.~Actions Speak Louder than Wool!.~

Some people are like wolves who pretend to be sheep. They act and dress like the sheep, only to destroy the lambs once they are among them. God is my Shepard, and as his assistant, I have learned to watch peoples actions first before deciding whether to bring them into my pasture.
Amen~

.~ First Watch.~

"Ain't nuthin' like ridin' a fine horse in new country."

~Agustus MacCrae

(Robert Duvall-"Lonesome Dove")

.~ Withered Roots.~

“When you look into my eyes, and you see the crazy gypsy in my soul. It always comes as a surprise, when I feel my withered roots begin to grow. Well I never had a place that I could call my very own. That's all right, my love, 'cause you're my home” ~ Billy Joel

~ Sack o' Seeds.~

.~ Color Me Spring .~

Green
Ancient Egyptians colored the floors of their temples green.
In ancient Greece, green symbolized victory.
In the highlands of Scotland, people wore green as a mark of honor.
Green is the national color of Ireland.
Green means “go.” When “all systems are green,” it means everything is in order.
The green room of a concert hall or theater is where performers relax before going onstage.
Green is youthful.
A person with a “green thumb” is good at making plants grow.
Green is a healing color, the color of nature.

.~ Miss Crazy.~

The other day I thought that I saw a cat driving a car and a little dog with his head sticking up out of the sun oof. Of course, my mind immediately called it a sunwoof. And of course as cats oftern do, she was driving "Miss Crazy."

(If any of you just want to shoot me and get me out of my misery, that would be just fine.)

~Young Hearts Be Free.~

Young Hearts Be Free
By Traci Suzanne Marvel
Approx. 4" X 5 1/2 "

"You know that you are in love when the hardest thing to do is say good-bye.
But in your heart you know that it is the right thing to do.
For God has a plan for you life.
Let go and let God work. "
~Traci Suzanne Marvel

Thoughts about my younger days inspired this little painting. It seems all the boys I truly loved before, I had to let go or they let me go. It never ever was an easy thing to go through. Then one day, one very special day, I met the one boy who was to remain with me forever. I have been holding onto him for the last 12 years!

The paper that this is painted on is heavy textured paper. I am not sure what kind of paper it is, but it is very stiff. I have used acrylic paint and a touch of gel pen.

As with all my paintings that I put on eBay through September 08' all proceeds are going to the Susan G Komen finding a cure for Breast Cancer fund. I along with 4 other of my girlfriends are walking in the 3 Day 60 mile walk in Seattle. I personally need to raise $2,200. Thank-you to all who are supporting me through this fundraiser! It is true that everyone desreves a lifetime:)

To bid on this painting please click here

.~ Ives St. Laurent Makes A Splash!.~.

.~ Welcome to Ives St. Laurent's Bird Bath ~.
* Now Showing *
A Russian Water Ballet
By Traci Suzanne Marvel
5" X 5"
Acrylics & Gel Pen on Canvas Board

Imagine Ives St. Laurent designed his own bird bath. Perhaps it would look like this one. And imagine that Yves St. Laurent had a little troupe of Russian Water Ballerinas that he designed swimsuits for. Perhaps they would look like this one. Perhaps.

You can ourchase this little painting on eBay just by clicking here

~ Essential Joys .~

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire." ~Sharon Ralls Lemon

.~ Défilé Rouge De Mode De Carniche .~

Défilé Rouge De Mode De Carniche

(Red Poodle Fashion Parade)

8' X 10"

"Just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her." ~Wilhela Cushman

Please do not even begin to ask why in the world did I paint this painting. I never know whay I paint what I do. The paintings just beg to be born. I am selling all this painting and several others on eBay to help raise the $2,200 I personally need to walk in the Susan G Komen 3 Day 60 Mile walk for Breast Cancer.

To view the ebay auction click here

I hope some kind soul will appreciate this painting. I can just hear my friend Erin say, "Oh my, but where would they ever hang it?"

.~2nd Annual Heart @ Work Auction.~

Last Years Poster It is time to annouce our 2nd Annual "Heart @ Work" for Breast Cancer Research Auction.

The auction, formerly know as "Art @ Work", will be held in June 2008 (date to be announced)

at the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company, in Bigfork , MT.

We had to change the name because so many people wanted to donate items to auction off it became so much more then art at work, it became heart at work.

Anyone who would like to donate, art, gift baskets, gift certificates... please email me and I will give you instructions on how to participate.

We have to raise 3 times the amount of money this year as we have 3 new walkers to the Baboobalas team. Any help you can give us to raise close to $11,000 is greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to hearing from you! ~ . Traci .~

Heureux Allez Chanceux.~

Heureux Allez Chanceux
(Happy Go Lucky)
5" X 5

"Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is." ~Maxim Gorky

Ok, I think I am done. I named thsi painting Happy Go Lucky because ... well that is what it told me to name it. And as I mentioned, I am going through my french period, so I had to translate it into french. I hope it translates correctly.

~.Rêver de Chagall.~

Rêver de Chagall

( Dreaming of Chagall)

By Traci Suzanne Marvel

Rêver de Chagall is a 5" X 5" mostly acrylic painting. You will find a bit of gel pen and pastels hither and thither through out. Marc Chagall's paintings speak to me in my dreams - both waking and sleeping I love his artistry. His semi-surreal works that were sometimes childlike and filled with fantasy mesmorize me and so do the themes that were more serious and contemplative.
One of my favorite quotes by Chagall is this one: "My name is Marc, my emotional life is sensitive and my purse is empty, but they say I have talent." Oh boy~ does he have talent.
painting is for sale on eBay as I write this:) Click on this link to view Rêver de Chagall

.~ Asleep at the Cattail.~

.~Summer Serenity's Sweetie.~

.~Owl In Good Fun~.~

.~What + What = Success.~

.~It all Starts With A Sketch.~

"It all starts with a sketch. At first it is only an intuition. He doesn't know how it happens himself. But at sometime, his hand draws a line." ~ David Tebeul on Yes Saint Laurent

T.J.

