Many months ago Kathy over at Lake Superior Spirit blog suggested the idea of a blessing post each week until the end of the year. I liked the idea. I accepted the challenge. This now is my second to last Monday morning blessing post for 2013. It has been a good practice as my blog writing had become very sporadic. The topic also offered a way to focus and organize my thoughts as an artist and as a sole-entrepreneur who regularly shares work-in-progress and other experiences that underpins my creative process. Thank you Kathy 🙂
That said, I have no idea what I should share or leave out this morning as a tree frog croaks in the woods outside the studio and the sun reaches over the hill in its winter golden light. I am reminded of a quick study that isn’t released yet from a few weeks ago from a similar morning.
MORNING GREETS FIR TREE 10 x 8 inch oil on canvas
The paint easily dances with the sunlight of the branches and I know the blessing of nature and my own breath intimately.
Then there is travel and a recent trip to Vancouver British Columbia and time with family. There is me standing on the back edge of an old bathtub and leaning far out the second story window to flip it wide enough to get a clear shot of the city.
VANCOUVER DECEMBER TWILIGHT
Is this nature too, I ask? I suppose, if an anthill or a beaver dam is nature then maybe this is as well. The evening light certainly doesn’t mind treating it as such.
On the way back home, I am drawn to the beach in the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island. I had gone to Victoria to pick up more oil paints and to get a few Golden heavy acrylic paints to see if they would work for our trip to Europe in the spring. What do you think? Will the do?
DECEMBER SEA VANCOUVER ISLAND STUDY 8 x 10 acrylic on canvas board
The trick I believe with a medium is to go with its strength while knowing its limitation – much like anything else in life. These paints and I will be learning their strengths and limitations over the weeks ahead. Imagine the what a blessing early 1900 painters would have thought it was to have more than one kind of paints in tubes to squeeze out and set to work with no collecting of pigment and mixing of paints? We live in luxurious times here on the west coast of Canada, almost embarrassingly so. I resist the guilt of such a blessed and easy existence. I know that it can change, will likely change. My first job is to use my time purposefully and wisely, today.
THE BIG FIR TREE IN SNOW
Best Wishes, happy holidays and Merry Christmas!
What blessings do find the most difficult to recognize?
© 2013 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.
Creative Potager – Visit with painter and photographer Terrill Welch
From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
For gallery and purchase information about Terrill’s photographs and paintings go to http://terrillwelchartist.com
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Creative Potager 
I really like what you said about the city skyline being just as much part of nature as an anthill or a beaver dam. I wouldn’t have arrived at the same conclusion myself so I appreciate you guiding me there.
Glad to be of assistance Leanne. I often puzzle how we humans might mistakenly forget we are part of our natural environment even when we feel it is “man made.” It is a curious separation to me.
A lovely reminder of how much we are blessed by nature, the arts and artist who open our eyes to see the unexpected (even in the “beaver dam” or “ant hill” of the city), as well as by other people in our lives. But, oh the quiet of the woodlands, the sense of connectedness that nurtures the soul…so beautifully captured/rendered in your work–both paintings and photographs. Merry Christmas to you and all who subscribe to your blog and purchase your art.
Merry Christmas Charles 🙂 David and I just back from a long walk and the house is soaked in warmth from passive solar sunshine. So peaceful and beautiful.
You are welcome, Terrill. Many liked the idea; few followed through. (Even my own blessing posts became less orderly and more sprinkled throughout like Christmas sprinkles on cookies.) Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Kathy and maybe those who didn’t continue to write still continued to think about their blessings at least twice as often as the would have if you hadn’t offered this idea- at least this is what I like to imagine.
That is a brilliant interpretation!
Terrill – Two observations from your post resonate especially strong with me today:
1. Go with its strength while knowing its limitation
2. My first job is to use my time purposefully and wisely, today.
May this holiday season smile gently upon you and David, and may the New Year bring you light and joy.
I just finished sweeping the floors Laurie and then I lit a vanilla candle and a pot of mint tea will soon be ready. The holiday lights are sparkling against a melon coloured sky as evening settles in. The timing of your words is like frost on the Christmas tree. Take good care 🙂
Terrill – It sounds wonderful. Blessings to you and yours.
I too, was struck by your comment about the city being possibly ‘nature ‘ like an anthill or beaver dam. Very profound. Thanks for the post! Have a good day!
You are welcome Kevin and sorry it has taken me a bit to get to your comment – holiday you know 🙂
Not a problem at all…Happy Holidays!
The best to you and David Terrill at this very special time of the year! I was again ravished by the visual adornments in this post, and the Christmas card is just awesome! Nothing is more magical too than spending time with your loved ones, and engaging in activities you wait a full year for.
Happy Holidays to all.
Happy holidays Sam. We have had the most quiet time here with just David and me but it was lovely just the same. Though I must admit to being ready to roll out the New Year and have at it! 🙂
Loved your Blessing post! To answer your question…I would believe the blessings hardest for me to recognize are the ones I am supposed to learn from!
Ah yes, those blessings Sandi. Yep, I can relate.