Christmas Greetings

Hopefully [if you're not looking too closely] you won't notice that this is a December post but that somehow, mysteriously, the year changed from 2012 to 2013. Don't ask me how that happened - it just did.
There will be some paintings to show soon so you can see some of what has been happening in that mysterious time between then and now.
Meantime, as you prepare for Christmas, take a moment to rest from all the busyness and contemplete the reason for Christmas. May your musings reveal the joy, peace, hope and love that has carried people through this time for centuries past.
Oh, by the way here's a small painting to look at as well.

Balancing Act, 53cm hx35cm w, watercolour

This boy was so engrossed in walking along the groin at Torquay - a bit like life really - sometimes it takes all our energy and concentration to put one foot in front of the other. Hopefully, like the boy, you get to the end and can have a rest, or a swim, or just lounge in the sun.

Watercolour- Show Off

The last of 'The Lake Illawarra' series of paintings is Show Off.

Show Off
46x71cm
Watercolour
SOLD

There are seven paintings in this series. Each one is based on photos Yvonne took at Lake Illawarra in NSW during a two day stay at a lakeside camping ground. The weather was that wonderfully calm, misty, drizzley, grey sort that seemed to last all day.The water was very clam with virtually no ripples to disturb the surface. The birds went about their daily lives whilst we watched and absorbed the wonder of it all.

The painting series records their lives over those few days.

A few days ago "Show Off" was sold to a wonderful Melbourne couple.

The seven paintings now have new homes all over Victoria and i trust they bring the owners as much pleasure as they have to Yvonne and me.

Christmas Blessings

One of the huge benefits of taking up watercolour painting is that it changes the way I see things.
In fact, the study of any sort of visual art will change a persons perceptions and observations. Everything you look at is seen with different eyes.

• Colours are differentiated and subtle differences noted.
• Tones are more obvious.
• Shapes are defined and their Edges become important. 
• Perspective is more clearly noticed.

In fact my response to the world around me has changed!
Before taking up painting, the world looked fantastic to me - I enjoyed each and every view of it.
Now though, I see it more clearly, in more detail and with a much greater appreciation.
I wonder if that's partly what God had in mind for Christmas?

The birth of Jesus the Christ allows us to see God more clearly. For those with eyes to see and for those who want to see: there is a greater depth of colour and tone to life; connections between people and relationships are more important; and we can have better perspective on the issues that surround us.
Hopefully this ability to see more clearly will change the way we live.

May this Christmas bring you great joy, peace, love and hope for the future