Hannah's Prayer

In the Old Testament's First Book of Samuel we find Hannah, who is barren. This breaks her heart, and she prays to God to give her a child. God grants her a son, who she names Samuel. This painting is based on that story; against a washed out background, Hannah's prayer takes wing in the form of beautifully colored butterflies, a symbol of God granting her most fervent wish.
Painted in watercolors, with a background much looser than I've done before, this painting is full of hope and peace. For women suffering from infertility, this painting lets them know to never give up hope or faith.

The Promise - Watercolor Painting

The Promise shows how faith can light even the most dreary and consuming darkness. In the form of a dove, it illuminates and gives hope.
I painted this 11x15 painting on 140 lb.watercolor paper, and then highlighted the dove in pure white acrylic paints to make it stand out even more. Please contact me at christina@hoydendesigns.com if you're interested in purchasing a print of this painting. Thank you!

"Grace"... Based on Faith, Born of Love...

"Grace" is the start of what I hope is a long line of faith-based paintings. She is done in delicate watercolors on 140lb. watercolor paper, a lovely angel flying with abandon to heaven. I tried to capture the utter joy she feels as she lets her wings lift her higher and higher in the clear blue sky.
This painting measures 11x15, and I'm hoping to offer prints of her in the future!

The Names of Dreaming of Darcy...

All of the Regency-era ladies in my Dreaming of Darcy painting series have the names of characters from Jane Austen's novels or life. Can you guess who each of the ladies are named after?:

Isabella - Isabella Thorpe (Northanger Abbey)
Mary - Mary Crawford (Mansfield Park)
Catherine - Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey)
Caroline - Caroline Bingley (Pride & Prejudcie)
Lucy - Lucy Steele (Sense & Sensibility)
Fanny - Fanny Price (Mansfield Park)
Eliza - Eliza Austen (cousin & sister-in-law to Jane Austen)

"Catherine" Joins the Dreaming of Darcy Series.

I managed to sneak in a small acrylic painting a short while ago, and here is the fruits of my labor... Catherine! I gave her a half-border of delicate glazed swirls over bolder blues and purples. She's wearing a gauzy white gown with pearls in her carefully curled hair. Perhaps she's getting ready for a lively country ball and is practicing the steps of a dance...all the while dreaming that Mr.Darcy is her partner!

Practicing With Pencils

Due to time constraints, I haven't been able to paint as I'd like to lately. All of those sad and lonely white canvases are mocking me at home, there's no doubt about that! And I need a quick outlet for the images that are daily crowding their way into my head. So here's what I've come up with: colored pencils! This way I can take my work with me and pull it out quickly anywhere. Here are the first few tries in this unfamiliar media.
The titles of these pieces are:
(top) "One Heart"
(middle left) "Dreaming of Darcy - Eliza"
(middle right) "For Rob"
(bottom) "Give Thanks"

Tranquil Earth Series reawakens with "Serenity"

My painting series entitled "Tranquil Earth", where I explore the beauty of the natural world and our connection to it, has been reawakened with "Serenity". Against a highly textured background of purples, whites, browns and yellows is a woman in a calming grey dress. She stands beneath a skeletal, pale tree, done in a soft white glaze, to show the slumbering depths of winter while the tree rests and waits for the promise of spring.
unfortunately this large painting (measuring 16"x20") is not for sale. However, I will be offering up prints of it shortly. If you are interested and would like to reserve a print, please contact me at christina@hoydendesigns.com.

Christmas deadlines!!!

****HOLIDAY DEADLINES!****
Please order by December 15th for U.S. shipping and December 8th for International shipping to get your package in time for Christmas! Any custom orders please contact me by December 1st. Thank you!

Please welcome Angelique!

Why should only the Regency ladies get to dream of Mr.Darcy? The much loved hero of Jane Austen's famous novel Pride & Prejudice certainly appeals to women of any age and time period. And so here is a contemporary sister of those long-ago women, showing that Mr.Darcy's staying power is indeed strong!
Painted in acrylics on a 9"x12" gallery wrapped canvas, this young woman would make a lovely and elegant addition to any home!
Like the Dreaming of Darcy series but are looking for something a little more personal? Contact me and we'll discuss it! You can send me a picture and I'll model one of my lovely ladies after you or someone special in your life! You can reach me at christina@hoydendesigns.com

Mini Garden Pendants!

Here is a new batch of Mini Garden hand-painted pendants, now in the progress of being put up FOR SALE in my Etsy Store! I love painting these tiny pendants. And more are sure to come soon as winter rears it's cold head and I need the escape of some springtime warmth. If you'd like a custom mini garden pendant, perhaps with specific flowers or insects, I'd love to hear from you! Please contact me at christina@hoydendesigns.com and we can work something out!

Update!: 2 of these pendants have sold! Don't forget these are one of a kind, so purchase yours right away!