You're welcome at my fire anytime.

"A man can be hard to find in the mountains. You're welcome at my fire anytime." (A line about the value of true friendship from the film The Man from Snowy River.)

This digital ink and watercolor piece was completed on the Paper by 53 app on the iPad.

Dear Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl:

On this day one year ago, our lives changed forever. We waited so long for you, we almost gave up hope. The last few years were the hardest. The disappointments were almost too much for us to bear. There were so many nights we spent crying out to God to hear our prayers. And then you came home to us.

From the moment we met you on October 11, 2011, we knew you and you knew us. You reached for us in those first moments, your big brown eyes searching, and we were overcome. You laughed and played and sang with us. The few hours we spent with you that day changed everything. All those years, all those prayers came crashing back like waves on a shore, the anguished words now a peaceful hush. How do you prepare for answered prayers?

On this day one year ago, we waited for your arrival. The day was warm and bright, the leaves turning golden- red despite the stifling heat of early fall in Georgia. The ticking of the clock was never so loud.

And then you were here, clinging to us, our arms around your tiny body, your arms around our necks, our hearts so full. You cried out for Tristan and hugged him, loving him instantly. He warmed up eventually. You both fell asleep in Daddy’s arms. Suddenly, all the pieces came together.

What a year! What an adventure! You are so smart, so kind, so sweet, so funny, and so fiercely independent. You are a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul. You bring us happiness like we’ve never known. We are overjoyed and humbled we get to be your Mama and Daddy. We are so thankful. We are so blessed.

On this day one year ago, we became a family.

You were worth the wait.

We love you baby girl,

Mama and Daddy

Starfish

Another example of illustration work I've completed for Christ Fellowship. This is my interpretation of the Starfish story. This illustration was used for the cover of the Bible study guide Helping Others by Pastor Marc Limbaugh. Pencil, ink, and watercolor.

Here's a sample of the story Marc used in the guide:

By now, most of us have heard the story about the little boy who was walking along the beach and picking up starfish that had washed ashore. A man questioned what the boy was doing and the little boy replied, “I’m saving these starfish from dying on the beach.” The man chided his efforts with a gentle rebuke, “Son, there are thousands of starfish that have been washed up on this beach. Do you really think you’re going to make a difference?” Without stopping what he was doing, the little boy picked up the next starfish and hurled it into the ocean...“I’m making a difference for this one.”

WOW! Logo

Here's a sample of some illustration work I've done for Christ Fellowship Church. This is the logo for the Wednesday children's program at the church. Composed with pencil ink, digital watercolor on the Wacom Bamboo digital tablet, and Photoshop.

City View

Here's a glimpse at one of my first attempts using the Paper by 53 app for the iPad. This is a quick ink/watercolor sketch I attempted while we waited during the 14 hour spinal surgery on Pastor Marc Limbaugh. That's the Georgia State Capitol building and its gold dome as I saw it from the 6th floor at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Still Standing

Another creation using the Paper by 53 app for the iPad. Here's a shout-out to Ben Bonner for another great message on Sunday about miracles and being a miracle maker in a our everyday lives. Ben is the assistant pastor at Christ Fellowship Church: http://www.christ-fellowship.com/. He is teaching most Sundays as our Senior Pastor, Marc Limbaugh, recovers at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta following a bad accident two weeks ago.

As I listened to Ben bring another message of hope yesterday, I opened my iPad and begin to compose this simple watercolor/ink piece. Sketching and doodling have always helped me focus on listening close to a speaker (notes are great but art is better!). 

Marc Limbaugh is also my father-in-law and as we wait for positive signs and reports each day of his recovery, my imagination composes pictures. I think of how Marc and I both are in awe of creation and all its wonders. I think of how Marc loves the mountains and rivers and streams. I think of how Marc once told a story of how he woke his four sons up on a trip out west to see a sunrise in a national park and how they watched it in awe together and how he treasured that shared moment. As Ben spoke, my heart turned to a sunset over mountains and a forest, the last glow before the night comes sweeping in with a blanket of stars. The end of another day fading into darkness.

By faith, I hold on to hope. In the morning, the sun will rise again. There will be mountains to climb, but we will find our path and sure footing. 

And we will stand in awe.

Red Flower

I'm using a new app on the iPad called Paper by 53. You can check it out here: http://www.fiftythree.com/paper. It's like a digital form of the moleskin journal. The flower above is a combination of pencil, ink, and watercolor. I'm digging this new app. More to come.

Light #2

Light #2. A sketch using the Harmonious app on the iPad.