Thursday, November 17, 2011

Newly Smitten SOLD

Newly Smitten
6" x 6" watercolor
click here to bid SOLD

About a month ago, when I took my kids to the park one afternoon, I spotted this teenage couple. There was something so compelling about the way they had their bodies angled towards each other, knees and hands just slightly touching. And the light! Huzzah! It was gorgeous!

This is also my interpretation of "Something I'm Thankful For." A new painting challenge that me and Carrie Waller started together. It was my turn for the challenge idea and I set the rule that it couldn't be a portrait of a family member, and it couldn't be something (an object or something like that) we had painted before, because I wanted it to literally be a challenge.

Warning: the remainder of this post borders on epic amounts of sappiness. 

So, here's why I picked this image as something I'm thankful for: because it reminds me of what it felt like to fall in love with my husband. And how thankful I am that he's in my life and that we're still in love. When I took the time to really think about something I was thankful for that I could paint my thoughts kept coming back to my husband. He is my life. I would not be who I am today without him. My life would be drastically different if we had not met. And I am so thankful that we did. :)

To see Carrie's entry clcik here

Have a great rest of the week everyone. See you on Tuesday. :)
Posted by Crystal Cook at 6:48 AM
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31 comments:

  1. Maria's WatercolorNovember 17, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Aw, you made me smile this morning. How wonderful for you to have that relationship in your life. And how wonderful this painting is, so warm and full of love.

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  2. Bren Graham ThebeauNovember 17, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Now that's a tribute to a great man. I love that you love, I understand what you mean, I feel the same way about my husband as well. He has made all the difference, and we still really like each other besides the love :-)
    The painting is, alight with love. Beautiful

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  3. Rustique RestorationNovember 17, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Oh I love this! I love how you have so much light in your paintings! Just beautiful.. And the painting at the top of your blog is one of my favorites!

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  4. Kim RempelNovember 17, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Ah...that beautiful moment : ) I hear you and feel the same <3 Love is grand. And so are the million little moments...
    Beautifully captured!

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  5. Sonya JohnsonNovember 17, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    You do such a great job capturing the light in your paintings, and this one is no exception. I can see why you were drawn to paint it!

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  6. PatNovember 17, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Sappy is allowed when its so precious :) The joy in your life shows in your paintings. Wonderful xx

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  7. ann @ studiohydeNovember 17, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    You have captured the teenage couple beautifully, love the lights and darks which compliment each other just in the right amount.

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  8. UnknownNovember 17, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous watercolour, with just the right amount of sappiness :-)

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  9. Carol BlackburnNovember 17, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Crystal, "Newly Smitten" is absolutely amazing.

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  10. maría joséNovember 17, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    precioso momento!!!

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  11. Ann BucknerNovember 17, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Impressive painting. Love the impact it has and the expressiveness of the figures.

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  12. UnknownNovember 17, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    This is such an awesome painting! You've captured the beauty of the moment so perfectly. I admire your talent so much!

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  13. Maria Bennett HockNovember 17, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    your work is beautiful. I love the play of the sunlight...such a great piece.

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  14. PrabalNovember 18, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    This is so sweet Crystal. And though this is a different subject it has got Cystal Cook written all over it. Thatquality of light is just awesome.

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  15. hmuxoNovember 18, 2011 at 4:30 AM

    What a beautiful post and tribute to your wonderful husband..and I love this painting of these two teenagers!

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  16. Sandra BusbyNovember 18, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! It is SO beautiful! I love the light and as you say, it really does take us back to when we first fell in love. And aren't we so lucky to still feel that way after being married for such a long time? It seems to be a rare thing nowadays :0(
    Maybe you should wrap it up and give it to Mr. Cook for Christmas :0D

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  17. _Frankb10November 18, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Gorgeous painting Crystal - lovely how you've captured the light. (I won't comment on the 'sappy' bit ;))

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  18. maddyroseNovember 18, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    This is a beautiful piece and I wouldn't worry about the sappiness. It's always wonderful when you have love in your life that you are inspired by. As much as I liked the painting of your hubby as the header on your blog this one is precious.

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  19. Studio at the FarmNovember 18, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Well, my sappy friend [sappy meant in only the nicest way] you have created a beauty! Before I read your description of how you got the photo, I had images of you quietly creeping up behind them from the bushes, camera in hand!!!

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  20. Lisa Graham November 18, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Wow, you captured their teenageness well! This is really sweet.

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  21. Joan Sandford-CookNovember 18, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Gorgeous sentimental post Crystal. Love the almost touching knees!

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  22. John (JWJarts)November 18, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    I really like this, especially the way you're captured the light and I love that their knees are just touching. Superb.

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  23. Meera RaoNovember 18, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Aw, truly beautiful painting and wonderful sentiments about you and the love of your life. I agree that is something to be thankful for-- nice tribute to your husband too :)

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  24. Karen BoeNovember 18, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Crystal, this is my first visit to your blog--I followed this painting over from DPW. It's incredible - so sweet and powerful. Can't express how much I love it and how the simple beauty of it truly lifted my mood after a tough day. Thanks for capturing that scene and sharing it.

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  25. SYLVIANENovember 18, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Beautiful subject and painting, Crystal!

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  26. BrandNewStudioNovember 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    ExcellentWork

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  27. Carrie Waller WatercolorsNovember 20, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Crystal, this is just fantastic!! Love the light, such a perfect Fall day! Love the emotions that come through, makes my heart smile:) Reminds me of when I fell in love my guy!

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  28. Michaele RaziNovember 20, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Gorgeous piece! And love the sweet words about your husband. Not sappy at all!

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  29. AnonymousNovember 21, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    well I for one love sappy and I also love your work, I'm in awe everytime I come here,,

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  30. Taryn DayNovember 22, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Quite a beautiful painting, full of feeling- you've captured a very wonderful moment perfectly. I love the intense black of the girl's sweatshirt.
    Thanks for your comments on my blog today!

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  31. KatieNovember 26, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    I Love This! Your work is mesmerizing!

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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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