Celebrating December...

Hello!

Can you believe it? In just a few more days we will be celebrating Christmas!

I must confess, my celebrating has begun! I am all caught up on commission work and at last, am able to dabble in my own art, such as my art journal. It felt so fabulous to sit by the Christmas tree early this morning, with my cup of coffee and watercolors. Our new little friend joined in! Although we have no children...

our home just seems much more complete now with the "Elf on the Shelf"! Any name suggestions would be appreciated in the comments, please, as we have not yet named our boy elf!

Presents have been purchased, wrapped, and are displayed beneath the tree. Donations, check!

Cards were all addressed and mailed soon after Thanksgiving.

Seriously, friends... This feels so incredibly nice! I must do this again next year! All I did differently was start earlier and stayed committed! I even did a complete purge with my clothes closet!

Oh, and then I did treat myself to a set of six Laura Mercier soufflé body cremes!

 

Oh my.

If you have not tried...

You really must.

I loved every scent, however, my personal favorite has so far, been the pistache.

I will now be requesting that Santa bring me a full size jar each year since it is a bit expensive.

We have enjoyed getting out and admiring pretty things...

There's just something about all of the lights, the music, the smells, and even the tv commercials that warm the heart each December.

I pray for world peace and for those who dread this time of year due to circumstances. Please, do not let these people go forgotten, dear ones. We can all give a smile, a hug, or a greeting card to help brighten someone's day!

Merry Christmas to all...

from our home to yours.

See you again soon!

XO

 

Treasures of the Sea...

Around here lately...

It seems that I am surrounded in water, as it has been raining. Big rain.

That's fine with me because I adore water.

I am especially fond of the sea...

it's hues of turquoise, blue, green, and white.

Tranquility.

Sea creatures fascinate me...

even if they really only live in my head....

or not?

I like to believe that they do exist.

Sunken treasures below.

I ponder all of these things while sculpting clay heads and tails.

While painting tiny fish.

I have enjoyed several sea theme art projects since returning home from our vacation.

The mixed media mermaid doll was a fun project for an art doll swap! She is being shipped to New York today. In return, I will receive a handmade art doll from my swap partner in New York!

This is what I refer to as my "play time" art. My hobby. Art with no instructions!

This big guitar case was my most recent commission. Although it came to me with instructions, I absolutely loved doing this piece!

"Bugs" is a pet dog who has passed on. My lovely client hired me to paint this case as a tribute to Bugs...

a gift for the doggie parents. Isn't that sweet?

I feel as if I am still on vacation with all of these sea projects...

I even added some ambient lighting to the tree, right outside of my studio window.

Fireflies in a sea colored jar? Oh yes!

It makes me smile!

Sending some tranquility your way!

I'll meet you back here again soon!

XO

 

Christmas past...

For us, it was a very quiet Christmas Day here on the prairie. As I made my way into the kitchen to get a cup of java, I noticed that it was going to be a sunny day, according to the shadows on the wall. Of course, I paused. Admired and then went back to the bedroom to grab my camera. I love waking up to such surprises!

Beside the coffee pot sits my shabby chalkboard (which I now use as a calendar).

December 25th. Christmas.

I hope that you had a wonderful one!

I called my family first thing. I think that next December I am going to suggest to them that we celebrate as a family AFTER Christmas has passed. Possibly, we will be able to ring in the new year together!

As I sipped the coffee, I did browse through the photos that we had taken just two weekends ago. We had a perfect Christmas together and I cherish the memories.

I am in no hurry to take down our Christmas decorations. In fact, I would never do so before New Years Day! It's all too pretty and I enjoy the warm and cozy!

I do, however, need to return to reality and routine.

I brushed up on my painting yesterday afternoon.

Tiny greeting cards in watercolor.

I rarely do art for fun these days. Personal art. It was pure joy to simply play!

Today:

December 26th.

Christmas past.

I have three large commission paintings to produce by February so today I begin!

Wishing you a fabulous day and I will meet you right back here...

very soon!

XO

 

I wish...

I wish that every day could be Christmas!

Well, okay...

That might take away some of the excitement and joy if it were Christmas season all year long, but I would, however, enjoy having these warm feelings (that seem especially strong and present this time of year), every single day.

Speaking for only myself, I do feel more giving, more thoughtful and compassionate. Possibly it is because I become more aware in December. Aware that it is the season to give. Aware that there are so many less fortunate people in this world, and even in my own community.

Aware that I can do something.

I seem to become more driven to do my part in helping others and wow, that feels incredibly good!

