Whoa Sketchbook Project Now On Auction

The wonderful Whoa Sketchbook Project began its life by Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor of Gypsy Mare Studios and has traveled across the ocean and back to include amazing sketches and full color original art and prints from over 13 artists of the Whoa Horse Artists Group which began on Ebay and has now included Etsy (Whoa Horse Artists Group).

The sketchbook project was created to raise money to help a horse charity chosen by the artists. To view the auction which began August 10th and runs until August 20th, click here.

I would love to include in this post many of the images of the gorgeous art available in this one of a kind book, however I am not the best at grabbing outside images. You can however view most of them by clicking here (please be sure to click 'older posts' at the bottom of the page to view more art). I have included an image of the print 'Golden Pegasus, Winged Horse of Love and Hope' I have donated to be included in this sketchbook auction. This is the first time this print has been released larger than ACEO 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" size.

~ Golden Pegasus, Winged Horse of Love and Hope ~

For any who love the equine, this beautiful one of a kind sketchbook containing over 50 pieces of art would be a treasure to own!

Ships from the Past

~ Sails in the Harbor ~

~ HMS Bounty ~

~ Barque Europa ~

Like many others, I am in love with sailing ships of the past!

The above ships, along with 5 others, entered the Duluth harbor this past Thursday, and departed again 6 days later. In honor of their arrival, a great celebration was planned with days full of music, delicious food, plays, an amazing collection of treasure recovered from around the world to view, touch, and (purchase!), a treasure hunt, merchants of all kinds, and of course...pirates and Jack Sparrow flying the skull and cross bones everywhere.

I, along with a large part of my family and friends, spent 4 full days participating in celebration dressed as sea faring folk, some of us pirates, greeting and entertaining visitors, were captured in photos, and revelled in amazing sea shanties from Michael Beans  and more, plus treasure hunting tales from the fantastic Captains Carl Fismer and Scott Mitchen  .

With such an event, it is hard to pick one best moment, but for me there was something that stood out as very special. A crew of garbed pirates were chosen to board a beautiful refurbished solid wood yacht to greet the tall ships before they entered the harbor and to wave hello to the thousands who thronged the waters edge to view the masted vessels. I was thrilled when I was chosen as one of the crew, having not been on the great lake since late childhood, and had longed for it many times as an adult. I failed to grab the camera in my excited haste to board ship, and later so wished I had, because what a site I viewed as we approached the tall masted beauties in full sail far out on the lake, all 9 of them.  Amazing...absolutley amazing... they took my breath away!

 ~ Even now without a photo, I know I will have a memory of them together that will last a lifetime. ~

Curls of Nature

~ Soapwort Blossoms ~

~ Campanula ~

~ Hosta Blossoms ~

Nature's beautiful designs are abundant in whimsy.

 I absolutely love whimsical curls...in my art, in nature, in life. One curl in a whisker, a flower, or cloud reminds me to smile and remember the happiness in life. 

~ I wish you a wonderful, whimsical weekend! ~

Lilies of the Morning

~ Elegant Lilies of the Morning ~

Beautiful pink Daylilies greet the morning sun in one of my many gardens.

After the Storm

~ Pink Daylily ~

~ Mammatus Clouds ~

~ Orange Daylily After the Storm ~

It is not uncommon for Minnesota to see turbulent storms in any of its seasons, from blizzards and heavy snows in winter, to tornados, large hail, and torrential rains in warmer weather. Wednesday began as one such day, with severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings covering nearly the entire state. By late morning we had received significant rainfall, and ancient trees were toppled just blocks from our daughter's house. These storms kept us all on our toes for quite a few hours.

When the heavy weather began to lift I took a venture outside to view the amazing beauty left in its wake. The sky was filled with incredible Mammatus clouds that seemed as if they would drip to earth with an enormous splash.  And every petal on every flower and every leaf was covered with silver drops of rain, each reflecting a tiny version of the world around it.

Today the sun shines and a gentle breeze blows, giving not a hint of the raging storms nature produced for its Minnesota inhabitants two days ago. I wonder what beauty awaits for me to discover today.

The Frog and the Toad

~ Frog on the Window ~

~ The Tree Toad ~

A few little friends that live in our yard.

~ I Have A Little Frog ~

(author unknown)

I have a little frog,

His name is Tiny Tim,

I put him in the bathtub,

To see if he could swim,

He drank up all the water,

And gobbled up the soap!

And when he tried to talk,

He had a bUBble in his throat!

Minnesota Sunset

~ Bayfront Sunset ~

Some of the most beautiful sunsets appear after a storm. I was able to capture this image at the waterfront in Duluth.