Category: art

Mountain Glory

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The glory of a mountain peak
Is like a friend who doesn’t speak
Light that plays on glass like lake
Almost moves a heart to break
But if it breaks this pain is kind
It only serves as a remind
There are many friends beyond mankind

©2020 Mary Grace van der Kroef

“Mountain Glory”

Original Painting by Mary Grace van der Kroef

Acrylic Pain on stretched canvas.

Gifted to Karla Ans

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Titles by Mary Grace van der Kroef

Living Branch/Art Highlight

marygracewriting14 Comments

Living Branch is my first watercolor design, now available at my Redbubble Shop.

Living Branch

Original watercolor painting on watercolor paper.

I was told last year that watercolor is great for creating book covers. So after receiving a small set from my husband for Christmas, I set about learning how to use them. I am still very much a beginner, but I am so proud of this accomplishment that I have to share it with the world.

The blues and greens of this piece just make me happy. It feels alive and full of hope, though to some the tree itself might seem stark and strange.

Inspiration for the arm like branch came from two poems from my forthcoming chapbook THE BRANCH THAT I AM, now available for preorder.

In the poems ‘Rooted Deep,’ and ‘The Branch,’ I liken myself to a tree. In one I am planted by streams of living water, and the other, I fall away and am taken on an unexpected journey of renewal.

I hope you all look at the great products this design is available on. All proceeds go towards publication costs and website upkeep. Thank you.

Mary Grace van der Kroef

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Cover Reveal/THE BRANCH THAT I AM

marygracewriting7 Comments

It’s really happening! I am so excited to announce the final cover design for my upcoming chapbook.

Cover art by Mary Grace van der Kroef.
Original watercolor design on watercolor paper.

The Editing process has stretched me. There were tears, and procrastination and frustration. But I am so thankful for the process. I have learned so much from working with an editor, and I am proud of what we have accomplished for my first release.

I don’t have a set release date yet as final formatting needs to take place, but look for it before a pre-sale date announced in the next few weeks, with a release date in early November. (That is the goal.)

Copyright ©2021 Mary Grace van der Kroef
All rights reserved
Paperback cover design, and back matter

You can expect this collection of 25 poems to be available in paperback and ebook versions.

Thank you for dropping in to celebrate with me!

Mary Grace van der Kroef

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Morning Beach/Art Highlight

marygracewriting8 Comments

Have you ever walked a beach in the early morning, and seen the pink in a sunrise shimmering off the water? Its quiet moments like that I live for.

When I can’t find them in my own life, I like to paint them into being. Morning Beach is an example of such a moment. I was looking for quiet in the middle of a house gone mad, and here I found it.

Morning Beach is also another example of my early works. It is one of the first pieces of other artists in my social group. It was such a boost to hear their encouraging words. As I was and still am growing into my art.

Originaly painted on canvase papper in acrylic paint.

Prints and other products are available at my Redbubble Shop.

©2021 Mary Grace van der Kroef

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Prairie Sunset/Art Highlight

marygracewriting7 Comments

I have never been afraid to show my artwork in all its imperfections. Prairie Sunset is another of my early works inspired by a photograph taken by my friend Jason Shepard. I love being able to look back and see the growth that has happened in my work. I am not ashamed of where I have come from. We are all beginners once.

The absence of fear in showing what I can do in the place and time I currently stand has given people the chance to share in the joy of my art. I love to share it. I love to show you what can be done if just start, try, and keep going.

Originally painted on canvas paper in acrylic paint.

Prairie Sunset prints and other products are available at my Redbubble Shop.

©2021 Mary Grace van der Kroef

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Butterfly/Art Highlight

marygracewriting6 Comments

Today I would like to highlight another work.

I painted this butterfly as a practice piece for a larger painting, for my Mother. One of her favorite things is butterflies. It was a huge test of my abilities as my first painting at home, and not in an art class with an instructor. The original is quite small, and was how I learned my natural ability to paint bugs. I find joy in the tinny details.

I chose to make this early work available at my Redbubble Art Shop for sentimental reasons. My family enjoys access to artwork that is meant for them, and being able to choose what products to have it printed on.

Butterfly, originally painted on canvas paper, with acrylic paints.

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Grandpa’s Bee/Art Highlight

marygracewriting5 Comments

Today I would like to share with you all an early painting of mine.

Grandpa’s Bee was painted in memory of my grandfather, John Miller. He was a carpenter, farmer, and beekeeper.

I decided to upload this little guy at the request of some of my family members. I love how I am able to share him with all of them, though my art shop.

Flowers continue to be something I struggle with in my paintings, as as this is an earlier piece, it’s not my best. But that is okay. I am not about perfection, especially when there is meaning behind a work of art.

Grandpa’s Bee, the original, was painted on canvas paper, in acrylic paint.

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Black Capped Chickadee/Art Highlight

marygracewriting3 Comments
Black Capped Chickadee by: Mary Grace van der Kroef.
Original painting is acrylic on 12in stretched round canvas.

This week I have a new design available at my Redbubble Shop! I am really proud of this one. I had been eyeing up some round canvas paintings an acquaintance of mine was creating, and decided to ask for some at Christmas this last year. My husband obliged me, and this is the first put to good use.

I have proven to myself that birds are something I am gifted in painting, but flowers are different. I usually struggle with getting the depth I desire, or the delicate details my mind is picturing. This is an example of one of my best attempts. I am proud of it, so am excited to make it available for other people to enjoy.

Black Capped Chickadee is available on over 70 different products though the Redbubble Shop.

December Night, Art Highlight

marygracewriting3 Comments

I am excited to introduce you to my second new design of the year. “December Night” was painted in early 2020. The poem was written in December of the same year.

I felt the two belonged together, though I didn’t plan for it when the small original was painted. I chose the first two stanzas of the original poem fit best with the painting.

I have made it available on 72 different products via my Redbubble Shop.

All profits from my art are used to fund future publications and the blog. Thank you all for your continued interest in my writing and art.

©2021 Mary Grace van der Kroef

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He Keeps Me, Art Highlight

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This week I released a new design at my Redbubble Shop.

He Keeps Me Brave Products

He Keeps Me is a blending of my art and poetry, and shares the same name as the painting. You can read the full original poem here.

This design is available on sixty-six different products. From t-shirts to mugs, stickers and greeting cards to full size posters, there is something for everyone. All profits from my artwork go to funding publications and website upkeep.

Thank you!

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