This little guy was so proud of himself at the Pow-wow. His bright colors were amazing. This is a 16" by 20" watercolor painting on canvas. The picture was taken about 2 years ago. I am experimenting with the back grounds. Hope you like it.
This is one of three pictures I will be entering into the Mary Free Bed art show. There is another one of Zack looking at some flowers with binoculars and then the one of the wizard of oz that was done for Art Prize 2009.
This is Sgt. Michael Keith Ingram Jr. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. I had painted a picture if Mike for ART Prize but had given it to his father as he was the only person I was in touch with at the time of the contest. During the last weeks of the competition I was befriended on Face Book by his mother who was divorced from his father. She was also having a very rough time in her life with the loss of her son. Shortly after that she lost both her sister and nephew who were shot on there porch at home. I can not imagine the grief this woman has touched. 
This young lady died about a year ago from cancer. A friend of hers had this picture painted for her cousin who was very close to her. It is a watercolor pencil painting on canvas.
This is Spc. Joseph Dennis Johnson. This is the picture I did for his mother. It was to small for Art Prize so I just gave it to her earlier this year. 
This is Spc. Joseph Dennis Johnson. Joe was as fun loving mischievous type of a guy. He was never one to sit by the sidelines and watch. His mother gave me the picture on the right, stating it best portrayed Joe's spirit. I painted it for her and then painted a picture of just Joe for the Art Prize Competition. Joe's portrait can be see at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus Atrium. Joe is from Flint, Michigan. He was killed on 6/16/2010 at the age if 24. He had been in the military for four years prior to his death.
This is Cpl. Anthony Aitilio Dilisio. The day he died he was told that he could take the day off but he decided to go anyway. His family didn't want him to go into the service but he wanted to go. He wanted to fight. He wanted to be a hero. He was stubborn and a born leader. He was 25 yards outside the camp when a van of enemy fighters fired upon them. They all died but so did Anthony. Anthony was from Macomb, Michigan. He died on 5/30/2010 at the age of 20. His original portrait, a watercolor pencil painting on canvas can be seen during Art Prize, 2011 at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital Atrium. Art Prize goes from Sept. 21 through Oct. 9.
This is Cpl Jacob Henry Turbett. Jacob came from a family of military. He decided early in life to make the military his career. He was thinking about leaving the Marines when his enlistment came up so he could go back to school and then get into flying in the service. He had been stationed in Bangladesh, Okinawa, Iraq and finally Afghanistan. He was from Canton, Michigan. He died of a single gun shot wound on 2/13/2010 at the age of 21. His picture will be displayed at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Atrium from Sept. 21, 2011 to Oct. 8, 2011 for Art Prize.
Back Eyed Susan's are one of my favorite flowers, who know why? I liked this picture because it had the other red Lilly in it. I have had a lot of time to paint and am beginning to feel relaxed again. I am practicing saying a small speech for the art prize telephone identification message. Its harder than I thought but my sister and my friend are helping me. I have it written now just to call it in and get it done. For now.
This is a 12X16" painting done with watercolor paints in a tub. I am finding that some things are done better with this technique and others are done better with with the water color pencil. I guess the combo is OK. There is now some lag time before art prize and I find myself painting a lot of flowers, a dog, a baby and then more flowers. I have stopped worrying about Art Prize and am just trying to beat the heat in Michigan. I continue to enjoy reading the blog: My fallen soldier.blogspot.com Both his mother and sister are very good writers and although I don't read well it is worth the struggle. I appreciate their honesty and thoughts. Thank you.
This is a BEAUTIFUL yellow flower that is in my back yard. It was fun and relaxing to paint. 
Another ditch flower. It is an Iris. Special thank you to Robin and Micheal for being the most consistent readers and com-mentors. I never really know if any one is listening. I continue to prepare for Art Prize but remain reserved about the facility. I don't think It should be stressful but it is. Oh well the grand kids will be over again on Sunday so more fun ahead.
