Owen McGuire

20x16" Oil on Stretched Linen
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Owen is Miss Molly's older brother (soon to be 15).  Owen sat patiently for this painting.  Like Molly, he fell comfortably into this position, which provided a composition with interesting angles.  And, oh what golden hair!  They are two exceptional teens, Molly and Owen McGuire.

Romance

11x14" Oil on Linen Panel

The atomizer you see here was a white elephant item at a party I attended a couple of days ago.  I knew I would build a painting around it!

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Tulips in Candlelight

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8x10" Oil on Linen Panel

I enjoyed painting tulips, so here they are again.  Tulips take on a life of their own.  They seem to be carrying on a kind of flower dance, especially when I confuse them with candlelight.  Speaking of candles, did I mention that painting candlelight is a blast?  With three candles, you get three sources of light, casting shadows in three different directions.  Fun!  And, oh yes, when you let a candle burn down to a cloth, you get fire!!  Good thing I look intently at my subject.

Semper Fi No.3

16x16" Oil on Stretched Linen

  I Googled "Marine Quotes" to find a title for this one.  Let's face it. . . there is none better than "Semper Fi", which translates "Always Faithful".  These three paintings are to honor the life and memory of such a marine.  

I did find a website with many memorable quotes.    http://www.usmc81.com/2009/01/marine-corps-quotes/  One of my favorites:  "To observe a marine is inspirational.  To be a marine is exceptional."

Tea & Post

5x7" Oil on Stretched Linen
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Someone commented on "Inkwell No. 2" that it "Reminds of a period drama clip."   I have been watching Masterpiece Theatre's Downton Abbey.  WONDERFUL show...Every scene looks like a beautiful painting!  Perhaps it has had an influence on my subject matter.

Inkwell No.2

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6x6" Oil on Stretched Linen

I bought this feather quill pen thinking it would be a nice gift for a writer.  The inkwell once belonged to an English gentleman.  Together, they inspired this painting.

Wrapped in Gold

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6x6" Oil on Stretched Linen

Tomorrow is Epiphany, so I'm wrapping up this series of Christmas paintings.  This poinsettia is wrapped in gold ribbon, surrounded by garland with white lights.  I know now how I will display next year's poinsettias.  The red leaves are backlit by the lights, giving them a lovely glow.   This particular bloom has been the star of this series.  Appropriately so, as it symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and the blood of Christ, according to the legend of the poinsettia.  (See my January 1 post.)

Angel Nest

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6x6" Oil on Stretched Linen

Painting number three for Leslie Saeta's Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge.  What a wonderful motivator!  I thought this would take less time than my previous 9x12 and 11x14" paintings, due to the small size.  But, noooo...the setup was still pretty complicated.  I hope to take a better picture tomorrow without the glare.  I still love Christmas.

Golden Christmas...Still

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11x14" Oil on Stretched Linen

Christmas warms me like the golden glow of firelight and hot tea.  I have always loved Christmas, no matter what the condition of my life.  It is a beautiful season, and it's not over yet.

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Still Christmas

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9"x12" Oil on Stretched Linen

We have a poinsettia nestled in a tray of Christmas bulbs on our coffee table.  The little arrangement is beautifully backlit by the white lights on our tree.  I have pondered this scene, considering how I can translate some of the beauty I see onto a blank canvas.  This is the result.

Our Christmas decorations will stay out until January 6, which is the twelfth day of Christmas, also known as Epiphany, the manifestation of Christ as the son of God.  Christians commemorate this as the day that the three kings recognized the infant Jesus as the son of God, bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The poinsettia's association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday.  The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar.  Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.  From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.  The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus.

Merry Christmas...still.