Christmas feel

 

With cold and gray weather, I could feel that it is Christmas again. This feeling has led me to do this small painting of holly leaves and berries.

Hoping that every one is in great spirit and good health.

Holly branch with berries

In watercolors, 18x24 cm

Early last month, when we were walking inside the Arboretum Poort Bulten at De Lutte (Netherlands) I saw a holly plant full of red berries. With christmas season in my mind, I took some pictures of the plant with the intention of using them as reference for a painting which I will use for printing christmas cards. I actually produced two paintings based from the pictures, one is painted in watercolors which is this one above, and the other is in acrylic. I like both versions but I chose the one in acrylic for my christmas cards because of its stronger colors. I will post in this blog later how the card looks like.

These past days I was deeply saddened with what I saw and read from the news about the impact of typhoon Haiyan on the people of the Philippines. Some weather experts considered Haiyan as the strongest typhoon ever landed on earth. I could not imagine how those victims survived the 315 km per hour wind. I just hope and pray that those victims received the necessary help they need so that they will be able to continue hoping for a brighter future. May God bless all of them and also those who are providing help.