Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Jingle Jingle Jingle SOLD

'Sleigh Bells Ring' SOLD
5" x 7" watercolor

I remember sitting in the elementary school's library, when I was about seven years old, in this little circular seating area, and listening to the librarian read 'The Polar Express' by Chris Van Allsburg for the first time. I was captivated. I don't think I moved during that entire story time.

I LOVED that book. I loved the whole idea of being taken to the North Pole on Christmas Eve on the Polar Express, listening to the wolves howl outside the train, tasting the rich, hot chocolate on the ride up there, and of course the chance of being chosen by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. 

And the thing I think I wanted for Christmas the most that year was one sleigh bell. A real one from Santa's sleigh, preferrably from Dasher's own harness (who was my favorite reindeer). 

On Christmas morning I was thrilled to see that one small present under the tree that I knew had to be a jingle bell from Santa's sleigh. When I opened it and saw the small silver bell inside, and held it to my ear to hear it's soft jingle, I knew that Santa had come through for me. Christmas was magic.

And now that I'm grown up and I get to see Christmas through my boys' eyes it still is. More so now than it ever was. :)


P.S. I think I am developing alarming magpie-like tendencies as I hunt down every shiny and reflective object I can find just so I can paint them. I feel like that dog from 'Up' who kept shouting 'Squirrel!' only instead of squirrel it's 'Shiny!'  :)

See you later friends. Huzzah!!

46 comments:

  1. Your work always amazes and delights. I marvel at all the velvety texture and hyper-realism. Simply amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOL! Shiny IS attractive. Crystal, you are rockin' the reflective surfaces! Okay - that just sounds technical when what I really feel when I look at these is SNAP! Bang on! Christmas magic. I can hear their tiny little clinks and jingles.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the story and the painting. Christmas is magical still for all the peace and love it brings along with our own childhood memories that we treasure. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the laugh Crystal. I have felt like that dog in Up many times - I LOVE shiny objects too. Your bells story was wonderful, thanks for sharing that. Your painting is amazing, I had to look close to see that it was a painting and not real. You are very talented.
    Hugs and blessings for your day.
    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your story, Crystal! Do you still have the bell? And of course, your painting is beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nothing wrong with impulsive shiny collecting lol

    Love these bells, I couldn't believe they were watercolour at first :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING PAINTING and such a lovely post!! these bells embody the season, i LOVE them! bravo!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Truly an amazing painting, Crystal. What type of paper do you use? What is your preference in paints?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Crystal I just LOVE this! And I SO love the story behind it! I love Christmas and it really feels close when the festive posts begin to appear on blog land! I have been trying to find you in those reflections, lol! This is truly brilliant! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous! You've captured the shiny texture so beautifully. Huge fan:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is one gorgeous painting! I was a grown up with a small son when I first found Polar Express. I bought the special edition encased in a box with a bell that came with it! I intended it for my son but I have to confess...I have kept it for ME all these years!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the story and the painting!
    Shiny things are fun to paint :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gotta love the drama on your paintings Crystal, shiny!shiny!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh! This is absolutely stunning! I have been just staring at it for the last 5 minutes in awe, I'm not kidding. I love everything about it. The composition, the colors, the story it evokes... wow!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marvelous job on those reflections - which are a perfect match to your watercolor painting skills!

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOL, you got me with the dog and the 'squirrel' reference. We're a little like crows and their love of all things shiny!
    And your Christmas bell store is really special, which makes your painting even more special, love it. You shine girl and so does your art!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful painting Crystal and I love your musings on The Polar Express. It was one that my boys and I shared together too. Thanks for the memories!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Knock down, drag out FABULOUS job on the reflections!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great painting Crystal . . . and I love your story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful Crystal. I can imagine them jingling !!! Great.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love "shiny" things too. Great reflections in this beautiful painting.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Delicious reflections and colors! Liked your Christmas reminiscence very much!

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is lovely, Crystal.And in such a tiny size, you managed all the deatails of the reflections.Great. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful painting, such fun to paint reflections, is there anything you can't paint ! ;))

    ReplyDelete
  25. like the reflections and the shine on the bells!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful painting and a beautiful story of memories as well...

    ReplyDelete
  27. I know what you mean about that story, it is just magical even now. Your jingle bells painting is wonderful...and dare I say very Shiny:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Une belle histoire et une jolie peinture qui tinte et aux teintes superbes... Gros bisous

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lovely shiny bells Crystal.
    You are so good at doing the reflection thing!!! Also nice
    to hear your reminiscences.

    ReplyDelete
  30. A precious detail that with his sparkles and your words you open the doors us for the Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Gorgeous reflections! Great shiny quality. Wow! Love it.
    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Crystal, I love this sooo much!!! It is just perfect. Your story is perfect also. Those shiny objects are addictive:)))

    ReplyDelete
  33. As another "shiny" addict -- love the painting!! And your story of the book reading and wishing for a single bell is great -- what a wonderful memory!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Delightful story and beautiful shiny painting - I can almost hear the bells jingle ! I like the magpie in you :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. A wonderful post and an outstanding painting.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Incredible. I thought it was a photo at first. I can't believe what you an achieve with watercolors but there is such magical quality to your work!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Absolutely GORGEOUS painting, Crystal. You are definitely a master of watercolors...Beautiful work as always!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Merry Holiday painting to you Crystal! and thank you. I´m actually down is Nicaragua right now and am doin some Central America backpacking for the next three months. It´s been fun, but I miss the smell of my paints :(. It´s all pencil and paper until then. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wonderful painting, Crystal, and what a nice story!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Way to go Crystal. This is exceptional.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Crystal, you are just incredible. You can take a simple household element and make it into a delightful masterpiece. Your knowledge of color relationships and values is remarkable. I love seeing anything you create!

    ReplyDelete
  42. this is a spectacular painting. I felt the same way reading the book and then when I went to see the movie. And the theater was full of little people who were mesmerized and silent through the entire movie! I think I need to see it again.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Slam bangin' painting in EVERY WAY and I live the story . My now 8 year old nephew loved listening to the audio recording of Polar Express and would play it at night . The music reminds me of him and I love it!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours Crystal.

    ReplyDelete

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!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails