Here’s a watercolor sketch of this year’s Xmas. It hardly does justice to Joe’s meticulous decorations—he sets up a whole village that spans the mantel and is filled with quirky characters and mementos from our pasts. Every night before dinner we drink our spiced cider and rum, warmed by the bubble lights in the hearth...we look forward to the chaos of Xmas week when our children and grandchildren come to stay for a few days —we are very, very lucky.
This sketchbook, which was a gift from Susan six years ago, also contains this sketch from 2016, the year we went to Paris between Thanksgiving and Xmas. It’s the passageway from the street to the courtyard of the apt building where we stayed, decorated for Xmas. It reminds me of how lucky I am to have such memories preserved in watercolor. And how lucky I am to have this watercolor community! Merry Christmas to all!
So, where's the picture of the spiced cider and rum? I'm going to do more simple pen and ink drawings soon. Maybe combine them with other media and watercolor and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteAww, these are sweet. Your first sketch is so warm and happy and family-centric. I think every family has some of those decorations--where they mean the world to the family but only draw blank stares from others. Bubble lights? Too cool! And I remember your Paris trip. Seems so long ago. Going back over old sketches seems to bring me back to that time/place in a way even a photograph can't. It's a deeper, richer experience. You've inspired me to sketch my Christmas this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Elaine. Bubble lights were maybe the peak of Christmas decoration sophistication. And then they were gone, justlikethat. Why! Why!! Why!!!
ReplyDeletei still have bubble lights but they are so heavy that it's hard to put them on the tree. I thought about building a structure to display them and then they stopped working. Newer versions could be a money making idea for something to sell to those of us over 60.
DeleteSketchbook-ing is the best. Both the doing and the reviewing. Plus sharing. Don't you just luv it when you get to see the artist's sketchbooks included in an exhibition? Thanks, Sara and Happy Holidays too!
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