Marijana - Seasons and Holidays

Seasons

There are always paintings being painted in my mind. I love the change of seasons. After the passing of some years I must paint the four seasons in a different way,but its always Strawberry Hill—Marijana Grisnik

This online exhibit includes general paintings of the seasons and the holidays within and two of Marijana's series paintings. One is in the shape of the hill and the other is in a basket. Each contains many details so be sure to look at the images carefully.

Winter Season

It is obvious that Marijana's favorite season is winter.

Marijana and Friends

I love cats and snowmen.

Winter—Strawberry Hill

Grandma with Christmas bread and decorated tree.

Winter (Basket series)

Marijana has painted many events that take place in winter into this basket. Study it closely and see how many you can identify.

Going Home

Neighbors walking home during a cold snow storm.

Shoveling Snow

These houses were on Third and Barnett. Everyone kept the sidewalks clean.

House on Strawberry Hill

Looking outside at everyone having fun in the snow.

After the Big Snow

The Zupanac house was on Fourth Street. Children came to play in the snow.

Sledding

The people from the street department set up barriers and smudge pots on the top of the Hill on Thompson Street. The children sledded down, but had a long walk up.

Snow, Snow, Snow

Coming home after sledding.

Winter Storm Is Ending

A cat sits on the railing on Mrs. Plesa's porch.

Winter Evening

Spring Season

Spring—Strawberry Hill

Grandpa is watering his garden. Macka, my cat, who sat under my easel for many years while I was painting, passed of old age while I was doing this painting.

Spring (Basket Series)

See how many details you can identify in this basket.

Summer Season

Summer—Strawberry Hill

Mother and child with flowers and chicken.

Summer (Basket Series)

Look for the games children are playing and the various kinds of work the women are doing.

Autumn Season

Autumn—Strawberry Hill

Father with his tamburitza bass and wine.

Autumn (Basket Series)

Why is the woman upset with the man burning leaves?

Raking leaves

Everyone raked leaves in the autumn. The old people always said, "Those aren't our leaves."

Holidays on Strawberry Hill

Winter

St. Lucy's Day

A tradition carried from the old country was St. Lucy's Day, December 14. This marked the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year on Strawberry Hill. On this day the women put grain into a saucer and watered it. If the wheat grew well by Christmas it meant that your family would have health and prosperity in the new year. If the wheat did not grow you were going to have misfortune in the coming year.

Christmas Traditions

Winter—Strawberry Hill

The traditional foods of the season are Christmas bread (Bo?i?njàk), Sweet nut bread (povitica), fried cookie (pohanse), dressing (nadjev), sausage (kobasica), cabbage rolls (sarma), and plum brandy (sljivovica).

This painting of winter on the Hill shows some of the traditions related to Strawberry Hill. The church is in the honored place at the top of the Hill. The houses are nestled in a blanket of snow. Grandma is sitting at the table. The wheat she planted on St. Lucy's Day is on the left of the table. It is growing well indicating the family will have a prosperous new year.

Buying Our Christmas Tree

Christmas trees were sold at Jaksa Yarmek's grocery store on Fourth Street.

Bringing Home the Christmas Tree

Everyone had a small decorated tree in their home at Christmas.

Our House on Christmas Eve

Neighbors coming to visit and bring gifts.

Santa Claus Is Coming

The children inside the warm houses on the Hill are dreaming of Santa.

Christmas Gifts

The family opens gifts on Christmas morning.

Spring

Easter Celebrations

Easter Table

Traditional foods women take to Saint John's Church to be blessed (Blagoslov) on Holy Saturday.

Going to Church in Easter Hats

Barnett Street across from the church. The old widow--the young girl (Marijana), Mother, and little sisters (JoAnn and Barbara) are going to church in new Easter hats.