Sooooo...many versions later and Sr. Pastor is finally smiling big! So, "It is finished" =)

no ref....fun!

beam-doodles....

Another option for the author of the book I'm illustrating the cover for...

edit: just curious to see if this loads completed or as a white screen like it does when I try to reopen in chibi. Need the space in my studio!!!!!!

ehh.....Not completely what I was looking for...

fun with light rays!! I love doing this.. =)

I decided to leave this unfinished incase I feel in the mood to play with it some more....
photo ref used for basic form. =)

The Author of the book is a sweet, 91 yr old Southern Gentleman. He writes a fictional tale about a lonely old man who's lost everything and everyone in his life except for one granddaughter and her husband, who have housed him away in a home for Seniors.
The old man escapes his ''prison'' and walks the few miles to his childhood home, "Glencarren Plantation" set in Civil War time. Along his way, he replays memories of growing up and joining the army to fight the Southern battle.

I was visiting a friend not long ago and noticed a picture of her as a young girl on her fridge. I commented on it and she told me the story surrounding that photo.
I asked her if I could scan the photo because it really had inspired me and I wanted to attempt drawing it. I really enjoyed the story that goes along with it so instead
of just writing the story out, I decided to write it in poem form. My friend, Patti, just moved to another state and I miss her, but I will be sending this gift to her as well.
I hope you enjoy this....

I GOT TO GO FISHING!
"Oh Please, Daddy, Please! Can I please, please go?"
"No no, my dear, Patti. Fishing's only for boys, you know..."

"But Daddy, I know I can do it! Just please let me try my best."
"Ok, you can go along but no fishing, because you'd just make a mess."

"Oh thank you, Daddy. Thank you! You won't even know I'm around!"
Yes Patti was so excited, for she was a - fishin' bound!

"Joey, get the tackle box, and Tommy, grab the bait!"
"If we don't get our hooks in the water soon, it's going to be too late!"

"Patti, get the cooler ready, and stay here by the car."
"Then you'll be out of our way, and I'll still know where you are!"

"Ok, Daddy," Patti said sadly. "I'll just hang and watch from here."
And as her dad and her brothers left towards the lake, Patti wiped away a tear.

"I don't need their help." Patti thought, "I can fish on my own!"
"I have a better chance of catching a fish, since I am all alone!"

Patti hopped off the car, and tiptoed to the lake.
But she had no fishing gear, so THAT, she'd have to make.

Patti searched through the brush, she didn't want anything too big.
And after only a few minutes of looking, she found the perfect twig.

As she walked back over to the shore, a glimmering shine caught her eye.
She bent down to take a look, and Oh! What a big surprise!

She couldn't believe what she'd found! Someone was on her side.
There, laid a few feet of string, and on the end, a fishing hook was tied.

"Wow! How amazing!" she thought, as she tied one end to her "fishing pole",
"I really am going fishing!" she said out loud, as she began to dig a hole.

"The fish won't bite a rusty hook, I need a worm for food."
She continued to dig in the ground, as the lovely, soft breezes blew...

It didn't take very long to find, a big, fat, worm to use.
She baited her hook real good, for this worm she wasn't about to lose!

As Patti dangled her mini catch, over the water so clear,
She admired her own reflection, while she gazed at the water mirror.

"Oh I really hope I catch a fish!" "I'm sure to make daddy proud!"
"I know he's been proud of me before, but I just want to hear it out loud."

Meanwhile down the shore a ways, Patti's Dad and brothers just sat.
"Not even a tiny nibble, Dad!" Joey said. "Where are all the fish at?"

"Patience my son, we should catch something soon."
"I double checked the fishing forecast, and tonight's a full moon."

Patti saw her string move, but it was ever so slight.
Then the string stretched fast and long, and Patti was up for the fight!

She pulled and tugged, with determination in her face,
She placed her foot on a rock, to act as a brace.

Patti felt like she was dreaming, "could this all be real?"
Then Patti pulled the string from the water, and gave a delightful squeal.

On the end of her string hung a big fish, the prettiest she'd ever seen!
Blue on it's head, a yellow tail, and eyes that were solid green.

In all her excitement, she began to run towards her dad.
She never gave it a second thought, that he may end up kind of mad.

She ran along the shore line, her feet covered in muddy water.
She said a quick little prayer as she ran, "Please, God. Let him be proud of his daughter!"

Just as she got there, her dad and the boys were putting their gear away.
No fish were biting, and the sky was turning gray.

"Hey Daddy, Look!" Patti yelled with a smile.
"I caught me a fish after fighting with it for a while!"

Patti's dad turned to see, "what in the world are you talking about?"
Then her dad ran over to her side and said, "Wow Patti! Is that a Trout?"

"I don't know, Daddy, but I hope you're not mad at me."
"I went fishing on my own, and I wanted you to see!"

Patti's dad knelt down and kissed her, softly on the cheek.
He was oh so very proud of her, but he could barely speak.

"Oh Patti, my darling," he said, as he took her by the hand.
"I am so very proud of you, and your fish is truly grand!"

Patti's dad grabbed his camera, "Hold that big fish up real good!"
"I want this day remembered, because I never thought you could!"

"Oh thank you, daddy!" Patti shouted, with tears flowing down her face.
"No, thank you my dear child, for teaching me about grace."
elly n. 2009