Does freedom have a price to you?

Which one do you like, vote here by leaving a comment!

Two new designs with July 4th only a week away soon to be on the website at http://www.cafepress.com/graceunveiled, on a variety of merchandise.

Both images were done in using an ink wash technique for the backgrounds and crayon, colored pencils and conte pastel pencils for the main images and flag. I wished to capture the emotion , patriotism and freedom that our flag and certain animals can evoke in our hearts and mind.

Fanning the Flames

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

Lord, guide my path during the time in between.
That the desires you have given me will be ignited into a fiery flame.
Help me to persevere in the face of those who wish to douse my passions with
fear, doubt and envy of a life that is lived with the consuming fire of your love!

Old Snag

An old tree can tell a lifetime of stories about the things it has seen!

This is a watercolor painting of an old dead snag set against a brilliant orange sunset and gathering dark thunder clouds. The limbs tell an ageless story of strength, perseverance and a lifetime of survival against the elements.

What does disappointment say about you?

How we deal with life’s big

disappointments tell us who we truly are.

What do you do when the hopes and dreams you have,

are served up not as the fastball you were looking for

but a sweeping slow curve and the mighty swing

you take hits nothing but air?

Do you dust yourself off and try a little harder

and not ask for help?

Promise to never fail again, even if that means

never trying again?

Become cynical and blame others for your failings?

Downplay the importance of the dreams?

Never let them see you sweat, cry or the fear?

Realize that life is full of disappointments and the loss

of your dreams and hopes is the biggest disappointment.

The lack of any thing to look towards,

to live for, to love and to pursue is a life void

of any love, grace, passion or story to tell.

Live your dreams!

Princess Charis

"Charis, of such regal bearing as to shame all pretenders,
and possessing a grace that surpasses mere beauty.
Golden-haired daughter, Lady of the Lake,
Mistress of Avallon, Queen of the Faery."

from 'Merlin' by Stephen R. Lawhead

(This drawing was done using Conte pastel pencils.

Trying to capture the simplicity and innocence of a child.)

Horse in Flaming Pastels

A horse done using the Conte pastel pencils, I am really enjoying using pastels and playing
with the technique. I attempted to show the major outline of the shape allowing the
viewers mind to fill in the rest as a horse (or any object) will be perceived differently
by every person. The background of this picture was done using watercolors to
portray movement by the blurring lines within the background.