JANNA VANDERVEEN

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“Knock, and he will open the door. Vanish, and he will make you shine like the sun. Fall, and he will raise you to the heavens. Become nothing, and he will turn you into everything.” ~ Rumi. I completed this 8 x 10 painting using Daniel Smith and Winsor Newton Professional Watercolor Paints and Luminance Pencils by Caran D’ache. Painting inspired by a photo taken of a ball-jointed doll created by artist… Read More

We are star walker’s, each and every one of us, wading through light and darkness, while awakening to goodness and love. In the darkness we feel alone, yet God entered our darkness so we would never be alone, and thus darkness is but an illusion. In the light, we see the truth of God’s goodness and we no longer fear the shadows, for we see that they also are illusions which dissipate… Read More

No matter how deep you fall, or to what depths you dive, I am there. I descended to the depths to be with you, but I didn’t stay there. On the third day, I rose and took you with me.

I completed this 9″ x 13″ watercolor illustration on 140 lb. watercolor paper using Winsor Newton and Maimeri Blu watercolor paints.

She wanders alone, Exploring a world not her own, Seeking someone to love, And a place to call home. ~ Janna Vanderveen

Would you awaken the moon For a glimpse of the queen? Would you open your eyes And risk being seen? For she laces the frost With her silver-hearted breath, Creating beauty in madness, She whispers life into death. ~ Janna Vanderveen

She materialized to life From the shadowland’s hold. Filled with color and light And visions untold. ~ Janna Vanderveen

She ruled, not with an iron fist, But with an iron-clad mind, For her identity found footing in love, And her compassion could not be shaken. ~ Janna Vanderveen

Sometimes  I splash inks, watercolors, and acrylics onto paper just to see what happens. Within the chaos an image usually forms, and in this case, I found fan adorable little fantasy creature. What is she? A who’s it, or what’s that, or whatchamacallit? You tell me. Regardless, I fell in love with her flower filled hair and tail puff, her tiny fairy wings, and her big eyes.

Vivid, colorful, and full of light, this young woman surfaced on my page as I coaxed her to life with my fingers and brushes.  I painted her on a 4″ by 6″ piece of watercolor paper (140 lb.) using acrylics, oils pastels, and inks.

I completed this 12 1/2″ by 19 1/2″ painting of “A girl in moonlight” using watercolor paints for her face, a variety of inks and watercolor crayons for her hair, modeling paste over ephemera to create textured clothing, and oil crayons over a layered background to create a dreamy sky. I love how she turned out.

I completed a second painting for a friend, in my series, “Be Thou My Vision.” I envisioned a girl holding a lantern, which cast light to dispel the shadows. Be thou my vision, Thy presence my light. Guide me through sunshine, And the darkest of night. ~ Janna Vanderveen

 Be though my vision  When I cannot see.  Whether waking or sleeping  Reveal yourself to me.  ~ Janna Vanderveen

I took some time to paint this weekend, amidst the stress that broken bones and too much time spent in an emergency room creates.  After things settled, I contemplated the beauty of the setting sun, the majesty of towering mountains, and my thankfulness for the life we have. This painting is a reflection of that moment.

Sorrow fills the silence When love’s sweet iris falls. Come gather scattered blossoms, And cradle petals strong. Let’s raise our valiant banners, And paint our tower’s tall. For Marianne, oh sweet Marianne, We’ll remember freedom song.  ~ Janna Vanderveen

Lily Belle casts a ray of sunshine in our family. She soothes tears, inspires laughter, and spreads a whole lot of love with her unwavering loyalty and wet doggy kisses.  She boldly sports hot-pink tipped ears as well as a matching fuzzy matching hair bow. Just looking at her makes me smile. May she brighten your day as well.

“She holds galaxies in her gaze and dreams life into existence.” ~ Janna Vanderveen My muse…Qinni. If you click on the word Qinni and follow the link, you will be taken to the artist’s YouTube page where you can watch a speed drawing of how the original artist drew this painting. This painting on my page, is my study of her painting, based on her speed drawing as a tutorial.

She fell in love and marveled At the beauty of it all. ~ Janna Vanderveen A study of Jane Davenport art, an exercise in Wonderland.

Imaginative friends are a wonderful treat! Today I indulged my creative side by spending time with my great friend, Debi. We discussed book writing, story development, and practiced drawing people. What a blast! This particular sketch took me less than 3 minutes to craft. I love its loose lines and whimsy. Supplies Used: Sketch Paper, Elegant Writer, Derwent Inktense Pencils, Overlays

“Wild love dares to lose, Seeks to refind, Rethinks what was lost, And embraces transformation.” ~ Janna Vanderveen