Christmas Card

Happy Christmas week!

This card is part of an annual tradition I started way back with our first married Christmas.

Back then it was just the two of us and I think I drew our fish tank in there somewhere.

Look how we have grown!

We have a new member of the family with the adoption of the puppy Indiana by my son and his wife.

We have a baby on the way in 2015. Our first grandchild!

And an exciting wedding to plan with the engagement of our daughter.

This is the only cartoon/illustration type of work I do these days.

And it's a really nice way to end a year full of making art.

This is how it begins with a rough sketch.

I then place a sheet of heavy vellum over the sketch and with fine line markers begin

the big doodle project.  

I doodle on it in front of the tv, on the kitchen table while making dinner, 

pretty much anywhere I can grab a few minutes.

The nice thing about working on this vellum is that if I make a mistake instead of white out 

I can just scratch the surface off with an exacto knife.

I also use this as a technique as in scratching away some area to make the smoke from the fire.

If you have not seen my illustrated family cards from years past,
please visit this page and take a look.

I have a very busy week ahead as I'm sure you do also.

A very happy Christmas and holiday to you all and thank you so much for the time you 

take throughout the year to visit my work.

See you in 2015!

Knight Star, The Amaryllis

"Knight Star"

Watercolor, 9" x 12"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

Many festive varieties of amaryllis pop up this time of year, some with stories that can be associated with Christmas themes. 

A hybrid amaryllis, 'St. Joseph's Staff,' was introduced in the 16th century, according to an online resource, The African Garden. 

St. Joseph's Staff is a reference to the legend that St. Joseph was chosen to become husband to the Virgin Mary after his staff sprouted amaryllis flowers during the selection process conducted by a high priest. 

The name, amaryllis, is derived from the Greek word that means "to sparkle," and its botanical name, Hippeastrum, is Greek for "knight star."

Flowers are my go to subject for truly relaxing painting.

And the vibrant coloring is always an added bonus.

In this case the delicate fine lines were completed by first wetting a single pedal, giving it a few seconds to try a bit and then dragging a very thin, loaded brush across the surface.

This creates a beautiful modeled first glaze.

I rarely leave a white background but thought I would try to se how I like it.

I do love the botanical paintings I see at the flower show every year.

And it is a simple, clean look.

The verdict is out however because I'm finding it difficult not to brush in a luscious rich background!

I would love to paint another one but I have to start 

my family Christmas card this week.

Here's a look at last years card.

This year I have the happy task of adding a mother to be daughter-in-law

(Our first grandchild!), a future son-in-law and a new

little adopted puppy.

Yikes, I better get started :)