Glory Elephant

Ah , how I remember when I was first introduced to pen and ink, and watercolor. It was in the summertime at the School of Folk Art. I was learning to do folk art or what is now known as decorative painting .The teacher had to have surgery and was out for the summer. Her business partner Bonnie Nagle was taking care of the store and sitting with the clients as they painted on different items. I was brand new and and really couldn't do a lot. Bonnie suggested I do some simple pen and ink with watercolor. This was a medium she had experience with and felt comfortable teaching. So during those long summer days I practiced the technique. I also totally enjoyed the summer learning a new technique and building a friendship with Bonnie.

Glory Elephant I  finished  and intend to turn prints of the larger than life elephant into note-cards. The note-cards will be posted in my Etsy Store htp://www.glory2727.etsy.com Where did the elephant get her name? Well there she stands bigger than life and the mountains behind her. There she stands in all her glory. Besides, I use glory in my email and my user Id. It just seemed to be appropriate.

Returning to the pen,ink, and watercolor technique was quite refreshing . It brought back memories.
And too, I hope this little card helps teach children how to write thank you notes.

Practice Makes Perfect

Anytime I start to paint something new I always practice a little stroke work first. The reason? I need to be sure the brush is loaded with paint properly. It also depends on what technique I am using. So I began to practice by painting designs on bookmarks. I always give the bookmarks to friends and neighbors tucked in a Card. They like special little gifts for their birthdays, anniversaries, and various holidays.

Now I sit and do my freehand painting time making these gifts. Most of the bookmarks are flowers because I love flowers, especially wildflowers. And sometimes I like to create my own, which are called fantasy flowers. You might just see a little bird or a butterfly now and then. Oh, yes, don't let me forget the little ladybug.

Name Boards

For 11 years now I have painted small letters about 2 inches high and a 1/4 inches thick.

These letters are glued on a good high-quality name board with three pegs or 4 pegs according to the length of the name. Wall hangers are mounted on the back. You pick the letters out with the name you want to spell out. Letters come in basic pastel colors of green, yellow, blue, pink, or lavender. These colors are usually used for girls. Primary colors of blue, red, green, and yellow are usually used for boys. All kinds of designs can be put on them like tractors, planes, cars, and trucks for boys. Fairies, dancers, princesses, and butterflies are some of the designs for girls.

Custom name tags can be ordered for example; a Red hatter for Women or maybe a Golf Theme for men. Bob and Oma Hildebrand have been in business for about twelve years and make these quality boards. I just paint letters for them. Oma does a great job in hand-painted the designs also and husband Bob makes the boards, spray paints the basic quality paint color on the letters, and mounts the wall hangers This husband and wife team.

You can see the Website at WWW.thisboardsforyou.com Please look at this quality project

and be sure to mention that Gloria recommended their product.