Whenever I ask Anthony what he'd like for a gift, he always says he doesn't need anything. Whew! So this year, I painted him an eagle painting - I think he liked it :)

Mr. Baseball :) I gave him a wall hanging that says 'We interrupt this marriage for baseball season'. That pretty much says it!!!

Well, this isn't art related, but very exciting for our family. Our beautiful daughter, Becca just got engaged to Tom this past week. They both mean the world to us!!!! We pray for GOD's richest blessing on their life and marriage. 

A very romantic engagement - in Paris, France - at the Eiffel Tower. How can you top that???

​I know it's November... We've already had 3 to 5 inches of snow and are supposed to get 4 inches this afternoon, I love snow and winter... but I ran across some pictures I took looking out my porch window last spring and just had to post these before we get any more snow :)

Just a few images from 2018 Studio Hop held at at my home studio. Studio Hop is an art event held annually the 3rd weekend of June in the New London, Spicer, Willmar, Minnesota area. This event gives you the opportunity to visit local artist studios and meet the artists. My wonderful friend, Joan Miller joins me every year and sells her pottery.  This was my first opportunity to sell my husband's and my book, 'You'll Never Guess What I Saw...At the Lake.' For more information about our event visit us at our Studio Hop web-page.

Authored by David and Violet Dauk, Illustrated by me, Violet :)

Here is a picture of our book - 'You'll Never Guess...' You can purchase this book and Mary Lee's Marshmallow Clouds by clicking here.

Here's a pic of the book I illustrated for author, Mary Lee Moore. Still a couple of issues to deal with, but it will be on sale soon :) :) :) Next week or two!!!

​Sadness :(
With a bit of sadness I have to say, we're almost finished with our 30 day drawing challenge. Where does time go??? It has been fun getting drawings emailed and texted to me daily! I'm so proud of you :) :) :)  My hope is that most of you who have started this discipline, will continue!!!! I am challenging myself to another 30 days. Why let a good habit end! 

​Way to go Ginger!!!!! She sent me not just one drawing a day, but multiple drawings every day, and most of them of faces. I'm impressed. That was my goal. I did accomplish a few faces, but had commission projects so focused my drawings on those. My favorite drawing of Ginger's is this one, so sweet:

Here is our drawing collage.
I hope I got at least one of each of your drawing in. It was hard to keep track after a while :)  If not, let me know and I can feature one of yours by itself!!! But first, I thought this quote in Nancy's drawing book was great: 

Journal Books
I was so impressed by two ladies, Cindy and Kathy, who made journal books to do all their drawing in. How creative is that! They are so wonderful!

Letter from Jan:
Violet,
  I am impressed with the joy I find in drawing, regardless of the outcome. Due to my physical condition, I have not been doing much painting, but drawing has stepped into my space and has my attention.
   Thank you, thank you. I am getting more confident in my drawing. I don't seem to be afraid to try my hand at almost anything, regardless of the outcome. It is fun to try. 
-I'm learning the true value of shading and shadows as they give depth and keep the picture more 3 D instead of flat. With every drawing it becomes more and more apparent and obvious.
-I've learned the value of taking my time to really study the subject before I put pencil to paper by estimating proportions (like this part is about the same height or length as this part, causing me to divide, in my head, the paper... in halves/thirds/fourths etc.). 
-Also I take more time to 'see' over all shapes instead of getting lost in details right away .(That looks like a small ball on a doubly large rectangle).
-The eraser is very useful and is a 'fear eliminator.'
-Viewing a complicated subject initially causes me to eliminate the frills and details of the subject and I know I must follow certain drawing steps before completing the intricate details.
-drawing is fun and more satisfying to me than tracing... Why eliminate joy in my life. I am not willing to rush through JOY. I PREFER TO STOP AND SMELL MY DRAWING SUBJECT.
Love you so, J AN

Jan, 
Thanks for the encouraging letter :) I am so glad this has been a positive experience for you. Art is healing... nice that you can continue drawing even if painting right now isn't possible.

​We miss you at CAT! 
Love, Violet
Below is one of Jan's drawing :)

On to our next Challenge :)
Anyone who is interested in continuing drawing, send me your one drawing (your favorite drawing) weekly drawing and I will collage them together and post them at least monthly. As I said before, accountability is so important in keeping a new habit going.