Dancing in the Shadow Lands

This is a new design recently done using colored pencils. I am experimenting with simplifying the design elements even more using implied lines to fill in the rest of the shape of the subject. My love of horses has lead me to trying this with them as the subject matter first. Look for more designs to come.

I love the idea that our minds will fill in what is not seen with our eyes. However this can be both good and bad as we often perceive things differently from how they actually are. Each persons paradigm differs from others which leads to a variety of interpretations.

What do you see? In the picture above and in your own life? What things do you think you see clearly but are putting your own spin on it based on your bias and experiences?

We often dance in the shadow lands of reality, thinking we have it all figured out when there is so much more going on than our eyes can see and minds can comprehend and these are often the moments when Grace is Unveiled. -Maleko

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas to us all!

"May the blessings and grace of the
season surround you and yours!

Remember the littlest things can mean
the most when Grace is Unveiled!"



Maleko

We 3 Trees!

A star on top, a tree at night all dressed in purple and blue.

Against a back drop of black, purple trees sparkle in starlight.

(A drawing using colored sharpie markers that I digitally tweaked with Paint Shop Pro)

Santa and his shadow?

A sharpie drawing of Santa Claus using simple outlines of shapes to portray an image that has been endlessly done in so many ways. Always looking for new variations and new ways of seeing what we often take for granted because it has been viewed so many times.

The second image is a digital 'negative' using paint shop pro. I am fascinated by the colors on a black background. It makes for some very interesting and unusual images.

A Praying Man

Why does prayer seem to be the last thing we do in times of need? If we only realized that we are looked upon with favor and love at all times, just waiting for us to ask.

(A pencil drawing then digitally tweak with paint shop pro.)

Thanksgiving Wishes!

To you and yours from our family. -Maleko

Be Grateful & Keep Looking Up!

This week of Thanksgiving we celebrate here in America all those things we have to be grateful for. Take the time to pause and reflect on all those little things we often take for granted that come to us with no effort on our part.

Sometimes life provides life.


As this year is rapidly drawing to a close, think back to how you started. The dreams, the goals, is anything left unfinished? Did you get off track? What can you do now to refocus to move closer to your dreams?

Start by remembering what you are truly grateful for, especially those things right in front of us that we do take for granted.

(Photograph of an aspen tree in full fall colors - November 2009)

A peacful slumber

A pen and pencil drawing of a sleeping puppy in a santa hat.

Hoping to capture the simplicity of the moment, when dreams are real and the troubles of this world fade away.

Simple outlines of the shape capture the subject and the black and white allow the viewer to recreate in color within their own minds. Enjoy!

Confusion’s Reign

An invisible storm swirls about me,

as I cry out for your mercy.

The winds cleave the words from me,

amidst the streaming tears of pain.

Mixed with the ceaseless pouring rains,

my tattered heart begs for grace.

The roar of thunder drowns out my cries,

I fall dumbstruck to my knees.

The blackness surrounds me from within,

a single light pierces through.

Casting shadows in the deep and dark,

a path down into the confusion.

Towards the dreams of dawns first light,

clinging to visions of hope and love.

-Maleko ©2009

We 3 Christmas Trees!

A pastel and pencil drawing of three simple Christmas trees at sunrise. Simplifying the shapes to allow the intensity of color to come through and creating the emotions that make us stop and just stare.


To often we do not have enough of these moments in life as we get so caught up in all the details and the complexities of life overwhelm us.

"Life is frittered away by detail;
simplify, simplify, simplify."

-Henry David Thoureau

Traveling through the fall colors of 2009

A picture from the road
leading to our home.
With winter's cold and dark quickly
approaching, a gentle reminder of the
seasons inevitable changes.

The color and beauty reminds me everyday of God's faithfulness and the many simple things that come our way with no intention nor effort on our part.

Open you eyes and behold the joys
that surround you every day.

Let Grace be Unveiled!

Dueling Images?

Pastel pencil drawing of a cat and the negative image from Paint Shop Pro!

A last look back - Halloween Memories 2009!

Two pictures to remember Halloween 2009!
Forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Pedaling in Flames!

My passion for cycling drives me to not only ride my bike, but also to create designs from this sport.

This colored pencil drawing was done from a photograph of, you guessed it me!

I took away all images of the bike and just left the rider in an aerodynamic position, adding flames flowing out to the rear to emphasize the speed and power!

Painted Pony - Living Free

A colored pencil drawing of a horse as it prances along the fence line.

Is he inside or outside the fence?

Are you living inside the fence or outside?

Colorful Images of Fall

Fall holds a beauty of its own,
The colors of life spring forth,
One last glorious display,
Before the sleep of winter.

(photos taken around Olympia, WA - October 2009)

How do you know that ...

How do you know that the wind rustling the leaves on a tree is not really an angel flying by?

How do you know that the voice in your head is not really a whisper from God?

How do you know that the feeling in the pit of your stomach is not a nudge from the Holy Spirit?

How do you know that the smile of a stranger is not Jesus?

How do you know that the rain is not God's tears of love on a cruel world?

How do you know that the physical death is the end of life?

Who is looking at you?

A moose peeking through the trees, reminds us that there are those in our lives who are always looking at us as well as strangers we will never meet.

We are examples to our children, our spouses, family, friends and every one whose paths we cross. What would those who are watching say about you?

Remember, character is revealed by what you do when you think no one is looking!

