Merry Christmas!

"Christmas Cactus"

Oil on board 12" x 12"

This is a painting of  the first bloom on my Christmas Cactus. I took a photo of it so I would have a reference. I painted the picture and put it on my drying rack with the photo beside it (see below). I wasn't sure if I was happy with it or not. The sun was shining and it made a shadow on my painting that looked like the plant was sitting on a table.I had originally painted the whole background the light orange/yellow colour you see. I took a piece of chalk and marked on the painting the shadow Mother Nature was giving me and made note of the colour and painted exactly that. Now I am happy with not only the painting but the whole process.

Merry Christmas with a Canadian winter scene

"Dancing Shadows"

Water colour on paper

6 1/2" x 10" double matted in a 8" x 15 1/2" metal frame

Merry Christmas everyone!

 This painting was done from a photograph taken while out cross country skiing. The shadow looked like it was dancing as I was moving past the dead tree stump making it look very lively as well as striking my funny bone.

I hope celebrations are in the order today with friends, loved ones and celebrating relationships we have enjoyed throughout the year.