Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 28

I was able to work for about an hour, focused mostly on Kendalynns dress and background, as well as the carousel horse she is sitting on.  I see more adjustments to be made to both their faces and overall.  I love love love this photo of them.


July 19, 2014
Another bittersweet day for me as I attend another wedding. 2 weddings in 2 months and ironically enough they just happen to be my maid of honor and Joel's best man. 2 of our best friends in the whole wide world....I know he would have wanted to be there...I know he would have been so happy for you both...Annalease Donald may your love continue to bring you happiness always and Lee Repsher, even though you don't have a Facebook...he always wished you would find the kind of love and happiness he and I shared together. He wanted that more than anything and he would have been proud to stand next to you on this day. Thank you for letting me be a part of it...maybe you can feel like a piece of him is there with us. I wish you and Shannon a lifetime of wedded bliss...enjoy each moment with each other like it may be your last. I love you all ❤ ~ Karen

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 27

I decided to work and make it a late night last night.  I worked for at least an hour making adjustments to Kendalynn and Joels face.  Much needed and I am MUCH more comfortable with their appearances.

Some people are sent cardinals, butterflies, ladybugs or another creature, and some are sent bees to let us know they are near.  I adore memorial tattoos.

July 11, 2014

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 26

I lightened a few places on Kendalynns face and need to go back over and darken again, bringing tones up.  Sometimes I am in the middle of a drawing task when my time is up, sometimes my drawing is left in a state I would rather not share.  I got about 45 minutes of drawing time in again today.


June 28, 2014
Here's a picture of my tiny butterfly sitting and looking at our "daddy tree" ~ Karen

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 25

Added more background behind Kendalynn, spent more time adjusting shadows on her face.  Still a ways to go!  I spent about 45 minutes working.  I think I will be blending the background more than the other portraits since it is so busy.  I want Joel and Kendalynn to pop off the paper!


June 26, 2014
This was one of my fav pics when I took it...she's playing the iPhone and he's playing the innotab.... ~ Karen

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 24

I worked for about 45 minutes, still very much focused on Kendalynn and Joels faces, features, shadows, tones. 

I wanted to take a minute to recognize the great friends Joel acquired in his lifetime.  Jeremy and Noah.  They are amazing friends.  You can see below how they are present for Karen and Kendalynn.  I don't know these guys personally but my husband can vouch for them.  There are just no words for men who try to help fill a void for a child.  Special kind of people.  The world is a better place because of people like you.  

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 23

Using a 6B pencil I have started bringing up the tones, darkest parts of shadows on faces.  Looking real good today.  I feel like they are in my living room.  Worked for about 45 minutes today.  Wishing I was getting more draw time in each day, but I must take time to meditate for a few minutes before I begin and after I am finished drawing for the day.  Hoping you are enjoying the process thus far.


June 21, 2014
Ok so went digging in my jewelry box this morning to find a bracelet...and found these. ~ Karen

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 22

Worked only about 45 minutes, still focusing on faces.  Adding depth and proper shadows.  Still sharing photos from Karen's Facebook timeline.  No words on this day, just memories.


June 19, 2014

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 21

Today I worked a bit on their faces, background and Joels hand.  I spent about 45 minutes drawing and shading.  I prefer to layer my drawings, slowly bringing up tones on the entire portrait.  It is a long process with only having 30 - 60 minutes a day to work, but pretty astounding to see everything emerge gradually.

June 16, 2014 

Today I would like to take a moment from my all-consuming grief to tell you how much I love and appreciate my friends, Joel's friends, all of you who have stopped by, sent cards, sent Facebook messages, sent me text messages, called me, liked my photos or just left me little comments on my photos to acknowledge it. It all helps even though I may not get to thank each of you personally or respond to all messages or texts I do get them and I do sincerely appreciate it. With all of you we will learn to live with this....and I can only hope we are lucky enough to always have all of you behind us. Thank you all...too many to tag. Those of you that knew us personally knew the love we felt for one another and for those of you that didn't well you can certainly see it in each of our photos...we had a love for each other that was very easy to see and will never die.  ~Karen

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 20

Today I worked again on Joel and Kendalynns faces.  I worked for about 45 minutes.  In the following weeks after Joels passing Karen sometimes only posted photos of Joel,  I imagine those were some of her darkest days.  I find it so very fortunate she has so many photos of them together.  Reflecting on her photos made me realize how few photos I have of myself and my husband or me with my kids.  My husband and I enjoy every single photo she posts of Joel.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Joel 19

Made adjustments to Kendalynns and Joels faces again today.  Still working to get them to my liking.  Only worked for about 45 minutes.  Progress is speedy this time around.  He is very present in my meditations.  The grief hangs thick in our house for my husband during this drawing.  I see him stop and gaze at the portrait throughout the day.  He is very missed by all of us that knew him.  We are all better people for having known him.

"Keep it between the ditches and don't let your meat loaf."  ~ Joel

June 1, 2014
My loves ~ Karen