I’m probably getting old or older, but I am definitely having recently some nostalgia for these times which won’t ever return.
I believe, I am not taking too well the huge overload of commercials screaming at me from everywhere. Wherever I look, it’s just buy this and get this for free and hurry up because these discounts won’t last. Endlessly. It might be also because we never had a large family, and when I was young we were not that much about gifts.
My most memories are about preparations to celebrate Christmas or the New Year. This brings back some fantastic smells of pies and pastries in the oven, the fresh scent of fir-tree and aroma of candles. And real lights of real candles, so warm and so alive. We used to sing a lot, as well. These are sounds of old songs, partially forgotten, but I can still sing them in quite a few languages: my first foreign language was Russian, the next was German, I picked it up early and was able to use fluently by the time I was 12, the third was English quite a few years later. I am a native Latvian, and we have millions of folk songs, so many that every Latvian can call one his or her own. So, yes, we were following the very ancient Latvian traditions which are actually more ancient than English or German traditions since Latvian along with Lithuanian belong to the most ancient still alive languages and can be traced back to the ages of Sanskrit.
I can also remember how we were walking through the deep snow to the nearby forest to get the most beautiful tree. I was told I was only 4 years old. That’s amazing, but I can recall the walk, the snow and the forest. That’s how I’m painting my fir trees, they look exactly as those ones which I saw 52 years ago.
However, my intention was to share the idea about how kids and teens should rather create and make their gifts than try to buy something for money which they probably haven’t even earned yet. We were a lot about creativity, and that was all we were doing when not reading or working: sewing, drawing, painting, making toys, household items, and jewelry, things for our house and for our living space. There were so many ways to bring beauty into our home, and nobody was really worried about expenses because these self-made things did not cost anything or just a little in materials.
I maintained this ability to create everything from practically nothing all my life. I find it exciting, way more exciting than going to the store and buying stuff made in China. I find some of the decorations they sell absolutely tasteless. How much of attraction can actually plastic things have? Fake trees are still somehow OK, even artificial berries and fir and pine cones, but if you ask me, I’d say nothing compares to self-made decorations. However, I love glass balls and ornaments. We used to have some from 1912 and 1938. I asked my mom how that was possible to keep these ornaments not broken through all wars and troubles, and she said they were so small and so lovely, and they were associated with so many memories that everybody was taking an extremely good care about them.
So, finalizing the previously said, I was asking quite a few people:
Instead of buying your gift this holiday season, you could paint one, couldn’t you?
It takes only 3 hours which is such a tiny moment compared to the huge amount of positive energy residing in such a gift. It stays with one forever.
The other day we were painting some birds.
This is one more of small paintings I did for demonstration, it’s 12 x 16 in
I agree, it is more personal gifts to give away even expenses for material;-)
Absolutely. I am always for created stuff, and against consumerism. It’s just too much, so we have to turn back in time which does not necessarily mean to regress.
I loved your blog Inese. It is so true that Christmas can become so caught up with buying stuff. Those traditions are such special memories. Something hand made is always more meaningful. If we look in the right places the real meaning of Christmas can be found where we celebrate the birth if Christ. He is the real reason for the season! We have to look past the tinsel and the glitter and remind ourselves that He came for us all.
Thanks Connie, I completely agree. The meaning of this celebration is lost in commercial deals. I would say it’s sometimes so that we have forgotten what the spirit of winter solstice is, what is the true meaning of Christmas and how we should honor things that belong to such celebration. It’s not all about eating and buying gifts at discounts, the spiritual part is completely forgotten.
The whole focus on giving brings out good things in all of us when we look for ways to give to those in need. It is a special time to give of ourselves to show love to others. That makes Christmas meaningful too!
I couldn’t agree more! The only thing I’d like to add is that giving is often understood only as financial or material support. It has much wider meaning.
I agree with everything you have said, here, Inese. How rich your cultural background is! I remember walking to get a tree, also. I do not continue that tradition, but that is only because I do not like taking anything, in that way, from nature anymore. The gifting of paintings? Wonderful! I have even received requests from the family for which ones they like. They do last longer.
Your paintings, above, are beautiful. I love the weight of the snow that you have captured in each one. and the cardinal is smiling!
Thank you so much Leslie! We also don’t walk anymore to get a tree, and that was 52 years ago in Europe. If I wanted to do that here, would pretty much have to walk for some hundred miles, LOL. That’s exactly what I mean: people have that painting sometimes for all life or for as long as they like it while foods and different soaps and perfumes and similar things get used up right away, and nobody remembers that gift even after a couple of weeks. Plus, most places which I have seen would look way better if they had some art on their walls, they’re sometimes huge and empty. Like a desert of dead ideas, so, definitely, I am thankful you and lots of other people are advising to get a gift of art for people who you care about. Have a great evening!
