Category: children

“EYES ON THE PIES”

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, dogs, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, oil paiinting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting

The joys in life pile up daily, yet some spark love like lightning bolts.

When we went to visit the grandboys, I was able to bring a couple jars of my homemade apple pie filling. It sure made it easier to make the pies, and faster. I had pre-ground my flours for the crust as well, so all I had to do was add butter and water, mix and roll. I love my pie crust. So do the boys. I love those boys.

They were very interested in how to make an apple pie, and after this moment of filling, were happy to help spoon the apples into the crusts. And they sure do focus and take it all in. I hope I give them a good example of things.

My daughter took some photos of this time, and I based my painting from her photos. She has loving eyes.

“EYES ON THE PIES” – 22″x 28″ – Oil – ©2023 Bohlender

We all had great fun EATING the pies.

It was fun, too, that during that moment, their dog Onyx walked by in the background. I had to include Onyx. He has been in the family a long time. He’s a good boy, but he didn’t get any pie.

My greatest challenge in this piece was identifying the camera distortions in the resource photo, thereby straightening entryways and one of the boy’s heads was stretched and his body leaning too far, like he fell off the edge or something. I simplified a lot of things, and maximized the duo light source. The canvas used to have a desert landscape painted on it, and I left some of the nubbies from the mesquite scrub for interesting effects.

There might be a thing or two that might spring out at me that I will make minor adjustments to, but for now, I like this one as it is.

I just ordered more oil paint from Dick Blick’s. I’ve been shopping there for many years. Getting new paint is almost as good as apple pie.

Praise the Lord Jesus for His grace and love of mankind.

Mario & Grandma

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, Christian art, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, oil paiinting, Oil painting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting, Uncategorized

He’s the star of the show, and the sparkle in my eye. Mario is full of zesty life and I was honored that he felt comfortable with me. I would love to see him more, but that isn’t always doable these days. We were in a park, but the trees did not seem as significant as the feeling of shade nearby and we in the sunshine together.

“Mario & Grandma” – 28″ x 22″ – Oil ©Bohlender 2022

It wasn’t hard to make him the focus, the subject. He is that in real life also. Over flowing joy.

I take comfort in knowing that God has raised up children for this time in history, that He will take care of them, and all things work out according to His Purpose and Timing. No one is a mistake, our times are in His hand.

Mario and Mama

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, Oil painting, Portrait, oil painting

There’s not too much as wonderful as holding your baby, and feeling him melt into you in absolute trust and love. The joy of motherhood is beyond describing.

“Mario and Mama” – 12″ x 16″ – Oil ©2022

I think the next greater joy is watching your daughter loving being a mama, and loving her boys.

This was a happy painting to paint, it painted itself, and I loved being involved with it.

The color of the photo is a little off for some reason, the outside border is more golden, less green. I’ll retake photos another day.

Grandpa and the Boys

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, Grandfather, Oil painting, oil portrait, Uncategorized

There is something wonderful about the sparkle of love, and the joy that carries through a good wrestling match with grandpa.

Grandpa needs as many naps as the little fellow, but he comes out full of fun and vigor, the winner of the match undeclared. I think they all won this time.

“Grandpa and the Boys” – 22″x 28″ – Oil

Although it isn’t a Rembrandt, I really like the joy of a moment captured, that maybe will be appreciated by the boys after we are gone, a remembrance of their grandfather.

Meanwhile, we await the Lord’s return, and love what He has given us until He comes.

At The Goosey Park

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, fine art, friendship, Geese, Oil painting

The delightfulness of having a friend you might grow up with, at least so far in their lives, is a treasure many of us don’t have. The children in this painting have known each other since babes, and they experience the loves and challenges of friendship often. Their mothers are good friends, often taking their breathing space at one of several parks where their children can run and play.

One of the parks is near a museum, the grounds are well kept and pleasant. A stream runs through it, and geese stay there year round, accustomed to big and little people. Whenever I am there, it is full of geese, and children.

“At the Goosey Park” – 24″ x 18″ – Oil ©2021

Below are the two earlier paintings of the same children. The beagle doggy has died, the bulldog is getting old and grey, but still smiles when he goes for a walk. I love seeing how these two children grew, how they are as lovely little people. I hope that I am able to keep painting them for more years to come.

The process of painting went from covering a used canvas with a white wash, into the new painting at the park, as shown below.

He Is A Rewarder

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, Christian art, Oil painting, Prayer for America

Heb. 11:6 – “…for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Read all of Ps.127 – “…Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is a reward…”

It is a distressing thing to even begin to realize what is happening in our country, and world, in regards to child trafficking and abuse. My stomach clenches in pain even trying to comprehend what people like OUR and other groups who rescue children find and try to help. It is also evident by our abortion rates that it is a thriving business also.

