Christmas Wishes and All Good Things

My Sweetheart Rose Detail by Karen LaFontaine — Detail from My Sweetheart Rose a painting in progress by Karen LaFontaine

I Have These Christmas Wishes

Today, standing at my easel in the warm sunlight, I am working on my painting entitled, My Sweetheart Rose. I am some thirty hours, and more, into this new rose portrait, and I am not yet seeing the end of this challenging painting. Layer after layer, I continue onward in my quest to fulfill a vision.

Christmas carols playing in the background bring warmth and joy to my heart. I am contemplating all that has transpired in 2020… and I feel happy because I know for certain, at least one thing… all good things take time.

As the year winds down, counting less then ten days left, I paint and reflect on the many activities of a full and uniquely challenging 2020.

In my pursuit of art, I have begun many new canvases. I have finished and signed some, and yet others are still winking at me, awaiting their final inspiration.

In the pursuit of keeping busy at home, I have planted new gardens and watched them flourish, but only after hours of tending, watering and care.

In the pursuit of staying connected with people, I have joined new online clubs, and made new friends. Together, we have all wished for an end to our Covid 19 crisis so that we may begin meeting in person.

With my full attention on my rose portrait, I contemplate with each brushstroke… all good things take time… More importantly, it is perfectly “okay” that they do.

Looking ahead to 2021, I grow hopeful. I have these Christmas Wishes:

My painter’s wish is that I will finish more canvases then I begin.

My gardener’s wish is that my family will enjoy the abundance of our garden.

Most importantly, my family and friends wish is that we get to see one another and spend more time together in each other’s company.

For my old and new friends who visit with me here, in my artist’s journal, my Christmas Wish is that All Good Things Await You Too In 2021!

Thank you for visiting with me in my Artist’s Journal, On The Easel. In the New Year, I look forward to sharing many painting adventures with you! (Article image, detail from underpainting, My Sweetheart Rose, canvas in progress, 16 x 20 inches, oil on canvas)