Time for Tea: a Favorite Things painting

When is the best time for tea? If you’re British Mr Studly in our household, any time is a good time for tea! And, there’s a delightful process associated with tea time.

How to Make Tea

Fill kettle with water.
Put the kettle ‘on.’
Pick your tea. In Mr Studly’s case it’s Twinings Darjeeling.
Open up favorite tea.
Choose a tasty cookie to enjoy with tea.
Pour boiling water into warmed tea cup.
Remove tea bag.
Add milk.
Enjoy!

There is a sense of anticipation in the process of tea making I have described. It’s a delightful anticipation. I thought about that feeling of anticipation and enjoyment as I painted this painting. I also thought about how crunchy and delicious that little cookie would taste with or without a cup of tea. Yummy! I hope you, the viewer, can feel a bit of that anticipation as you look at this painting.

Favorite Things

This painting is a part of a series for 2020 called “Favorite Things.” Here’s why this painting includes favorite things. But, first things first, tea is not my favorite thing! I’m a coffee drinker and prefer a small but super strong little cup, black, every morning.

Since I live with a tea drinker, however, I couldn’t resist including a teabag. And that beautiful light on the edge of the tea bag…so lovely!

That sweet homemade cookie in the painting is the v-e-r-y last cookie from a box we received from some near and dear friends. We did everything we could to make those delicious cookies last as long as possible. But like all good things, the little cookie in this painting and the rest of its crew are gone.

The mug is hand made by me back during my pottery making days. I love this little mug for all kinds of reasons. It has a handle on it that is super snug in my hand. And, making good handles in pottery takes tenaciousness and time. The mug is also a nice shape to hold in two hands. And, the slight flare at the edge makes it easy for me to enjoy the taste and smell of a hot beverage. Why? Because both nose and mouth fit in the opening of the mug.

Pottery Life

When I was a potter, I found myself surrounded by like-minded people who actually wanted to discuss the shape of a mug handle and the lip edge, too. We potters always combined these conversations with amazing home made food and a delicious hot beverage, of course.

I also found myself painting on every single pot I made. This is what compelled me to pursue painting after years as a potter with a few other really boring day jobs in between.

So there you have it! A painting filled with all kinds of favorite things. If you enjoyed reading this and would like to get weekly updates of new paintings, please sign up here. And, this “Time for Tea” painting is for sale here.

Thank you for reading and do share in the comments if tea is one of your favorite things!