When a watercolorist who is used to working with flat surfaces, is asked to design and paint a round ornament depicting the 6th Congressional District of Missouri, it can be a little tough.
However, Maryville resident Vicky Strong took that challenge and ran with it.
She was asked by U.S. Congressman Sam Graves to work on an ornament that would be placed among hundreds of other congressional ornaments hung on the White House Christmas tree this holiday season. Each year artists are asked to decorate ornaments for the famous tree. Strong said she was very pleased to be asked.
"I was pretty happy — I was thrilled," she said. "I was honored. It's a real treat. I was just tickled pink about it."
One of Strong's original thoughts was to have the windmills depicted on the ornament — since those have been a major part of the year for Missouri. However, she thought they wouldn't look good from far away.
The artists were asked to stick to several guidelines including the use of the colors red, white and blue as well as large graphics. Because the ornament would be seen from far away on the White House Christmas tree, and because it might be seen from the top or bottom, she had to be careful to incorporate all sides of the ornament into her design.
"I don't usually decorate ornaments, so it was kind of a challenge," she said. "It was definitely a challenge painting something that round. I normally paint flat."
The watercolorist used a combination of watercolors and acrylics to paint the larger than a grapefruit round ornament for the giant 20-foot White House tree. Strong said she painted for nearly two days straight. It took that long only because she had to wait for certain areas of the ornament to dry before she could turn it around and work on the other side.
"I congratulate Vicky on having her ornament selected for the White House Christmas tree," Graves said. "It is exciting to have such a talented artist representing the 6th District in our nation's capital."
Images depicted on the ornament include the state of Missouri, corn, a shield/flag and stars. Each side of the ornament has a featured design, but Strong also used red and white bunting and stars to fill in the gaps. A large gold star adorns the top of the ornament. Strong said she chose these images because they not only represent our area, but they really bring out the appeal of the community.
"I thought if it's going to be representing our district, I thought the corn belt, agriculture," she said. "It also speaks to the down home personality of the people around here. It's the way I think of our area."
Strong said she doesn't think they will be sending her ornament back to her — but she did say this is something she'd definitely do again.
"It was fun — I have an idea for another one already," she said.
Strong usually sticks to scenery and still life paintings — but said this was definitely a good experience for her, even if it didn't spark any future ornament decorating career ideas.
Strong's ornament was one of several hundred to come from congressional districts around the nation. First Lady Laura Bush unveiled the ornaments in a special ceremony Tuesday.
The ornaments can be viewed at www.whitehouse.gov. Under features on the right hand side of the page, click on "A Red, White and Blue Christmas," and on that page you can click on ornaments and view every submitted ornament from across the nation.
Maryville, Mo. —
