We moved to New York in 2005 and these cards are all from the intervening years. Collage, linocut, direct painting, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, and wax crayon all feature. Yes, we are talking everything but the proverbial kitchen sink here!
Apart from 2005, all the designs are pulled from my plein air paintings and sketches. There are urban celebrations, pretend winter scenes – it wasn’t snowing in Corsica, and the embracing of the landscape that our move to Clinton Corners initiated.
Christmas Card – 2005, (New York)Christmas Card – 2006, (New York, Fifth Avenue heading south)Christmas Card – 2008, (New York – from a drawing made in Corsica)Christmas Card – 2009, (New York, from the window of 1385 York Avenue)Christmas Card – 2010, (New York, from the balcony of 1385 York Avenue)Christmas Card – 2011, (Clinton Corners, NY)Christmas Card – 2012, (Clinton Corners)Christmas Card – 2013, (Buttercup Preserve, Stanfordville)Christmas Card – 2014, (Based on a drawing done in Maine in December 2010)Christmas Card – 2015, (Clinton Corners)Christmas Card – 2016, (Clinton Corners)
Although I usually try to find a way to make the process simple and repetitive, I easily become bored so tend to complicate things to keep it interesting. The final images vary a good deal. These cards from 2007, which are based on a drawing I did in New Mexico, illustrate the variety.
Christmas Card – 2007, (New York – from a painting made in December 2006 of the Rio Chama, New Mexico)Christmas Card – 2007, (New York – from a painting made in December 2006 of the Rio Chama, New Mexico)Christmas Card – 2007, (New York – from a painting made in December 2006 of the Rio Chama, New Mexico)Christmas Card – 2007, (New York – from a painting made in December 2006 of the Rio Chama, New Mexico)
And here is the source drawing:
Rio Chama, December, 2006
The result of changing technique and color is frequently a very “mixed bag”, which makes for a slightly tedious selection process when matching card to recipient!
Here is the process for 2017, from first sketches to the final cards:
Like the others, these are all beautiful and if it were to snow in Corsica, I think you’ve already worked out how to capture the moment. Bravo!
Thanks Mike I always appreciate your card and look forward to seeing it. I’ve framed many so hopefully I can now date them! Thank you xx