Well. I have offically been caught up in all the hoopla that this season brings!
There has not been much time for painting this month.
But I have managed, here and there, to make time for my illustrated family Christmas card.
I know this is not the type of work you are used to seeing from me but it is a tradition
30 years in the making.
30 years in the making.
I started these pen and ink illustrations with just my husband and myself when we were first married down to our very grown up children today.
2013
A new family member added this year, my daughter-in-law, Jenni!
The three angels on the right are for mine and Larry's parents who have passed away.
They have appeared on the card in this way every year since they've been gone.
The paw prints in the snow and the bone are for our beloved little beagle, Glenn, who was a true member of our family and has been gone now for almost four years.
We adopted him from a rescue and he lived with us for almost 13 years.
And a few from past years.
2009
I often dressed us in Dickens type clothing.
Sadly, this was Glenn's last appearance as he passed away the following Spring.
2008
Santas Workshop
Can you find Glenn and the Angels?
2007
The Twelve Days of Christmas. What was I thinking!
It was quite a feat getting it all on an 11" x 17" space but it is fun to look at.
2000
1998
1997
1995
This was the first Christmas since my Dad passed away.
That's him watching us from the shop window.
This illustration was made for him in honor of a childhood memory.
My Dad, brother, sisters and I always walked a few blocks away to buy our tree from a city lot.
We then all carried it home together to decorate.
1990
The kids are 3 and 6 years old here. Where does the time go.
As you can imagine, doing this for 30 years there are alot more but these are my favorites.
After my mother in law passed away we were at her house cleaning up.
A very sad task.
While going through some things I found a box in which she had saved all the cards
from the first year on.
from the first year on.
I have them packed away for safe keeping.
Merry Christmas friends and celebrate a Happy New Year!
I really enjoyed seeing all your Christmas cards and the nostalgic walk down memory lane, Carmella. Thanks for sharing your unique way of seeing the world with us here in blogland. Personally, I'd love to see all thirty of them! :-D HAPPY HAPPY HOLIDAYS! xo Sandy
ReplyDeleteI saw this years card on Facebook and your process photos, I am in awe. Reading your post I didn't know it was a beautiful family tradition. Each illustration is a treasure for anyone to see, even people who don't know your family well! Thank you for sharing them. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI just received your large format, printed version of this year's card and I must say it is even more spectacular in real life! I enjoyed looking at your pen and ink technique and at all the details that are so beautifully illustrated. Thank you very much for your friendship and for adding us to your Christmas mailing, Carmella. Wishing you a very merry Christmas along with health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year! xo Sandy
ReplyDeleteYou are both so kind and always supportive. We as artist all improve as we support each other. So thank you and the best of wishes to you and your families in the coming year!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! Awesome! Great tradition! Greeting cards like yours are a special precious moments of life. How lucky your friends and family members are, to get X-mas wishes in this way! Thank you very much for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
Such a nice, uplifting comment! Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteI love these - what a special way to share your Holiday Greetings - much better than a photo! Saw you on the list for 30 in 30 with Leslie - looking forward to seeing more of your great artworks!
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