12.26.2007



On winter’s margin, see the small birds now
With half-forged memories come flocking home
To gardens famous for their charity.
The green globe’s broken;
vines like tangled veins
Hang at the entrance to the silent wood.---Mary Oliver



Did you receive my wishes for a wonderful Christmas? I did not make it to the computer but I whispered the blessings to you each time I passed in front of the computer on my way to wrap gifts, bake yet another batch of cookies and prepare for Santa.




Each Christmas Eve after the cookies and milk have been set out for Santa, after Olivia has written the thank note and just before the reading of Twas the Night, we settle down in front of the TV. Just for 20 something minutes to watch The Snowman. It is a tradition I will never give up- even when I am an empty-nester, I will pull out this movie on Christmas Eve. I just adore the film and my hubby does too. It is gentle and wonderful and oh so very very magical! With just a few words in the beginning, the music and illustrations carry you to a place where anything can happen. and isn' t that a wonderful place to be, especially for a child on Christmas Eve.




Did Santa bring your heart's desire?


One thing he so thoughfully brought me was 4 hours of uninterrupted art time. yes 4 whole hours! With just a smidgen of guilt, I accepted the gift, waded through the mounds of discarded wrapping paper and vanished in the evening, leaving my husband to figure out how to put together the hogwarts lego set. He is a darling! Do I ever mention how good he is to me?


Changes were made to a painting and a new one for our kitchen was begun and finished. The new kitchen piece titled offering was done on a 12 x 12 museum profile canvas (my first) and I adore the way the sides look all painted and well, like, professional, in the kitchen...now all I have to do is paint the kitchen ---benjamin moore, homestead green----and before that strip the old wallpaper that was here when we bought the house...ohhhh....I feel another project coming on!





can you see that in the first image i reworked the background and the image on her shirt is new? the painting was inspired by the seasons and the way that in winter we have faith that spring will come....

blessings for a wonderful peace-filled new year!

xoxo,

24 comments:

Rella said...

This is truly a lovely piece for your kitchen.....and if the spurs on a new project..so be it!

Her face is strong. I really like this piece and am happy to hear you had four glorious hours to play.

I wish you every happiness and a peaceful spirit as this year comes to an end and we look to the new one.

xox Rella

MNScrapbookmom said...

Love your new painting.
I do adore the gifts from others that cannot be bought. Time alone to do as we wish with is the most precious of all.
I have really enjoyed your blog this year. Your work inspires me to write and create the most beautiful work.
Thank you for allowing us to peek into your creative world.
Peace to you and yours. ¥

Anonymous said...

beautiful, stunning, heart stopping work as usual... :)

Brandie

Leau said...

These are just beautiful, I especailly like the top one.
And I know your kitchen will be brighter for having the other one in it!

Pilar said...

Beautiful work as always. I am glad you were gifted with some much deserved rest and relaxation. Did you write the poesie at the begining of the post? Have a wonderful New Years!
xoxoxoxoxoxo

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

the new painting is wonderful! i love it. xoxo nita

Regina said...

I love your paintings and the personality that comes through in each piece.
Thanks for sharing your gift!
Happy New Year!

Amy said...

It does seem like completing one project calls for the beginning of another doesn't it. And so it goes. I am so glad that you had time to do your art again.
I am also glad that I am not the only one with a smidge of guilt in her heart when a block of creative time comes my way!! I always have the dusting and laundry and... on my mind. Guilt...The curse of being a good housewife even if it isn't done on a timely basis!!
Amy

Anonymous said...

oooo! As soon as I saw this I thought of female leader assisinated in mideast! What a likeness to her spirit..wow did not expect that??? Lovely Denise Massachusetts

Susan Tuttle said...

Hi Tricia,
These paintings are just fabulous!!--I really love the one at the top of the post--it's very soulful.

We too love The Snowman and watch it every year. I am so in love with the piece of music that is played when the little boy flies with the snowman--there is just something so angelic and spiritually powerful about a child's singing voice--I get tears when I hear that music.

I love your two pieces in Somerset Studio!!!--especially King Baby (love the spoon). Congratulations!!! I was so happy to see them in there!!

Happy New Year my friend!!

Susan
xoxo

Judy said...

Amazing as always Tricia.
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
xo

Susan said...

Tricia, Congrats on SS and on our "Neighbors" write up. Happy New Year and thanks for encouraging me to blog and to get back into art. Glad you are feeling better, also.
Susan K.

Lena said...

As always, your work is lovely Tricia.

I wish you a very happy New Year, filled with all that fills your heart with peace.

All my best.

e.beck.artist said...

lovely work, as always ... glad your christmas was lovely ... blessings in the new year .... e

vicci said...

Happy New Year Sweetie...I am getting ready to do some more work in your 'circle book"...its so beautiful...and you shall get it soon...XXXOOOOO

Shona Cole said...

You are all over Somerset! Congrats. the Teach me one stood out to me (of course, being a fellow homeschooler :) looking forward to seeing more of your work in future issues!

Jamie said...

Happy New Year sweet Tricia! Your Somerset work is fabulous and magical and I love seeing your work in print. I have your sweet Winter piece hanging in my bedroom and everytime I pass it I think of you. Love, Jamie

paige said...

happy new year to you too tricia!
xo

Anonymous said...

Happy new year, Tricia. Your work, as ever, is incredible. I just have to mention that my 12 year old still has her "snowman" that came with the film. It's completely thread bare, but it's still her love... she got it before she was a year old and still sleeps with it. I don't know where our copy of The Snowman is, but now I'm going to be searching for it. It's the first thing that Anna every really "watched". She used to cry at the end when the snowman melted. The sweet thing.
What a wonderful tradition to watch that beautiful piece!

LK said...

oooh, am loving that painting up on top there with the Mary Oliver quote.... perfect.
and that journal page from the last entry...

LK

Bella said...

where oh where is sweet Tricia!?

xo ~Bella

Anonymous said...

Tricia...what beautiful works of art! I am particularly partial to the 1st one. The coloring is magnificent, and I love the contrast of the veiled leaves against her dark hair. You are so talented!

MNScrapbookmom said...

Hope all is well - it's been awhile.
I kinda went through a blogging absence after the holidays - but I am back at it. (and all the Christmas stuff is finally put away.)lol...
Hope your New Year has inspired new work. Can't wait to see what you have been up to. ¥

sue said...

The painting at the top of this post is so breathtakingly beautiful, I just love it!