More Holiday Art

It's A Holly Jolly Christmas

As promised, the second inspiration.  It's a long story, but I will attempt to shorten.  For years, since I was a very young girl, I have drawn and painted holly.  In fact, for my very first commission ever I created baker's dough, clay wreaths with holly leaves and berries (I was 13, and that is a completely different and long story).  Almost always I used three leaves and three berries which would show up on homemade gift tags, note cards, decoration on stationery.  It was just a way to add a little holiday color to what ever I was doing, not art, just decoration.  Doodles, almost.  I never thought of painting this subject.

A couple weeks ago while listening to Holiday music the notes and words to Holly Jolly Christmas filled the air.  The snow wasn't falling, in fact it was very dry outside, not much snow on the ground, and the thought of painting more snowmen just wasn't going anywhere.  While the music played I was standing at the kitchen sink looking out through the window at a large, lush holly bush which is covered with brilliant red berries.  Hmmmm......

The palette from my most recent Desert Plant painting was filled with simple, basic, primary colors...perfect for Holly.  I ran into the studio, picked up the brush, grabbed a small canvas and started painting.  

Inspired by a song, a bush, and previous doodles.  It's a great time of year, and though there might not be snow, we can still have a Holly Jolly Christmas.  

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow

but have a cup of cheer

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

And when you walk down the street

Say Hello to friends you know

and everyone you meet.

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Mural Painting

Giving Time to Help Another Painter

Even though I have a canvas on my easel, I took a few hours today to help a fellow artist work on her mural at Kings Beach Elementary School.  The design is based on a Shel Silverstein poem which deals with seeing things from a different point of view, hence the school bus in the clouds and the upside down tree.  There is more work to be done, children to be added, details here and there, but you get the idea.  I worked on the clouds and the tree greenery....such fun!

Some of the students have had the opportunity to be involved with the project giving them a sense of ownership and exposure to art.  That's a darn good thing since so many art programs have been removed from our schools.  And the whole idea of seeing your world from a different perspective is a inspiring thought for young children.  This is why I was very happy to give some time to this project.