New Christmas Cards!

Hello from the Studio!

Last year I didn't manage to get a new card done, but this time I've got not one,

but two new Christmas cards to make up for it!

And this year, in partnership with architectural historian Daniel Wilson,

a percentage of each card sold will go towards preserving

the medieval church of St Nicholas, in Rushbrooke Suffolk.

Card 1, "What Child is This."

The Medieval church of St Nicholas, Rushbrooke

Daniel has an Instagram page (@greatbritisharchitecture) where he specialises in videos on the history of various historic buildings across the UK, but particularly churches, which is how I discovered this one.

St Nicholas' church dates from the 1500s; imagine what stories it might tell, and how many people, perhaps from various walks of life - peasants, soldiers, perhaps knights or nobility- have gone there to worship and find strength and comfort within its walls...

Interior showing the organ

Card 2, "This, this is Christ the King"

Unfortunately, in recent years thousands of churches across the UK have been forced to close their doors due to falling attendance, neglect or lack of funds. I found Daniel's passion for preserving the churches of his parish quite compelling. And as this one was named for a saint who has ties to Christmas, I suddenly had the idea of using it in a Christmas card!

I gave the members of the Holy Family colors which are traditionally used for each: brown and green for Joseph,(who sports a "carpenter" cap), blue for Mary, and scarlet, purple and blue for Christ. ;-)

In  "What Child is This," I gave a little nod to the original St Nicholas in the black crosses on the lapels of Santa's coat.

As a reminder that the event we celebrate on Christmas is not just about something that happened long ago, but is very much relevant now, then, and always, I have drawn a "modern" version of the Holy Family, with the Christ Child accepting Santa's gift, which bears a crown.

I also put a hammer in Joseph's pocket, a hint at his profession.

For "This, this is Christ the King," (Both titles are from the carol "What Child is This," if you haven't guessed ;-) I imagined what the interior of the church would look like all aglow with Christmas decorations. I wanted to capture the drama of midnight mass, a tradition I have grown fond of.

There is something thrilling about being allowed into the church in the dark after hours, and welcoming Christmas at the stroke of 12...

The organ, with its spectacular upward reaching design particularly caught my eye. (I also just snuck St Nick in there as one of the Wise Men, to the right, if you look closely.)

I hope you enjoy these, and that they will brighten someone's mailbox this Christmas!

A percentage of each purchase of these cards will go towards helping St Nicholas afford repairs, and provide heating and electricity. May Christmas services be warm and bright!

Catch you later!

Dominique