Wednesday, November 24, 2010

WIP Wednesday and Small Things To Be Thankful for


watercolor work in progress
15 x 20

Remember a few posts ago when I told the story of my two year old who ate my still life set up? Well this is what I've decided to paint instead of plain old apples. There's a story here which hopefully will be more apparent when this painting's finished. You'll have to wait and see. :)

And my 'what to paint next' poll is over and do you see what I have to paint now? A landscape. This should be interesting. I've never felt particularly drawn to landscapes and since I'm a bit of a detail type person this will be a challenge for me. I'm trying to think of what kind of landscape it should be. Probably something with snow, because it's winter here in Utah.

Now, on to Small Things To Be Thankful For:

1. My kids are out of school for Thanksgiving break and thus today I will not be a taxi driver all day long. This makes me happy as I have recently discovered that a very large portion of my day is spent in my car ferrying kids to and fro all their different activities. I love my car and all, but we need a little bit of a break.

2. My husband is not making his famous creme brulee for Thanksgiving this year. This of course was initially on my list of Things To Cry About (remember how I'm a bit of a list junkie?), but I've decided to look on the bright side. So, no sinfully, seductive, delicious creme brulee but also no 5,000+ calorie desert. My skinny jeans say thank you.

3. There are people out there (ahem. . . that would be you reading this :) who like what I paint and are kind enough to take the time to tell me so. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. :)

4. We had a severe snow storm (so the weather people say) last night and now my kids are out building The World's Best Snow Fort. Complete with stairs, a second floor, and turrets I believe. At least that's what the blueprint they made said.

5. My husband telling me I'm beautiful. I never get tired of hearing that. All you husband's out there, consider this information I've just given you your secret weapon.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

Your turn. What are you thankful for?


24 comments:

  1. Crystal your WIP is looking great. The look on his face, adorable. Can't wait to see the final painting and the story.

    I am so Thankful for so many things this year. I have a family in tact, my husband is here, not deployed. We will be spending the Holidays together and for that I am so Thankful. I'm Thankful for being able to pursue my passion and meet such wonderful artist like you. I am so Thankful for our friendship, you are a support and I always can count on some words of encouragement from my friend:) I wish you the most Fabulous Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family:)

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  2. Wow, Crystal this is amazing, such a beautiful child and the eyes are fabulous, look forward to the story and the finished painting.

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  3. Thanks Carrie! I'm glad your husband's home for you, how great! :) And I am truly thankful for our friendship too!

    Thank you Maria! :)

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  4. Wishing you and yours a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Beautiful post, Crystal. :)

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  5. I am turning 33 in Friday (I am a Thanksgiving baby now living in Canada) and I am thankful that-day by day-I am feel more comfortable in my own skin! Beautiful painting! Can't wait to see the final result. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  6. Thank you Carol! And the same wishes to you! :)

    Happy 33rd Jody! That is a good feeling in deed. Happy Thanksgiving! :)

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  7. Oh, the look on his face :) -I can bet there is a story behind that!!!

    happy thanksgiving! And I am thankful for all things big, small and some more! I pray fervently that will be the case world over soon.

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  8. Your painting is already looking gorgeous Crystal, and I think I could tell one of your paintings anywhere!
    Living here in England, I don't really know what Thanksgiving is all about, but I certainly know what 5,000 calories and skinny jeans are all about!! I managed to lose around a stone (14 pounds) recently and have dropped a trouser size - whoo hooo!

    It's going to be interesting to see a landscape painted by you, though I am a little disappointed it didn't turn out to be a self portrait, as I still won't get to see a recent picture of you ;(

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  9. Happy Thanksgiving, Crystal dear! I have come to care so much for you and your family just by being brought into your beautiful paintings! I look forward to your landscape and know you will find that personal approach that works for you. Love the new painting in the "title" heading of your blog!

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  10. What a sweet painting. Love the look on his face. I enjoyed your list of things for which you are thankful. Have a wonderful time with your family this Thanksgiving.

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  11. That is so cool that you used to show too. I find it to be a wonderful hobby.

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  12. A lovely start, Crystal, and the story of your daughter eating the still life set-up is great! I'll take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving! All the best1

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  13. Lovely as always. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

    Happy thanksgiving to you. Well, I am not American but I guess that's no reason not to be thankful :)

    I guess I am thankful for a whole bunch of things. But, what tops my list is the fact that I have been made using the best recipe I can think of - a recipe that includes a wonderful wife, a sweet little daughter, a bunch of wet brushes, several shoulders to cry on, the ability to laugh aloud and last but not the least a passport to this crazy world of blogs where I keep running into such wonderful people as the one reading this.

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  14. Crystal,
    You write so well. Well I am being really repetitive now, but I cant help but appreciate how interesting your writing is.

    Thanks to you for starting this blog and making our days better.

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  15. Oh those little glowing eyes.Such a sweet painting.Would love to see the finished work.
    Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  16. Enchanting portraits! Love yo find your blog!
    Saludos!

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  17. Hope you have a most Blessed Thanksgiving, Crystal. Love the painting.

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  18. happy thanksgiving to you all cyrstal ..enjoy the snow !.... glad some else eats the still lifes

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  19. :lol: Brilliant watercolour, full of feeling :) xx

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  20. This is already so gorgeous! I just love that expression! I can't wait to see how it turns out!
    I'm glad the landscape won because I am supposed to be tackling that in my course at the moment so it will be interesting to see how it turns out. I am getting nowhere fast because the days are so short and it's so cold. I like to paint in daylight where possible.
    Well, sadly we don't have thanks giving in the UK, but happy thanks giving to you :0)
    I am thankful for having a loving family, my beautiful children and my adoring husband. I am thankful for the home that we live in...
    I am also thankful to have found art and for the encouragement I receive from all of my bloggy friends. Oh - I am also thankful for Chrismas pudding and Baileys Irish Cream - YUM :0)

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  21. Thank you so much meera! And I hope for the same thing as you. :)

    Thanks so much Frank! You're so kind. A stone huh? WOW! Bravo! That's an accomplishment for sure. And I will probably do a self portrait sometime soon, I've got an idea cookin in my brain. :)

    Thank you so much Karen for your wonderful comment! I love the connections we get to make through blogging, it's pretty awesome. :)

    Thanks so much Virginia! We did have a wonderful time. :) Hope you and yours did too.

    Hi Mary Ashlie! It is a wonderful hobby isn't it? Thanks for stopping by!

    Thank you Kathy! And this is my son, I have three boys, no daughters. This is my youngest and I just barely gave him his first hair cut! This image is from before that. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

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  22. Thanks Sujit! And what a great list of things to be thankful for.

    Thanks so much Prabal! That is very kind of you to say. :)

    Thank you so much Yash!

    Thank you Noemi! I'm glad you stopped by!

    I hope you had a great Thanksgiving too Ann. Thank you very much friend. :)

    Thank you Jane! :)

    Thanks so much Pat, that means a lot!

    Thanks so much Sandra! I'm so glad you stopped by! I'll be looking forward to see your landscape, I know it will be great. :) And I love your list of things to be thankful for. :)

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  23. Stunning, stunning work as always. i light up when i see your work and read your warm and loving words. this is gorgeous and "Daily Bread" is scrumptous!! the blues, violets, salmons in the shirt are so amazing not to mention the reflections and his hands. bravo!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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