Skip to main content

Literary Captivation

So for Christmas DH got me this beautiful painting of a girl reading under a tree. Isn't it pretty?
"Literary Captivation"
I originally came across it in Trish's post on Bookish Gifts over at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? and loved it. I clicked on over to the Hilaria Galleries shop on Etsy and drooled over her lovely work. Trish had posted the print of the left panel but, when I browsed through the gallery, I realized it was actually one half of a two-panel painting. There were prints available of the left panel but not the right. However, the original painting itself (both panels) was for sell. I IMed DH and, being the devious man that he is, he oohed and ahhed over it with me, agreed how perfect it would look hanging in my library, and then proceeded to tell me (in a shocked IM voice) that it had just sold.
Sadness! Woe. It really would have looked so perfect hanging in my library...

This was all about a month before Christmas and I regretfully let it go and went on with my life. Then Christmas morning rolls around and what do I unwrap? You've got it. My very own two-panel painting. The little sneak. So thanks to Trish for the heads up, to Hillary Doggart-Greer for her beautiful painting, and to DH for being crafty and surprising me with the perfect gift. When my son saw it he smiled and said, "Mommy, that's you reading." So it was a universal hit. And wouldn't you know it--it looks perfect hanging in my library.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Adele4:23 PM

    I like that a lot, very pretty. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. alishka babushka4:40 PM

    i would have to agree. it does look lovely in your library. i'm a fan.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sami4:40 PM

    What a sneaky husband you have! Beautiful concept though!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Allison5:41 PM

    Awww...way to go Aaron! I love it, and it's definitely perfect for you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Janicu6:32 PM

    I love some of the cool things you can get on etsy. Sneaky, but then it was the best way to make it a surprise!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6:45 PM

    Awwww what an awesome guy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jenny8:53 PM

    What an excellent trick, and what a beautiful painting. I love silhouettes. Gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Raspberry9:07 PM

    It's lovely! I'd love to see a picture of it hanging in your library.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Angiegirl12:39 AM

    Thanks everyone! I'll try to get a pic of it in the room up soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. azteclady9:20 AM

    It is lovely indeed.

    Talk about a man who doesn't let grass grow under his feet! That's some wonderfully quick thinking, indeed.


    Lucky woman you (and lucky man he :wink: )

    ReplyDelete
  11. Katy1:23 PM

    Nice! Your DH rocks!

    And my nosiness took me to his site from your link--his photography is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. trish1:37 PM

    OMG! I'm totally jealous! It's a freaking gorgeous painting! Lucky you. :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jen Robinson7:30 PM

    Now that is a spouse who is a keeper. What a gorgeous painting!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Isabelle Santiago11:44 AM

    That is so beautiful! I love Etsy! They have great stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Angiegirl5:34 PM

    Azteclady, I know, right? I was impressed with his initiative. lol.

    Katy, you are sweet. He does rock. And I'm glad you enjoyed his photos!

    Trish, isn't it!? It's all thanks to your post!

    Jen, I agree. :)

    Isabelle, Etsy is amazing. I love prowling around and finding little gems like this one.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hilaria Galleries9:24 AM

    Wow! Thanks so much for your post about my painting :) It really warmed my heart to know that this piece went to someone who will love it as much as I did. It was a truly sincere work for me, as I'm an avid reader and under trees are some of my favorite places to indulge. What an awesomely thoughtful husband you have--and I would LOVE to see a pic of it in your library as well...

    Warmest,
    Hillary
    hilariagalleries.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. brizmus8:37 AM

    Wow! So pretty! I want one! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. HeatherCakes271:24 PM

    I hope you do not mind, I used this picture in my blog today.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Inversiones en oro12:53 PM

    this post has excellent information.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Casino Bonuses6:53 PM

    The remarkable message

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

You Might Also Like

Angie's 2026 Must Be Mine

As ever, begin as you mean to go on. And so here are my most anticipated titles of 2026: And no covers on these yet, but I'm just as excited for each one: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 9 by Beth Brower Finest Kind of Fate by J.J. Mulder My Kind of Guy by Sarina Bowen Ravenous by Kresley Cole Mastermind by Sarah MacLean Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison Villain Edit by Rosie Danan What titles are on your list?
2 comments
Read more

Angie's Best Books of 2025

This year really came through reading-wise. Initially, I didn't know what to expect. And I think I was a little surprised to find myself feeling a strong pull right from the beginning of the year to published books. I tried quite a few new-to-me authors with more abandon than I have in recent years—something I'm proud of and hope to continue. Not all of them worked in just an Angie-like way, but regret never entered the room. I passed them on. To the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood, to the used bookstore down the street that I love, to my own public library in donations. Someone will love them. It didn't have to be me. And I loved giving them that little push along their way to the homes of the people who would soak up their words and hold them tight.  What a gift books are. How much I need them and how grateful I am at the end of this year for the ones that came and continued on their way—but most especially for the ones that came to stay.  And so, as has long bee...
2 comments
Read more

Angie's Best Books of 2024

Looking back at it now, it was a really solid reading year. I mean, it did its usual (for me) thing and meandered its merry way, here and there, up and down, and in fits and starts across the span of all twelve months. But it really did shape up nicely. Which is a good thing, because it was—shockingly, I know—another year in which we so desperately needed the authors and books and words of the world to come through for us. And they did, didn't they?  I am, as ever, so grateful for them and their willingness to push through every barrier and battle that I know must try to keep them from putting their visions on paper. And so, as has long been my custom, I record here my list of published books that saw me through the year. Gifts, every one.   (listed in the order in which I read them) The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake Bride by Ali Hazelwood You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards Lucky Bounce by Cait Nary Lips Like Sugar by Jes...
4 comments
Read more