Happy Easter

This is my latest drawing for the Podcast Portrait Series. I drew the angels and Our Lord with colored pencils and to contrast the main subjects I used charcoal. I think charcoal is one of my favorite mediums - I will plan another charcoal drawing soon!

Thank you for viewing today's drawing!

Crowning of Thorns Drawing

Crowning of Thorns Artwork

In my latest drawing, I sought to capture the intense and poignant moment of the crowning of thorns, where Jesus was mocked and humiliated by Roman soldiers before His crucifixion. The image portrays the cruelty and sorrow of the scene, with the thorny crown pressed harshly onto His head, symbolizing the physical pain and the immense emotional suffering He endured. The contrast between the harshness of the thorns and the calm expression on His face speaks to His divine grace and unwavering sacrifice. Through this artwork, I aimed to reflect on the profound significance of this moment in the Passion of Christ, a powerful reminder of the depths of His love and sacrifice for humanity.

Ultimately, the crowning of thorns was a moment of real suffering that Jesus experienced. It was not merely a symbol but a brutal act of humiliation and pain that He endured for all of us. Through this artwork, I hope to encourage others to reflect on the reality of His sacrifice and the depth of His love for humanity.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the reference photo I used and my final drawing. This comparison highlights the differences between the original source material and the artistic interpretation, demonstrating the process of adaptation and personal expression in art. Just for reference - pun intended - I just finished my calculations of all the videos put together, in total this drawing took 8 hrs and 10 minutes, plus or minus...

Watch the full video here

The Nativity in Colored Pencil

 The Nativity

Merry Christmas! I know it may seem early, as Thanksgiving merely ended on Thursday, the 28th, but Advent has begun and leaves us with four weeks til Christmas Day...even a little less than that. Another Podcast Portrait for you to take in - This one comes with a video as well - I know many of you anticipate, even look forward to the time lapse videos.

This one is done in colored pencils in a byzantine/eastern style icon. I have never done an icon before, so I decided to try it out. Obviously icons are not traditionally done in colored pencil.

Nativity Time Lapse Video

A little different style post, as this one comes with a poem I wrote a while back. Let me know your thoughts on it. It is called, "The Bright Star" It is about the Magi and Christmas time. If you like this poem, I have a few more to showcase.

The Bright Star

Not long after the birth of Christ,

By a bright star three Magi were enticed.

Now Herod was king of Judea,

Hearing of the Messiah, in him came an idea.

For his heart became very jealous,

He feared a threat to his rule they tell us.

So he sought the new babe's way by,

Sending the three Magi.

These three men traveled from the east.

With every step, their love increased.

For the one they came to seek.

They ever increased for the King's mystique.

And entering into the city,

They sang a small ditty,

For above a small house, stood a great star.

The Magi did ponder, and thought it bizarre.

But they knew it would be Him that would be within.

Entering they found both the Child, 

And Mary, his mother undefiled.

And then giving gifts to her,

For the Child: gold, frankincense, and myhrr.

Now being unladen with gifts for Him,

And Herod's heart was still very grim.

To the Magi was sent word,

Go to Herod not, so another way they deffered.

And to Joseph and angel appeared.

To Egypt he should fly,

With the Child and Mary he did comply

Until Herod should die.

And from the twenty-fifth of December,

Until Epiphany, we must remember,

The twelve days of Christmastide,

For in our hearts the Lord must reside.

Thank you for reading, until next time! 

And yes, there will be more...or will there?😉

Nephew's Sweet Turtle Surprise

Turtle Cake Adventure: Celebrating My Nephew's Birthday

This past weekend, we gathered to celebrate my nephew's birthday, which is just a day after mine. It was a special occasion filled with family, laughter, and, of course, cake! My sister took the reins in the kitchen, crafting a delightful turtle-shaped cake using sourdough—a unique twist that turned out to be a hit.

As I reminisced about the Bundt cake turtle I made for my own birthday, I was excited to see how my sister would interpret this fun theme. The sourdough added a rustic touch, with its tangy flavor perfectly complementing the sweetness of the frosting. My sister shaped the cake creatively, capturing the essence of a turtle while keeping it delicious. But of course, she forgot the turtle's body and created only one round cake...not to blame her on her limited turtle knowledge. But we made it work. As you see the crumbly side of the cake we used what we had a slit the round cake in two, one for the body (something for the shell to sit on) and the second for use to cut the legs and tail out. In the end it all worked out well!

Unfrosted Aerial

Let's frost this puppy!

I'm all gooped up!

Aerial view of the turtle frosted

The cake was adorned with vibrant green frosting for the shell, complete with chocolate accents for the eyes and feet. Watching my nephew’s eyes light up as we unveiled the cake was priceless. He couldn't wait to dig into the delicious creation!

This turtle cake brought us all together—sharing memories, stories, and laughter around the table. It reminded me that whether it’s my birthday or my nephew’s, the joy of celebration comes from the people we love and the creativity we share in the kitchen.

I can't wait to try more cake designs in the future. Here’s to more family gatherings and delicious adventures in baking!

What are you looking at?

Ready to eat?

Thank you to all my readers, also to the people who just scroll to the bottom to view the art photos. I hope you laugh...or even if you just break into a smile when you read the descriptions and background story. Thank you! I hope you have a great day/night. Let me know what you want to see in the future...More cake designs, paintings, drawings?