This is REAL joy, indeed!

All of my senses really kick in when December rolls around!

I don't want to miss out on anything...

The smells of pine trees, cinnamon, candies and fudge being made in specialty shops...

The sounds of the Salvation Army bells, Christmas songs playing on the radio.

My eyes are wide open to all of the beauty and the magic that surrounds us, even while out running errands.

Lights, sparkles, and often, (in Kansas), SNOW!

We greeted our first snow of the season this morning!

Naturally, I grabbed my camera and my heavy brown coat. I through on some boots and out the door I went, careful not to leave too many foot impressions in the freshly fallen snow. That ruins a great photo opp!

Snap, snap, snap.

Isn't it great that we no longer have to ask ourselves if a subject is photo worthy or not? With digital, I feel so free to shoot!

After playing Miss photographer in the front yard, I made my way to the backside of our house.

I'm never out in the snow for very long. It's dreadfully cold.

Inside, I brewed a pot of coffee. At night I've been sipping tea or hot cocoa with a peppermint stick. I swirl the stick around and around, allowing the mint to dissolve and add a hint of "wintery" flavor. Those pure sugar sticks work best for this! (Those softer sticks).

Another special something that I only do during the Christmas season.

 

Today I finished my last custom ordered ornament so I am now officially taking a mini vacation to spend time on personal art and with family.

It was a successful year for selling and I thank my supporters from the bottom of my heart.

I never ever imagined that I would actually be living my dream.

I did make some time to finally bleach some of those charming bottle brush trees! I even glittered a few!

I purchased several of them last year but simply never found the time to get creative with them.

I had planned on dying some and adding "bulbs", but I was so captivated by the whites and the creamy colors that I decided to save the dying for next year.

For now, I sit in my favorite chair, all wrapped up in a soft sweater. Gazing at our pretty tree. Staying present!

Oh, how I wish...

that almost every day could be Christmas!

Sending blessings your way.

Peace & Love to all.

 

*Pumpkin Love*

Orange, yellow, purple, gold, red, and brown.

Are you seeing them too?

I'm finding these lovely, rich colors of Fall here and there...

on a morning walk, I have stumbled upon resting leaves beneath the trees.

Every market has pumpkins now, in all shapes and sizes!

Because our pumpkin patch failed us...

I purchased some pumpkins for our home. I am particularly fond of these white pumpkins.

Of course, I bought an orange one too...

and I really love painting them, as you may already know about me.

Most evenings are spent in the living room with hubby. He watches television while I play with my watercolors. I must confess, I have quite a collection of watercolors since they are my fave. I have itty bitty field sets, medium size sets, tubes, half pans, watercolor pencils, hydrus watercolors, and even that very expensive 48 color palette in a metal box.

I love them all equally, for different uses.

I want more watercolors, can you believe? Not to be a greedy or snobby artist... But because I truly get so very excited to try them all! (and I still use each and every set)!

For Halloween art, I really like the iridescent watercolors and Twinkling H20's.

Do you have a favorite medium or hobby that you just never can get enough of?

During the day I am still plugging away with commissions.

 

An Irish Blessing in honor of a man who turns 80 years old in October. His grown children asked me to do the painting, which will be donated to their church. Isn't that so nice?

The man was also a wheat farmer.

I absolutely enjoy hearing the stories that go with each commission. These are real people with real events...

and I always feel so honored myself, to be a part of.

God is good!

By night...

I'm right back here, in the living room...

 

Yes, I got the Halloween decorations out...

Even the lights!

*pumpkin love*

Xo

 

Paint, Powder... Perfect!

Hello!

I'm sitting in bed, all warm and cozy...

watching the Oscar awards. A nice end to a perfect, snow filled day.

It started yesterday evening with sleet. At about midnight the fluffy snow began to fall from the sky. This morning I grabbed my Sony Nex 5r camera and stepped out to snap a few pictures.

6 degrees out. No kidding!

And then more snow came blowing in.

We were happy to be inside. Hubby cooking up good foods, including a pot of chili.

Me...

With all of my twinkling lights...

Painting.

I couldn't be happier.

Well, I suppose I did get a little happier when this painting sold!

So, tomorrow I plan to do another one somewhat like it.

I'm preparing for a show (March 15th).

It's not easy to create "enough" inventory, but I do the best that I can and just enjoy the entire process. It will be a fun day shared with another friend/seller. It's also for a good cause to help a local family in need. I love my community!

Are you watching the Oscar's?

Please, stay warm and enjoy!

I will be back soon!