My great uncle Bill, or “Doc” as he’s usually called, is ninety-four years old. You wouldn’t be able to guess his age because he’s taken such good care of himself.

He’s been an avid reader for eighty-seven years, and his favorite books are romance novels. And he loves to garden.

Here are some details of the “por-trait.” ;)

As I started to sketch him, his wife Eula slowly came up and gently patted his collar to spiff it up a bit.

On Saturday, Mom and I took down my exhibit at the library. A wee bit bittersweet, but I’m glad to have all my pieces back home.

(Edit) This piece was drawn with graphite pencils on Strathmore drawing paper. Thanks for all the comments!

Last February we attended the Botkin’s family conference and traveled all the way to Columbus, Georgia. We met many friends and enjoyed hours of fellowship, as well as the deep teaching from scripture from the whole Botkin Family.

This July they will be giving another Crossroads conference - in Columbus, Ohio. My family and I look forward to attending again. You can enter for a chance to win a family pass at these two sites, Life in a Shoe, and Old Paths.

Hope to see you there!

Over the years I have spent thousands of hours drawing. God has been gracious in allowing me to use that time drawing, and I can’t call myself a genius. But the time invested is certainly a reason why drawing comes extra easy.

Ann Voscamp wrote a beautiful post, “How to Nurture Geniuses”, and I highly recommend that everyone read it!

“What would happen if every Christian used the 4 hours daily spent in front of the television a day (more than 126 hours a month!) or the near hour a day the average American surfs the internet and spent two of those hours developing their skill in a particular domain . . . and one hour more on the spiritual disciplines that lead into a deeper relationship with God, (prayer, memorization, Bible meditation, fasting) – only repurposing three hours a day from the five we spend on passive entertainment — and in one decade, our entire culture – and the world at large – would be entirely revolutionized. How are we being faithful stewards of our 10,000 hours?”

What would happen? Can you imagine? Head on over there and read it and be inspired!

.:. .:. .:.

The fun thing about summer reading lists after graduating is that you don’t have to put all the books down once school begins! My parents have always provided good books, but this year I’m especially eager to dive into the books they gave me for my graduation:

( * Currently reading )

The Real Lincoln by Thomas DiLorenzo - A shocking exposé on his real agenda

*Art and the Bible by Francis Schaeffer - I’m just bursting in anticipation to get to this one

The Annotated Mona Lisa by Carol Strickland, Ph.D. - A lot of Art history

State of the Arts by Gene Edward Veith - I can already tell it’s a fascinating book

Color Choices by Stephen Quiller - I need more help with color theory than you know

For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay - What can I say? I know it’ll be an excellent book!

The Family (formerly Homemaking) by J.R.Miller - Excellent

Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola - Just love this book

*How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D. - Who doesn’t like a good medical book? Fascinating!

Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC - May not read the whole thing: It’s enormous

Betty Crocker Cookbook - May not read all of this ;)

Holiness by J.C.Ryle - It’s about time I read this

*The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs - I’ve already started this one in my quiet time

*Desiring God by John Piper - Started this one, too!

These are some other books I hope to read:

*For the Family’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay - A favorite I’ve skipped around in, by am finally settling down to read cover to cover

(June 10) Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris - Excellent!

Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis - Stepping Heavenward mentions this often, and curiosity has been aroused

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan - Second time ’round

The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin - I’ve heard only good reports

Confessions by St. Augustine - I’ll be studying this book and the three previous books with Kevin Swanson’s Christian Classics Study

(June 29) Christy by Catherine Marshall - Already reading and enjoying it

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy - Not nearly as dry as I thought it was :)

Practicing Hospitality by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock - Mom and Emily and I will be going through this together

*Culture Making by Andy Crouch - I don’t agree with everything in it, but there’s a lot of good stuff

*Guns of the Lion by Douglas Bond - Lots of adventure, reading with Mom and Emily

Twenty-five books, and no real time limit. Joy!

.:. .:. .:.

“Hitty” (you may recall she was only a sketch two weeks ago) is at our public library along with twenty other pieces, and all is going well. I seem to be getting an encouraging response from the community (even though I know everyone that’s been positive about it).

There is one more piece I’ll be adding to my Sr. art exhibit - a portrait of my 94-year old great-uncle Bill. It’s in graphite pencil, and almost done!

Since the open-house, our schedule hasn’t been as crazy, but I’m still busy. Emily and I have been working on designing some websites (mostly Emily though).I’m looking forward to the illustration projects just around the corner, and I’ll keep you posted on that. ;)

And I’ve been reading more. Yes, my graduation gift was a small mountain of books. Books on art and culture, books on history, books on the biblical family, books on holiness, books on health…fourteen excellent books I’ll be spending a lot of time with over the next few years decades.

These. are. good. books.

Well, I’m off to read and pull weeds!

.:. .:. .:.

I’ll begin by telling you that I am speechless. The words are having a hard time coming, and I seem to only find scraps of fond memories and vivid colors like chartreuse and hydrangea blue.

I’d much rather paint you a picture. ::trots off to pull out watercolors:: 90 minutes later…

.:. .:. .:.

.:. This is how I am feeling: a tad nostalgic .:.

A few months ago I wrote a post for Sarah Mae’s blog about my homeschool experience. It should give you a glimpse into what it was like growing up in my world, and the things I’ve learned in general.

There is so much I could say about my “formal” home education; what I liked most, favorite books, poetry I read, historical figures I admire, the beautiful memories… In many ways it is overwhelming.

But over all, I have been blessed. And I still am. I will continue to read all those wonderful books, study at home, and start illustrating “more seriously.”

For lots of pictures of my graduation open house and art exhibit, click here for Emily’s post, here for Momma’s post, and here Maggie’s tribute that may make you tear up. We did.

I can’t wait to begin the journey with my own wee ones some day!

.:. .:. .:.