Here’s a bit of what’s kept me from getting out-in-the-field!

The Wedding Concertina was a delight to work on. My client was taken with a Marriage Blessing read at a wedding she attended. I was tickled when Judy contacted me and asked what type of calligraphic goodie could be created using the Blessing so the couple could always have a remembrance of their special day.
Upon reading ‘A Blessing for a Marriage’ by James Dillet Freeman, Silent Unity’s founder, I was so moved. This piece needed to be more than a framed calligraphic rendition. It was destined to be more alive. Something that could be used in celebrating each anniversary. The Wedding Concertina was born! It has 12 pages plus the cover. It is laced with a metallic gold ribbon, used as a closure. On the cover, I used metallic acrylic inks. Inside, I chose a copperplate font and created watercolor illustrations to highlight certain passages. I dug into my reference files and found information on the meanings of flowers. I used ivy, asters, phlox, purple hyacinth and a peony to compliment James Dillet Freeman’s words. Then I made a slip jacket for the book so it could remain protected and find it’s place on a book shelf.

As I worked on this book I decided I must make one for Rob and me. How wonderful it would be to read this beautiful blessing each year and to look back and consider how we measured up to the love and respect we pledged each other so long ago. If you get a chance, click on the title above as it links to Unity’s site and page for the blessing.

My next calligraphic commission was a family tree. I came to know Captain Timothy Marshall and Hilly Woodbury of Ipswich, MA. Their union in 1776 produced quite a family tree. During the planning stage as I wrote and rewrote the names, I began to feel like I knew each person. My imagination was quite busy thinking about their lives. I felt blessed to be a part of this family tree. When the project was completed, I let my client know how much I enjoyed getting to know his relatives.

My home portrait business is gathering steam! I call it ‘NatureScape Home Portraits.’ It’s time for me to create a webpage of offerings. There are traditional treatments like this one to the left and Storybook portraits that feature the home or a portion of it, and then around the main illustration are vignettes of special things clients want to highlight about their home. My signature, the thing that really sets my portraits from others, is adding critters, birds and pets. I am a nature artist after all! I want my home portraits to portray what each client loves about their home and property.

This last feature wasn’t a commission, but my most favorite Christmas gift that I made for dear, dear friends. You know that I’m big into journaling. How wonderful, I thought, to have a Christmas Keepsake book to write down a few things each year that brought joy to your heart. And, best of all, rereading these memories in years to come!

I usually hand paint ornaments (sea shells) for the children. But, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been to the beach and I didn’t have any shells suitable for ornaments in my stash! What to do?? Pressure was on, it was a week before Christmas and no matter what I did I’d be late, as I needed to mail this present to NY!! Why don’t I get these Christmas present ideas in July when there’s time?? Ho, ho, ho! What’s a little more Christmas pressure! Breads to bake, cookies to make, artwork to create…….. I had a great time! Not much sleep mind you, but lots of joy in my heart!

And, the blessings of commission work continues 🙂

Thank you to all my clients for making my year a success!

Happy New Year!