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8 Maids-a-Milking

My Nose is Blinking…Day 8 in the 12 Days of Christmas Sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 18, 2012 — Leave a comment
Silly Girl, charcoal & conte sketch

Silly Girl, charcoal & conte sketch

On the eighth day of Christmas sketches…

It’s hard to take “eight maids-a-milking” seriously…several applicable jokes come to mind, but I’ll keep my snickering to myself and spare you.

It’s been a heavy few days. Like many parents, it was hard to send my 1st grader off to school today, and I kept my eyes peeled in my preschool office, watching out the window and thinking of all the “what ifs” that have been haunting Americans since Friday.

It’s easy to get sucked into fear… But we remember these words at Christmas: “do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of a great joy!”

We have life. We have joy. We have “maids-a-milking” jokes, reindeer antlers and blinking light-up noses, Christmas Vacation, silly songs, laughter and love.

Eat, drink and be merry! Life is short, life is good.

8 Maids-a-Milking

8 Maids-a-Milking

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7 Swans-a-Swimming

Shopping, shopping, shopping…Christmas Sketch, Day 7

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 16, 2012 — Leave a comment
A Small Gift, charcoal and conte sketch on paper

A Small Gift, charcoal and conte sketch on paper

On the seventh day of Christmas sketches…

Running errands are not my bag…If I could order everything and have it delivered, I would. I recognize that in today’s world, this is quite possible, but sometimes you have to go to an actual store and pick things out. Like yesterday.

Christmas. Shopping.

Not my idea of fun. To make it worse, I am a penny pincher and don’t like spending money. To make it worse again, I’m trying to purposefully “find” the “true meaning” of Christmas, which makes it confusing to go to Wal-Mart and load up my buggy with toys. I was at a mental crossroads (please hear some sarcasm).

I’ve posted a lot about my son lately…he is a comical little fellow who drops tons of story-telling opportunities right in my lap, just by being his quirky little self. But I have two other wonderful children. My working-answer to my Christmas shopping query comes as I think of them.

As we shopped, my husband and I tried not to just grab random toys to have presents to give (though I dare say at the end of said shopping trip we may or may not have been chunking in “stocking stuffers” as we walked passed displays, without an ounce of thought besides “get me out of heeeeeere!!!!!”).

We tried to think of what makes our 7-year-old tick, what makes our 5-year-old unique, what makes our 8-month-old happy, and choose gifts to encourage their talents, their joys and their creativity.

Same for my parents; same for my sister; same for anyone else we plan to “gift” this year.

Christmas is not “about” presents, but they definitely seem to be #2 on the list. Gifts should be a thoughtful gesture… And I’m not buying the “show your love by buying a Lexus,” over-commercialized Christmas. I’m aiming for a reasonable, loving gesture…something that says “I thought about you; I know you and thought you would like this gift from me.”

Gifts are definitely a part of Christmas, and a part of being human. We want to do something for others. We can downsize our gift-giving. We can give to those in need. But, I really would love to have more peace about Christmas shopping.

When it comes to Christmas “gifting,” my best understanding at the end of the day is this:

Make them meaningful. Make them count.

7 Swans-a-Swimming

7 Swans-a-Swimming

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6 Geese-a-Laying

Paper Shoes…Day 6 in the 12 Days of Christmas Sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 16, 2012 — Leave a comment
Paper Shoes, charcoal & conte sketch

Paper Shoes, charcoal & conte sketch

On the sixth day of Christmas sketches…

Today was a good family day… much needed in the midst of mourning over “inhumanity” and the remembrance of little children near and far whose lives have been stolen. My emotions, as so many others are experiencing, have swung like a pendulum all day: I picture the faces of frightened children and I weep; I sing Christmas songs with my children and feel warm; I think of the children who won’t ever have another Christmas and I hurt; I choose gifts for my children and I feel proud of who they are.

Tonight we loaded up to finally get our Christmas tree. As we entered the garden section of a nearly-deserted Lowe’s, curious attention and questions were directed at my son.

That would be because he was shuffling along in paper shoes.

Apparently, we didn’t notice him get into the car without real shoes, so his homemade paper and blue painters-tape shoes it was. We bought a slightly scraggly clearance tree, strapped it to the top of our Jeep, and the kids sang “We Three Kings” loudly all the way home.

It’s tempting to be paralyzed by fear, to want to tuck my children away, like eggs in a nest, sheltering them from harm. But that’s not living. Living is wearing paper shoes because you want to, singing loudly, and laughing at your Christmas tree…

living in love, not in fear.

“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love. ” -Linus, A Charlie Brown Christmas

“All you need is love. Love is all you need.”

-the Beatles
6 Geese-a-Laying

6 Geese-a-Laying

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5 Golden Rings

Innocence…Day 5 in the 12 Days of Christmas Sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 14, 2012 — Leave a comment
Nativity Play, charcoal and conte sketch

Nativity Play, charcoal and conte sketch

On the fifth day of Christmas…

Today I cried. Twice, actually, and I don’t cry very often.

I cried once out of joy and gratefulness; I cried again out of pain and grief, both times shedding tears over the innocence and beauty of children.

Our preschool nativity play was today.  My precious little boy drew the part of Joseph, and his tiny stature and sweet little self melted me. My baby girl, dressed as an angel, entered with her baby classmates for the final song, and melted my heart even more.

Standing to the side, I was overwhelmed by love for all those kids, teachers and parents.  I was so grateful to be able to be the director of this wonderful school. I was so proud of all of them, and so proud to be a part of it. I felt the tears coming, and my chin quivering, and I cried…so happy, so proud, so thankful.

After school, I learned of the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Impatient to get my own child from elementary school and hold her close and tight, I wept for the families and children involved in that unspeakable event. The outrage, fear, grief and helplessness I feel are palpable. Innocent, precious, happy and vulnerable children…my words are lost.

For the beauty and innocence of children, let us pray
For the joy and wonder of children, let us pray
For the purity and love of children, let us pray

At the end of our Christmas program, the Nativity cast lined up to say their much-practiced lines in the microphone. My little “Joseph,” the smallest of the bunch, shared the closing line standing on tip toes. Let us join with him in sharing this ancient phrase, and live to  make this world a better place:

“And on earth, peace and goodwill toward men”

5 Golden Rings

5 Golden Rings

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4 Calling Birds

Don’t Lose It…Day 4 in the 12 Days of Christmas Sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 14, 2012 — Leave a comment
Little Elf, charcoal and conte on paper

My Little Elf, charcoal and conte on paper

On the fourth day of Christmas sketches…

4 Calling Birds fit well into my day: lots. of. noise.

Being calm and finding peace in the midst of the rush and whirl of life takes a lot of effort. A LOT of intentional effort.

I woke up late; it was a busy day at work. I had a packed out afternoon full of complications, rude drivers, and a shopping trip (thankfully only with one child instead of all 3!) during which I discovered at the register that my wallet was at home. So, we left the buggy to the side, drove home in traffic to retrieve the rogue wallet, then drove back in traffic to the store, to stand in line yet again to purchase my load.

I was quite proud of myself: I was still feeling calm and peaceful up to this point. The traffic didn’t get to me; the rude drivers gave me reason to teach my kids about being kind; I found humor in the forgotten wallet. Yet, I say “up to this point” for a reason. The cashier lady tipped me over the edge. I recognize she’s had a long day dealing with fussy customers…I get it. I’ve had a long day too. But, man, the attitude just got to me.

In the car, I vented on the phone and reigned myself back in. My daughter (who has had a streak of bad-attitude lately) and I talked about how good attitudes and bad attitudes will rub off on others. She blamed the cashier for making me frustrated… Cue the next life lesson: we have control over ourselves. Sure, the lady got under my skin. Yep, I got pretty irritated. But I’m my own person and have choices to make.

At those times, like tonight, when I think I might just lose it, I purposefully find my calm by recognizing my family. Thinking of my family grounds me and puts things in perspective. I think of my chubby little baby, my sweet kids, my strong and steady husband: my comforts, my constants. The frustrating trivialities fade, and I am surrounded by a grateful peace.

What brings you peace?

4 Calling Birds

4 Calling Birds

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3 French Hens

Wonky Santa…Day 3 in the 12 Days of Christmas Sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 13, 2012 — 1 Comment
One-armed bendy Santa, charcoal and conte sketch

One-armed bendy Santa, charcoal and conte sketch

On the third day of Christmas sketches…

We all like something weird, some little trinket that strings along memories that other eyes can’t see. It holds sentimental value like a treasure, though it may be locked away in the trivial shell of an old toy.

Each year as I pull out decorations, there are a few pieces that stand out more than others; a few that I dig around for, searching through attic-musty tissue papers in the Christmas box. My one-armed bendy Santa is one of those oddly precious objects.

He has a wonky, yellowed beard, mismatched painted eyes, and an excellent wooden cone hat. He’s one of those toys where you push the round base from below and it makes the figure slump, then you release it and he pops back up. He’s old and you can tell…he was part of my paternal grandmother’s collection, and he has been around my whole life.

Now, this is the grandmother who was an artist. She taught me the basics of art and let my cousins, sister and I have regular, free-for-all craft time at her house. She was quirky, inventive, interesting and fabulous. And she collected EVERTHING: rocks, bells, books, flowers, these little toys…you name it. She had a room in which the walls were completely covered in framed family photos (aka “the picture room”).  I apparently get the urge to collect and create from her, along with a lot of other quirks that my sister likes to point out. Ha!

