"The Gift Basket", 16x20, orchids, fruit, fruit basket, still life, eggs, wine, Leonard Cohen, MAryanne JAcobsen art

"The Gift Basket", 16x20

This is a re-do of a painting that I did awhile back. Not sure if I'm happy with it but I did enjoy painting it. Listened to the Essential Leonard Cohen CD while I painted. Now that man was a true artist!

If you are interested in this work, please contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Balancing Act", 11x14, still life, realism, red onion, eggs, pottery

"Balancing Act", 11x14, oil on linen

Sometimes it seems as though our lives are precarious balancing acts. How quickly our daily joys can turn into stress and pain over some unexpected turn of events. How quickly our relaxation can turn into stress, when we are unprepared for a turn of events.

The holidays can often be a real "Balancing act". Unexpected costs for gifts, unexpected company, unexpected illness or even a delayed flight can turn what should have been a happy time into a period of stress and even dread.

This Christmas I have promised myself that I will not stress out. I will stay focused on the true meaning of the season and share this blessed time with those I love and friends I cherish. I will not cave in to the negativity of shopping at unreasonable hours, cleaning till the skin comes off my hands or eating sugar-laden treats till I can't close my pants!

Although Jesus Christ was not really born in December, (see here), I will still stay focused on the fact that his birth whenever it occurred, was a blessing to the entire world. And for those who choose to follow the path of Christianity, there are rewards that are most certainly beyond our current level of understanding to comprehend.

So if you are currently trying to juggle a "balancing act", sit back for a moment and meditate on your life's blessings- those that are past and those that you still hope for. The Christmas season is about Hope, Love and Peace. Let's try to enjoy it!

"Balancing Act" can be shipped framed and ready to hang in time for Christmas. I was always very proud of this piece and while it is not really indicative of my current style of painting, I have received many compliments on it, over the past few years.

Simple Gifts, 16x20, oil on linen

"Simple Gifts"- 16x 20, oil on linen

Simple gifts seemed an appropriate name for this painting, which I thankfully finally finished today! The fruit basket, eggs, wine and orchids all seemed to indicate the sense of bounty and overall prosperity that we as a nation sometimes take for granted in these United States. I do hope the painting imparts a sense of thankfulness to viewers as well. We are truly fortunate to have what we have, despite rising gas prices and a falling dollar.

May everyone have a thankful, joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving!

a Painting a day, Daily painters, original art , affordable art, impressionist floral paintings,home decor paintings, still life paintings ,cottage art,colorist art,orchids and fruit, wine and fruit basket, romantic still life arrangements.