(This picture was taken outside Kenai, Alaska during the summer of 2009)

Mt St Helens Revisited

May 1980 the surrounding landscape was changed for ever.

Every time we visit I am still in awe of natures power and the desolation that remains after almost 30 years.

But also hope and renewal continue to emerge as the landscape continues to change and life re-emerges.

I love the juxtaposition of patches of green against the barren reminders of the volcanoes massive and unforgiving eruption.

(Picture taken August 2009)

Reaching for dreams!

This is a Conte pastel pencil drawing of a cat reaching up for a brilliant spot of light.
Is it the sun? Is it a flash of electric light? What does it represent to the cat?

What does the light represent to you?

Always reach for your dreams even if others do not understand what you see and dream of!

New Horse Design!

A new pastel and colored pencil drawing
recently done.

Capturing the strength and beauty of the h
horse is an never ending quest for me.

I like to try and show the simplicity of the
shape but reveal the power of movement
contained within.

Color plays an important part, including the
yellow-orange of the mane and tail, depicting fire.

Check for this design on products soon at
the Cafepress website -
http://www.cafepress.com/graceunveiled

It's not dying I am talking about, its livin'

"He not busy being born is busy dying."
- Bob Dylan

Most 12 step programs rely on the process of always being actively working on a step of the program. When not so engaged you will not be progressing and may even be moving backward and living from a false center of yourself.

In my own life when I come to those times where I am not being born (learning, growing, progressing), I tend to stagnate. My spiritual, emotional, relational or physical growth demands a consistent march forward. As soon as we stop for any extended period for any reason other than a short time for rest, recovery, rejuvenation or refocusing decay can set in. We become reactive and overwhelmed by circumstances, less proactive and responsive.

I pray for the clarity of vision and strength of heart to stay on track. When I do lose my way I will quickly rededicate myself to finding my true center and balance. To remember the value of my life and continue the journey, living moment to moment passionately, humbly and with quiet strength.

(the above photo was taken at sunset in Longbeach, Washington)

What do you hear in the wilderness?

God is found in nature! Find yourself there also!

"After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone." Matthew 14:23

"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

Ho 13:5
I cared for you in the wilderness, In the land of drought.

Mt 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil

Lu 5:16
But Jesus Himself would {often} slip away to the wilderness and pray.

Re 17:3
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.

What do you do when ............?

Resolve
to live in the moment,

let go of the worry

and

open up to the possibilities
and the spontaneous.

"Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things you didn't do
than by the ones you did do."
-Mark Twain

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.

You have one don't you? The Flip Mino!!!

New designs on the Flip Mino camcorder now available!

Check out all the designs and merchandise available at the web site-
http://www.cafepress.com/graceunveiled

Pastel Doodles - Bull Elk

This bull elk was done using Conte pastel crayons, just re-introducing myself to pastels as a medium and playing around. I love the blending and shading of colors they allow.

Reminder this is a 'Year of Grace'

The Year of GRACE - 2009 (original post in January 2009)

My family has decided that 2009 will be our "Year of Grace" towards ourselves and others.

To do our best and give ourselves a break and extend that to everyone we meet. To stand by our principles of truth and love, not tolerate evil or hate but to meet both these extremes with grace and mercy. Life unfolds one day at a time, even moment by moment I want to aspire to experience those moments.

In my personal and professional life I will afford myself the grace I deserve and extend that to others. Allow myself to fail, fall short of the mark and change the expectations of myself and others. In the times of uncertainty in which we live, we all need grace, kindness and acceptance in our daily lives. Our lives are like a stream down a mountainside it does not go in a straight line from here to there. I want to no longer seek some big 'cure' for life's experiences but to know that every experience is what makes up our lives.

It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for.
The present is the only time in which any duty
can be done or any grace received. - "The Weight of Glory" C.S. Lewis

The Home Stretch

My tribute to the Kentucky Derby, this picture was done
using the crayon and ink wash technique. Showing the
galloping horse coming straight at you with the jockey tucked
in tight right behind the horse's head as they work as one.

"A Beacon of Life"

The lighthouse stands a lonely vigil on the rugged coastline, beaming its light outward to alert us of impending danger and also to guide us home. We should all be so blessed to have a light like that in our daily lives to warn us and lead us through the many storms of life, even when the the waters are calm and the skies are a brilliant array of colors and all seems right with the world.

(This picture of Heceta Head Lighthouse on the Oregon coast
was done using an ink wash and pastel crayons. Below is the
original photograph that served as the inspiration for the drawing.)

FORGIVEN!

My twist on the movie poster from the western "UNFORGIVEN".

This picture was done using watercolors, showing a figure in white for purity outlined
in blood red as a metaphor for the blood shed in violence and also to save our souls.

Easter - Death and Life!

"Death is the sound of distant thunder at a picnic." W. H. Auden

"The Table" -Watercolor

What happens after we die? We don't like to face it but we all live and die.

We try to blissfully ignore it as we go about our daily lives.

Would we live differently if we knew we would die tomorrow?

Tell those you love how you fell, apologize for the hurt you have caused, do the things you love!

Prepare yourself for the next adventure!

You will live on, death is not the end!

Shifting Your Focus

Every once in awhile you have to pop you head up out of your own
circumstances and look at things from a different perspective.

(This Orca whale shown 'spy hopping' was done in a crayon and ink wash technique.)