Reckoning

"Reckoning"
Digital illustration using the Harmonious app for iPad.

Invasion

"Invasion: They Came at Midnight" / Digital sketch using the Harmonious app for the iPad.

You can see other Harmonious sketches by me on this page: http://harmoniousapp.com/search/user/Rok

You can also vote for or "like" any on my sketches on that page (any that say "by Rok").

Gaze

"Gaze" / Digital sketch using the Harmonious app for the iPad.

Wonders of Creation

Here is a two-page illustration from a project I worked on last year. I illustrated a children's book titled But God's Word Says...Creation by Rebekah Williamson. The book presented an interesting challenge in its conceptual freedom. I tried to incorporate my own lifelong since of awe of the majesty of creation into each page. I tried to remember all the things that sparked my imagination as a child - here you get a picture of a starry night, a shooting star, fireflies, bedding birds in branches, a tree house, a tire swing, and fences that melt into the landscape. Here there are hills to roam and explore.

I'm currently working on the second book in this trilogy.

If you would like to check out more about the first book or order a copy, here are a couple of links:

http://www.butgodswordsays.com/

http://www.amazon.com/But-Gods-Word-Says-Creation-Book/dp/145751091X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353459942&sr=1-1&keywords=but+god%27s+word+says...creation

Though torn in two

Though torn in two
We can be one

I, I will begin again
I, I will begin again

~ lyrics from U2's song "New Year's Day"

This a mixed media piece paying homage to the photos and vision used for U2's album War and the era surrounding it. I thought it seemed appropriate for the day and the times.

(Pencil, ink, watercolor on paper)

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