Mourning Star

“Hallelujah noel be it heaven or hell
The christmas we get we deserve”

Greg Lake-I believe in Father Christmas

9″ x 14″ | Biro on paper

It’s that time again, my annual antidote to the Hallmark season of kitsch platitude-although it’s arguable that this year has been one big antidote and fuck you to good will.

So on this first day of the Winter solstice, as an ode to this annus horribilis, this little biro drawing is a constellation of doom and misfortune, grief and ill omen-a flaming tear in the revolving cosmos, more a star of bedlam than Bethlehem.

Regardless, it remains with me to wish everyone, a most blessed and harmonious Saturnalia. It may be our last.

Sláinte-David

Krampmas

Ink and wash on card-9″ x 15″

It’s that time of year again, time for my annual antidote to all the souring eggnog, threadbare tinsel and empty your wallet platitude.

So here’s a sketch of one mythical folklore supplanting another, the Xmas Devil and infant messiah, done in a lovely Medieval style befitting the season.

Merry Saturnalia everyone.

A very Bruegel Yuletide

For my money (what little I have), no artist portrays seasonal salutations better than the elder Bruegel with his 'Hunters in the snow.' The three ragged peasants and dog pack emerging from the spindly wooded glade, to behold the unraveling icy spectacle below, could be likened to a modern day parable of shoppers scavenging for last minute holiday bargains. 
Parables are a big thing this time of year after all.

It could also be just my way of wishing you all a very merry feast of Saturnalia.

...Way up north where the air gets cold

The stockings are stuffed, the tree is piled, the eggnog chilled... here's Sharon Tate to remind you to all to have a Merry Christmas.

There's no angels-drawing by David Van Gough

Each Solstice, I try to make a concession-or antidote- to the sentiments of the season, and create limited edition cards for my friends. This year being no exception, here is a drawing entitled 'There's no angels' that shall be gracing mantles across the country.

A Cool Yule

May it be Bacchanalian and exquisite, stocking stuffed and lap landed,sequin filled and ribbon wrapped, doe eyed and mince pied, turkey stuffed and paper hat, mistletoed and irish cremed.

Every Happiness this Christmas to all.

Notes from an Easel-57-Death of Winter

Despite the finality of my signatures flourish, I shalln't be able to tell if the piece is complete until it's dry. Diffusing the black point's to grey, really gives it a nice depth of middle ground. I'm pleased-its a rather delicious counterpoint to the candy-cane, force feeding of the seasons sentiments.

That said, I am not completely, curmudgeonly about the graces of Xmas, so to set the mood, here's something cooler than chilled eggnog- Bowie and Bing singing 'Peace on Earth, Little Drummer boy' back in the good old days of 77: