Christmas Creativity

I trust everyone had a lovely Christmas, we certainly did!

The big day has come and gone, Sharlene has opened her gifts and so now I can show you the painting that I sent to her ...

Merry Amaryllis Acrylic 8" x 10"

Christmas Eve, I rolled out the gingerbread dough. At Larry's urging Denise designed our wonky, little ginger bread house. Using the pattern she made I cut out the pieces and baked them. Then, with the remaining dough, Larry and I cut out a bunch of cookies.

By Christmas morning the pieces were hardened and ready to be assembled. Check out the house in progress here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=588190&id=715295437&l=1e981a92e9

It met it's demise when Larry and our friend, Steve, smashed it after dinner on Boxing day. There is a 30 second video (yes that just how little time it takes to wreck it ... far less in fact!) but I can't seem to link it here.

Our Christmas photos can bee seen at these following links ...

Christmas Eve:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=587947&id=715295437&l=a6350a4074

Christmas Morning:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=588108&id=715295437&l=c2db9f822d

Christmas Night:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=588219&id=715295437&l=df055ff8a8

I've Been a Bit Naughty

Last night, on the eve of Christmas Eve, I opened my annual parcel of beautifully wrapped gifts from Sharlene, who lives in Victoria. I do this early every year, so is it really naughty? The specialness of our gift exchange is enhanced because all we have to do is buy things we ourselves love and, wonder of wonders, the other adores everything! I don't know of two other people with such parallel tastes.

Another delightful component is how we wrap these gifts. Could anyone else appreciate the colour coordinated-ness and the time lovingly spent with the trimming details?

Deed done, here I am with all my loot wearing the scarf which, I swear, is exactly the same as the one I coveted on a local woman I saw recently.

The piece de résistance is the painting exchange. This is our second year of trading amaryllis paintings. I've been asked if we'll always paint amaryllis? Can't say. I'm unable to show you mine to her just yet because, unlike me, she is a good girl and is waiting to open her presents Christmas morning!

Merry Amaryllis acrylic, 8" x 8" ... See other work by Sharlene here: http://sitekreator.com/stushnov/main_page.html

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ... and please remember Christmas doesn't come in a box, and it can't be bought in a store!

We're Decorated

My bitter sweet addiction to themed or colour coordinated trees has been with me for years. Sweet because I love doing it, bitter because I don't share doing it. This Christmas tree looks just like the two previous ones simply because it looks best in our living room.

But I do miss the red in Christmas, so I decorate the dining room with plenty of it. The little, three-foot tree is my Memory Tree, adorned with precious ornaments our girls and I made together in the 80s (plus a couple of current ones) as well as with other given, treasured decorations.

On the wall, behind it is a painting from last year by my long-time friend, Sharlene http://sitekreator.com/stushnov/main_page.html As sure as she is working on another one for me, I am currently working on an amaryllis painting to send her!

To see more photos of our decorated home, please click here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=578121&id=715295437&l=fd5d4af2de

Bow Lake Book Launch

Happy author, Jane Lytton Gooch, and proud painter of the cover image on BOW LAKE, Wellspring of Art at the launch, December 11th. It's a remarkable publication and can be purchased through Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff at:

http://www.willockandsaxgallery.com/

Or through the publisher; Rocky Mountain Books:
http://www.rmbooks.com/

A Prestigious Honour

Tomorrow, if you in the vicinity, please stop in and join me and the other artists in celebrating Jane Lytton Gooch's third mountain art book. The launch is hosted by Willock & Sax Gallery, 211 Bear Street, in Banff, Saturday, December 11th, from 2 - 4pm. Jane is a Vancouver English professor and author.


It truly is a profound honour to have my painting Crowfoot Mountain Through the Looking Glass (1999 oil 36" x 54") featured on the cover of BOW LAKE: Wellspring of Art. Also included in this book is ...

Saint Nicolas Peak 1993 watercolour 5" x 7"

This is Jane's third book, and I'm pleased to report that I have paintings in all of them. You can see her books and my art by scrolling down on my web site's Special Projects page:
http://www.artbysaltiel.com/

Am I Avoiding Christmas?

As Avery would say "I think so!" Long ago, we used to get the halls decked around December 15th, but now-a-days it is much earlier. However, I do think that hauling Christmas out right after Halloween, is much too soon.

While Avery came to stay with us, for four days last week, and in an effort to inspire myself, I pulled out our little fake tree and encouraged her to put decorations on it. She was most interested in taking decorations off of it, and/or spreading them all around the floor!

We had a wonderful time with our granddaughter, who loves everything and everybody. Photos of her stay are posted here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=573982&id=715295437&l=b6ea840f8b
But, now that she is back home, I'd best get going on preparations before she and her folks return for Christmas!

The Canmore Christmas Artisans Market

November 25th, we joined our girls in Canmore prior to this big annual event. Laura has been a participant for several years, this was Denise's first.

In its prior incarnation, started in 1980, as The Canmore Artists & Artisans Guild's Christmas Fair I was the event coordinator for the years 1984 to 1987. Many thanks to the same delightful collectors of my work, back then, for coming out now to support our girls!

We helped Denise make the cloth gift bags and Laura with tree ornaments.

The sisters stalls were side by side and their set up was a very open and friendly one.

It was a full weekend with Canmore kicking off the holidays by closing Main Street (Saturday night) for Christmas celebrations ... carolling, bonfires, sleigh rides and Santa. Plus, there was a high energy opening at Elevation Gallery and, as well, our couples club enjoyed a pizza night. On Sunday it was Grey Cup game festivities and dinner at Bill's sister's place, which became an early birthday celebration for Laura who returned to Libya, December 2nd. At midnight, we arrived home utterly exhaused.

For a complete photo essay please click here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=565663&id=715295437&l=9c440fb328