Monday, December 12, 2016

A Season of Merriment and Melody in Dallas,Texas

Welcome friends!
Today I want to share a special email I received over the weekend
from 
The National Society of Decorative Painters.
This is the society I've had the joy of being a member of since 1988.
As most of you know, I'm a Decorative Design Painter and Interior Style Artist.
I painted ornaments for the White House Blue Room Christmas Tree along with other members in 1998 and 2004 
and
 was invited to visit and have dinner at the White House.
An experience that still brings great joy when I remember those special times traveling
to Washington DC.

The musical drum I painted is shown in the Society's graphic to the left. It was hand painted in several jeweltone colors all around with directions for stroke work Rosemaling designing to complete each instrument.

This season my 2004 trip is being revisited and shared exactly the way it was
at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.
Below is the blog post from the Society that was shared with me over the weekend with links to my post which I shared with you in blogland.
It is an honor to help decorate the People's House
and  
if you live in the area or plan to visit Dallas now through Jan. 8th 2016,
I invite you to share in the fun of seeing the amazing theme for 2004.

Posted: 09 Dec 2016 10:39 AM PST
The new exhibit “A Season of Merriment and Melody” at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas opened on November 17 and is a replica of the 2004 White House Christmas tree, which featured more than 350 miniature musical instruments hand-painted by our members.
Bush Library-Blue Room Tree SDP
Our Boots & Brushes of San Antonio Chapter visited center last month. They enjoyed classic holiday music, took photos with Santa and in front of the Christmas tree, and saw the original White House decorations from 2004! Current Past President Wendy Watson ADP shared pictures from the visit.
Bush Library announcement Visit to Bush Library 2016 with SDP tree Wendy and Michele Oval Office Oval Office - Wendy and Santa Bush Library Chorale Visit to Bush Library - Yummy beautiful cookies
A number of our members who painted the ornaments are reminiscing about their experience, one of them being current President Kathy Swigon CDA. Take a look at the ornament she painted for the tree.
kathy swigon ornament
Another member is Celeste (Celestina Marie) who painted an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree in 1998 and 2004. “As a (SDP) member since 1988, I have improved my skill, met many great artists, studied alongside kindred spirits, and yes, even taken the road to the White House, she said. “What an honor it was for all of us!” You can read more about Celeste’s experience in this blog post on her website Southern Daydreams.

Larry and Celeste with Laura Bush in front of the Blue Room Christmas tree 2004.
Laura Bush (1)
You may ask, what happens to the ornaments once Christmas is over? The ornaments painted for the White House stay with the White House and are used in other ways in the future or displayed in the Library of Congress.
The exhibit will be open to the public through January 8, 2017. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit BUSHCENTER.ORG/HOLIDAYS.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in my revisit from the Society for 2016.

See you soon with more Christmas home decorating.
Wishing you happy days as we countdown to Christmas.

43 comments:

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Celeste,
I did not know that you were a member of the National Society Of Decorative Painters.
What a delight to be surrounded by other nurturing and talented artists and how thrilling to have been invited to the White House.
The musical drum that you designed and painted is beautiful!
I am so glad that you shared this information with us, I will be taking some of our family to see this!
Blessings to you lovely Lady,
xo
Jemma

Valerie-Jael said...

Wow, great post, and what an honour to be invited to the White House. Just fantastic. Hugs, Valerie

Sue Kosec said...

OMGosh, Celeste. I had no idea. None whatsoever. Thank you so much for posting this and letting everybody know. You should be so proud - what a feather in your cap. I can't even imagine. Going to save this e-mail and *study* it from top to bottom when I have a minute to give it my full attention.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xo
SuZeQ

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I know what an honor it was for your to be chosen to paint an ornament for the White House, Celeste,many then to be invited!! I love the picture of you and Larry with Laura Bush. It would be an honor to meet her! I have been to the Bush Library and loved it, but I would love to visit it again. Thank you for sharing your beautiful ornament and your memories with us. Have a lovely week, sweet friend! xo

Decor To Adore said...

This is fabulous! I visited the library last Christmas and it was a delight.
Such fun!

Kim said...

How exciting, Celeste! That must have been such a neat experience and now you are part of our country's history with your lovely artwork. I am off to read your other post...

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

How wonderful! Wish I lived in the area!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That is such an honor and an experience you'll never forget. I love Laura Bush and felt even closer to her after reading her autobiography. What a beautiful lady she is as well as YOU! Hugs!

Claudia said...

Oh, my dear Celeset, what an honour and what a wonderful thing ! I am so proud of you and your wonderful paintings!
Thank you for this great post! I am so sad, that I am so far away and don't have any chance to visit this exhibit!
Wishing you a wonderful week, sending much Love and hugs and blessings to you,
Claudia xoxo

Donna said...

What a thrill that must have been to be invited to dinner at the White House, and get to meet the first lady! I know you both will never forget that. And to have your beautiful painted ornament on display is a real honor!

Cynthia said...

What a wonderful thing and an honor. I learn more about you all the time. I'm in awe of your achievements. Wonderful my friend

Cindy

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What an interesting part of your life you have shared here with us. How exciting to have this upcoming event in January.

Happy Christmas holidays ~ FlowerLady

The Bear's Blog said...

How exciting, memories that will be with you always.

Hugs

Alessandra said...

What a great honour to be invited to the White House!!! You deserve this success, you are a very talented artist. Thank you very much for your sweet comments
Hugs Alessandra

craftyles said...

