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

Happy Holidays! - 2013 version

"I must say, you've picked a fine time to get the 'flu!"

Against all the odds, I found time to create another drawing for my annual Xmas card, hard copies exchanged with a few and this electronic version sent to many!



The reason the odds were unfavorable is that I only started drawing on November 30 and managed to finish on December 1. Usually, I take a leisurely few weeks of working on the picture, on and off.




For once, I moved beyond using oil pastels and ventured into the territory known as "mixed media".

What this means for the current effort is that, due to time constraints, I used watercolor pencils for some sections and oil pastels for the rest.

I also shot the photo using the macro feature on my camera; I don't usually do this and am not sure it was the best idea; the resulting photo seems darker than I'm used to (see the posts from past years).

As for the subject matter, this idea came to me around the time I was drawing my 2012 picture; I usually have an idea or two in reserve.

I'll leave it up to you to decide if Santa is genuinely ill or just faking - because he wants the night off. (Although, he does have dark, purple circles under his eyes... I know, because I put them there!)

If you look closely, you'll see that even the reindeer are rolling their eyes at the events unfolding before them.

So...to one and all, Happy Holidays and all the best for 2014!


Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer

Season's Greetings 2012!

This year, it was nip and tuck if I would find the time to prepare a cartoon for my Christmas card. I started this tradition and then using the resulting drawing to make Christmas cards, several years ago, so I feel I must keep the tradition going!

"You can skip the 'James Bond' routine, Nick! I know it's already the 27th."

I did manage to pull it off; family members and some overseas contacts get the hard copy version and then I share online with everyone else.

This year's effort was rather inspired by all the old - read Sean Connery era - James Bond movies a friend and I rented. (We rather became purists and deemed those made after the original 4 or 5 to lack the sense of humor of the early films.) (Although we thoroughly enjoyed 'Skyfall'.)

As always, the art work was done in oil pastels on paper, then shot digitally and reproduced.

Oh, in case you're wondering about the decor in the Clauses home, you have to consider that it reflects the level of budget they have to work with, given that Santa only works one night a year!

Have a very merry holiday season!

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer

2011 Holiday Art!

Each year, for the past several years, I've made my own cards to send out my holiday greetings.

In the early days of this endeavor, I first used a cartoon I drew, then I used my oil paintings as the starting point but, as oil painting is time intensive, I eventually switched to oil pastels on paper.

Then, I have photos made of the artwork and paste these photos onto cards. It's fun but labor-intensive, meaning I tend now to only exchange these cards with friends and relatives who send me cards in return.

For everyone else I know, I am offering the online version and wish you all the best for the holidays and the new year ahead!

"Hey! At the North Pole, we hold our Xmas Party after Christmas!"

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer