HIGH TEA

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you are all doing well. It's been some time since I last wrote to you but I have been my enjoying time in the studio. I've been working on a book for some time now and some various commissions and every once in a while I've been able to squeeze out a painting or two. What a blessing it is to paint and what a pleasure it is to share these paintings with all of you. I have to thank God for this wonderful blessing. I only hope to continue to use the gift that He gave me and to use it for His purpose. I truly feel joy inside when these little images come to life and I hope that they bring a smile to your heart when you look upon them. God Bless, James

An afternoon stroll upon his towering walls,
this sophisticated chap well known for his falls,
will do nothing of the sort on this special day,
for it's High Tea with a his friend before he flies away.....

Well, I'm back to my Painting A Day paintings or at least I'll keep trying. This painting was created using watercolors on Arches hot press paper. It measures 5x7.

Song of Everland

Hello Everyone,

Well, it's been a while since I last wrote and it is nice to be back. I've been on the road doing shows these last few weeks and we just returned from our annual trip to Nadine's homeland, Germany. We had a wonderful time and as always my brush was flowing with the songs that are in my heart. Below is one of the paintings that I created while in Germany. I ,also, have to mention that I am deep in the magical book, "Phantastes", by George MacDonald and it has truly made my imagination soar. A must read!

"It was the song that I awoke to first when I discovered Everland. Everland is a place where dreams come true and where the imagination becomes real. It's where the child inside speaks. Everland, for me, is inspired by the heart and it is in my mind where it becomes so real....so real that I see it. I thank God most of all for giving me the gift to paint what I see and most of all for His inspiration which is in my heart." ~JB

This original was painting using watercolor on Arches 140lb hot press paper. The original measures 6 1/2 x 9 3/4.

RIDING RUBY and a wonderful weekend.

Today, I returned back to my studio after spending a wonderful weekend with our dear friend, Don. He is like a brother to me and he has really been helping me grow in the Lord. The Christian walk is truly a pilgrimage and I am forever greatful that I have a brother who has helped me when I've stumbled. Don is also the creater of the "Tales Now Told" stories, which can be found here

On another note, I have another painting to share with you and I really enjoyed painting this one. It is called, "Riding Ruby". Enjoy and God Bless! James

Hinkle was a wee little lad, who was so small it took him days to cross the flowered meadow. One day, while resting upon a leaf, a beautiful hummingbird hovered nearby. Little Hinkle noticed something very strange about this hummingbird. Around its neck was a golden collar with two bells hanging from it. Hinkle yelled out, "What is your name beautiful one with the bells?" When the hummingbird heard this, it drew nearer to him and said, "My name is Ruby and my bells make noise so the other creatures can hear me. I am so fast and so small, that no one ever notices me". Hinkle replied, "Well, I noticed you and you are the prettiest creature that I have ever seen." Ruby suddenly became still in mid-air and said, "May I help you get across this meadow today, my kind friend? I've noticed that it takes you quite some time to make this trek and I have been given a gift of speedy flight. You are a kind heart and your gift is seeing the beauty from within." Hinkle climbed onto to little Ruby's back and together they soared through the meadow. As they were flying over a glorious patch of pink flowers, Hinkle noticed a glowing light that was traveling beside them. He suddenly realized that all true gifts are from above and that the Giver is the most precious gift of ALL.

This original was created using watercolor on Arches hot press paper. It measures 5x7 and is a
vailable here

TRIFFLES FOR TRUFFLES

Once there was a little troll named Truffles. He lived on the side of a rocky mountain, a land where not many would roam. It was a peaceful place, especially by the crystal clear waterfall. Truffles would often find rest in this place, for he needed rest from his long days of netting his most beloved meal....the blue dragonfly. "They are delicious and they are a plenty!" , he would often say, but little did he know that because of his "eating a plenty", there were only three blue dragonflies remaining on this mountain side, merely a triffle.

This original was created using watercolor on Arches hot press paper. It measures 5x7 and is available here

DIGGER'S SPECIAL DAY

It was a special day for Digger, it was his birthday. Although, he was a sweet little mole with a great heart and an even greater giggle, there was no one to spend time with him on his special day. The problem was that he lived underground and not one of his friends liked it in the tunnels that he dug. He was sad and just before he shed a tear a little light filled his heart with joy. This special light was was truly a gift for the little mole and starred and starred into it for the rest of the day.

This original was created using watercolor on Arches hot press paper. It measures 5x7 and is available here

I missed a couple of days of a "Painting a Day", I was busy with my other work, but I hope you like this little guy. I'll have more tomorrow...God Bless, James

A HELPING HAND

Another day of painting today, a few thunderstorms, but all in all a peaceful day. I love to paint when it rains. The raindrops pitty pattering on the studio roof is music to my ear and an inspiration to the child within me. I think of things when I paint, but when the rain falls it puts me into even deeper thought. I'm thankful for the memories in my life and I'm thankful that God gave ua a memory to remember them. Today, I was thinking of Lady Darby, our wonderful Bassett Hound, as she is getting older, the thought has crossed our mind wether she will need a little red wagon. Here is my painting for today, it is called "A Helping Hand" and it is available here

Gilbert, the Gnome, is often seen lending a helping hand to the forest folk. Prickles, the little hedgehog, is no exception. Little Prickles had stubbed his toe weeks ago, but not realizing that his toe was all healed up, Gilbert pulled him along anyway in his little red wagon. Little Prickles didn't seem to mind at all.

TINY TUCKER

I just returned from a wonderful art's festival in Buffalo where I met some great people. Nadine and I left on last friday and made a 6 1/2 hr trip in the heat and pouring rain (heavy downpours!), we arrived to the hotel and awoke to two beautiful cooler days with not a cloud in the sky.....and thousands of people came flooded the street for the show. I was hoping to get some painting done while doing the show but we were so busy. I've been doing shows for about 15 yrs now and I have to say that I never get tired of seeing the reaction of people who walk into the booth, sure I may get "hey look!, it's James Brown!, Hughhh!...I feeeeellll goood!, nananana!" but the smiles and the comments about the art itself is truly inspiring. I am very thankful for my gift and I know that I must use it the way God meant for me to use it. Yes, a smile on the face of one who views it....that's priceless.

Anyway, I did however, find time today to create a new painting and here it is, "TINY TUCKER" has come out tonight. The original is 5x7 and is available here

Good night for now my friends, James