It's looking like Christmas!

We're all set for the holidays with each room containing enough cheer to get us through the season in good order!
 

A virtual exhibit

Charles is taking part in a virtual exhibition, hosted by the Art by Taurean Gallery in Washington, DC (November - January) and tonight was the reception for 1/3 of the artists in the show. 

Two of Charles' paintings, "If Piet Mondrian were alive today" and "​​Et Pervestigationis Studioso (Resurgence) were among the works on display.

Thanksgiving at the parsonage

We had a restful Thanksgiving, a particularly odd one, given the pandemic concerns in our area. We enjoyed watching the Macy's parade in the morning and a delicious meal late afternoon. A viewing of Miracle on 34th Street made for a enjoable day!

We're ready at the church for the holidays

It's a rather full few days as Belinda prepared dozens of gift bags for the church's Advent/Christmas devotional give-away. The reason for this effort was the distribution of the devotional and a LED candle to serve as a unifying element for the faith community during this unusual holiday season.

 

Happy anniversary to us!

Our twenty-third anniversary was a quiet affair given the 3.5" of snow and the COVID-19 restrictions. We have been blessed with much joy over the years and look forward to many more years to come.

These are the places we've been on our anniversaries: 

1998 - Osmond, Nebraska

1999 - Iwakuni, Japan

2000 - Iwakuni, Japan

2001 - Jacksonville, North Carolina

2002 - Williamsburg, Virginia

2003 - Jacksonville, North Carolina

2004 - Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom

2005 - Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom

2006 - Vienna, Austria

2007 - Sidney, Nebraska

2008 - Sidney, Nebraska

2009 - Aitken, Minnesota

2010 - San Angelo, Texas

2011 - Columbus, Georgia

2012 - San Antonio, Texas

2013 - Stevensville, Montana

2014 - Missoula, Montana

2015 - Stevensville, Montana

2016 - Stevensville, Montana

2017 - Hamilton, Montana

2018 - Corvallis, Montana

2019 - Louisville, Colorado

2020 - Boulder, Colorado

Last Sunday of the liturgical year

 

Chi Rho (Christ the King)

36x48, Acrylic on canvas

Charles completed a painting in his Liturgy Series in time for Christ the King Sunday and used it as the backdrop for the worship service today.

A big series is done!

Charles completed his most ambitius project to-date, a complete series of paintings for the extended family. He started by asking his mother and siblings for their favorite color(s) and ended up getting paintings done for everyone with the Alkula last name in the US (except for three) and everyone on Belinda's family side.

The series can be seen on his portfolio website at this link.

Getting into the spirit of the season

Our church is getting a jump on the much-needed holiday spirit by decorating the sanctuary which will be used as the backdrop for the Advent Wreath lighting videos. Belinda got started preparing the gift bags that will be given out to the church family.

Another first

2020 continues to provide "firsts" for us with today's virtual Church Conference. It was nice to be able to stay warm and safe on a chilly autumnal afternoon.

Busy studio week

Charles has been quite active in his studio recently, working on a series of paintings for the extended family that use the favorite colors of each person. So far, thirty-six paintings have been completed!

Christmas is coming!

Charles started working on our Christmas cards this weekend, trying to get a jump on the quantity we'll be sending out this year. This afternoon, Wesley joined Charles in the living room with a nice fire going and a steady snowfall falling along the Front Range.

Lots done in the studio

Ornaments ready for Christmas

162 switch plates!

Using extra paint from the ornaments

Advent is ready to go!

Ready for BAAaaa! show

Charles was busy recently working on ornaments and light switch plates for Belinda, one painting for a December exhibit, one painting for Advent, and one painting just for fun!