delightful God gifts bring peace and beauty to our homes

There are so many wonderful God gifts.

Two of my favorite things are painting art by Carol May and gardening. It’s my joy sharing the garden, how to do it and all amazing gifts we find there.

There are butterflies visiting the flowers, songbirds singing, hummingbirds at their feeder and the fragrance of flowers is wafting on the breeze.

In the vegetable garden the tomatoes are ripening and the green beans are ready for harvest. The apple tree will be loaded this year.

The garden is brimming with gifts from God. The flowers, butterflies and birds are all waiting to be admired and painted.

If I'm not in the garden, more than likely I'm in the art studio painting. People may say I have the gift of painting. My opinion is anyone can learn to paint.

A sea turtle painted with an artist's interpretation.

experience the painting art by carol may

Artists paint what we see around us. God's gifts are everywhere. When I was learning how to paint, landscapes were my subjects. Now butterflies, hummingbirds and flowers show up very often in my artwork.

There's lots to see on the Painting pages.

• Awesome butterflies delight our senses.
• It's fun painting God's amazing critters.
• Who doesn't love the beauty of flowers? 
• Hummingbirds are great.
  
• God gifts are everywhere in the landscapes!
  
• The gifts of nature are such a joy to paint. 
  
• Do you have dreams and paint prophetic?
  

Click to see art for your home.

the gift of painting?

Actually painting is more of a discipline, than a gift from God. We can all create attractive paintings using the basic principles of good art.

Budding artists can use the ART BASICS to avoid the pitfalls of my early paintings. You should have seen them! But we can all learn to paint. Click down the page to see the 4 basics for creating good art.

Painting takes practice, just like learning to play the piano. PRACTICE PAINTING the tutorials, then use the same methods for your own creations. What are some of the popular tutorials?

gardens are full of god's great gifts

One of my favorite things is GARDENING. Maybe that's why I studied horticulture in college. It's great puttering around outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

It's wonderful to plant things and watch them grow. Then the greatest part is enjoying the flowers, vegetables and the visiting wildlife.

Butterflies and hummingbirds are great garden gifts. So, I specifically plant flowers to feed the butterflies.

The Butterfly Bushes in my garden are busy with butterflies all summer. Hummingbirds visit them, too. There are more ways to attract hummingbirds.

Tiger Swallowtail feeding on a Butterfly Bush

how do we grow a garden?

When I am not in the studio painting, I may be out in the garden. There's something wonderful about getting our hands dirty and watching things grow.

You can make a garden using the basics of soil, planting, water, fertilizer and pruning. Gardening is great for the entire family.

What if we don't have to have a large area for a garden? My vegetables are growing in containers.

When we are new to gardening, start with easy vegetables. If our yard is mostly shade, we can even grow veggies in the shade.

Roses, daisies and orchids are my favorite flowers. How do we grow happy roses?

Orchids are a wonderful God gift.

At one time, I had a whole greenhouse full of orchids and showed them. Now, living in the north there are a few in the house. Anyone with house plants can grow orchids.

Many of us have probably grown blooming Amaryllis or Narcissus in the house. But can we grow orchids in the house? You bet we can!

Phalaenopsis (also, called the moth orchid) are perfect plants for inside our homes. Their delightful flowers last for many months.

A 'French Spots' Phalaenopsis orchid

Everyone can learn to paint - the art basics

It's a joy sharing my knowledge with budding artists. Take advantage of my 40 years of experience and learn what makes a good painting.

Awe-inspiring paintings all use the 4 ART BASICS: composition, values, a focal point and color.

• Good composition rules are easy to learn!
• A focal point draws in the viewers.
• Using values creates attractive paintings.
• Color makes our paintings sing!
• Use the 4 basics to paint good art.
  

Best of show painting by Carol May

painting is marvelous!

Learn more ART BASICS. You can do it!

• Begin painting with answers to frequently asked questions.
• Daily painting speeds our art journey.
• What did the artist say? Art lingo
• How to set up your painting area.
• What is the best painting medium?

practice painting art by carol may

The step-by-step PRACTICE PAINTING tutorials explain the materials, what colors to use and the painting steps from start to finish.

Each step is carefully detailed, so you can practice painting. Then use the same steps to paint your own favorite subjects.

Learn how to paint daisies.

oil: How-to painting pages

• How to Paint Daisies step-by-step.
  
• How to Paint a Rose, a red or multicolored rose.
• How-to Paint a Wave It's not hard, it's fun!
• Beginners Oil Painting Get started with oil painting.
• Frequently Asked Questions about Oil Painting
• Paint a Hummingbird with iridescent colors.
• How to Paint a Waterfall in a landscape.
  

"Mother's Love" watercolor giraffe tutorial

watercolor: The more we paint, the better we get!

It's a joy sharing my painting secrets. Glean from the step-by-step explanations.

• Painting Giraffes: Three tutorials, each with a different style.
• Watercolor Flowers: Paint Iris, Echinacea and poppies.
• Paint a Hummingbird: Learn to paint a hummingbird with watercolor.
  
• Watercolor Techniques: Save the white paper in watercolor paintings.
  
• Beginning Watercolor: Find answers about starting watercolors. 
• Pouring Watercolors: Learn the fun technique of pouring watercolors.
  

practice painting art by carol may

The step-by-step PRACTICE PAINTING tutorials explain the materials, what colors to use and the painting steps from start to finish.

Each step is carefully detailed, so you can practice painting. Then use the same steps to paint your own favorite subjects.

Learn how to paint daisies.

How-to oil painting pages

• How to paint daisies step-by-step.
  
• How to Paint a Rose, a red or multicolored rose.
• How-to Paint a Wave, it's not hard, it's fun!
• Beginners Oil Painting, get started with oil painting.
• FAQs about Oils, get answers before you start with oils.
• Paint a Hummingbird with iridescent colors.
• How to paint a waterfall in a landscape.
  

"Mother's Love" watercolor giraffe tutorial

watercolor: The more we paint, the better we get!

It's a joy sharing my painting secrets. Glean from the step-by-step explanations.

• Painting Giraffes: Three tutorials, each with a different style.
• Watercolor Flowers: Paint Iris, Echinacea and poppies.
• Paint a Hummingbird: Learn to paint a hummingbird with watercolor.
  
• Watercolor Techniques: Save the white paper in your WC paintings.
  
• Beginning Watercolor: Find answers about starting watercolors. 
• Pouring Watercolors: Learn the fun technique of pouring watercolors.
  

great god gifts are all about sharing - enjoy!