This is my niece Brittany when she was about 17 years old.

I recently took my first art class. The instructor is someone whose work I admire; Lee Hammond. She taught me patience and how to use tools that I had but didn't know how to use.

Thou that goes by the name of Anonymous,

Sharing a body of work that is synonymous,

With the limitless possiblities,

Of any one persons abilities.

What a prolific artistic soul is the creator by the name of Anonymous.

This was done in colored pencil and is in response to an art challenge from The Artist Challenge, for Anonymous. This was not my first thought but my second and is in regards to all the "Anonymous" artists and authors.

This is a copy of a masters work. Picasso did this self portrait when he was 18. I love this piece. For me this is the piece that show his mastery! Mine isn't perfect so back to the drawing board. It's all good because it's fun to work on a piece you love and this was my first time using charcoal, I liked it. Want to do more.

I drew the character and then cut her out....after scanning I opened her up in the paint program and gave her a background...I'm not done with her yet...I think I'm going to have fun with this one :0)

I was doodling at work today...(hey my job is about multi-tasking). Started with a funny little curve that became lips. They looked sensual so I wanted to add flowing hair. Then I started thinking about Bernini's sculpture of Pluto and Proserpina...So that is what I ended up with, my interpretation, or at least a snippet of it.

The Artist Challenge - A Private Art Club for Artists, Art Patrons and Fool Hardy Souls

The Artist Challenge - A Private Art Club for Artists, Art Patrons and Fool Hardy Souls

This is a website of amazing artists, who have graciously accepted me as a fellow artist, where we do challenges monthly. Come and join us or at least take a look...you'll enjoy yourself with the many artistic intrepretations of varying subjects!

I redid the recycle the trees piece for Brinikki, (my niece). She loved the piece and wanted me to redo it larger, sans the words, so she could hang it on her wall. I slightly changed it and did it in color.

Another contest entry...If you like it vote for me at...www.tattooedsteel.com...follow the links to vote for design...

This was done for The Artists Challenge; the theme was Moon River. I was playing around with the paint program that comes on every computer and came up with a basic concept. I liked what was coming out and decided to paint it freehand. This is the result and I titled it Moon River: Tranquility.

I did this piece for another contest. It's a banshee from Aes Sidhe (ancient fairy mound). If I win; the image will be stamped on a metal cuff bracelet. I think it turned out pretty cool so I hope I win so I can get one of the bracelets with her on it!

My maternal grandmother died February 24, 2003. When she passed she left behind her sister, (the last of ten children), five adult children, 19 grandchildren, umpteen great grandchildren and a great great grandchild. The night she passed I wrote a poem wanting to give voice to everyone she left behind:

Tell the ones gone before dear Sister,

That my memories are still strong.

Tell mom how much I miss her,

And pop it's been too long.

The lord has called you home Mama,

The ones left behind will understand.

As much as we wish you could stay Gram,

Someday we to will join you in his land.

Time was not on our side Nana,

But don't worry we will still know who you are.

So many people who love you Nonnie,

Will tell us you're never too far.

There was an old broken down doghouse on the backside of my sisters yard when she bought her house. The children, my nieces and nephew, decided it was their "playhouse". The girls being the older bossy sisters they were decided boy's weren't allowed and plastered the walls with "girl power", letting Matthew in upon their wims, (usually when they wanted him to do something). This image was caught when 8 year old Megan convinced 4 year old Matthew to help her up on the roof of the playhouse.
I loved the image of the little guy struggling and determined to complete his mission, getting his sister on that roof.

This is my second entry into the Artist Challenge website. The theme was The Patriot and I immediately thought of the ultimate patriot. Here is a poem that I wrote to accompany the painting:

THE ULTIMATE PATRIOT

Family left behind;

In a foreign world with no respite;

Ideological beliefs,

For which patriots are willing to fight.

Mind alterred,

By mans cruelties to one another;

Nightmares that begin there,

Will stay with the patriot forever.

You may not understand,

Why a patriot would be willing,

With prior knowledge of what may come,

To be a target the enemy is killing.

The only way to answer such a question;

If inside yourself you see,

The passion, pride, love and honor,

The patriot feels for their country.

This is a piece I wrote based on a true story, in regards to my niece Brittany (Brinikki) and my mother, her grandmother....

Grandma told me to go to sleep,

To just close my eyes and count the sheep.

"1...2...4..3..8", I said,

"But I don't wanna' go to bed!"

Grandma said it was getting late,

I had better be asleep by half past eight.

