Art Smorgasbord - To St. Valentine

On February 14th, some people may remember St. Valentine, the Patron Saint of Love, Young People, and Happy Marriages.  Although little is known about exactly whom he was, his existence has been confirmed as that of a Christian priest whom was martyred by Roman Emperor Claudius  II Gothicus, in 269.  Therefore, I am dedicating this post to St. Valentine.

Sacred Heart
5x7 Inch Canvas - Mixed Media Collage
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Three Muses: Whirls, Twirls and Flourishes
Paint Party Friday - Week 48, Year 2
Artist's In Blogland

King of Hearts
Original Illustration, Calligraphy, and Tim Holtz Techniques
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - February
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Ever After
Crazy Amigo Challenge: Hearts

Proverbs 15:17
Art Journal Entry - Micron Pens, Smash Products, and Punch
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Artist's Play Room #43 - Pantry
Collage Obsession: Time
Word Art Wednesday #66: Anything Goes
What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 192
Take a Word: Hearts

These first 3 art pieces reflect different forms of love.  The Sacred Heart represents sacrificial love as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who was crucified for the salvation and redemption of those whom believe in Him.  This is one of a series I did several yeas ago, and it is now in the private collection of Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Beavan.  I illustrated the King of Hearts to represent how blessed I feel to have earned the heart of my wife and am now living in a fairy tale.  I had planned on giving it to her for Valentine's Day, but she walked into my studio when I was working on it - LOL!  As to the art journal page, I did a quick 20-minute sketch of a tin and tablets of Mexican chocolate "Abuelita."  Chocolate was considered the drink of the God's by the Aztecs, hence its Nahuatl name, is used in a Mexican cuisine favorites such as the frothy hot chocolate drink and the spicy mole sauce.  The Bible verse from Proverbs describes the importance of love when sharing a meal.

Anel's Favorite Things
Trincies in a Tag Book - Micron Pens, Prismacolors and Markers
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Tag Tuesday's Alphabet - Letter E
Simon Says Stamp - Have a Heart
Sunday Sketches

This next art piece is the fifth page I've illustrated for an ABC book I wrote last month.  It is based on Anel, an original character I developed.  It's been a wonderful experience working on the book, since it's allowed me to refine and standardize her look as I work on the illustrations.  God willing I'll be able to publish the book someday.  By the way, I realize it's not a Valentine's day piece, but she did paint a heart on her egg.  You'll need to follow my blog in order to see the Valentine's page when I get to the letter V - LOL!

Find a Heart
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
52 Photos Project: Gallery 42 {Hearts}
Orange You Glad It's Friday #25
Mandarin Orange Monday #29

Last, but not least, I have a photograph that I took of a lovely button collection that I inherited from my wife's grandmother.  May she rest in Peace.  I sorted them by color, so I only photographed the white ones.  However, the light seems to have brought out some orange hues, especially on the iridescent button.  I also brought the orange hues out further by enhancing them digitally.  By the way, can you find the heart?

In closing, I want to thank you for all the lovely comments you left on my last post.  They were all truly motivational.  Happy St. Valentine's Day!