san diego temple, 11×14 oil on wrapped canvas, (property of Britt)

This was Brittany’s Merry Merry from the designer and I this year.  Quite possibly my favorite gift we gave this year.  It was one of the most challenging temples I’ve done so far.   This was my 3rd canvas attempt.  The previous two never made it past the sketching stage.  They were both 16×20 in size.  I finally decided the scale wasn’t working for me.  When I began the final sketch, I knew it was going to work.  Perhaps it was the scale, perhaps, I needed to draw it a few times…:) 

The San Diego Temple will always hold a special part of my heart.  I was 16 when our Mutual Group took a trip to the Open House.  I was amazed by the architecture and design.  Even more impressed that non-lds architects had designed the fortress.  Truly, they must have been inspired,  to be able to so perfectly design a place of which they had no knowledge or experience as to the events that would take place within. 

My sister was sealed there, so was one of my BFFs.  I loved walking the grounds, watching them take photos with their loved ones.   I’m still in awe every time I see it approaching on the freeway.  If only I could reach and point towards heaven everyday as the San Diego temple does! 

What was your favorite gift you gave this year? Do you have a favorite Temple?  Why?