Sunday, December 8, 2019

Advent Calendar 2019


I've finished drawing my 10th Advent Calendar.  After taking a year off in 2018, I was happy to do one again.  It's been such a blessing for me to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers.

This year, with Advent starting on December 1, my calendar grid worked best with four rows of six, and a center oval for Christmas Day.  So the Sunday spaces (where I draw candles) will occur diagonally.  Each drawing space is small, about 1-5/8" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.

If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.
  • Copic markers
  • Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3, 0.2, and 0.1 black
  • Paper: Neenah
  • Words and sources:
    • 1. We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended)
    • 2. Sometimes a light surprises (hymn)
    • 3. O come Emmanuel, thou Branch of Jesse's stem (hymn, Veni Emmanuel)
    • 4.  I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:9)
    • 5. Await
    • 6. Hope
    • 7. Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight (Matthew 3:3)
    • 8. Then you shall see and be radiant (Isaiah 60:5)
    • 9-10. Peace - be still
    • 11. Shine
    • 12. Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song (hymn, Hark! a loud voice! the Savior comes)
    • 13. Rejoice with joy and singing (Isaiah 35:1)
    • 14. Trust in God's promise
    • 15-16. Patience 
    • 17. Brighten your heart (from an Advent blessing)
    • 18. Already - Not yet
    • 19. Savior
    • 20. Every valley shall be lifted up (Isaiah 40:4)
    • 21. Wonder
    • 22. Grant us your Light (from an Advent prayer) 
    • 23. Glory to God in the highest!
    • 24. Grace
    • 25. Christmas Day

Friday, March 22, 2019

Lenten Calendar 2019

Since I didn't draw a calendar for this past Advent season, I was very ready to start one for Lent!  I've kept it simple, just a few words from the season's scriptures or prayers, as they connect to my daily events and experiences, with a bit of drawing and coloring.  Note: each drawing space is small, about an inch wide, so you may want to click on the drawing for a better view. 

Added Saturday, April 20, 2019:  This is my finished calendar update, with the drawings complete through today in Holy Week. Though my drawings end with the sorrow and darkness of Holy Saturday, there is joy in our faith of Easter's resurrection.

In the past, I've used a variety of templates (click here for more of my Lent and Easter posts, or here for my Advent calendar posts).  You can find this grid and other templates on my friend Sybil's Praying in Color blog, along with her current Lent calendar drawing. 
  • Copic markers; colored pencil for April 1 bench
  • Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 black
  • Paper: Neenah
  • Words:
    • Week 1: Ash; Slow; Draw near; Wash
    • Week 2: The time is now; Rough; Give me vision; Walk - put one foot in front of the other; Look for truth; Make in us new and contrite hearts; Spare your people, O Lord
    • Week 3: Sustain; Gather; Trust; Seek Him; Wait patiently for the Lord; Show me your way, O Lord; Sounds of great gladness
    • Week 4: Deeply; Keep me safe; Read and meditate; Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden -
    • Week 5: And I will give you rest; Teach me; Mercy; Be reconciled to God; Who gives life to the world
    • Week 6: For our sake; Lift up your hearts; He remembers that we are but dust; I will guide you with my eye; Now is the day of salvation; Hide not; Forgive
    • Week 7: Hosanna; Oh... hush... ; Gifts of God; Darkness.