Lyme Disease has some excellent right hooks and jabs, but throughout the process, I've become a better, stronger boxer and now thanks to God and JSC, I'm in Maintenance Phase (mild treatment) and not full blown treatment. I've started driving longer distances. Picked up a few random jobs here and there. Am slowly but surely getting back into shape. And yes, I'm still brainstorming ideas for my first book. Progress. 

With an upcoming appointment at JSC, I thought it might be cool to show my doc that I appreciate his continued work. It's a mixed media piece. A watercolor cut into uneven strips placed onto strong white paper. The brain was drawn on green checked paper...look closely and you'll see the meticulous pattern and black, green and gray pen work. Many ways to interpret. Lyme brain. The jail bars of brain fog. The white background of hope for a better future. It was fun to work on...hope Doctor J likes it.

For the larger, more detailed version, please refer to the mixed media page. 

My cousin Tommy loves dragons. Absolutely LOVES dragons. As a surprise for him, I made my very first attempt at drawing dragons. Specifically, a blue dragon. Then, I wanted to see what it would look like with digital enhancements. So, he's getting the original and the neon version...hope he likes them! They aren't the big scaly overtly scary kind. They're more of the sleek tattooed curious kind. Digital copies of the drawings can be found in the My Art section, specifically Pen & Pencil Drawings.

Cheers!

Jen
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PS: Here's the smaller version of that artwork:

Earlier this summer, I did a similar drawing while vacationing in Ohio. However, I left it too close to the house common area and a guilty party (who hasn't fessed up yet) splashed water on it. Water droplets are perfect for watercolor paintings, but not so perfect when you're dealing with pen precision. So, between time at Starbucks with an iced Americano and yummy chocolate chip cookie and time bundled in a comfy chair at home with Netflix blaring in the background, I completed the second version of this very detailed doodle.

SIDE NOTE: I always feel strange calling a doodle a doodle because it sounds like something one would do in the bathroom, but in the art world, apparently that's what it's called...a doodle that doesn't stink. :-)

For the larger, more detailed version of this drawing, please visit the Doodle page.

Cheers,

Jen