The Perfect Spot

Bella had found an ideal spot on this beautiful fall
day to sun herself. Apparently Parker decided that it
was indeed the perfect spot and this was his solution.

Heartfelt thanks to my friend David for allowing me to use
his photo as a reference for this drawing. Bella and Parker
obviously share a special friendship which was beautifully
captured in his photo.

A Faithful Friend

I can't think of anything that brings me closer to tears than when my old dog — completely exhausted after a hard day in the field — limps away from her nice spot in front of the fire and comes over to where I'm sitting and puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes, and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend.

.. Gene Hill

Every once in a while you see a photo that just tugs at your heartstrings and the photo I used to draw A Faithful Friend did just that.

My sincere thanks to Debbie Small for allowing me to use her photo of her beautiful dog Brandi. I hope I have managed to capture Brandi's gentle spirit in my drawing.

A Child's Laughter

"The first time his laughter unfurled
its wings in the wind, we knew that the
world would never be the same. "

.. Brian Andreas



I was delighted when Shaurya's
parents asked me to do this graphite
portrait of him. Looking at the sweet
expression of joy and total innocence
always brought a smile to my face.
Thank you Paul and Vandna for the
opportunity to draw your beautiful
little boy.

Christmas Puppy

Christmas Puppy

It's the day before Christmas
And all through the house
The puppy is squeaking
An old rubber mouse.

The wreath which had merrily
Hung on the door
Is scattered in pieces
All over the floor.

The stockings that hung
In a neat little row
Now boast a hole in
Each one of the toes.

The tree was subjected
To bright-eyed whims,
And now, although splendid,
It's missing some limbs.

I catch him and hold him.
"Be good", I insist.
He licks me, then runs off
To see what he's missed.

And now as I watch him
The thought comes to me,
That his is the spirit
That Christmas should be.

Should children and puppies
Yet show us the way,
And teach us the joy
That should come with this day?

Could they bring the message
That's written above,
And tell us that, most of all
Christmas is love.

.. author unknown


Christmas promises to be filled with lots
of laughs this year as we watch the antics
of my new little grand-puppy, Reggie.
There is no way he would have sat still with
a Santa hat so I had to improvise :)

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season!

In Memory of Picúr

"He took my heart and ran with it,
and I hope he is running still,
fast and strong, a piece of my heart
bound up with his forever."

.. Patricia McConnell

Dedicated to the memory of Picúr,
my cousin's dog in Hungary. He may
have been short in stature but he had
a huge heart. Rest in peace my little
buddy.

Református Templom, Pácin Hungary

The emigrants kneel in the old
parrish church for the last time..
it may be forever. They scarcely
had known it would be so hard,
the ties of a lifetime to sever.

For the last time they look on the
ivy-clad walls, for the last time
they hear the bells ringing. 'Twas
there they were married, and now to
that church, how fondly their sad
hearts are clinging.

.. author unknown


This church has been a meaningful part
of my family's history since it was built
in the 1800's. It has witnessed the baptism,
marriage and passing of many beloved
family members.

I dedicate this drawing to the memory
of family members that have passed on
and also to honor those that I am blessed
to still have in my life.

Rita -- 31 dec 2009

Greyhound Rescue

"Dogs have a way of finding
the people who need them..
Filling an emptiness we don't
even know we have.

... Thom Jones


This is a drawing that I recently donated
for an upcoming fundraiser of the Greyhound
Rescue and Rehabilitation group. I am just
beginning to learn more about these gentle
animals and all the hardships many of them
endure once their racing days are over. Please
click on the link below to see the heartwarming
efforts this group is making.
Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation

Click on the drawing for a larger image.

Glen Span Arch , NYC

" I see my path, but I don't know where it leads.
Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to
travel it. "

... Rosalia De Castro

Bridge Of Memories

"Memories are the treasures that we keep locked
deep within the storehouse of our souls, to keep
our hearts warm when we are lonely."

.. B. Aligada


I dedicate this drawing to the memory of my mother,
Yolanda Czinke, who passed away on March 2, 2008.

I've spent many happy hours walking around Central
Park in NYC with my family. First as a baby, when
weather permitting, my Mom would take me there
for our daily walks. She must have wheeled my
carriage under that Greywacke Arch hundreds of
times. Then over the years we enjoyed many
wonderful outings that included my Dad and my
brother Bob. Later I delighted in sharing the same
with my daughter Kim. This particular drawing is
especially dear to me. It not only brought back
special moments spent with my family but as Mom
watched the image to completion, she and I spoke
of all the pleasant times she recalled.

Thank you Mom, for all your love and all the
beautiful memories.

A Reassuring Hand

A boy needs a Grandpa
For man-to-man talks,
To go hand in hand
On companionable walks ...

.. E.B. Fallis


Jayden and his Grandpa Kenny

Angel

Ever felt an angel's breath
in the gentle breeze?
A teardrop in the falling rain?
Hear a whisper amongst the rustle of leaves?
Or been kissed by a lone snowflake?
Nature is an angel's favorite hiding place.

.. Carrie Latet

Sisters

My sister is my heart.
She opens doors to rooms
I never knew were there,
Breaks through walls
I don't recall building.
She lights my darkest corners
With the sparkle in her eyes...

.. Lisa Lorden

Kendell and Taylor really are
sisters of the heart.
These beautiful girls are the
granddaughters of my dear friends
Marilyn and Dick Arndt.

Longing

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me belonged to you.

.. Terri Harrison

Ella came into the hearts and lives of the
Beneke-Main families on October 14, 2007 ...
another beautiful granddaughter for Carol and Henry.

Tradition

And though that weather beaten barn,
nearer death with every dawn,
will soon collapse and fade from thought,
tradition still lives on.

.. J.P. Vernon

My thanks to artist Shelly Burden for her wonderful photo of this old Missouri barn which was used as a reference in doing this drawing. To see some of Shelly's beautiful artwork just click on her name.

Goodnight Mrs. Calabash ...

.. wherever you are.

Who could ever forget Jimmy Durante's
signature sign off ?
Some speculated that Mrs. Calabash was a
nickname Durante had used for his deceased
wife but nobody knew for certain.

This drawing brought back a lot of great
memories of watching the old black and
white TV with the family.

Child Of My Child

Child of my child
Heart of my heart
Your smile bridges the years between us
Through your eyes I'll see the future
Through me you'll know the past
In the present we'll love one another
As long as these moments last

.. author unknown

Dianna Grace is the first grandchild of
my dear friends Carol and Henry Beneke.

Albert Schweitzer

Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, in the trembling of a leaf.

...A. Schweitzer

Companions

Companioned years
have made them comprehend
the comradeship that lies beyond a kiss.
The young ask much of life .. they ask but this ..
to fare the road together to its end.

... R.M. Montgomery