Monday, December 13, 2010

Pastel Snow ... and White Christmas


I am craving seeing the snow. In Southern California it exists, of course, but you have to drive to the mountains for a couple of hours. It will happen but until then ...

This is a pastel I did of Massachusetts this year. I thought the shallow layer of snow would be a challenge but it was actually pretty fun! Of course, the early evening light helped.

Near Cambridge 2010 pastel on LaCarte


I have always loved Christmas carols and as a kid I can't count the times I turned my birthday into a caroling party. Our little street was mostly elderly people and they loved when all the kids would come to the door to sing.

One lady, who I adored and had many visits with, lived in what looked like the cottage of the seven dwarves. Her name was Beth Brown, and she'd tell me stories of traveling and teaching in Japan after the World War II. Mrs. Brown, who'd been widowed since before I ever knew her, would invite us all in and ask us to sing from the stairs that lead to her tiny a-framed loft. Every year she would request White Christmas. And every year she would cry, smiling through her tears.

As a child I wondered what made her cry. I wondered if it was the song, the singing children or that she missed her husband. For me, singing from the stairs in her cottage is one of the most vivid Christmastime memories I have from my childhood. I still miss her and sometimes when I hear White Christmas, I cry.


"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

With every Christmas card I write

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white."

~ Irving Berlin

14 comments:

PK Studios said...

I'm jealous that you figured out how to make it snow!!
: ) BUT, LOOOOVE your new pastel! When are you having a show??? You should have cards printed and sell them on Etsy! Miss Vista del Mar too....the memories, the neighbors, the views...

Tammie Lee said...

ah, a lovely holiday post. Your pastel is so pretty, I could step right into it.

Victoria said...

Beautiful post! and gorgeous art! Such a lovely touching story...beautiful!!

Theresa said...

Beautiful memory. You touched her so.

Kerry O'Gorman said...

Such a sweet memory...I bet Mrs Brown remembered it all her life as well. What joy you must have brought her. It's one of my favorites as well. We don't get much snow here either so I feel your pain!

Turid said...

The color of the sky reminds me of Norway. That clear blue that you can just merge with, as your eyes never struggle to look at it. I think we're all a combination of dusk and dawn.

You're very welcome to Norway Lucinda - we've got tons of the stuff. Snow that is. :-)

A Brush with Color said...

Beautiful cool color palette here--I can feel the cold in it. Great job! I love Christmas music and poetry, too. We used to go carolling in our neighborhood as kids and people would give us hot cider and hot chocolate when we came to their doors. I have fond memories of that.

koralee said...

Thank you for visiting me the other day...your blog is lovely. I sooooooo want a white christmas my friend...we usually get one but this year I have a feeling it will pass us by...lots and lots of rain.

Sending you hugs for a great week. xoxoxo

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful pastel, I love the blue snow!, and a lovely story. Thank you for sharing.

btw arrived via Diana of a certain simplicity.

Candy said...

Your pastel is gorgeous. Your story is perfect.

Jo Potter said...

This is a lovely holiday post. Your pastel drawing is very beautiful. The colours are gorgeous!
Mrs Brown sounded like a very sweet lady. It is interesting what we remember about people from childhood. Christmas seemed like a magical dream to us when we were young.
We could be getting a white Christmas this year, I hope you do too!
Christmas blessings.
Jo. x

KathyA said...

The painting is beautiful! I love the color.

Not sure if we'll be having a white Christmas, but it certainly has been bitter cold.

Cobalt Violet said...

I thought my comment posted! Well ...
PK, just google snowing blog and it comes up. very easy!

Tammie Lee and Kiki! Thank you for the compliments. It's very encouraging!

Theresa - you're right, I feel blessed to have that memory. :)

Kerry - wouldn't it be nice to have that white christmas? At least it's gorgeous there!

Cobalt Violet said...

Turid- thanks i may take you up on that! :)

Suzanne- thank you for the compliment and I loved that when people would give us cider! Maybe I need to have a caroling party next year!

Koralee- you are very welcome and thanks for coming by! Hugs back sweetie!

Sue- thank you and thanks for visiting!

Joanne- thanks so much and I hope you do get your white christmas!

Candy- thanks so much. Happy Holidays my friend.

Kathy- grazie for the compliment!