Monday, December 21, 2009

CHRISTMAS PAINTING

"JOY to the world the Lord is come......" Christmas song

CHRISTMAS DAY Is celebrated around the world differently. In my former homeland, the Philippines, we call CHRISTMAS "PASKO." We say both "Merry Christmas" and "Maligayang Pasko." Although I live most of my life here in the United States and spent more Christmases here, I still have good memories of past Christmases in the Philippines. I have been away from my homeland for about forty years but our Americanized-Filipino family Christmas celebration hasn't lost it's Filipino flavor. We learned to adopt the good things from our beloved America and cherished old traditions from our heritage and homeland. By having bi-cultural influences our Christmas celebration is enriched with different flavors and traditions.

"CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: 48" x 30"
PAINTED IN 2008
DESCRIPTION: This is another painting I did for my art show. Here's my short story behind the painting. One of our greatest blessing when our family immigrated to the United States was having our big family together at Christmas time. There were only a few years of separation from one another, and we were all united. Being in a foreign country, we were happy and secure to have our family together. It's difficult to be happy at Christmas time when one has loved ones left behind in the Philippines. In California, Christmas feels warm compared to other states that have snow and dreams of a white Christmas. Our family continues to celebrate Christmas with abundant and traditional Filipino food, but also added American flavors, like shrimp cocktails, champagne, wine, fresh green salad, pasta salad, cookies, pies, rolls, cakes and more. Traditionally, a rich Filipino Christmas has lechon (roasted whole pork), pancit palabok (noodles). embotido, morcon, fresh lumpia, paella, camaron rebosado (shrimp) and more. Desserts are favorites like leche flan. brazo de mercedes, sweet ube, etc. Because America is
a very rich country, part of our festive celebration is having huge, fresh, ever green pine Christmas tree with countless of adoring ornaments and overwhelming presents surrounding them.
"Wishing You All A "Merry Christmas" or ("Maligayang Pasko").

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a "Merry Christmas." What a lovely painting!

Ebb Tide said...

AA-Thanks for your visit and for the compliment.

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

Lloyd,



Are you and Maria ok? We’re watching on tv that the river is going to 9 feet 7 inches by tomorrow at 6 pm. Let me know if you need help.



Jim Miller
Mice to have a friend Lloyd

SandyCarlson said...

What a beautiful celebration. God bless, Ebb Tide. May every good thing find its way to you in the new year.

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

no flood today temp droped causing water to flow to be slowed

Ebb Tide said...

Lloyd-thanks for your concern. I am safe and don't live near the river.

Ebb Tide said...

Sandy-Thanks for your season's greeting and best wishes for the new year.

Gerri said...

* Warm beautiful painting! I've followed your blog occasionally, glad to have gotten to know you and your passion better. Although my "art" is much different than yours, believe it or not, your inspiring words have made a big difference during my dreary moments. May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and incredible New Year. Xavier says hi too. * Tita Gerri

Ebb Tide said...

Gerri-thanks a lot. What a lovely commen! And a great encouragement to go on blogging.

SandyCarlson said...

Merry Christmas to you, my friend. Your post was a pleasure to read, and I love the artwork. I am glad to hear from you again.

Anne Cherie said...

I love your blog! Come check out mine :-)

http://www.mciart.blogspot.com/