New Personal Piece

Here is a new personal piece I've started. I'm excited to experiment with some lost and found edges on this one as well as formed and flat surfaces. 

And here is a delightful "personal piece" my son and daughter-in-law created. She arrived last Monday. Mommy and baby are home and doing well.

Welcome to the world little Nora.

Crave

           crave: To need urgently; require

As I am on the final finish of this current commission, my hands simply CRAVE to sketch something, anything that isn't remotely related to this children's book. Sometimes it's healthy to take a break, or so I rationalized. I pulled out a fresh piece of watercolor paper and sharpened my brand new Blackwing pencil and began a sketch of one of my sons. He's currently out of state and I only hear from him sporadically. Somehow, I felt closer to him with each pencil stroke.

Models in a Pinch OR The Hazards of Being Related to an Artist

 

I thought it would be fun to post a quick look at my use of family members for models. With 6 children and 15 grandchildren, I usually have someone I can finagle to don a cloak or whatnot for photo reference. Some are more willing than others. Here are just a few of my favorites.

The Best Thanksgiving

 These last 6 weeks have been quite the journey.  Quite out of the blue, an opportunity came to our daughter and son-in-law to adopt a baby. Just when they had closed the door on adding to their family, the Universe opened it. It has been a series of  miracles, with undeniable direction from the Creator. My heart is full to bursting with gratitude. Born this weekend, our daughter was the first non-medical person to embrace and welcome him. Poor dad, is still out of state, waiting to meet his new son...the only unhappy aspect of this whole incredible experience. Hopefully, next week, papers will be in order for them to fly home to him. Blasted red tape stuff.

But for now, all is well. Jonah has come to our family.

His name means "peace"...such a sacred feeling.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

39 Years - The Never-Ending Road

We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into...

On a Thursday, March 29th, 39 years ago, I married this young man. He has put up with a lot, believe me. But, after experiencing the hills and valleys of raising 6 children, major job changes, health issues, and financial struggles, we are still here, together.

 And the best part...15 grandchildren. 

This morning, one of the first things he said was, "We've been married almost as long as Moses and the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness". First response: "Well, that's random." But, in truth, we have wandered a bit, sometimes off-course, but we're still together.

There's a song sung by Loreena McKennitt, that I love, called "The Never-Ending Road". 39 years ago, Vance, I gave you my heart...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

And Finally...#15!

Our youngest daughter gave birth to her first baby today (the 27th)...a little girl.

All is well. So thankful. Life is good.

Elsa Jane. 6# 7oz

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Daddy and daughter getting acquainted.

Auntie Audrey with her younger sister.

She took some beautiful photos I hope to post in the future.

I Am Number Four

UPDATE: She's home and has a name!

Macie June

Our son and his wife had their fourth child, a new daughter today. Born on the same day as their first, only 8 years later. She is 8# 4 oz. Grandchild #14.

Until they decide on a name, she is:

I am Number Four

Welcome to the world #4.

We are so grateful to have you here.

Celebrate Moran Day

On a personal note, yesterday marked the second anniversary of our dear granddaughter Moran's death. Her parents wanted to celebrate her as she truly is a part of their family. At a park in our town, we have a memorial tree with a stone marker for Moran and we decorated it with 13 balloons, representing our 13 grandchildren. It was a grey, overcast day and then, as we prepared to leave, the sun suddenly broke through, briefly highlighting the balloons. Very symbolic for me. Moran's time was so brief, but her light has touch us all. Love you CC, J and O.

Little Baby Reese= A Baker's Dozen

On August 7th, we were blessed with a new little granddaughter, lucky # 13, Reese. She's 6 weeks premature, only 3#12 oz at birth.

Here's her mommy looking down at her. Reese was delivered by C-section. After the infection and other stuff Audrey went through, I think she looks amazingly well.

Here she is under the special lights with her cool sunglasses.

Look at that hair! And she has the Kincaid cowlick...something I've passed on to all my grandchildren to some degree or another. It must be one dominant gene. That's a normal sized pacifier to give you some idea of just how tiny she is. She's dropped down to 3#5 oz. but that's typical. I am so grateful to have both her and her mother safe and sound.

Back Home

We've been in Michigan for over a week visiting our daughter and family. The weather didn't exactly cooperate with our plans to see the sites but when there was a break in the rain, we bundled up and went outside and took in the fall leaves. My photos fail to capture nature's vibrant colors. It didn't help that the sun was rarely shining but this park near the Grand river was magical. We saw deer and chipmunks and heard alot of bird calls. My daughter says there are usually wild turkeys lurking in the forest. (O and I did have to run to escape from a big, bad troll who looked alot like Grandpa when we crossed over the bridge). It's good to be back but why is it, wherever you live, you are missing someone?

Departing Shot

Here is Owen with his aunt JoJo, mom, and auntie Audie as we prepare to leave for home. A very difficult departure.

Number 11

Our oldest son, Michael and his wife, Bevany, welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world on October 1st. Beckham Vance Garfield is #11 grandchild and #6 grandson. His two sisters are so happy to have him to cuddle and love. Life is great!

Stephenie Meyer Book Signing

Hilary, Erinne and I went to the book signing at Highland High last Saturday and really had a good time. It turned out to be an all day affair, but the event was well worth it. Here we are in our matching t-shirts, reading The Host and waiting for our number to be called (we were in group # 23). A photographer from the Deseret News stopped and asked if he could take some pictures of us. LOL! He wanted to know what club we belonged to. He was absolutely clueless walking into that auditorium. He had never heard of Twilight or Stephenie Meyer. He was very nice though and offered to send us the picture if it didn't run in Sunday's paper. And it didn't. Can you believe they selected a photo of Stephenie instead??! Anyway, he was true to his word and here is the photo he took. [credit goes to M. Brandy]