January 4, 2012

Paintings As Gifts

In December, I worked on two paintings that I couldn't show you previously because they were Christmas gifts.

I did one painting for a very dear friend who moved to a new house this past summer. I painted her former home complete with her sweet cat sitting on the front porch.  She spent many years in this house raising her three great kids. I can say that because I know them. :) (In case you are worrying, her cat was not left behind. He sits on the front porch of the new house now.)

The second painting I did was of my parents' Golden Retriever named Ginger.  If you have been following my blog, you will know that Ginger was a sweet girl who died in December at the age of 12.  I held my breath through most of the painting process as it was so important to me that it really look like Ginger.   I have never done a watercolour painting of a dog before.

Both gifts were very much appreciated but I made everyone cry which I didn't intend, although I knew that I had chosen subjects with emotional weight. I know that they were all touched and I told my friend and my parents that I wouldn't be hurt at all if they put their gifts away for a while.

8 comments:

  1. These are lovely! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous4:18 AM EST

    Sentimental gifts are so great but yes a bit hard to "digest" at first. These are amazing gifts & they will be SO treasured for sure. You are so gifted.
    Happy New Year btw ! Here's to a healthy & creative year !
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. The paintings are gorgeous! Have a Happy New Year:)
    ~Anne

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tina--Thank you so much! :)

    Sonia--You always word things so well. I like your use of 'digest' in this context. Thank you for your sweet words and I wish you a inspiring, creative year. xx

    Anne--Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind words about my paintings. Happy New Year to you too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What wonderful gifts!

    Leaving a loved home and loosing a pet will always bring on an emotional response.

    I have a painting of my cat that passed away and it does make me tear up most of the time but it's also a comfort. It makes me feel a bit as though she is still here in a way.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Liane--Thank you for your sensitive words. Happy New Year to you too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. paintings do make the most wonderful gifts

    ReplyDelete
  8. Margie--My version of a knitted jacket. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog and to leave me a comment. I love reading them. -- Kathleen

(Please note that comments with links to ads or commercial websites will be deleted.)

BROWSE MY BLOG BY THEME

autumn (26) backyard (19) birds (17) creativity (7) family (37) flowers (32) friends (13) garden (72) gardening (7) hope (8) leaves (17) Meeko (95) nature photography (14) original watercolor (9) painting (55) paintings (34) print (12) rain (16) soft-coated Wheaten terrier (28) spring (28) studio (13) summer (12) watercolor (102) watercolour (98) winter (19)