Holiday Card Announced! (Okay, it's a teaser!)

"Wish List" Christmas card
from 2009
Available at Grey Matter

The holidays are around the corner, and for several years that has meant designing greeting cards for Grey Matter and then for Stroke of Green.

As my career has developed over the same time, I'm finding my energy is focusing almost exclusively on my portrait and commercial work.  But, doing a holiday card has become such a tradition for me!  What to do?





What to do?!




I think I have a solution.





This year, I'm introducing a modified tradition: One card, very limited edition, no re-prints.  (Ooo!  Collectible!)

The card is on it's way here from the printer.  I'm on my way to Dewey Beach for the annual Greyhounds Reach the Beach event.  What to do?

What to do?!


Well, I guess you'll all just have to wait 'til I get home, and have slept off the travel fatigue a bit.  Let's see.  That should bring us up to October 11th.  Or maybe the 12th.  My Xan's Art Friends mailing list will get first dibs through the newsletter (sign up for that in the upper right hand corner of this page).

So, don't say I didn't give you a heads up!  ;D

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Meanwhile, I've been struggling to get my muse back to the table after my Wabi's passing.  I spent weeks barely able to get into my studio, saw my holiday card print deadline approaching, and muscled my way through the opening sketches for the design.  On about the third day, the ice started to break up (to mix my metaphors).  The work started to flow better, and I was able to allow myself to get absorbed by the process.  In the end (that would be JUST under the deadline), I was very pleased with the final product.  The idea was such a cute one, thanks to Rebecca Forrest of PawPrints Life, it made it a fun place to put my head for hours each day.

I have a question for you all.  For next year's design, I'm already thinking of something in the "pretty" mode, something more serious, as opposed to humorous.  My question would be, would you be more inclined to want to send out "pretty" or "funny" cards to your friends and family?  You can answer right in the comments area.

Thanks!