Black History drawing

So many black Americans have dedicated their lives, which has made a difference in our world as we see it today. By learning more about their struggles, understanding our past history, we realize that they created a foundation for our future.
I wanted to do a drawing ... representing some of our famous black Americans.
There were so many that I admire, for example...Harriet Tubman, known as "Moses". She was a legend in her own time. She lead approximately 300 slaves to freedom.

Then there was George Washington Carver. He became the best known agricultural scientists of his generation. Like many others, he was born into slavery. When he was six weeks old, he and his mother were kidnapped by slave raiders. He was ransomed back by a $300 prize horse. He worked hard as a boy and finally made his way to be the first to enroll in Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

Carver encourged farmers to grow peanuts and sweet potatoes. In order to make these more profitable, he did extensive research, producing more than 300 derivative products from it.
I chose charcoal and used a tinted paper for the drawing.

I found an old frame and with a little time...created a legacy of art that was appreciated by others.
It is my contribution for Black History Month.

Secrets of a Rose

Someone once said to me… Everything that you do seems to have a story behind it. I agreed…. the things that I create, is more then just art, but a expression to tell a story in another way. So as it is in this painting of the roses…as you look closely, you see more then just two roses in a vase.

This is a story of a man and woman in love. Of course she is the smaller rose and tends to lean toward him for support, protection and longs to be submitted to only him. Knowing this, he loves and cares for her. She has made him feel that he is the king of all other roses.

If you look closely…. you will see that as she allows him to be rule over her…. she knows that she is also in control. That is why she has her hands on her hips (the vase)…revealing her “attitude.” This is not a story of power and who controls whom, but it shows respect, love and compromise. For the greatest of all is love and the rose has always represented this.

Hand Drawings

Hand Drawings

I love hands. If you look closely at the hands of people....they all tell a story. It more then just beauty, size or texture of the skin ....but all are unique and cannot be compared to another. Our hands, represent the history of our life. Our hands are a direct connection to our brains. This is why our handwriting is unique....for no one has the exact style even in our writing. Oc course....that can be another topic within itself. : )




Nothing is so sweet as a newborn baby hands. How many of us, want to kiss them or gently put their fingers between our lips...




As time goes by, they are shaped by what we have done each and everyday of our life.
Some may see a wrinkled hand as old and untouchable....but I see it as wisdom, caring and love.

Indian Teepee

As I was driving to work, I noticed a neatly stacked pile of tree limbs. I thought for a moment....what could I do with that? As a school teacher at that time...I loved creating, using found things.



I decided that maybe I could make a Teepee and went to work...creating the focal point to a beginning of a nature center. I gathered some of the taller, straighter limbs with a robe ...securing it tightly at tone end. I spreaded it to the size that I wanted and with smaller limbs...I secured the circumference. I layered the exterior with muslin material....painting Indian symbols on the outside. A nice fleece blanket was added for the door and a fur rug...made it extra cozy for the children.




It was a place where the children could go and read ... or play, as we called it, The quiet room. As many as 5-6 children could easily go inside....and so could I. : )