Merry Christmas 2019

For several years I have tried to create my own personal artwork for a Christmas card for friends and family. Each year I have struggled to come up with something unique. This year was difficult for three reasons. First of all I have not been able to do oil painting in our limited space. Second I still work a full time job, and try to be a helpful husband. Third and most of all; I just was not inspired. How do I say Merry Christmas in 2019?

I saw a documentary about an Arctic village being relocated inland, due to global climate change, I came up with this cartoon:

I thought it was funny, but I was afraid of offending some of my friends. This would not be Christmas 2019.

On November 18 Julie and I celebrated our 41st anniversary at the marvelous exhibit of Claude Monet in the Denver Art Museum. I have always dreamed of being an impressionist, hanging out with Monet, Manet, Pissaro and of course Van Gogh. After a couple of water color attempts that just fell short, I completed this cabin in the snow. I Imagined childhood, as I wanted it to be when I was growing up. The result is more ideal than real. Snowman to the side, ice cycles hanging on the eves, and children with sleds, toboggans and tubes joyfully sliding down the hill; a little grandma Moses along with Monet. I was almost satisfied that this would be Merry Christmas 2019.

Still there was another drawing cocooning in my brain. I am very happy with the pastel and charcoal result, a kind of Da Vinci meets Santa Klaus rendering of the Toy Maker on Christmas Eve.