.~To Do List.~

Après-Midi Ludique

Gaspard is the name of the little dog in this painting. The name Gaspard means "treasure keeper" and is French for the American name Casper. While most older dogs love to sleep the day away, Gaspard prefers to play all afternoon long in the orchard. He is a firm believer in George Bernard Shaw's quote, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

.~Earthy Goods.~

“The mountains, rivers, earth, grasses, trees, and forests are always emanating a subtle, precious light, day and night, always emanating a subtle, precious sound, demonstrating and expounding to all people the unsurpassed ultimate truth”

.~Little Boxes.~

"Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky-tacky, Little boxes, little boxes, Little boxes, all the same. There's a green one and a pink one And a blue one and a yellow one. And they're all made out of ticky-tacky. And they all look just the same." ~ Melinda Reynolds

.~Cowbirds Snow Surprise~.

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? ~J.B. Priestley

.~One Happy Family.~

My husband and I have been married 10 years now. We started dating in 1995 and married in 1997. Am I a good wife ? I hope I am. He is a good husband? Most definitly. Do I have a blessed life? I most certainly do.

.~Spring Time!.~

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.” Sarah Ban Breathnach quotes

.~She~. A Story of a Life Unfolding

~.She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding~ Chapter 8

Her view on balloons was that they were one of the joys of this world right along with ice cream and candlelight.

~.She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding~ Chapter 7

When she walked into the woods with her camera that was when she felt most at peace. She enjoyed finding the portraits in everything that God created. For she knew that God's hand was with all she saw. And God was in every frame.
God was in the light which made photographs possible.

~.She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding.~ Chapter 6

She discoverd that people usually want something from you .
If you say no, or I can't, or not today - many of them won't stick around.
That made her happy, and a little confused.
As she wasn't one of those kind of people.
However she was a kind person.
There's the difference.

So many times she wished she could pack up a few things
and just walk into life with rose colored glasses.
And never have to take them off.
Because when you are wearing rose colored glasses one discovers,
It's a very friendly world out there,
If you just let the friendliness in.

.~She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding~ Chapter 5

She began to make time to do the things she loved to do.
Slowly but surely she remembered who she was.
Color became something special to her.
And horses.
And it became very clear to her,
That she wasn't responsible for everyone and everything.
And when she discovered that...her world changed from RED
To Magenta.

.~She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding~ Chapter 4

And although she had passed through some very tough times, she realized that there were more tough times ahead. That made her appreciate the good times even more. How nice it was to sit and drink her morning coffee, and look out the window at the chickadees.

She stopped expecting so much, and became more aware of the unexpected.

Life today was better, but she had dreams of moving into a career that allowed her to put all her thoughts into action. There was a part of her that needed to express joy.
That was her ultimate goal.

.~She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding.~ Chapter 3

She kept waiting for someday to come.
One day, she realized that someday lived in her.
And all this time...
All she needed to do was live...
Someday~now.

.~She.~ A Story of a Life Unfolding ~. Chapter 2

She knew in her heart that she was the luckiest girl alive. When the sun came up that morning, she knew she had another chance. And isn't it fun to know that we all get another chance? Well maybe not all of us do.

When the sun set down she got down on her knees and thanked God for allowing her one more day. And if He could be so kind to allow just one more.

She promised she'd be good and do something noble.

.~SHE.~ A story About a Life Unfolding~ Chapter 1

She was born stuffed with ideas!
When she got older she knew she needed to build a foundation for her life. She read the Bible every day, and asked God for help.
And He did.
Help her that is.
Of course!
That's what He's there for.
That's why she's alive.
And again night fell, and so did she.
Right in the arms of Jesus.

.~About Town.~

When I open my sketchbooks to a blank page, even I do not know what will end up there.
I was sitting in my pickup listening to the World Series on the radio when this Diva and her dog came alive. Funny, you'd think I would be compelled to sketch something about baseball.
Maybe this woman and her dog are off to the ball park~

.~Race You To Heaven.~

"No heaven can heaven be, if my horse isn't there to welcome me."~ Author Unknown

.~ Art Show.~

Growing up, I dreamed of participating in art shows. My first art show was at the Harvest Festival held at the Sundance Resort in Utah. I peddled my photographs there. The second year I exhibited, I became brave eniough to sell my little paintings too. I was amazed and exhilerated when I came close to selling out! It is my hope to exhibit there again this October.
The names of the paintings in this sketch are as follows:
(from Left to Right)
1. High Sea
2. Beam Me Up!
3. Prince Peter III

~.Harlequin & Halabaloo~.

My mother was a Prima Ballerina for the Kansas City Starlight Theater. One day I woke up and felt compelled to create this sketch of a Vaudville act of a little guy named Harlequin and his dog Halabaloo. Where these ideas come from, I do not know. But I sketch them none the less~.

.~Three Flamigos~.

I love to sketch. This skerch is complete just the way it is. It will never get devleoped more than this. This is its destiny.

.~ My Sweet Lord.~

Van Dog ~.

"I conciously choose the dog's path in life. I shall be poor, I shall be a painter."

~ Vincent Van Gogh