A Dolphin & The Rest of the Story

I wrote a post a while back about a series with 3 paintings I created based on Proverbs. Their story is HERE. 

Here are thumbnails of the set (can click to enlarge):

I sold a few prints from that series, and recently I was told a most wonderful story about the journey one of those prints took, and it warmed my heart.

A lady purchased the set of three, took them home, and displayed them. One day her granddaughter saw the one with the dolphins, and fell in love with it. Grandma had it framed and gave it to her granddaughter, hanging it in the young girls room. 

The Grandma says that now the young girl loves to make up fantastic stories about the dolpins! 

Hearing that just tickled me pink. Oh, how I'd love to hear one of those adventure stories!

How fun would it be to some day discover that this imaginative little girl had become a writer!!

Here is a larger view of that dolphin painting, titled "A Friend Loves At All Times".

Thanks for reading,

Retta

My Favorite Commission!

It's funny... back in April I posted about commission work (HERE),  and now I seem to be remembering that I've done LOTS of it over the years! 

So, on that topic, I thought I'd share my all time favorite: a handpainted watercolor and ink book.

The book was a surprise gift from a gentleman to his wife on their wedding anniversary (awww, how romantic). It was based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Her name began with R.

In the finished book, each chosen verse was on the left page, with the matching illustration opposite it on the right. 

Here's how each set looked in the book, side by side:

There are quite a few, so I'll show the rest as thumbnails below, to enable faster page loading. If you'd like to see them enlarged, just click on them.

The book was watercolor and sepia ink on heavy watercolor paper, bound into a leather book. I loved painting this. The gentleman told me later his wife loved it, also. I think when we feel deeply for what we are doing, we do better at it.

I hope you enjoy this favorite of mine. :-)

Thanks for reading, 

Retta

Some Favorite Proverbs

This year is almost a memory... about time to post some favorites. These are 3 prints from my Proverbs series. The originals were painted on watercolor paper... acrylics and watercolors. Each one contains a scripture verse somewhere in the painting.




This first is "Wisdom... Search for it as for hidden treasure."

Besides the obvious meaning, at the time I painted this I was

starting to really believe that we all are like unique Treasure Boxes...

and if given a chance and opened, we are full of precious treasure. And in spite of the dangers--shark, poisonous Rockfish, stinging jellyfish,

giant octopus, etc--it is worth the journey to discover our true selves.

The next one has: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

The baby bears are intently watching from the safety of their cave, as the Momma Bear is approaching a hive hanging from a dead snag, to get her prize: fresh honey.

And the last one says: "A friend loves at all times."

When I painted this, I was going through a very difficult time in my life and my marriage. I felt alone. Yet NOT alone. I experienced such friendship, hope, companionship and love from God... I discovered that when you feel that you have nothing left but God, you discover that God is enough. And then... He sent healing into our lives, and our relationship.

Enjoy,

Retta

=^..^=