Great Grandpa's Eagle

My Dad celebrates his 60th Birthday on May 1, and I wanted to make something special for him for the big day. I come from a large family on my Dads side, all rooted in Christ, with a heritage that begins with two little Swedish people who came over to this country on a boat as teenagers. These two people, Arvid and Clara, brought us our faith, and became the cornerstones for this great Family I am a part of. My Great Grandpa became an avid wood worker, and I still remember a trip out to Minnesota to visit them, and going down to his wood shop to watch him turn wood into candlesticks. I was young when he and my Great Grandma passed away, but the legacy they left behind has been amazing to behold. My Great Grandpa in his 80's began to carve many eagles...one for each of his children I believe. I remember one of the eagles he made for his son (my Grandpa) hanging on the fireplace in my Grandma and Grandpa's home. This eagle became the symbol for much of their life, and with it the verse from which it was inspired.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

These eagles are few, and I suspect a very desired family heirloom. So in lieu of getting an original for my Dad for his big birthday, I decided to try my hand at some carving. I think it turned out pretty great. Best thing, my Dad wondered how I got one of Great Grandpa's Eagles when he opened it tonight...only until he turned it over to see my inscription on the back wishing him Happy Birthday did he know that it was from me! Happy Birthday Dad...I love you!

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my eagle on top...Great Grandpa's on bottom...

ETSY Shop

So I've been loving ETSY.com for some time now (it's a place to sell and buy handcrafted items), and I've been contemplating opening up a shop of my own there. I have finally decided to do just that. So if anyone out there reads this blog of mine, please let me know what you think. I'm calling it Wrapped In Clover...a nod to the song "At Last" sung by Etta James...also the song my Husband and I danced our first dance to at our wedding. I'm primarily going to put handmade flowers , necklaces, and broaches/hair clips on it; but I hope to eventually put some oil paintings and use it as a vehicle to book personal portraits. Perhaps if I get inspired to make a purse or an item of clothing it will end up there too... Here's a link to the shop in progress...

It's now open!!!

http://www.wrappedinclover.etsy.com/

Gift Portrait

This is a portrait of my Brother-in-Law "to be" Hector Topete. He will wed my dear Sister-in-Law Eileen McGoldrick this coming December 5th. I have been wanting to do something for Eileen, so I chose to paint this picture for her. Here is a progression of photos as the painting was created.

Welcome!

Hi, and welcome to my blog/portfolio! I will be updating this from time to time with current pieces I am working on. Please check back because I am locating past projects and will be posting them here.