Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Christmas Check List...

I vowed not to take in any commissions to complicate my traditional Christmas pursuits... and succeeded. "Not a creature is stirring..." in that camp and oh... what a relief it has been! All household and yard tasks have been dealt with as well. The outside gallery has been delivered inside to the downstairs storage area for the winter. The inside studio is tidied and ready for our winter works program. The firewood is stacked and stored safely... and kindled. The yard work is done... gardens put top sleep and leaves bagged and delivered to the local waste site. We are ready... to batten down the winter hatches... and to prepare for Christmas celebrations.

My first winter works item was to create another personal heirloom piece for my children. You will recall that River Spirit was sent off to Allison's home for Christmas 2014. This year she will deliver it to her bro' Andrew's home... where it will hang for Christmas 2015. It will be present for their joint celebrating... and "I" shall then be present. That is already in the planning stage!

This year... I have been kicking around the "Idea"... or painting theme which would relate to Christmases passed that I shared with Liam and Bryn. My fondest memories were obviously spent with them in Nova Scotia... where we "lurked" together constantly. Just so you understand their term "lurked"... the equivalent is beach bombed. Peggy's Cove Light was a favorite haunt... in every kind of weather... even during gales.... winds and glee and laughter!!

We went ever day in search of pirate treasure along the many nearby ocean side beaches. Visions of doubloons danced in all of our heads. But we settled for shards of sea glass, china and a variety of seashells and float-some that ended up in their garden shed "museum".... shelves and all! They were halcyon Never Land adventures that still linger as fresh as the salty sea air in our nostrils and hearts - Forever!

Here is the image that has emerged to celebrate those memories. I think that this image closely and honestly captures my feelings. I know it will theirs too! Time is something that we all are given. It is meant to be used for our own goal-seeking and pleasure... and wisely used too. However... it is meant to be shared to... especially with our children. It is this unconditional connection in their early lives that will shape and produce generous adult "children". I am proud to note... that I am very blessed to have five generous children... who possess beautiful minds... intellect and generous spirits. This painting visually confirms our connection... Then... Now ... and Always!

Merry Christmas Girls and Boys!!!.... We love You Guys dearly... "To the moon and back!"



"Down East Vigil" - oil on canvas 24x20 inches


Allison and Andrew's version "River Spirit"... speaks of our common early childhood of River memories and plein air paint outs together in "shallow waters"!! Merry Christmas K'Town and Rockwood!



"River Spirit! - oil on canvas 20x16 inches


Good Painting!.... to ALL!!

8 comments:

  1. I love both of these!!!! Thanks so much for sharing - this time of year is a time to slow down, reflect, enjoy, spend time with those we love (and some we don't! ha ha), but most of all, a slowing down for a while. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  2. Thanks for your visit and encouraging comments Rhonda! It is very difficult to slow down at Christmas because we each have a list (or two)... and we're checkin' it twice... or more. Busy time for all!

    Slow down and reflection comes in January perhaps... the usual time to ponder what lies ahead and make resolutions... to be broken! HA HA!!!

    Have a great weekend. Back to my Christmas card list!!!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Hi Bruce, I love these two paintings, and even more so as they hold so many cherished memories.
    Being an Antipodean I thought you might find it comical to hear that here we have Xmas cards showing Father Christmas at the beach surfing........wearing the correct upper attire but board-shorts below. :-D They always make me smile.
    I want to thank you for your wonderful and generous comments on my blog. Your words were most appreciative......thank you so very, very much.

    I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    Cheers,
    Helen

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  4. Hi there Helen!... Despite being Antipodean... we share measurable and joyful similarities in our separate painting processes. We artists are minstrels really... vagabonds carrying our songs and using our voices to share glad tidings... in an increasingly hostile and uncaring world.

    Together ... when we meet... we present the very best that our species is capable of creating through the Arts that we serve.

    I am always enriched greatly whenever I visit your unique blog and view your new and masterful works.

    Stay tuned... I have another snowman... already working his magical way into reality... in a tropical kind o' fashion. Stay tuned...


    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your Antipodean family!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Good Morning Bruce. It's a wonderful idea to have these personal, family paintings. I'm sure they will become more precious with each passing year. I especially like this year's offering: it sums up so well the spirit of the season.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  6. Good evening Keith!... I have really enjoyed making these paintings for the children in my family of five. I know that they much appreciate them at present... and I assume that they will gain even more meaning... as Time moves along.

    This one does indeed sum up the spirit of the Christmas season - Children and the magic of waiting... for the "Spirit of Christmas"... Himself to arrive.

    Thank you for visiting and once again for your perceptions about the works. We do indeed share a common path in life and in our painting Keith.

    Rich blessings... and Glad tidings to You and Yours in this Joyous Season!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Delightful paintings Bruce both are lovely! great idea too! wishing you and your family a cosy Christmas holiday together. Wondering if you have the snow and if it is cold. Still quite mild here very unusual for Scotland and it doesn't feel like Christmas yet!

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  8. Hi there Lass!.... Thanks for the encouraging words for my Snow Folk!

    No snow yet and little prospect the snow soothsayers predict... even for Christmas itself. Time will tell. Been a long time since I can remember a green Christmas really... but I do recall a few.

    Wishing you a Merry and white Christmas too... filled with much Peace... Happiness... Joy and Good Health!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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