Such an honor to be included and getting to go to the White House.That is a memory to treasure forever. p.s. you haven't aged since the 2004 photo. Your hand painted ornament was so pretty. How exciting for the beautiful tree to be featured at the GB Library!

Debbie Harris said...

I so enjoyed this post, Celestina.
What a honor to be able to grace the tree of the White House with your beauty and talent, and then to meet the first lady and have dinner at the White House, congratulations to you!
Beautiful picture of you and your husband with the first lady.

Thank you for sharing this remarkable piece with us.

Have a most beautiful day~~

Linda M. said...

Very cool Celeste, I am not surprised that your work was featured.
Congratulations.
Hugs, Linda

chateau chic said...

This is a fabulous honor, Celestina Marie, to have your beautiful ornament part of a White House Christmas tree. I really enjoyed this post. My husband worked in the Bush administration, and I remember visiting the White House at Christmastime one of the years he was in office.
Mary Alice

Deborah Montgomery said...

I'm so glad you shared this Celeste! I went back and read the prior post all about your experience in DC. What a wonderful honor to have your ornaments displayed, and to meet with the First Lady. It must be a very special memory for you and your husband. It makes me think of Proverbs 18 which says a man's gift will bring him before kings! xo Deborah

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Celestina Marie,

Such an honour dear friend to have your exquisite work in the White House.
You are so very talented and just wish I lived near so I could go and see the Exhibition.
Hope you have a wonderful week
hugs
Carolyn

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

WOW, Celeste! You have worked so hard for year to be at this level of your art. Bravo! ENJOY!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What an honor Celeste!...you are so very talented!!!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I remember finding out about your experience doing this for the White House Christmases. I can well imagine how you must hold the experiences dear to your heart. I would definitely go there if it was a bit closer to me!

Dorthe said...

What an honor, to be invited to paint an ornament to this special ocation in The White House, Celeste. It must have been so exiting to be there, and to meet Laura Buch, too.
Your drum is so beautiful.
Fantastic memories for you and your husbond, dear!!
Dorthe Xxx

Okio B Designs said...

Congratulations! Such a well-deserved honor!

Jeanine

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

What a wonderful honor for you! How nice to revisit it. Thanks for sharing it with us. We all knew what a wonderful painter you are but now we know you are famous too!

Stacey said...

You are a famous servant of our country and we didn't even know until now! How very exciting that your beautiful hobby has lead to opportunities like this. :)

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Hello Celestina, wow what an honor and how exciting. You are such a talented artist and so inspiring to others. I hope you are enjoying the holidays.
Enjoy the week.
Julie xo

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh my mercy! What an honor sweet friend to be invited to the White House! I knew that you had to be famous! I loved reading this. You are truly gifted and talented my friend. WOW! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Amazing Celestina. I should have known, because you are so talented. Bravo for you...well deserved. I hope your holidays are blessed and merry. xo

Createology said...

Such an honor for you dear to have been part of our White House heritage. Your work is always truly beautiful. Bless you and thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh WOW, Celestina, I did know. How very special to have painted ornaments for the White House. I watched the special the other night on decorating the White House this year.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience with us. How very special.

Have a Very Merry Christmas

Hugs,
Mary

handmade by amalia said...

What an honor! I'm so proud of you.
Amalia
xo

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Celestina, what an honor you have received.It must have been such a thrill to hear the news. It sounds very beautiful and knowing what you do, I'm sure it was. Thank you for your visit and your kind words. From someone like you I feel very honored myself to read them. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family..xxoJudy

Art and Sand said...

What a fabulous experience and well deserved.

Linda said...

You are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this!!!

Debbie said...

What an honor, Celestina! how wonderful to be recognized for your talents. Such a great memory for you! Thank you for sharing such a thrilling experience!
Merry Christmas dear friend!!!
Debbie
xo

Homemaker'sThoughts.blogspot.com said...

Wow! What a thrill and honor. Your painting is gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing more of it. : )

Daniela said...

Dearest Celeste,
what a honor for you, I'm sincerely happy for the success you had and are having today, you deserve it for sure, your skill in your art is indisputable and incomparable !

Wishing you all my best for your Holiday Season,
may it be Peaceful and Joy-filled as never before, to you and yours,
with much love and gratitude

Xx Dany

krishna said...

So beautiful.. I love decorative painting, but I'm not good at it.. :(

Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

Smareis said...

Que linda sua postagem. Gostei imenso. Linda pinturas!
Estive um pouco ausente durante alguns dias. Mais nĆ£o poderia deixar que o ano terminasse sem passar aqui pra deixar meu carinho e meus agradecimentos por termos caminhado pelo menos um pouco durante esse ano de 2016 nessa blogosfera. Muito obrigada!
Que o menino Jesus esteja sempre presente na sua vida.
Desejo a vocĆŖ e Ć  sua famĆ­lia um Natal de Luz e um prĆ³spero Ano Novo
Repleto de alegrias e bĆŖnĆ§Ć£os!
Boas Festas!
Feliz Natal!
Feliz 2017!
Blog da Smareis

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Congratulations, Celestina, for the honor and for your wonderful talent!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting my blog posts so frequently and always leaving such sweet comments. You are always so kind.

Happy "Almost" New Year 2017!

Warm hugs,
Carol

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my how exciting that must have been for you, and of course your ornament is just Gorgeous!!

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..