Even though I have so much to learn in texture and really everything… never the less I am giving a few paintings as gifts this year…. my son’s dogs, butterflies for my sister and another friend and another friend’s dog …. I’ve learned at least that it doesn’t have to look like a photo of the real thing….. just my own thoughts on how to do it. Maybe by Christmas next year I will be so much better…. I might think about taking some classes this next year, if I can… Diane
That’s great! Well, all this stuff about textures, values and contrasts is just something which we have to give a name to in order to be able to explain the process easier. What matters in reality is exactly what you’re saying: your own thoughts, feelings and emotions you’ve put into the painting. We all become better artists over time because we get more familiar with paints, colors, tools, brushes and we know better what to look for and how to show it. I’m very happy about you!
You’ve put into words the thoughts that have been creeping around my head since I saw an ad on TV that suggested buying that someone special a car for Christmas. Thanks for reminding me of the sights and scents of a real Christmas. Fond memories, for sure.
Thanks! These ads can be the most annoying things! Too many, too many times, way too early, it feels like we have started to celebrate in early November. I think nothing is left for the only and one Eve this way since we have spent all energy and all money getting ready for something which results in a big meal and unwrapping of boxes with so much useless stuff in them! We’ve lost the spiritual side completely, I mean, we should try to revive it as much as possible. Maybe walk back in time and start it all over.
They are so lively Inese! Thank you for sharing…wonderful post…great idea! <3
Thanks Lorrie! I hope somebody will like these or similar paintings so much that they get them as a gift for somebody!
Love the little red bird (:
Thanks! I intend to post it on Fine Art America, so that I could get some cards!
Hi Inese, I would like to join your classes. I live in Houston. Is it possible to do so? Sheen.
Well, these classes take place in Whitby, Ontario. I don’t have currently anything online.
Thank you Inese for replying. The people near you are lucky to have you, and I feel so disappointed. I will be following your post. I would have loved to be in the same place as you.
Thanks, I’m so sorry, you feel disappointed, unfortunately, North America is huge, but I usually have some advise on how to proceed, and I hope I will be able to post some steps in the next year, too. There’s simply not enough time for everything. Painting is easy and you could just get the first set of acrylic brushes and paints, and if you are interested in particular image, I could explain in more detail how we get this done! I know, it seems to be difficult at first, but, in fact, there is nothing complicated, it’s just to observe sequence and add layers!
I am hopeless at colors. Please do explain at what to buy, and how to go about it. I would be so grateful. Thank you.
The list of supplies with pictures is under Archives, September 2012. How to start depends on an image, so you’d need to have something in mind.
Thank you, I will look up the archives.
Sure, and you might have a look at some descriptions of classes, too. It’s a very busy moment for me, so I cannot help a lot, but I hope we can figure this out later.
Thank you Inese, I will look up, and try to figure everything out.
And once you have decided what you start with like some simple scene with sky and trees is probably the easiest, I could try to post some steps, too!
Once I get the essentials, and get started I will let you know for further guidance. Thank you, and God Bless you.
No problem, have a great Sunday!
What a wonderful story. I also love things made by people. So much more meaning.
Thanks Brenda! I believe I always loved more to create than to use, even as a kid, I made toy furniture and all decors, etc. for an entire doll house with 3 rooms, set it all up, sewed tiny dresses and other outfits and even painted and made a fashion magazine for that doll, and I never played with all of this, I allowed sister who is younger to do that.
Wow!! How cool!
Maybe, I just simply always liked to make different things, and I started to use sewing machine (mom didn’t like it because I was breaking needles) when I was just 8. Later I applied myself to pottery and amber jewelry making groups, and since I was very shy I also applied for theater group to participate in live plays. This is how I got rid of getting red flushes on my cheeks every time I had to speak in public. Basically, I learned everything from sewing to jewelry making and pottery, and the rest like making my own purses or some decors for home I just figured out. I was a very active teen, meaning, I would make everything I didn’t have.
Such energy! I love that your mother let you keep going despite broken needles. I’ve broken a few needles in my time, too. 🙂
We were alone at home, parents were working, so I could do whatever during the day. I bought my own sewing machine when I was 13, I worked all summer and since the seller had lost the user manual (that was a very good German machine) I got it at very little amount even though it was completely new, they just didn’t know how to use it. I took it apart, put back together, and it’s still in a good working condition in Latvia. I have here another sewing machine, I couldn’t live without it.
It seems you are also in writing, painting, crafting, sewing and all kinds of creation! I think it’s the best what one can be: creative in all possible ways. That not only saves huge amounts of money, but it allows to be always the best dressed, the best looking, have the best home decor and design, have a cute garden, I mean everything. Being creative helps even cook fantastic meals, doesn’t it?
Yes, I love to cook, too. I have my herb garden for making soups all year long. I cut some sage and thyme today. My soup has spinach, cabbage, fresh ginger, sage, rosemary, thyme, celery, leeks, carrots and an apple. My husband made the stock last night. 🙂 If you are creative, I think it flows into anything you do. Life is never the same two days in a row. Always the sun is shining no matter the weather. 🙂
Oh, your soup sounds fantastic! I’m usually limiting myself to fewer ingredients, but I also have parsley and rosemary in big pots in the downstairs gallery room, they look nice and I use them a lot! Well, my sun might here there disappear, but I totally agree that creativity adds different flavor to each day and it realistically flows into anything one does! Thanks Brenda! Bon appetit!