Anyway, this little cockeyed, one-armed bendy Santa makes me think of her, my delightfully eccentric grandmother, and it warms my heart each Christmas.

3 French Hens

3 French Hens

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2 Turtle Doves

1 Dozen Donuts…Day 2 in the 12 Days of Christmas sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 12, 2012 — Leave a comment
1 dozen chocolate-covered, custard-filled birthday donuts, charcoal & conte sketch

1 dozen chocolate-covered, custard-filled birthday donuts, charcoal & conte sketch

On the second day of Christmas sketches…

Today is a very important day in our household. We’ve been preparing and counting down for a very long time. Today our little boy turns five! Of course parents are all biased toward our own children, but this little dude is truly something special.

As I reflect on finding peace in this day, it is fitting that my lesson comes from Patrick:

Be happy being you

He has no shame wearing his pants backwards all day;  he once wore a Darth Vader mask out to dinner, wondering why people were looking at him; a big pack of paper and a bunch of tape makes his day.

For his special birthday dinner, the dude chose chicken noodle soup (from the can only! Very specific…no delicious homemade stuff by Chef Dad).

For his special birthday school-treat, he requested chocolate-covered, custard-filled donuts for all.

He knows what he likes. He is happy being Patrick. He is quirky, wonderful and content.

As he celebrates many more birthdays in the future, I hope he will continue to grow in his contentment…and I hope I can learn to be at peace with who I am, my quirks and faults, good parts and bad; to stop being so demanding of myself, and be thankful for my life… learning yet another of many lessons from my funny birthday boy.

Christmas can bring out our crazy, but it can also bring out what is good and kind.

Don’t be afraid to like what you like, and be who you are. We each add something unique and beautiful to the world, that wasn’t there before. What are ways you can find greater peace with who you are?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver

2 Turtle Doves

2 Turtle Doves

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a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Checking it twice…Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas Sketches

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 11, 2012 — Leave a comment
Making a List

Making a List, charcoal and conte sketch on paper

On the first day of Christmas sketches...

For my first lesson in making my holiday season more peaceful, I took a cue from the big man in the red suit and made a list.

There were so many tasks, wishes, duties and plans whirling in my head that it was just a big Christmas blur. No peace would come by leaving my mental state in such a mess!

During the kids’ downtime, I spent about an hour making my list, giving thought to my plans (hmmm, what kinds of gifts does mom like?), reserving time on my calendar for upcoming tasks (Christmas commissions!), getting the easy jobs done (send in that $5 for the class Christmas party!).

This organization had several benefits:

  • my list relieved me of the fear of forgetting something important
  • writing it down made what seemed so overwhelming, not so bad once prioritized
  • having it down helped me form a clearer mental space from which my thoughts can grow…(now about that present for mom…)

For me, once I have a tentative map through the holidays, the Christmas Can-Can subsides, and it all seems much more manageable. It’s like eating your broccoli first…I got the bad part out of the way, and now the good stuff can be enjoyed.

Take that, partridge.

a Partridge in a Pear Tree

a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

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12 Days of Christmas

Christmas Can-Can

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 9, 2012 — Leave a comment

Christmas:

On your mark, get set, GO!!!! You have 25 days until Christmas, Christmas, CHRISTMAAASSS, so go, go GO!!!

Put up the lights, go grab a tree, drink your cocoa, watch those movies, play the tunes, Christmas pictures!!!, shop and bake, shop and bake, elf on the shelf? advent calendars, go see Santa! shop and bake, shop and bake! make some crafts, mail your cards, egg nog time! make some s’mores, sing some carols, go to church, light the candles, read the stories, shop and bake! now wrap, wrap, wrap and go, go, go!

An American Christmas:

As a melting pot, we have so many wonderful holiday traditions, but trying to fit them all in and not miss a beat can begin to feel like the Christmas song from Straight No Chaser: Christmas Can-Can. Chaos!!! Christmas can fly by in a whirl of anxious clutter.

It’s already 9 days into December, and even though my family and I try to reduce the crazy of Christmas, it’s already a busy blur. Continue Reading…

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Boykin Spaniel

Psychedelic Pup Transformed

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 7, 2012 — Leave a comment

I’m teaching a class to a group of beginning pastelists: Some students have read up on pastel techniques, others may have had a few classes. My first instruction always throws them for a loop: “Begin with lots of black!”

As I’ve said before, I’m a self-taught artist…When it comes to pastels, I fiddled with them alone at my art desk until I discovered results I liked. And it all started with black.

Below you will find a quick tutorial using my own technique to create vibrant, textured pastel paintings. Continue Reading…

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