I do understand that a nation will fail outside of the salvation of Jesus Christ. A nation will not stand without His blessing and mercy.

You must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder. Children are one of His rewards, they take work, but they are not a burden. Women are saved through childbearing – bearing them until they can live well in this world by the grace of God in their own lives.

When I first sketched this idea for a painting, it was in heaviness. I saw abuse, darkness, tragedy beyond “Les Miserables” or similar concepts. My understanding of what was happening in our Nation was in tears and sadness. My idea was not light.

My favored models are not nearby, so I just began to sketch on a used canvas and wanted to see where it would take me. It was not into darkness.

I was gladdened to see the truth in the Word of God. Children are a man’s arrows, they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. Children are the fruit and strength of a nation. Killing them and other things does not meet the enemies in strength and glory.

I had always only seen these verses within the context of the church – the body of Christ, His building the House. But He is at work even til today. Salvation and Redemption are available to all now. Lord, build Your Kingdom, pour out Your Spirit into America, and the world. Come Lord.

“How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” Ps. 128:1

“Children Are a Gift of God” – 24″ x 30″ – Oil ©2021

This painting is about America loving her children… protecting and guiding them. It is the strength of a Nation for mothers to be raising children before the Lord. They are a gift from God.

Our Nation will be great only in Salvation and Redemption. God is Good, God is Light, there is no darkness in Him. The end result is in His total Victory.

“Blessed in the Nation that fears the Lord”.

Joy Bucket

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, Grandchildren, joy, Oil painting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting

In times when we cannot see each other, I am especially grateful for skyping and messengering. Praise God for a daughter so willing to visit, especially when she is so busy.

When she was a baby and young girl, I called her my “joy bucket”, because truly, joy emanated from her being. I found that same quality in her son.

During one of our skype visits, I took a photo of the screen, not the best photo quality, but enough to work from. Until I can see him, it’s the best personal resource I have to work from.

I only posted a portion of the image, protecting their privacy, but it gives you an idea of a clarified photograph that I was working from.

I was happy with the outcome, because I think I captured his joyful curiosity and interestedness.

“Joy Bucket” – 18″ x 14″ – Oil

May all babies have the degree of loving and coziness as this little fellow.

Chubby Bunnies

Posted on by Bohlender Art in children

Sometimes it is fun to play. Sewing dolls and stuffed toys is always fun for me, and they turn out much better than when I attempt to sew clothes for myself.

Chubby Bunnies with Raggedy Andy and Marcia Wanda

This rabbit pattern is maybe 30 some years old, and it is the first time I made the bunnies. The Raggedy Andy pattern I have had for many years as well.

I made a rabbit for my grandson and one for his friend, but these pictured are for me, keeping my daughter’s Marcia Wanda Cabbage Patch doll company on the guest room bed.

They are all made out of fabrics I already had from projects over the years. Never throw away any scraps, always keep embroidery needles on hand.

Now I am back to working on the book of my study of 1 John, in the Garden of God, and an oil painting of little Mario.

The quilt is made of pieces from our wedding clothes, tapestry from furniture remnants, embroidered by my daughter and I.

A True Love

Posted on by Bohlender Art in art, children, dogs, oil paiinting, Portrait, oil painting

Monkey is getting very old. All his life he is faithful to his family pack, and very tolerant of his “puppy”. He lets the little guy crawl, lay, and hug on him with utmost appreciation, and even in older age, forbearance. He loves the one who adopted him years ago without faltering or blinking. He is a loving “person”.

He is also very loved in return, wonderfully loved by his family pack.

“Monkey and Nio” – 14″ x 18″ – Oil ©2020 Bohlender

I painted this in love for both the subjects, and the family pack. I pray it will be a symbol of the shared times, a memorial of a beloved dog-friend, a remembrance of a precious childhood.

“Butterfly Ride in a World of Grace”

Posted on by Bohlender Art in acrylic painting, art, butterflies, children

While working on “Letter From Patmos: A Revelation of Jesus Christ,” I also completed the mixed media of butterflies and the painting “Best Friends in a Butterfly World.” The third in the butterfly series is an acrylic piece, 10″ wide by 40″ tall.

Acrylic is a different animal altogether than oil painting, yet after painting illustrations in 4 books in acrylic, I am beginning to get a better feel for it, and enjoy its possibilities.

“Butterfly Ride in a World of Grace” shares the imagination of a young boy, who hears butterflies speak and he flies on a regular basis.

It also shows that all the Light, Butterflies, Flowers and Adventures are given from the Hand of God.

“Butterfly Ride in a World of Grace” – 10″ x 40″ – Acrylic
©2020 Jean Bohlender

An awkward size canvas chosen for horizontal landscapes years back, I thought it was perfectly suited for this painting. I did not photograph the process for this one, yet my process is similar in most ways for oils, just the technique because of the medium changed.