POST CHRISTMAS POST
A commission I just finished painting last week
I hope you all had a nice Christmas! It was a gorgeous day here in Florida - sunny and in the mid 70's. For Christmas dinner, seafood replaced the traditional turkey (or worse still - ham! hate that stuff!) Instead of feeling groggy and slug-like post-meal, I felt energized and decided to take a turn around the neighborhood and get some exercise. For someone that used to have to wear socks to bed in the Winter, I am not about to take for granted the sheer luxury of wearing flip-flops in December. The ducks were out on the pond and the breeze was gently rustling the palms. Perfect! As much as I love my work, it is nice to have a couple of days that I don't have to pick up a paintbrush.
I hope you all had a nice Christmas! It was a gorgeous day here in Florida - sunny and in the mid 70's. For Christmas dinner, seafood replaced the traditional turkey (or worse still - ham! hate that stuff!) Instead of feeling groggy and slug-like post-meal, I felt energized and decided to take a turn around the neighborhood and get some exercise. For someone that used to have to wear socks to bed in the Winter, I am not about to take for granted the sheer luxury of wearing flip-flops in December. The ducks were out on the pond and the breeze was gently rustling the palms. Perfect! As much as I love my work, it is nice to have a couple of days that I don't have to pick up a paintbrush.
FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS
My alternative Christmas in the tropics. Yes, my tree IS made of PINK tinsel and surrounded at the base by coral and sea shells. Hey, cut me a little slack, I am an artist, after all.
Here in Florida, all the traditional Christmas trimmings are present, but fake snow and hot cocoa seem a bit seasonally anti-climactic when it's still in the 80's. The funny and beautiful thing about celebrating for the first time in a tropical climate, is that you begin to realize that much of what Christmas is made out to be is not at all important. Living here and celebrating Christmas just serves to accentuate and deepen the real reason for Christmas. Don't get me wrong - I am all for Christmas and even the more kitschy and traditional trappings that go with it - they're fun. However, for me personally, there is something so much more precious and sacred about this day I celebrate. If you take away all the gifts, the decorations, the traditions, the music and the food, there is really nothing left TO "celebrate". Unless, of course, you are celebrating because the essence of Christmas to you is a very real person and not things. I am celebrating the day my Saviour set aside all that He had in heaven with God and humbled Himself to come to this earth as a tiny, dependent baby and live a very difficult life that had at it's end a most torturous and humiliating death, followed by a glorious resurrection. All because He loved and valued all of us enough to want to give us this gift of being restored to a relationship with our Father and Creator and have a real purpose in life greater than just living our lives for ourselves. So, here in Florida, even amongst all the non-traditional Christmas beauty, I am reminded that there is a greater gift I possess. If you take everything else away, the fact that Jesus has come to be not only my Saviour, but my best friend, comfort, purpose and joy, everyday of the year AND throughout my entire life is the real reason I celebrate Christmas. Regardless of whatever reasons you have for celebrating or not celebrating Christmas, I wish you ALL love, joy and enduring peace this Christmas and in the New Year!
THE BLOGGING SISTERHOOD
Patricia's superior version of a thank-you note
Patricia van Essche - President of the "Artists' Support Network"!!
A gift package, van Essche style! What a gift for presentation!
One of the guys in my "break room"
The view at my recharge spot - not bad, eh?
My break lounge
You know, things have been really crazy here lately. I love my work, but it's also beyond amazing to get away for a couple of hours for a break and recharge. Nothing kills creativity like fatigue, and all it takes sometimes is just a short 2 hour break. When I do need a break, I head to one place in particular, a quiet local beach. Sitting there listening to the surf and soaking up a few rays is my way to relax and I feel so blessed to have such an incredible"breakroom"! Some of the guys there are a little pesky, especially when they come over to beg for food, but I just ignore them and they eventually fly off.
One of the drawbacks of being an artist is that you generally work alone, although that's also how I work best. It's imperative that you make time for social interaction and have a support base to keep you balanced and inspired. That is why it's been so wonderful, since I've been blogging, to meet some incredible people who share many of the same interests and challenges. One person in particular is Patricia van Essche. I am sure many of you have seen her work before and read about her on my blog, as well as many others. She is an amazing artist and one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met. I am excited that she is going to start her own blog very soon. Although we've never met yet in person, she has already been such a great friend to me. She has offered me some wonderful advice, sources, support and feedback. The other day, I got a wonderful package in the mail from her. The best part was that she took the time to send me the best thank-you card I've ever received, a hand rendered illustration that's not only adorable, but incredibly clever as well. There was also a charming little painting on wood of a crab. Very apropos for my location! Knowing I love anchovies, she was also thoughtful enough to include some Dutch fish spread her husband loves (she recently returned from a trip to Europe with her family, her in-laws live in Monaco). Her instructions made me laugh - "Eat this on toast with parsley, LOTS of parsley". I am guessing the parsley is to counteract the deathly toxic breath the fish spread probably gives you! LOL. It definitely put a big smile on my face. Thank you, Patricia! I will let you know how it goes when I open the can.....
My point is that, as the year begins to draw to a close, I am so thankful for all the friends I have met here. There's an endless list of people I could thank that includes many fellow bloggers, readers, and clients. Especially, Patricia van Essche, Courtney Barnes, Joni Webb, Ronda Carman and Holly Becker. Thanks for serving as such an inspiration and support network. There is a real "sisterhood" (and brotherhood, too) that's very real, despite the fact that there are many miles between all of us.
DEAR DESIGNER
Some photos I snapped yesterday at the beach on my "day off".
You may be wondering what these photos have to do with the title of this post?? Well, nothing actually to do with the title, BUT, just keep reading...
Firstly, I just wanted to thank Emily Johnston, of the Dallas-based blog, Dear Designer, for featuring my work this week. Emily is a young designer with the novel approach of educating and providing the client with stylish, yet affordable options for those of us who are looking to make the most of our budget. Emily contacted me this week for some art/design work and I am looking forward to working with her! Thanks, Emily!
I am constantly surprised and amazed at all the wonderful people I continue to meet here worldwide through this design/blogging community. As the time for Thanksgiving approaches (can't believe it's next week!) I am reminded to take a breather from my feverish pace of late and look around me. I have so much to be thankful for. Sometimes, in just trying to survive and stay on top of things, we forget to pause and be refreshed and inspired by the beauty and good things in our lives. Yesterday, I took a rare day off and was reminded why I am so blessed to live here in Florida. The natural beauty here is incredible! It really does inspire creativity.
I am constantly surprised and amazed at all the wonderful people I continue to meet here worldwide through this design/blogging community. As the time for Thanksgiving approaches (can't believe it's next week!) I am reminded to take a breather from my feverish pace of late and look around me. I have so much to be thankful for. Sometimes, in just trying to survive and stay on top of things, we forget to pause and be refreshed and inspired by the beauty and good things in our lives. Yesterday, I took a rare day off and was reminded why I am so blessed to live here in Florida. The natural beauty here is incredible! It really does inspire creativity.
It's true that no matter what we are going through in life, good or not so good, there are always things to be thankful for. The people who love and support us, new friends, the natural beauty, and the simple pleasures in life. The capacity to appreciate things is, in itself, a priceless gift from God.
