Happy Holidays 2019

Getting close to the wire here but just wanted to get my greeting card up on my blog before December 25.

This year, I switched to a snowman theme and put a contemporary spin on their creation.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! All the best in 2020! Deborah

Holiday Greetings 2018

Although I haven't had much time for art this year, I did squeeze out the time to create a drawing for my 2018 holiday card. For those whom I don't send hard copy cards to, the design - along with its backstory - is reproduced here.

This year, I continued in the same vein as last year's drawing, incorporating ideas about recycling and elements of the holiday season.

As I come from a family that always recycled wrapping paper that still offered useful life - a practice dating back into the 1960s, if not earlier - the idea of re-using gift-wrapping paper is not foreign to me.

But I bet any number of people just rip the stuff off the packages they get and then throw it away. Or, at the very least, I hope they think to put it in their recycling bins.

That is why, in my drawing, I have imagined a shop re-selling gift-wrap! The sign on the shop wall, where the racks of papers are, reads: Shop our great selection of previously enjoyed gift wrap.

"What can you show me that has previously wrapped a fifth of Jack Daniels?"

For those who like the details, this was executed on bright white drawing paper, in pen and ink, watercolour pencils and crayons. And, believe it or not, the crayons came from the dollar store! They had an excellent selection!

Hope everyone will have an enjoyable and restful holiday season, and the best of new years in 2019.

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer 2018

2017 Holiday Greetings!

This year, for my Christmas cartoon/illustration, I took a different tack than usual.

It's a combination of futuristic idea and wishful thinking: What if all those Xmas trees we grow and then kill couldn't be killed anymore, but instead would be used as living trees to help re-forest swathes of the planet?

I know, I know... wishful thinking.

Years ago, my parents actually tried this.

At the time, we lived somewhere where the ground didn't freeze in winter. So they bought a small potted fir tree, used it in the house over the holidays, then planted it in the backyard in January.

This went on for a few years until the tree objected - and died to prove its point!

In my scheme, we wouldn't dig up and re-use the trees, it would be a one-time rental before permanent planting.

Not sure what I'll draw next year... but whatever it is, it will have to go on much brighter white photographic-level paper. The "white" of my sketch pad isn't white enough and, as they say, the camera (which I use to shoot the drawing) never lies!

Wishing everyone a very happy holidays season and the very best of new years in 2018!

© Deborah C. Sawyer 2018

2016 Holiday Greetings!

Life has certainly been hectic this past year, but I did find time to whip up a picture for my annual card.

One again, the medium is oil pastels on paper, with a small assist from water color pencils.

Now, if I can only find the time to share the link to my blog...

I actually have wild ambitions about having time to draw or paint something during 2017 other than an Xmas cartoon. Stay tuned!

And Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year to everyone!

Happy Holidays 2015

As it turns out, 2015 was insanely busy and I had begun to think I wouldn't find time to draw a cartoon for my annual Xmas card.

But, somehow, I pulled it off!

"No wonder they say moving is 'for the birds'!"

This year's theme shows Santa moving to the South Pole; given that the North Pole is melting - or so we are told - and that there is still more snow and ice in Antarctica, I thought it was time Santa gave himself the heave-ho.

The idea of using relocation came from being in the throes of moving my office and studio to a new spot. This has been a protracted affair since mid-2015 and is still not done.

Sometimes, I find it hard to remember what I did before I began moving files and supplies!!

Hope everyone will have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. All the best for the 2016 new year!

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer

Genesis One

No, this isn't a Biblical painting, I used the term "Genesis" because the painting involves eggs.

Or, we could ask the philosophical question: Which came first, the carton or the egg?

I decided to paint this - it is actually part of a series - painting of an egg carton, partly to see if I could still paint realistically, and also for the exercise of painting styrofoam.

Styrofoam has some interesting properties, if you examine it close up, plus the way it reflects light provides certain challenges.

(Other paintings in the Genesis series involve the clear type of egg carton and the pressed paper version.)

From time to time, I'll post additional examples of my egg carton work!

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer

Genesis: Detail

Xmas 2014: As they say...

I actually surprised myself as to how quickly I got this year's Xmas drawing done.

I was overseas until early November, so came dashing back to a To Do list which included drawing something to then photograph and use for my cards.

I then get the prints run off and affix them to blank cards, adding the title of the picture, of course.

I tend to exchange cards mainly with overseas friends and family but post the art here, for others to enjoy.

This years's card has the title "As they say...Global warming changes everything!"

Santa has swapped his sleigh for a power-boat and is out trying to deliver to stockings. Not that there are many places to deliver to, most are underwater. (Humans do have a bad habit of congregating to live in low-lying areas).

As well, Santa has ditched his robes and toque for a fur-trimmed baseball cap (worn backwards, of course!) and a fur-trimmed T-shirt.

You might also notice there are reindeer water-skiing behind the boat. Union rules, you know! The contract stipulates that the reindeer must get an outing on December 24. So, Santa has hitched them up to his boat...

Hope everyone will have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy the best life has to offer. All the best in 2015!

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer