“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In the hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there …”
I think most people would recognize the start of this famous old poem written by Clement Clarke Moore which was first published on December 23rd, 1823.
When I look at this Christmas scene that I drew in 1982 with coloured pencils when I was 13 years old, it is certainly this old poem that springs to mind now. You’ll note that it is signed in my old name “Duncan”, my maiden name.
Neither of the furry friends are stirring as they wait for a visit from Santa. I have to say, I would be most happy to wake up on Christmas morning to discover this cute pair in my stocking!
As a young child I used to love drawing animals and would squirrel myself away for hours on end drawing. I’m so happy I kept my original pieces from my childhood. I ‘planked’ them away for decades and came across them again during the last couple of years. I always thought this one would make a lovely Christmas card and so I finally got it professionally printed this year to send to some friends and family.
I am currently in the process of digitizing many of my art pieces. For the time being, I’m printing them as 5” x 7” postcards in full glossy colour as mini pieces of frameable art which I will ultimately sell. I’ll add the link for that as soon as I have it. Stay tuned, there is definitely much more to come!
Of course, my plan now is to draw and print a new Christmas card each year …
Val McDowall 