Painting merry Christmas

Merry Christmas paintings

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.

Merry Christmas art

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

Shop original acrylic paintings

Art collections by Inese Poga

The joy of color

Acrylic paintings of winter and birds

Color is a big part of any artist’s work if they paint in color. We love some particular colors and we feel uncomfortable with or even dislike and hate other ones. I am very much convinced, though, color is secondary to value, otherwise black and white drawings and paintings wouldn’t make sense. Color gives my paintings mood and, sometimes, it’s the main element of the artwork. Usually, change in color will change the entire painting. I work very hard to achieve color balance and fine-tuned transitions in my art.

There’s more to art

However, people often notice only color, especially when art is viewed online. The online display has gone through many devices and you can see art also using whatever device you have. The most affecting factor is the size. 10 x 10 in art looks the same size as 10 feet by 10 feet painting online. The impact on viewer is totally incomparable because we have taken away all presence of this art. There is so much more to art than color. Lines, brushstrokes, edges, smoothness or extreme textures, story the painting tells and subject of it.

Unchanged nature: subject of my art

For realistic and semi-realistic art, color is interpreted depending on our subject. I’m looking for warmth in my art, as well as energy which makes us happy, maybe thoughtful, but not upset or more depressed. Therefore, I choose to paint nature. I love unchanged nature: flowers, wild flower fields, creeks, country roads, old country barns, small birds which I can watch in my backyard. This subject is very inspiring for me, and I’d say for everyone who looks at it. About 3 decades ago, I was very much in painting posters with faces and figures, I have done a lot of fashion images, too, but at some point, it became boring and moved on turning to nature.

Original, exquisite and recognizable

Early on, I made it my point not to get influenced by anybody else. It was easy before the internet came around since one cannot be present everywhere. After I moved to Canada, I realized that artists were literary copying photos sometimes. It had been the hugest no-no back in Europe. I still feel like it’s not a good art when one has to copy, trace and pretend this comes from the artist, and not from computer, printer and projection device. Therefore, I’m always trying to distinguish myself from the crowd. Many of my paintings are imaginative views of non-realistic settings, but I like the subject to be recognizable. I also want people to notice immediately that I have painted one or another artwork.

My painting techniques

I use techniques which I have developed during many years of creating art. Nowadays, you can find out quickly how somebody does whatever they do, but I prefer to go for my own discovery. My textures are most likely created with different tools and mediums. My color mixing definitely doesn’t fall into the regular color wheel dependence. I believe every artist has to find their own color palette because that will work always. I do not follow the trends, but frequently, some part of my art hits the trendy side anyway.

I currently sell originals only

The displayed images are of original paintings. Original means this painting is exactly as I have created it. My brushstrokes and my original color transitions are visible and touchable. That also means you can feel the energy and my touch. Original art is alive with everything that’s gone into it. I am very meticulous about what I want in the painting, even when it is a small painting with simple subject. I work tirelessly until I have achieved exactly what I wanted my painting to be. The images have a bit too much blue and green than my art. I use grey, brown-grey, but camera gets colors differently. What you see depends on settings on your device also.

Birds and other enjoyable themes this season

It is great one can rotate paintings on their walls. It is also fantastic one can create displays of large collections. Prints are fine for some areas and specific rooms, but when it comes to classiness and elegance, originals beat prints 100%. Classiness is already built in the original art, so you don’t need to add extra work to make this art look impressive. I have to display some paintings more than just one time for a few reasons: lots of people never read or look at something closely, attention is the hugest deficit nowadays, and holiday season is short. This type of paintings is sold only during holiday season.

Art prints

I can offer to select printed art products from Fine Art America site which has a huge choice of products which can be viewed in 3 dimensions and ArtPal which has mostly wall art and very affordably priced art prints.

My winter collection:

Winter paintings by Inese Poga

Enjoy! I hope somebody loves my art so much that they are willing to go a step farther and purchase it. The special offers are here:

Original paintings for winter holidays

Original art for Christmas and crafted gifts

Christmas art, home page

Many people are stopping by, and my sales are actually better than I expected. I decided to extend the sale until almost Christmas.

I noticed also that many visitors really liked the traditional colors: red, white, green and gold.

Since the previous traditional Christmas decorations were sold, I created new ones in similar style. This time, I used some baskets and more greens.

You might like these ideas, as well. So, get to work.

All you need can be found in the backyard and craft store. I used some dry tree branches and painted cedar branches look great. Add some glitter, make use of hot glue and glue gun, apply tissue paper in your favorite colors, as well as some pine cones and/or fir cones. I am also using a base (for live flowers or for dry flowers), that makes it easier to arrange all parts of Christmas decoration. Arrange your composition in a basket, plate or jar, and nothing moves away from its place.

I start with arrangement of greens, after that, I’m attaching fir cones, pine cones and tissue paper roses wherever they look fitting.

Creating Christmas crafts is a great way to make your home look very festive and welcoming.

Christmas art

Nature materials for beautiful Christmas decorations: what could be more attractive?

Small Christmas decorations can look as good as the large ones.

Christmas Red poinsettia

 

And paintings look great, too. Original paintings give the special flare and dress walls in an amazing way.

Christmas decorations

Christmas gift or decoration: bottles rolled in acrylic medium and white paint, oats and then again covered with acrylic medium.

Christmas candlelight

I hope you enjoyed and you are already looking for materials.

Christmas Show and Sale: Art, Crafts, Gifts

Christmas gifts, beautiful gift boxes

It’s Christmas show time again, and we are having our annual Christmas sale. It is richer and more interesting than ever before. I have no doubt, everyone can find something great, whether it’s a Christmas decoration, nice, hearty, one of a kind gift, painting, card or gift certificate. Gift certificates for classes and workshops are available every day, not only during the sale.

You can enjoy and possibly purchase more than 200 paintings and crafted gift items.

All Christmas show decorations and gifts are crafted in the gallery and range in style from traditional to modern and trendy, both, regarding the color scheme and design. We have used mostly nature materials: fir and pine cones, apple-tree and maple branches, spruce tree branches and also some paints, glitter, tissue paper and interesting containers. You should definitely check out the one of a kind gift boxes, note books, diaries and photo albums.

We are offering only original paintings and art, including three-dimensional acrylic nature paintings in subtle and soothing colors.

Variety of Christmas cards can be ordered from the Fine Art America site: Inese Poga’s art collections

Please have a look at some gifts and decorations for sale.

Traditional Christmas colors

Christmas show gift boxes

Crafted Christmas show gift boxes

Decorative center piece

Gold and red

Red and green: tissue paper roses and glitter on branches

Christmas show gift box and red roses

Christmas gift box, very elegant and delicate, matches the Christmas decoration very well.

Celebrating the light and warmth with beautiful things in beautiful settings: fun and pleasure!

White and red: Christmas gift boxes

Festive and uplifting, sparkle and shine: Christmas settings

I hope you enjoyed the decorating ideas!