Right Beside Me
5" x 7" watercolor
SOLD
My two oldest boys are back at school and the house is unusually quiet today. It's just me and my little one and the unlit Christmas tree that still sits in the corner because I'm hesitant to pack it away and say goodbye to all the good times we had together this holiday season.
Maybe that's why I chose to paint this image. A mom and her baby, no matter the species, walking this life together.
It's something that's always on my mind, but especially lately. I'm feeling a little sad about how quickly my children are growing, I'm trying to enjoy every single stage of their life, and hoping that I'm teaching them everything they need to know to grow to be the men God intends them to be.
Becoming a mother has been the greatest joy in my life and I find it interesting that even when I paint subjects other than my own children this theme still pops up in my work. And I imagine that it always will.
I hope you all are having a great week. :) I'll see you Tuesday to announce the winner of my blogoversary print giveaway.
If you happened to miss my earlier post and you'd like a chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post.
Huzzah!!! (You knew I had to :)
Crystal, I think this is my favorite painting of yours. And as always, your sentiments about your family are so beautiful, and wonderful to read! I am so glad you are my blog-friend!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so touching. The words, of course, but they almost don't even need to be said because everything written, is already felt in the beautiful painting. I LOVE this :0D
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you should say about being reluctant to take the tree down - For the first time ever, I couldn't wait to see the back of mine and erase every little bit of Christmas! But then of course it didn't go quite to plan. I am so glad that yours was a wonderful one :0)
Oh Crystal, this is so beautiful and this post is so touching! You're such a good Mom!!!...They do grow up too fast...we just have to take time out to enjoy them and I know you do!
ReplyDeleteFor different reasons to Sandra, I too am pleased to see an end to the holiday this year. Lights and tree are down and stowed away for another year. My Snowdrops are opening and the promise of spring is everywhere to be seen.
ReplyDeleteI love this painting - you always make them sound so effortless. ;-)
As always a stunning painting!
ReplyDeleteVery touching, Crystal. Love all that it implies.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I was Father and Mother to my sons and know of what you speak. Letting go is difficult. Thankfully there is art where words will never suffice.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute! And so realistic! Nice work!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen anything you aren't able to paint. That is not just talent but a true gift.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is such a sweet painting Crystal...I love it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove the shadows - a beautiful contrast to the dark horses! The swinging tail really tells a story :) Great start for the new year!
ReplyDeleterealy sweet painting. and Nice theme aswell!
ReplyDeleteLovely painting, Crystal .
ReplyDeletexx
This is superb story telling through paintings.. Very suggestive and full of emotions. All that white spaces left in the painting is just wow.. You are taking huge steps as an artist Crystal. And that is so cool. And thanks for the title. It is nice.
ReplyDeleteLove how you savour the moments and your paintings reflect that, each one capturing something special and keeping it before our eyes.
ReplyDeleteFelicidades, es precioso!
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal, I've just discovered you and I'm extremely impressed! I just wondered, with three kids, when do you make time to paint? You said you just have one little one not in school, but the demands of being a wife and mother even with just one kid at home can be so overwhelming. I'm an artist as well and the only way I get to paint is if my kids are all asleep, which is late at night and then I'm a zombie the next day. so whats your secret? Nanny? Grandma? magic baby sleeping pills? give it up. if you have a spare moment :)
ReplyDeleteI really love the softer, wet into wet look, vivid saturated colors and varied edges of your paintings, especially when so many portrait and animal portrait paintings out in the shows are painted so tight, hard-edged and photo-realistically. I am not a loose styled watercolor painter myself, but I am trying my best to learn about edge variation, and trying to gather my courage for wet-into-wet applications. I am learning a lot looking at how you are doing these paintings. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice painting. Its amazing how you can connect so well with horses. Are you the horse whisperer? ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful painting which conveys so much emotion, needless to say that I love it. I am sure this would look stunning on a larger scale too. Is there no end to your talent? :)
ReplyDeleteLove the horses!! You have such a way with words!!! Great post!
ReplyDeleteBeing a mom has changed my life in the best way. I enjoy every second I can with my boys:)
ReplyDeleteYour painting is stunning. They always are:) Have a lovely weekend -Dawn-
Wonderful painting.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and the painting is gorgeous! Love it!
ReplyDeletesigh..this is just majestically beautifully done crystal. i absolutely love it!
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