THIS PAINTING IS A 24X30 WATERCOLOR PAINTING. THROUGHOUT THE PAINTING ARE BIBLE VERSES QUOTING GOD'S PROMISES TO THE ORPHAN. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAINTING DEPICTS THE PAST THINGS OF THE ORPHAN'S LIFE, TEARS, BROKEN TOYS, LONELY NIGHTS AND NO HOPE OR SO IT SEEMS. HOPE IS THERE ANDI "ACCIDENTLY" REPRESENTED IT BY PLACING THE CROSS IN THE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO SHINING ON THE WALL. THE RIGHT SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MOTHER'S LOVING ARMS NUTURE A CHILD BACK TO HEALTH AND RESTORE THEIR HOPE. A BUTTERFLY, BRIGHT BLUE SKIES, A MOM'S EMBRACE MEAN ALL THE WORLD TO A CHILD AND CAN SAVE HER LIFE. THE STARTING POINT OF THE PAINTING WAS THE VERSE IN JAMES THAT SAYS, "PURE AND GENUINE RELIGION IS THIS,... TO CARE FOR THE ORPHAN IN THEIR DISTRSS". ORIGINAL $300 UNFRAMED $400 FRAMED NOTE CARDS AND PRINTS AVAILABLE

THE ORPHAN'S BLEEDING HEART

THIS PAINTING IS AN ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR REPRESENTING THE ORPHANS' BLEEDING HEARTS. IF YOU LOOK CLOSE ENOUGH, YOU WILL SEE A CROSS IN THE BACKGROUND WHICH RESEMBLES HOPE IN WORLD OF HOPLESNESS. DUANE WROTE A POEM FOR THIS... FRAMED -- $450 Limited prints -11x14 -- $75.00 8x10 -- $35.00 5x7 -- $25.00 notecards set of 10 --$15.00 "Bleeding Hearts" I see a world of bleeding hearts A world where children long for home A world where sorrow tends to roam From place to place With no sign of grace For the ones who go to bed hungry and fatherless I look harder still And see a sight that brings both tears and delight A cross in the distance A cross that cries out “Hope for the helpless! Strength for the weary! A home for the broken heart!” It is so beautiful that I weep with the bleeding hearts There is hope here There is a hope here in this cross A love that transforms us from death to life From a worm to a butterfly Beautiful, free, longing for the spring’s sunshine That wonderful light that reveals His love to us When will we share this gift with the bleeding hearts? It is wrapped up in His light It is there to give God simply needs us to take heed of His call He asks us to care and to share Let’s share the gift kdc 11-28-06

"MEANT TO BE" -- ORIGINAL WATER COLOR. This is a closeup of the painting. The actual painting size is 24X8. THE POEM DUANE WROTE FOR THIS IS AS FOLLOWS: " The Way You Were Meant To Be" Silent nights, silent days Were what you knew in the orphan’s haze Though noise was there it was only noise No books, no songs, no love, no toys We could see it in your eyes the very first look The very first loving look that we took Into your sad eyes that longed so much For a faithful, loving, forever touch We held you close, we held you long Your heart cried out for the Savior’s song That all our hearts cry and yearn for Your Creator cried, too, all the more In His infinite wisdom, in His beautiful time He brought you together like a beautiful rhyme To a family that loves you with love divine And now your eyes sparkle with that love, they shine! When we look at your face, what we now see Is that you, Sweet Child, are how you’re meant to be. kdc 2-1-05 .

ELI PORTRAIT

This is a portrait of Eli that I recently finished. The original is not for sale but you may purchase prints or note cards. When Eli saw this painting, he pointed at it, smiled and shouted his name! He recognized himself! If you would like an ORIGINAL painting of your child please contact me at kdcarter@mac.com. ORIGINAL not available. Limited prints -11x14 -- $75.00 8x10 -- $35.00 5x7 -- $25.00 notecards set of 10 --$15.00 Christmas ornaments of this painting available at cafepress.com/melissaart.

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR. THE SIZE IS 24X30. THIS PAINTING CELEBRATES GOD'S CREATION. I LOVE THE BEACH AND ENJOY WATCHING THE PALM TREES SWAY IN THE BREEZE WHILE GOD SPLASHES THE SKY WITH WONDERFUL BRIGHT COLORS. ORIGINAL UNFRAMED $250 ORIGINAL FRAMED $300 NOTECARDS AND PRINTS AVAILABLE

Asian Child

The ORIGINAL is a 24x18 watercolor. This ORIGINAL painting is NOT FOR SALE. Prints are available. This painting was painted from the referral picture of our friend's little girl, Kate. I changed her clothing to represent that of the rich, colorful fabric of the country. China is represented in the Background. The Chinese Character for Love is written in Gold If you would like an ORIGINAL painting of your child please contact me at kdcarter@mac.com. ORIGINAL not available. Limited prints -11x14 -- $75.00 8x10 -- $35.00 5x7 -- $25.00 notecards set of 10 --$15.00 Christmas ornaments of this painting available at cafepress.com/melissaart.

Asian Child Close Up The ORIGINAL is a 24x18 watercolor. This ORIGINAL painting is NOT FOR SALE. Prints are available. This painting was painted from the referral picture of our friend's little girl. I changed her clothing to represent that of the rich, colorful fabric of the country. If you would like an ORIGINAL painting of your child please contact me at kdcarter@mac.com. ORIGINAL not available. Limited prints -11x14 -- $75.00 8x10 -- $35.00 5x7 -- $25.00 notecards set of 10 --$15.00 Christmas ornaments of this painting available at cafepress.com/melissaart.