Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Hoar Frost

Went out searching for snowy owls but alas did not spot any. We did see this lone coyote hunting in the fields and came across a small flock of redpolls which were sent to wing due the noise of an approaching sled.



The frost on the trees was lovely though in some areas the fog was too dense to see through.



The landscape was a magical winter wonderland, I now wish I had taken more time to capture shots of the fog frost laden trees but we were on a mission, that and my fingers froze from standing out in the cold playing with dials and focus. I am such a wuss when it comes to the -14 temps that the day held.



The barley legible common redpolls in the branches, its too bad the snowmobile scattered them before I could focus in clearly. I have been spending time working manuel mode rather than using camera auto. Of course I miss more shots that way but the shots are nicer. It will be something when I actually learn how to use this camera.





Saturday, December 26, 2009

this is how I feel today

Well once again christmas is done and who do I feel like at this point in the holiday venture, lil' cindy Loo Hoo, the pup or the Grinch?

Friday, December 25, 2009

More Creative Nativities



I decided to post a few more Nativities as I feel they are so beautifully made and as I mentioned the other day the variety of media is wonderfully creative. Pieces in the show ranged from extremely simple designs to intricate carvings, some with elaborate decoration and some with a sense of humor.
There were bears nativities as well as ones with chickens and also moose but as they were behind glass that gave off many reflections I didn't even attempt to photograph them.




I hope you enjoyed seeing theses sculptural creations.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Creativity in Nativity Variety



Last weekend we went to view the 500 Nativities on display at West End Christian Reform Church in Edmonton. Many volunteers work hard at setting up the display for one weekend before Christmas each year. This was the 3rd year I have gone and every year there are more wonderful creations from around the world presented. Out of 500 I managed to get photos of maybe 70? I thought it would be nice to post a few for all to enjoy the variety of skills and medium worked with from clay, glass, tin, wood and even, believe it or not cake.




This is an old collector paper piece






The winged angels are so sweet, and the patina on the one above is gorgeous.  So much creativity filled the church I was in awe of the workmanship and variation in styles. Wow isn't creating a grand adventure. I love the fact that most of the Nativities were created by hand, of course there also were the store bought varieties including some wonderful antiques displayed.

Some figures were colorful and sit in their own nicely painted display box. There were beautiful wall hangings of which I only got photos of a couple.







A time for Peace and Goodwill to all for the coming New Year.
May all of mankind learn to pull together with one another to embrace the blessings and gifts we all have to share with one another regardless of race, religion or personal belief systems. Lets embrace our differences and rejoice that Creator has given us an exciting variety to humankind and within the natural world. For it is through the Creators creativity that we too are gifted with an abundance of resourcefulness in creating art, dance, song, poetry, good food and the list goes on. It is due our diversity that we have the means to share with each other. Five hundred Nativities and hardly a repeat amongst them, what avisual statement of our gift of creativity.








This is the edible cake; as one gentleman remarked its too pretty to eat.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

christmas pleasure

Its been snowing lightly all day and briskly cold, brrr. So my thoughts are wandering to the warmth of the oven in anticipation of turkey dinner, home made stuffing and boiled cranberries, mmm. My mouth is already watering. I am so glad my father taught me how to stuff a turkey, his were the best. I don't go in for those fatty butter stuffed gobblers, no mine has to be draped with strips of bacon and basted in its own juices as it cooks.
As it will be a quiet Christmas this year I am thinking that a christmas picnic would be a wonderful plan. Pack up turkey sandwiches and coca, bundle up warmly and search out wing flash of bird color. I wonder if my chauffeur will agree.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Twogether

Another one of my most recent. I took it to my opening with the finish still a bit tacky as I was excited to get it up with the rest of the show, bringing up the total to 18 paintings on view for sale at the General Bird Store in Edmonton.

"Twogether"
My sweetie titled this one, kinda cute, just like the ducklings.
It was such a wonderful opening the owners went all out with vegetable and fruit trays as well as sweets and wine and juice spritzers. Lu gave a presentation on warblers of Alberta which only inspired me more to go out and capture warblers next spring while they wear their splendid mating plumage. So many birds to photograph and paint, its all such a wonderful adventure. An added bonus to the evening was being presented a dozen red roses, now that regal treatment.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Solitude, Common Loon

"Solitude, Common Loon"
My most recent painting, so recent that the varnish is still tacky.