BOOKS I AM READING DURING THIS CHRISTMAS BREAK

I am joyously rereading some old favorite books from my childhood and young adulthood.


I finished HITTY, HER FIRST HUNDRED YEARS by Rachel Fields, just last week. I am planing to buy a sturdy edition for my grammar school library and may even make a Hitty doll. (I am on a doll craze at the moment!)





I am presently reading CHRISTY by Catherine Marshall. I have read it 2 or 3 times over the years but not in the past 15 or so. It is a joy to read with much to think about. I love the way Christy, the main character struggles to grow up and learns how to understand and explain her faith, how it becomes personal and not merely a cultural acceptance of Christianity. I have never seen the movie version and don't know if I want to because the vivid images in my mind from the book.

This is the finished picture. The top picture is from a photograph. I did not use the flash but there is still a lot of reflection. The bottom is slightly greener and I think more accurately portrayed because I put the painting up on the scanner.

Texas Wildflowers

Bluebonnets, Wild Verbena, Tansy Aster, Mountain Pinks, and Strawberry Cactus

I have been painting seriously and intently for several days, as my schedule allowed. Then put in a marathon of painting on Friday evening and most of Saturday, stopping only to take a child to a school event, grade papers for about 2 1/2 hours, and go to the grocery store. Today I didn't get back to painting. We went to church, I graded papers, got a Christmas tree, and moved stuff around in my studio/living room to make room for it. It may be several days before I decorate it.

While I was painting yesterday I was wishing I would paint more often. I love it. But this kind of painting, a commissioned piece, is hard for me to do. Especially hard to begin. I dread doing something to please someone and possibly failing! I stopped at regular intervals to take progress paintings and post on flickr. If you want to see the early stages look here. I still need to finish the monarda, and work on the border. When I finish I will post a picture. At this point I hope my client doesn't want it... I am wanting to keep it.

There is a glare on the verbena.

Texas Prickly Pear

Monarda Citriodora
This flower is not finished yet.