The Unexpected Guest

Ocre-Man-Pincher

This little guy is a quiet sort of crab, he just walks along minding his own business. Don't try and pet him though, 'Ocre-Man-Pincher' pinches! It reminded me of the time I was pinched by a crab. It latched onto my hand and would not let go... Ouch! You could say that's what brought my husband and I together. He saved me from that 'horrid sea monster'. So when I came across this sentimental reminder of my 'fisherman in shining armor', I wanted to capture him in living color.

I tried and tried to get him to stand still so I could draw him properly.  I talked in a very soothing voice. I told him how handsome he was. I even sang to him!  Alas, I had to resort to photographic means to get a decent pose. Oh, he acted like he wanted to help but, what he really wanted was to help himself to a good pinch of my toes! Thankfully I am still in one piece and 'Ocre-Man-Pincher' is no worse for his experience as an artist model.

So the next time you run across an unexpected guest perhaps you could convince them to pose while you paint their portrait. Might make for an interesting work of art. At the very least, you could learn how to paint without loosing any toes!

Thanks for listening.
What will you create today?

Here's the latest from Islands Of Time Zazzle

Keep Your Eye On the Prize

Eye On The Prize

We moved a few year ago and we are now blessed to have a home on the water. Behind our house is a dock where we keep our boat. It's lovely here. So beautiful.

Soon after we settled in, I walked out to the dock to have a look and this is what I saw! What a picture! It is fortunate that I had brought my camera with me on the walk. I began to watch this 'Little Blue Heron'. (that is it's common name) It was so intent on finding it's dinner that I was just part of the scenery. I kept as still as possible so I would not disturb it. Such concentration, such composure, such patience...

I had to place the strap of the camera around my neck to insure I didn't drop it in the water, then hang on to the 'fish cleaning table' that was mounted at that end of the dock, steady my camera with one hand and lean out toward the water as far as I could without falling in to get the picture. "Eye On The Prize" was painted from one of the pictures I took as I visited with my fine feathered neighbor.

He gave me a lesson on how to catch my dinner and I have honored him with a portrait of his beauty and talent. It reminds me that if you keep your 'Eye On The Prize' you will surely be rewarded.

Thanks for listening.
What will you create today?

                                                                                               Islands Of Time Zazzle
                                                                                                    WaldonArt Zazzle

Fat Fish On A Stick

Fat Fish On A Stick

We were not poor growing up, but, we were not well off either. Pennies were our best friends. I know you must be wondering what this has to do with art. I say all this to create an image in your mind of a six year old with a stick and a string. As a fishing person, I was really good at it. Even at 6 years old I usually out-fished everyone there! (that's just blatant braggin') Picture a child sitting on the bow of a boat, tied to the bow rail with a length of small rope, a stick and a string in their hands and a fish on the line. That was me.

There are many of us to fit in that small boat so I got the bow. I would sit on that bow sayin', "Daddy, I got a bite." Daddy would answer, "Well..pull it up." So, I would. He would tell me to spin my 'pole' around and he would take the fish off, give me new bait and I would drop it in and do it again. It was always like that with fishin'.

I was sitting one day in my studio rememberin' those time and laughing at the stories of my family's fishin' trips. An image began to appear in my mind. It was the image you see in this post, 'Fat Fish On A Stick'. I hope it helps you to remember something great about yourself. Something you shared with the people you love. Something you're good at without even trying.

Daddy always told us, "You know, you don't need no fancy rig. All you really need in a stick and a string." I found a wonderful gift at the end of that stick. I found my Daddy.

Thanks for listening.
What will you create today.

S L Waldon

Find this image on a Tee-Shirt!

Victorian Roses Still Life

Victorian Roses

"Victorian Roses", shown here, was drawn from real roses. Drawn from 'life' as the artist term goes. I often create art this way. The blooms themselves were over 6 inches across. I have never seen such HUGE flowers and am amazed every time I see this pen & ink/watercolor that the flowers could measure that large. The reason for their size could be found in the secrets behind their cultivation. My father-in-law, who taught me many things about flowers, gave me many secrets on roses. He had a way with them.

As I study these blooms I remember the story behind this Still Life. I can still see Life in it. The time spent in the garden, the good company of the plants around me, the fragrance of the blooms, the secret growing lessons from a friend. These are the things I see.

The next time you see a Still Life painting take a few minutes and ponder the 'Life' part. There is a story there. If you are lucky enough to meet the artist, ask them to share that story. It will amaze and delight you and give you a better appreciation for the artist and the reasons they paint.

Thanks for listening.

What will you create today?

S L Waldon

Profile From Checked In Today!

Two Red Fish

 Islands Of Time Fine Arts & Gifts has been honored by the Checked In Today Guild Blog. 

Sail Away To The Islands Of Time

Thanks so much for this humbling profile.
S L Waldon

Ruffled Petals Went To Court

Ruffled Petals

What does court have to do with art? How does a piece of art end up in court anyway? Was there some legal drama over the rights or ownership of this award-winning piece of artwork? It is actually not that intriguing, but, it is true that this artwork went to court.

During the time I painted "Ruffles Petals" we had recently moved to a new county.  I had to leave behind some of my beloved orchid plants. I took pictures of them with my telephone because my camera was packed and, since I could not get them from my phone (old school) to my computer, I saved them in my phone.

A few months after moving I was summoned to Court.  As I sat in the crowd of the Jury Pool Room, I wanted to work. Artists rarely go anywhere without carrying art supplies, but, this time I forgotten to bring something to work 'from', a subject photo.  Just sitting and staring at the blank page was not getting me anywhere, so I began to go through my phone to delete unwanted items as a way to pass the time usefully. Fidgeting in my seat I went click..delete..click..delete..click....

There it was, my old orchid plant starring back at me.  The tiny photograph was a challenge to work from and my memory for detail was needed when it came to the 'ruffly' parts, but, I knew that orchid well. It was an old friend come to keep me company in a new place where I didn't know a single person.

When choosing a title I remembered the 'ruffled' feelings of sitting in the Jury Pool with nothing to draw. In my studio at home, in the days that followed, the painting was completed and, I'm happy to say, it was honored with an award in a local show some time later. So,  "Ruffled Petals" has come from my home of yesterday, spent some time lost in a digital format, and is now remembered for the only one of my paintings that ever went to court.

Thanks for listening.
What will you create today?

S L Waldon