Romantic Folk Art Painting Girl and Roses

“There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,
because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.”

~ Henri Matisse


Title: Paint the Rose
Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Block
Size: 5 X 7 x .75 in
13 X 18 x 2 cm
Date: 2007

Roses and a delicate raven haired girl, what could be more romantic? I must have been dreaming of the Impressionists as I worked on this little painting today.

The sides are painted black, it is signed and dated, your painting arrives ready to hang. If you would like any additional information regarding this painting please feel free to email me with any questions.

Utilitarian Age Fantasy Fairy Tale Folk Rapunzel Painting

"In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected."

~Charles Dickens~

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Utilitarian Times
Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Block
Size: 5 X 7
13 X 18 cm
Date: 2007

This is my entry in the Nibblefest Art Contest, "Fairy Tales". Nibblefest is a themed art contest beginning on the 20th of each month on eBay. I try to participate every month. But I have to admit, it is just a bit nerve wracking listing work at 99¢!

In this little piece, a raven haired Rapunzel contemplates the moonlit night. The sides are painted black, it is signed and dated, your painting arrives ready to hang.

Another Painting Today

In Her Sky

“In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

~ Buddha


Title: In Her Sky
Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Block
Size: 5 X 7
13 X 18 cm
Date: 2007

As usual, I've left it too late to do much more than add a painting...maybe tomorrow.

A Busy Weekend of Painting Angels, Madonna, Black Cat

My Little Poem



"A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem."

~Jean Burden

Listen For the Sigh

“God is an unutterable sigh, planted in the depths of the soul.”

~ Jean Paul Richter



“Let God's promises shine on your problems.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Well, it's been a busy weekend of painting. I've been doing so many Angels and Madonnas, painting a kitty again was a welcome change.

Folk Naive Madonna Painting in Celtic Frame

This folk style Madonna is painted in rich deep rust tones set against a beautiful teal background. Starting with a plain wooden frame, I’ve created a rustic raised relief carving of Celtic knots and braids using texture medium finished with gold leaf to create the feeling of aged gold.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."

~Louis L'Amour

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: At The Beginning
Medium: Acrylic on Masonite in Wooden Frame
Size: 6.5 X 8.5"

17 X 22 cm
Date: 2007

This folk style Madonna is painted in rich deep rust tones set against a beautiful teal background. Starting with a plain wooden frame, I’ve created a rustic raised relief carving of Celtic knots and braids using texture medium finished with gold leaf to create the feeling of aged gold.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."

~Louis L'Amour

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: At The Beginning
Medium: Acrylic on Masonite in Wooden Frame
Size: 6.5 X 8.5"

17 X 22 cm
Date: 2007

Folk Icon in Celtic Frame

“Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, bring it out of its hiding place and let be free and unashamed.”

~ William Saroyan

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Seek Goodness Everywhere
Medium: Acrylic on Masonite in Wooden Frame

Size: 6.5 X 8.5"
17 X 22 cm


This folk style Angel is painted in rich reds set against a dark background. Starting with a plain wooden frame, I’ve created a rustic raised relief carving of Christian and Celtic symbols using texture medium and clay Celtic crosses finished with gold leaf to create the feeling of aged gold.

I picked up my first order of giclee prints on canvas this afternoon. I am so happy with them. I've listed my first ones on eBay and Yessy tonight. I'll have the link to the printer I use tomorrow. But for now, it's time for bed!

And Kelly, the show was great :)

Another Painting of a Woman in A Hat

Stories Like Mine


"I'm a small and normal girl, and stories like mine no one likes to tell. Fortunately so, because I wouldn't like to play myself."


Victoria Abril

Acrylic on Wooden Block

Size: 5 x 7"
13 x 17 cm
Date: 2006


Your painting arrives signed and ready to hang.
The sides are painted black so no framing is needed. I love the work of Jean Paul Lemieaux. Whenever I paint a woman in a hat I think of his fascinating paintings of women.

Original Madonna in Gold Folk Icon Painting

The Text of Her Life

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

Albert Einstein


Title: the Text of Her Life

Acrylic and Clay on Wooden Block

Size: 16 X 20 in
40 x 50 cm

I paint in a contemporary folk art style.

My subjects are always figurative and usually female. I'm inspired by past and present iconographers and early Renaissance painters, as well as modern painters who pay homage to the spirit. My subjects are often religious and always spiritual in some way.

Your painting arrives signed and ready to hang.
The sides are painted black so no framing is needed.

Nun & Celtic Cross Original Folk Painting

Ask Passionately

“What some people interpret as brooding melancholy is serenity.
I don't feel required to grasp all the time.”

David Guterson

Acrylic and Clay on Wooden Block

Your painting arrives signed and ready to hang.
The sides are painted black so no framing is needed.

Another Madonna Icon in Gold and Red Painting

Found By The Heart

“The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.”

~ Unknown

Size: 15 X 7.5 in
38 X 19 cm

There is quite a bit of glare on the first shot of this Folk Icon but it was evening when
I took this shot and I did want to catch the richness of the liquid gold leaf.
I've created deep texture in the border surrounding the Madonna, as well as
around the neck and cuffs of her deep red gown.

Your painting arrives ready to hang.

I've run out of steam tonight, but tomorrow I hope to list the detail of this Madonna on CafePress on a number of products so hope you'll take a peek.

Framed Madonna Icon Paitning in Blue and Gold

Ask Passionately

“Being religious means asking passionately
the question of the meaning of our
existence and being willing to receive
answers, even if the answers hurt.”


~ Paul Tillich

Framed Dimension: 6.5 X 8.5 in
17 X 22 cm

This folk style Madonna is painted in soft blue set
against a background of rich liquid gold leaf.
Starting with a plain wooden frame, I’ve created
a rustic raised relief carving of Christian
and Celtic symbols using texture medium
and clay Celtic crosses. The faux stone finish
compliments the rich gold of the icon.
Your painting arrives ready to hang.

I've already listed a detail of this Madonna on CafePress on a number of products so hope you'll take a peek.

Frida Kahlo Framed in Silver Painting

Know No Limit

The Danger of Time

"There is only one real tragedy in a woman's life.
The fact that her past is always her lover,
and her future invariably her husband."

~ Oscar Wilde

Size: 8 X 10 in
20 X 26 cm

I've etched in Mexican inspired symbols,
then painted over with metallic paint
to give the impression of antique hammered silver
surrounding this folk portrait of Frida.
Each corner is anchored with Aztec stars
molded from clay and finished in metallic silver.
 Your painting arrives ready to hang.

I can't believe it's a whole week since I returned home from the trade show in Toronto.
I've been crazy busy since then filling orders , catching up on commissions and getting my CafePress store up and running. My images are available on a variety of products so pop in for a peek!

Original Folk Angel Icon Painting For Today

Know No Limit

"Love knows no limit to its endurance,
no end to its trust,
no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything.
Love still
stands when all else has fallen.”


~ Unknown

Size: 15 X 7.5 in
38 X 19 cm


I've painted this Celtic inspired Angel on wooden ply.
The background is deeply textured and finished with metallic gold.
I've painted clay Celtic knots metallic gold to anchor each corner. Your painting arrives ready to hang.

A Little Folk Art Angel under A Smiling Sun Painting

In the Sunshine

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them,
and try to follow where they lead.”


~ Louisa May Alcott

Mixed Media on Wooden Block
Size: 4 X 6 in
10 X 15 cm


Well here I am back to my blogg, finally!
I've had a busy week getting caught up after the By Hand gift show in Toronto last week! I had a great time, sold some work and met wonderful Canadian artisans and retailers. It was fun!