Sweet and Simple
Has 2020 taught you to keep things sweet and simple? Me too! And, just in case you are not quite sure what that means, stick around, dear reader. But before I share my thoughts on the opposite of savory and complicated, I will welcome new readers (welcome!) to this blog and post by sharing the purpose of each here.
Favorite Things
In early 2020, I pledged to paint a painting each week and blog about it. The name of this weekly series of paintings is Favorite Things. Why? Well, because I choose objects, typically food, that I love to eat. But, I paint it first and then, if it’s still edible, I’ll eat it! This means each week I write about a painting and the process. You are welcome to follow along as I share the ups and downs of this studio and painting life I lead. To do so, simply sign up here. You’ll receive a lively and colorful blog post each week, get a first look at my latest painting or drawing and get early notification of sales, too. Let’s move onward to this week’s topic, shall we?
Whoops
Well, I guess you have noticed that I didn’t paint food this week. But that’s OK. That has happened before. What’s consistent is that I have definitely painted my favorite things. Like what? Like that sweet Christmas stocking above. It’s actually pretty old. I am not sure if one of my sisters’ sewed it or not. It looks as if the white part at the top and the red part are cut with one of those nifty scissors that cuts little triangles instead of a straight line. There’s barely a suggestion of that at the bottom of the white section in the painting.
Intention
More than anything, I wanted to share this sweet and simple shape as an image of what this season and artwork can be. Why? There are some who think that art work has to be complicated or intellectually challenging. My worn out brain is just not willing to go towards complicated or intellectually challenging right now.
A simple image like this stocking makes me smile and warms my heart. I want to communicate smiles and warm hearts right now. Here are a few more gouache paintings where I hope you feel the love and warmth.
Warm
We live in a ~100 year old house and it has steam radiators that still work! Our 14 year old kitty absolutely loves sitting on them this time of year. For those of you who know me, you know I love my kitty cat. He’s one of those snuggly critters that is warm and sweet and certainly has helped me through this difficult year.
Here’s another view of kitty on the radiator. The light was much darker but I still love the feeling of warmth that our orange kitty cat conveys.
BDE
Don’t worry “BDE” isn’t a complicated art reference that only “in the know” art collectors can define. It just stands for Best Dog Ever. So, here’s another sweet and warm painting. This time it’s a painting of our little miss BDE.
Grateful
I am grateful for these our fuzzy, sweet critters and the Christmas Stocking, too. And, I’m also grateful to you, dear reader, and the collector’s who have made this year, my very first, online studio sale a success. If you have some last minute shopping left to do and think one of these or the paintings in the online gallery is calling your name, contact me. I would love to send these sweet and simple paintings your way. Unless you live nearby, though, it’s unlikely your purchase will arrive in time for Christmas. So, if you do buy something, consider it a New Year’s gift!
Do Tell
How about you? Are you choosing to keep things sweet and simple, too? If so, please share in the comments below and thank you for reading today.
12 Comments
sidney
December 17, 2020Hi there Julie! I love seeing your posts and what you’re painting. Your paintings are lovely. And I hope all is well in Raleigh? Philly? We’re still on Wilson Street, living the Durham dream :).
It’s nice to reconnect with you.
— Sidney
Julie Holmes
December 17, 2020Hi Sidney,
Wow – what a lovely ‘blast from the past!’ Thank you for your sweet comment about my paintings, Sidney! We’re back in Raleigh. Philly was amazing but a smidge to urban for this suburban, gal. Glad to hear you all are still on Wilson Street in Durham. Woot! Thanks again and what a treat to reconnect with you, too!
Alexandra
December 17, 2020What lovely paintings, Julie! They made me smile, too. How can animals not make a person smile, especially those who are our family members and yours are especially sweet.
Love the radiators. I remember them from our days living in New York City and am happy to see that you still have yours. It makes me nostalgic. You did a lovely job painting them, too. You can tell they’re radiators without a lot of detail. Nice!
I believe that artwork is about beauty and should definitely not be intellectually challenging. So, good for you for pointing out the different roles art has to play!
Julie Holmes
December 17, 2020Hi Alexandra,
Thanks so much for your comment. I am so glad they made you smile. Ahh…what a small but so important thing to enjoy these days, right? A smile, that is.
I absolutely love steam radiators, too! There’s something about the heat that warms me so much more than forced air. I did try my best to communicate the radiators without going overboard. That’s something I’m thinking a lot about in my paintings and drawings these days; the least amount of info to communicate what I wish to express.
Yay for beauty in artwork! Take care and thank you again for reading and commenting here!
Denise Todloski
December 17, 2020Hard to top that lovely commentary above from Alexandra!
And quite frankly I totally agree!
Warmth, beauty, sensitivity, and generosity of spirit and talent!
Thank you Julie! Congrats on your successful first online year and excelling on your painting goals!
Your pal, Denise
Julie Holmes
December 17, 2020Hi Denise,
Woot! I am glad you agree and can totally see that you would. I am grateful that you connect with these sentiments. Thank you for your encouraging words, Denise! Glad we can call each other pals. Take care you!
Kristina Philipson
December 17, 2020Julie,
I love your Christmas stocking!
I’m looking out at our first big snowstorm of the year and it reminds me of how warm and safe things can feel inside (home and self). This year will be a much smaller and simpler Christmas but I did find my Swedish trolls, angels and santas to bring in the spirit. And of course, I have my 100 pound puppy Mandy.
Thank you Julie for sharing so much beauty this year both in terms of your inner self and your beautiful paintings!
Kristina
Julie Holmes
December 23, 2020Hi Kristina,
Thank you! That Christmas stocking is a variation of what I actually have. Don’t tell anyone (ha!) but there’s a whacky snow thingie where they holly berries are. I don’t even know what it is so I thought I would paint some Christmassy holly there.
Stay warm in the midst of all that snow and – hey – I never knew you had Swedish trolls set out at Christmas! Geeze – must show me next time we Zoom.
Thank you for reading, looking, collecting, and commenting this year Kristina! I treasure our friendship!
Kathy
December 18, 2020What wonderful paintings this week! The pets were great. … love the shadows on their fur especially.
The stocking is so charming and I’m imagining how happy it made you on Christmas mornings past
Julie Holmes
December 23, 2020Hiya Kathy! Thanks so much. I am finding gouache is a wonderful alternative to oils in the midst of all of this holiday frenzy. And, it’s easy to clean up, too. Anywho, as I mentioned to Kristina, I modified the Christmas stocking a bit because it has these whacky felt characters sewn on it. I don’t recognize what they are…so decided to paint some holly berries. It’s a wonderful and soft felt stocking and is fun to have after all these years. Take care and lots o’ love!
Beth Dyer Clary
December 22, 2020Hi, Julie,
Late to the show but wanted to tell you how much I love the paintings this week. The take-away for me is “soft and fuzzy” because the paintings all look soft and fuzzy.
Looking forward to what you do in 2021,
XO Beth
Julie Holmes
December 23, 2020Hi Beth,
I think I probably was thinking soft and fuzzy as I was painting these paintings. Especially the Chloe painting! She’s super soft and fuzzy when I brush her (which I could do every hour…her hair is always a mess! ;-D)
Thanks for reading and commenting and – yes! – here’s to 2021! lots o’ love and xoxoxos back at youuuuu