With rolled up fists on my hips and a glint in my eye

I told her when she fell asleep I'd just pass on by.

Past her bedroom and down the hall,

I'd do whatever I wanted, anything at all.

"I wouldn't do that", Grandma said,

"Cause when I fall asleep, I can't protect you from what's under your bed".

"Under my bed", I gulped, my eyes open wide.

With these words I just wanted to hide.

Slowly crawling to the top of my bed.

I listened as my Grandma put these words in my head.

"Under your bed there is a creature,

That is terrifying in it's every feature.

Long teeth that are sharp, green skin that is scaly,

Looking for children to gobble up daily!"

These are the words that my Grandma had said,

There is an alligator that sleeps under your bed!

"So go to sleep child go to sleep now

and don't let your hands or your feet touch the ground!"

From under the covers, only my eyes peeking out,

In only a whisper, I wouldn't dare shout,

"I'm really tired now Grandma, so I'll just say goodnight,

Do you think for tonight we could keep on the light?"

On February 3, 2006 I picked up a 911 and giving instructions to the woman (Judy) in the photo together we delivered her nieces beautiful healthy baby girl! It was very exciting! After the baby was delivered Judy and I took a moment to giggle together then I continued to give her instructions in regards to the afterbirth and the umbilical cord. I didn't get to meet them but Judy brought this photo that she gave to my supervisor who gave it to me. I of course immediately started to draw the baby but then I misplaced the photo. I found it the other day and finished the drawing. Of course I think she's gorgeous! Oh yeah, the baby was not named after me but was given the beautiful name of Mary Elizabeth (Bethie).

This is my first submission into the artist challenge website. The theme is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
I don't know if you are but I am a fan. Have been since elementary school when my sister Krissy brought home his book Where the Sidewalk Ends. Her favorite, at the time, was "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too"; I can still recite that one. Even though my siblings are all older I commiserated with "Sister for Sale". Heck, I would have given you 5 children for the price of 1. The "Gypsy's are Coming" both scared me and made me hopeful for an adventure. "Boa Constrictor" was the first time I had heard of the creature and it was scary. "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out" was motivational.
I still love his stories and pictures and when I saw this challenge I had to do it.
If the picture confuses you then I gather you never read "The Giving Tree". Consider this an invitation and if you notice that my characters in the picture look a little like the author, well then I did what I set out to do. This is my tribute to a man whose body of work I admire.

The Artist Challenge - A Private Art Club

This is the link to the artist challenges I have joined.

This is the first entry for the contest, in three parts.

I made two entries for a contest that has to do with recycling and saving trees. This is the second entry and above is the first.

My first year as a dispatcher I got dispatcher of the year. Thinking it was the fire/EMS personnel that chose me, I drew this picture from a photo of one of our firemen from our local fire/EMS website, making a thank you card and sending a copy to each one of our fire stations. I since learned that it is our dispatch supervisors that choose the dispatcher. Although I didn't make them a card I still count it as one of the highlights, being chosen so soon in my career.

Hand painting tiles for my kitchen backsplash. It's actually my version of the embroidery design on my couch. I love colors!

I was applying for a job as a children's art director and since I give most of my stuff away I didn't have a portfolio to show. I set up the appointment in the morning for that afternoon. These were done rather quickly and not dry when I took the pictures. Not too bad for a "quicky"...lol

I got the job but the hours conflicted too much with my job at the Sheriff's office so I wasn't able to continue with it...sigh

I created this for a friend who wanted a more feminine version of the patron saint of police officers, St. Michael. Both her husband and herself are deputies and she was talking about them getting tattoos.

Being the youngest of six kids and only having to go half days as a kindergardener at Oak Ridge Elementary, my parents decided to put me in the later session so I could walk home with my siblings. So daddy took me to school in his baby blue work van, no windows in the back.
Apparently we were always late because he always sang to me the song that the white rabbit sings in Alice in Wonderland, "your late, your late, for a very important date....". It fascinated me that he knew all the words. I would beg for him to sing more, more. He always did.
I had just finished that first year, had met my first grade teacher right before summer break when my father died. Sometimes I think I've listened to my brother's and sister's stories and have made them my memories. Although there are few, some of the memories are all mine. Like this one.
Fast forward, 2003; I was working at Marshall's department store unpacking new merchandise. Out came the white rabbit. Of course I had to have it. It's now my bedroom door stop and this is my rendition.

I work as a 911 operator/dispatcher and wanted to create something that spoke to what we are a part of.

I've started this blog to pursue my love of creativity!