Season of Advent

Expectant waiting. Preparation for celebration. The beginning of the Liturgical year for Christians. A quiet and meaningful season during the darkest time of year.

My family has kept advent with candlelight, music, scripture, prayer..and even arts in the form of cotton balls glued to lamb drawings when the kids were little. It was fun to incorporate movement and creativity to our family advent nights. We upped the ante with gifts of books each Sunday evening after the candles were lit. 

I invite you to enjoy the beautiful Advent Project with daily curated art, music, poetry, and writing all centered around the silence and anticipation of the season. 

I also invite you to my own little annual contribution to contemplation...my annual lamb paintings. I began painting a lamb for December in 2015 when I was inspired by a photo of a shepherdess in Mongolia. There was a slightly older lamb standing toward the back of the photo that spoke to me of the waiting and weakness inherent in our own experiences. 

(2015) The Yearling 24x28 Oil on canvas $500

​I painted this lamb with mostly blues to reflect the short, dark days of December; but, then, contrasted the cool blue with bits of gold straw and warm light on the lamb's face and breast. The paint went on thick at the finish for the thick coat of wool that protects from the cold.

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Last year's lamb was much younger...newly born or close to it. Again, it was not the primary subject of the photo I used, but almost unnoticed in the background. (For info on photo references for artists, click here)

(2016) Drowsy Lamb 16x20 Oil on canvas SOLD

​My goal this time was to capture the fluffy softness of that thick baby coat, and to lose the edges into the gold-flecked straw bedding. Sleepy baby.

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This year I found several photos taken at a farm nearby and this little lamb won my heart.

(2017) Standing in the Light 20x20 Oil on canvas $500

The way the light was hitting this little guy became my focal point. The brushwork is much less pronounced so the viewer is drawn more to the light that nearly encircles the lamb. The edges, though soft, are not lost into the shadow. Instead the baby stands alert and open. Can't you almost see the legs wobbling?

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Thank you for reading my blog and many blessings for a wonder-filled Christmas Season!