Tuesday, 20 October 2009

A very special treasure

 

I just had to pop back in to show you all this most exquisite of drawings by my special sisterfriend Ces.  Ces is currently working on a series of exceptionally wonderful drawings entitled The Secret Society of Oaks where she depicts her sisterfriends as Oak Nymphs and today she gave me this most precious of gifts!   Here is Queen Nymph #10 of the series…and it is ME! 

Can you believe the beautiful detail?  Look at the bracelet on my left arm - see the pen and brush next to the acorn (I’m planting an oak tree - Quercus robur - in Ces’ honour in the garden of our new home)  Then there is the quill and one-day-to-be-published-book necklace, and the zebra charm on my right arm.  Look there…see my friends from Africa sitting on the twig?  And over there is the Land Rover my sister and I drove all the way from Cape Town to Uganda.  Oh, and see the Mountains of the Moon?  And yes, exotic flamingo and graceful giraffe and wise elephant – my favourites!  And there is our house, and over there Lake Victoria.  Oh, there are more of the things I love – see them? Safaris and picnics, travel and sunshine and friends.   Just perfectly perfect. 

All this extraordinary detail on a tiny ATC card measuring just 2.5” x 3.5”!   That Ces – she is singular!  Do pop over to Ces and Her Dishes to see the other nymphs in the series – each and every one as exquisite and as beautifully detailed as my own most priceless of treasures.

 

Ces nymph Tessa

Thank you, darling Ces – thank you!

51 comments:

A Cuban In London said...

Beautiful painting. I also had to pop back in just to reassure myself that you would be popping in at some point :-). Well done, Ces!

Greetings from London.

Renee said...

Beautiful dear one.

xoxox

Carol said...

It's beautiful!!

A lovely gift for a lovely lady!!

C x

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Just gorgeous. Lucky you...something to treasure forever!!

Rosaria Williams said...

Congratulations, Tessa. It is a beautiful depiction of a life. I do believe she captured a good many facets of your life, including the book close to your heart.

Ces Adorio said...

Dearest Tessa:

I thank Renee for introducing me to you. I am most humbly honored that you are pleased with your nymph portrait. I had a wonderful time drawing it, quite an emotional experience. I wish you the best my dearest Tessa. You enrich my life and I thank you. May the Lord bless you always. After I read that you are planting a Quercus robur in your new garden, I set out to draw an acorn and a leaf specimen in black pigment ink. I will be more than happy to send them to you matted in individual 8x10 boards since the cards are ridiculously tiny. I can’t believe I got hooked on making them but I am not trading them. I have appropriately renamed them from ATC – Artist Trading cards to ATC – A ThankYou Card. Now, always maintain good body mechanics when moving boxes, better yet practice your pointing finger to direct the movers. Have a lovely day! Tsup!

Love always,
Ces

Holly said...

Oh! It's wonderful! She loves you and that's what inspires such grand things on such a tiny scale! SO many of us have come to love you, but very few of us have the ability like Ces to 'show' you how much you are loved and supported!

Hooray to Ces for giving you some of the joy you give to us! Blessings on both of you!

Tessa said...

Oh LOOK! Just noticed the chopsticks! Ces, you genius! (I once mentioned to Ces that I wear my hair up and secure it with chopsticks! Tell you, that lady is phenomenal!!)

Sujatha Bagal said...

This is beautifu, Tessa and Ces. Really lovely.

Tessa, have a wonderful sabbatical and come back strong and invigorated. Take care. Hugs.

Ces Adorio said...

The lightning earring is a Viking symbol of loyalty, love and passion.

Bella Sinclair said...

Dearest Tessa,

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Ces's portrait of you. So much regal elegance. Everything you do is infused with grace and generosity and flair. Your art is bold and passionate, your cooking starts my tummy rumbling, and your writing -- oh my. It's like reading a classic novel.

I wish you a very smooth transition to a new home. May it be filled fast and furiously with as much love and warmth as in your old home. More, even. And I wish you strength and courage as you face your medical journey. My heart and prayers will be with you. Take time to heal and rejuvenate, and do not worry about blog etiquette. We just all love you. :)

xoxo
bella

Val said...

I love the emotion behind and infront of this beautiful exquisite Tessa Nymph!

TheChicGeek said...

Oh, you have a beautiful blog and a beautiful heart! It is wonderful to visit here.
Thank You!
Kelly

Merry ME said...

This really is a lovely picture and great depiction of a lady I barely know. While you're on Sabbitcal I think I'll go back and read your older posts. It will be new to me so I won't even know you're gone! But do hurry back as I want to see that lovely red house adorned with your style.

Blessings and peace and all good wishes to you.

Stacey J. Warner said...

How wonderful! What a special gift. I love all the detail of you!

much love

Lori ann said...

I am so happy for you Tessa dear, how you deserve such wonderfulness. I see the giraffes! What a thoughtful person Ces is. I must go meet her!
lots of love,
lori

BT said...

I had to come and meet the person who inspired such a wonderful drawing. Isn't it fabulous? I cannot believe it is only ATC size. I will peruse your blog now. Lovely to meet you. xxx BT.

kj said...

tessa, i am happy for you in every possible way. this wonderful drawing and tribute captures all the love so many of your friends here feel for you. you are a wonder-ful wonder!

i will keep in touch with you here and there and i'll be sending healing molecules your way every day.

love to you, tessa

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Hello Tessa! What a beautiful gift to receive! Ces is a talented and special artist just like yourself. I came over by Renee's loving blog. I've enjoyed viewing your art and magical sites. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Hugs,
Lisa :)

karen said...

It's beautiful!! I see you are going to be away from blogging for a while.. thinking of you, and hope all goes well, but will of course miss your presence out here! x

Draffin Bears said...

It was lovely to discover your wonderful blog, via dear Renee.
Your Artwork is amazing, adore all the colour. I love the beautiful portrait Ces, did for you.

Greetings from New Zealand
Hugs
Carolyn

Caroline said...

Isn't it wonderful - Ces is so talented! Good luck with the house move and take care of yourself. Will miss you!

Michelle said...

That picture is gorgeous!


I can't remember... do you know about Blogblast for Peace day? It's Nov 5th and last year we had hundreds of bloggers participating. I hope you'll be joining us and adding your name to the list. :-)

http://crows-feet.blogspot.com/2009/10/peace-globe-day-countdown.html

http://crows-feet.blogspot.com/2009/10/blogblast-for-peace-2009-peace-starts.html

Anonymous said...

Absolutely exquisite. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift.
Lucky you :)

Renee said...

Thanks for adding more artwork. Did you see all the comments and how many people are just crazy about your work.

I am going to have to cheat and give my Mom one because I know it will make her day to get one.

xoxoxo

Ces Adorio said...

See that Renee? She is going to cheat, that and she has a foul mouth cussin and cursin. She is a tripple C: Cheatin' Cussin' Cursin'!

HAHAHAHAH! But I love her anyway.

Yoli said...

Exquisite!

xxx said...

Beautiful!

:) ribbon x

Madame DeFarge said...

Lovely painting, as always. Marvellous to have such talent too.

kendalee said...

A treasure indeed! How beautifully Ces's captured so many lovely details of your life and who you are - gorgeous.

As a relatively new visitor to your lovely blog home (one who's felt instantly made welcome, which is just one of your many gifts) I'll miss finding you here very much. I look forward to your return, whenever that is and, in the meantime, I do hope all's going well with the move and your treatment and that the break does body, heart and soul a world of good... warmest wishes Tessa!

Renee said...

I am getting excited for our giveaway.

xoxox

Ces Adorio said...

Thank you dearest Tessa! You are sunshine on a rainy day and the gentle breeze that made today's weather absolutely gorgeous. I think of you and wish you well.

Renee said...

Tessa I will pick them Monday night.

But it is so funny how everytime I see someones name I'm 'oh I would love for them to win' about every single person almost.

My Mom will go crazy.

Love you and how are you feeling dear one.

Love Renee xoxo

Ces Adorio said...

Good morning precious! I am so happy to see you up and about and making it to Nutland. I will have to think of another topic but I can't help it. They call acorns nuts when they are actually fruits, nutty fruit, I guess. Hope all is well with your move and take care of yourself dearest one.

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Isn't it beautiful!!! I just love all the delicious detail in the piece. How it was inspired and all. Ces is a delight. I wanted to tell you, and I'm crying again, Your words brought so much healing. Oh how it soothed my very soul. I wrapped myself in each letter formed to make a word. Each word like much need medicine. You have no Idea Tessa how healing and encouraging these words are. Thanks so much for you constant show of support, and love! I receive your bundle of love and encouragement. I take it all to heart. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart. I LOVE YOU!!!! I really do! Big hugs from Nessa

Renee said...

Darling Tessa it is Angel Gabrielle speaking to you. You are blessed.

I am going to draw the numbers today, I haven't decided if I will do a random number generator or have the kids pick a number from one to whatever.

I better go put Michelle's site down, here it is though:

http://anchellblue.blogspot.com/

You will love her.

Love Renee xoxo

Ces Adorio said...

How are you doing precious? I think of you and I am saying prayers for you.

Kelsie Raedfords said...

You enrich my life and I thank you. May the Lord bless you always. After I read that you are planting a Quercus robur in your new garden, I set out to draw an acorn and a leaf specimen in black pigment ink. I will be more than happy to send them to you matted in individual 8x10 boards since the cards are ridiculously tiny.

Shirley said...

You most deservedly deserve this amazing treasure. I applaud you, and Ces's beautiful work celebrates you so well. And, I have been amiss at visiting too - I wish you well as you are in the midst of a move...take good care and have a wonderful November.

adrienne trafford said...

of course you are a queen - how perfect! love the idea, too

adrienne trafford said...

of course you are a queen - how perfect! love the idea, too

Renee said...

In case you have forgotten, I love you.

xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Oh wow! That is completely exquisite! xxx

kj said...

i don't care if renee thinks i'm a copy cat: in case you have forgotten, i love you (too).

can't wait to see your handwriting again. xoxo

Ces Adorio said...

Still thinking of you and wishing you the best. Tsup!

Renee said...

Darling love, something came in the mail today.

Did I tell you my Mom is back in the hospital (she has COPD) and had an episode.

Now she is going to go crazy for the painting (which you brat I can't even see as it is wrapped beautifully but still like Fort Knox).

I will bring it up to her tomorrow when I go to the hospital.

Love you sweet Tessa and how are you feeling?

Love Renee xoxo

Cynthia Pittmann said...

You certainly deserve this honor, Tessa! I look at how you have organized your life and stand back in amazement! Your heart is a royal gem.

Ces Adorio said...

My dearest Tessa,

Thank you for being a part of my life. You have given me kindness and a lot of smiles. Your beautiful and rich life inspires me to live to the fullest. I wish you well my dearest Tessa. When I think of all the people I am thankful for in my life, you are standing tall and beautiful!

Love,
Ces

Debra Keirce said...

Tessa, what a FUN piece Ces did for you!!

xxx said...

I've just called in to wish you a fun loving festive season.

Merry Christmas
with love
Ribbon x

Renee said...

I miss you darling and I pray all the time that you are doing well.

Love Renee xoxo