Christmas Angel with Chickadee, 1991
Rick and I got married in 1988, and that Christmas I started making my own Christmas cards for my family and friends. Since almost all of my Christmas cards have birds in them (surprise!) Rick thought it would be a good idea to post a few every now and then to spread Christmas cheer. I decided to start with this card because it's always been my favorite (and my mom's too). I love the sweet little chickadee and the angel's beautiful snow dress and wings. Back then I did a lot with pen and ink using Rapidograph pens and pointillism. I would create the original, scan it, print out copies on nice stock, and hand paint each card with watercolor. There wasn't that much to paint...just the holly and berry crown on this one, but it felt special to hand paint each card, like it was a little gift.
It's funny, but I can remember exactly when the idea for this little angel popped into my head. I was a technical writer back then, and I was consulting at Access Corporation working on a user's guide for an AS/400 image storage and retrieval system. I had just saved a document and was leaning down to get a folder out of a drawer when the image of her holding the chickadee filled my imagination. She was wearing a flowing gown with one leg raised slightly in an upward motion. I scribbled the idea down quickly and couldn't wait to get home to draw her. I remember watching her come to life on the paper and was so happy with her beautiful halo and the chickadee resting gently in her palm. Since then her simple image has always been my favorite--possibly because of the way she came into my mind, and every time I look at her I feel happy. Hope she brings you a bit of Christmas joy too!
Posts