I get to throw lots of things in the pot, we always eat it all. And it’s going to be a cold stormy week. A week where a healthy soup is the best medicine. 🙂
See, you inspired me so much, that we decided to have some soup, as well. It’s going to be borsch, I know that Canadians rarely eat or hardly know this soup, but once my husband tried it for the first time, I have to cook it quite often. There are hundreds of borsch recipes, my favorite is with fresh cabbage. There is just the regular stuff like carrots, potatoes, soup bones and beets, plus green onions,small bit of parsley and dill at the end. It’s eaten with sour cream.
I could not agree with you more: hot soup is the best medicine, the best source of energy and nutrients on a cold stormy winter day which we are having right now. So, Brenda, you inspired me to make tonight’s dinner, and I sort of felt I didn’t want to cook nothing. Enjoy your meal, I sure will mine!
Yum, I have never tasted borscht, but I should try it one day. 🙂
Definitely, it’s very good, we just had it, and really loved. Cheers!
We had ours, too. And it was delicious. You’re right, it does give energy. We had to go out for a choir concert, and it was good to have some fresh, hot food first.
That’s nice! Obviously the right choice! I was freezing all day, but once I had this borshch it warmed me up fantastically! I am feeling so cozy now! I didn’t even know I spelled it wrong before! Oh well, I was hungry! This is how Russian site spells it in EN, Wikipedia spells it “Borscht”, but adds in brackets: also borsch, bortsch, borstch, borsh. Cool or what?
Cool. I had spelled it differently, but my autocorrect overrode it. I shrugged. What do I know about spelling a Russian word? LOL
Who cares how it’s spelled as long as it’s delicious!
Thanks! I appreciate you stopped by!
This is a very inspiring post! Thank you, and have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Thanks Resa, I always enjoy your pictures so much! I wish you also an exciting and beautiful holiday season with lots of pleasure!
Thank you!
You know, I’ve always wanted to draw a paper doll, and her gowns. I thought I could post them on my artgowns.com blog. for anyone to print out.
I used to make paper dolls for my friends when I was young, but I’m not sure anyone would enjoy them today.
Your work is fabulous! _Resa
Thanks Resa! When I was 10-12 years old, I was also drawing and painting paper dolls, and I usually gave them as gifts. Those times, we didn’t have internet, but that’s such a great idea. I actually thought about that, too. I wish you lots of success, you should definitely go ahead and just make some. I think other people would enjoy them a lot because that stuff is sort of forgotten nowadays!
Thank you! <3
I value your thoughts!
You’re very welcome! I think your paper doll project will be a real hit!
As we age, there is an acceptance that time is finite, that building memories are much more valuable than “stuff.” Just the other day, my quote for the day was my Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon: “Remember this December, That love weights more than gold.” All the very best of the holiday season…
I couldn’t agree more, and that’s why I am trying to convince those in doubt that a gift is way more than some item bought at a discount just for the sake of gift. As we age, our memories really seem to matter much more than touchable things.
I like what you say about the time it takes to create something. Much more rewarding use of time than walking around a mall.
Thanks! Definitely, and all we can buy is somehow not that original or special. What is special about mass-produced items? There are obviously people who enjoy whatever, but creating a gift means one has had this person who will receive the gift always on his or her mind. We do not pay any attention to energy present in one thing or another, but we should. Things created with love will glow with it and continue sending out positive energies.
Inese your Christmas blog brings about many memories in my own life and all is so… so true. So much has been lost in the real meaning of Christmas. My favourite time of the year. It is such a special time to renew and revisit and remember from a history of Christmases in our lifetime and those who shared with us years ago. Also such a super time to connect with the deeper nature inside ourselves , giving, helping and bringing as much joy as we can to others.
Thanks Liz! When Christmas starts in November, there’s not much left for the night which should be white, peaceful, spiritually rich and blessed for all of us. We cannot live in the past, neither can we in future, so I’m trying to make the present a small bit how it was in 60-s or 70-s. I believe everybody revisits his or her past at some point during Christmas, it’s great when we can send out good thoughts and also add to our own positive energy. You Liz are a very generous person, and I think you deserve the most blessed Christmas possible! This world would be such a wonderful place if there were more people who care so much about others as you do! Have a wonderful Christmas time!
You have a beautiful site Inese. It works for me too to start Christmas on Christmas. I observe Advent, which really prepares one inwardly for the true meaning; the wait makes Christmas more special. Anyway, Thank you for following me! Have a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks! So much agree: the wait makes Christmas so wonderful. I’m usually following blogs with interesting content or similar interests in hopes that their blog (this time yours) will follow me back. I appreciate you stopped by!