Painting merry Christmas decreases the dread and fears of pandemic. During the last years, we’ve had everything: surprises and shocks, excitement and anxiety, elevated moods and bad times, fears and hope depending on where we tried to celebrate our merry Christmas. All the ups and downs have left us sometimes in doubt whether it’s worth going for a full-scale celebration. Well, restrictions are part of our life, too. That doesn’t affect my intentions since I am not going anywhere.
I used to paint many winter, snow and holiday-themed artworks. Partially that was because I gave numerous art classes and students wanted to create something specifically for this time. What better way to wish somebody merry Christmas than with a handmade artwork? Since I took new pictures of some watercolor paintings, I thought to post them.
Poinsettia and sunset creek paintings are from 2010, birches, snowman and small winter landscape: from 2017 and January of 2018. The largest creek painting is a huge one: 53.5 x 74 cm or 21.5 x 29 in. The smaller version of Sunset creek painting is 14 x 19 in or 36 x 48 cm . Back then, it usually took me from 2 weeks to about a month to get done one large painting. I didn’t use any masking fluid, therefore, I had to paint around any tiny white spots. I still don’t use masking fluid since I cannot stand the extra hard edges it leaves on cotton paper.
The online display has always seemed problematic to me, especially since I can never show the actual size of painting and changes in color affect the look also. My current WordPress theme has lots of limitations, but until the new one in 2022 comes out, I don’t see any other good options. I wish the Shopify buttons looked better, not that tiny or not that large with the full-size view. The horizontal images look unreasonably small with my current theme, and the vertical ones become huge. All of that misleads the viewer, and it’s kind of silly to expect art would make as much impact as it does in real settings.
My studio was doing comparatively great in Whitby up to August 2018, but the frequent moving, relocating to Ajax and years of pandemic are a bit of disaster. Internet environment has changed to a great extent, as well. There are abnormally many places to post art, but none really which can be used effectively. For me, posting on Facebook or similar places has not resulted in extra reach, I’ve got a bit more than 1,000 likes. I’m not on Instagram because I don’t use phone. We can post now from computer also, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it. When I had a giveaway, Facebook wanted me to pay for the post in order somebody would see it. Does that make sense? Not for me.
The winter solstice was yesterday, and now, we are very close to our merry Christmas of the second pandemic year. I suppose, many of us simply scale down and still have some good moments. We’ve got a smaller size, but very good-looking tree this year. The numerous room plants, as well my art on all surfaces around us, takes care of festive settings. I didn’t buy any gifts neither last year, nor this. I intend to paint one gift still. It won’t be season-related, but I should get to work.
Maybe you could paint some merry Christmas art, too? The snowman and blue snow landscape were painted just for fun. It makes most sense to create such art for yourself and to your liking. The good thing about art is: it doesn’t expire and it’s always in style as long as you like it. Art is also the most memorable gift we can get or give. Years will pass, but when you look at a particular painting, you’ll always recall when you got it, who gave it to you, or how you created it. Art visualizes our memories and they stay with us for a lifetime.
I’d like to wish merry Christmas to everybody who celebrates it, and a nice holiday season to these, who have other festivities planned! Stay healthy and safe!
Original watercolor paintings for sale
Thank you for the gift of your beautiful winter paintings, Inese, I enjoyed them very much.
I wish you a Christmas filled with happy and peaceful moments and a good transition into the new year.
Warmly,
Tanja
Thank you very much Tanja!
I hope Christmas will be like that, peaceful and cozy. My family is far away, so it’s just two of us here in Canada and we are all set to have a quiet holidays.
I wish you also peaceful and safe Christmas, as well as a good year ahead of you!
Thank you, Inese.
Best wishes,
Tanja
Likewise. I hope you’re having a good Christmas Eve.
Beautiful Inese. Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄👼🛐
Thank you very much Cindy!
We warm ourselves at the fireplace of memories and soothe the aching heart with beauty.
Merry Christmas to you also and have a good time during holidays!
All the very best of the special season Inese, to you and yours. I agree there are many ways in which to decrease the dread and fears of the pandemic. Your reflections on intentions resonated with me. Thank you!!
Thank you very much Rebecca!
By now, we are all used to adapt swiftly to whatever comes our way. Hopefully, at some point, life will be simpler and more satisfying again.
Have a cozy, warm and peaceful Christmas and holiday time! All the best!
I am grateful for our virtual friendship, Inese!! 2022 here we go!
I feel the same. How difficult it would be without the virtual friends? It seems that I kind of know you, have learned something from and about you and it’s always great to exchange a few thoughts and ideas.
I hope we continue the virtual friendship in 2022. Who knows, a day might come when one will be free to travel again and meet people in real life. I’ve never been to Vancouver.
Have a wonderful holiday time!
Oh Inese – I know that we will meet in person one day. I look forward to our continued conversation in 2022. Life is best when shared with kindred spirits!
I couldn’t agree more: sharing our experienced with like-minded is wonderful.
I think so, too, one day we might meet in person, and you know sooooo much about everything what’s in your area.
Future will be better, that’s for sure.
Merry Christmas, my dear Inese and here’s to a colorful year ahead, in joy! 😉
Thank you very much Marina!
I wish you also bright, nice, warm Christmas and good holiday time! May all colors be in your rainbow, as well!
Thank you, my dear Inese! 🙏🌲🙏
You are a good friend, and all the best to you!
Very pretty and just right for the Season!
Merry Christmas from Denmark
Thank you very much Liv!
I would imagine you have already all decorations up and sparkling.
Merry, bright and peaceful Christmas to you and your family! Stay well!
Happy holidays, Inese! And thanks for beautiful paintings which bring light and joy even into shady days. Stay healthy, strong and creative. Greetings from Europe! 🙂
Thank you very much!
I certainly appreciate the nice wishes and comment about my bright art.
I wish you also happy holidays and merry Christmas if you celebrate, as well as all the best for the upcoming year!
Thank you, Inese!
You’re very welcome.
Such gorgeous work, Inese. Wishing you a healthy and rewarding new year, with lots of sales.
Thank you very much Cynthia!
Well, that would be wonderful, all of it.
The last 2 years have been extremely unsatisfactory regarding any income, in fact, I was just sitting this morning and wondering what to do.
I wish you also all the best for the upcoming year and, certainly, new publications of books and good health!
I confess, from quite some years, since I stop to be a family man, since I live alone, Holidays like Christmas or New Year, have lost much of the appeal, this year I only went to a dinner to an Italian restaurant not on Christmas day, but those dinners you do with people you work with, or school mates, or any other activity you may do, where people will celebrate a pre Christmas party basically not in a family environment, but you do because you share something in common,, and they name it the Christmas party at the office, work, school, or whatever, in my case the people at the center where used to teach a class.
Well, Happy New year to you Inese. 😊
Thank you very much!
We had also a very quiet Christmas time and hardly anything for the New Year’s.
We got the third dose or booster shot just a few days ago, and I must admit I’ve been feeling very sick all these days. I wanted to publish something on the other blog, too, but I think I will just sleep today. I should start feeling better at some point.
I know what you mean that when there’s not a family around, making a big party is kind of silly. Why to bother?
I’m glad to hear you are ok and doing fine. All the best to you this New Year!
Thank you Inese!
You are welcome! Stay as safe and as healthy as possible! We have crazy times.