Reindeer or Red Deer?

'The Holly And The Ivy'

I have spent the last two days slaving over a christmas card design. (Actually, that's not true - I have spent the whole of the past week working on it, but the first picture went in the bin because it annoyed me so much). In true Barlow style, I have finished it too late to actually print it up and send to anyone, so I guess it may have to wait until next year.....
My smallest son, at home yesterday, decided to make his own version of it. It only took him half an hour, and to be honest I think it totally outclasses mine as a card design!

In the meantime, the Fundraiser for Terri Windling, over on Livejournal, has been growing beyond all belief! It's drawing to a close now, with only a day to go, but do pop over and see what new treasures have been offered.
This Stag Beetle embroidery is offered by my sister, Angharad Barlow. The listing is HERE.

And I added another piece to the pot, or at least a potential piece. As well as a choice of 3 prints from my Transformations series, I am offering to paint a custom portrait of YOU (or someone else if you want) with your animal totem, as an addition to this series. I really enjoy painting these and look forward to doing another! If you want to bid, go HERE.

And thinking of these little portraits, brought me on a meandering road to this, which I discovered earlier. Charles De Lint is one of my favourite authors - not so well known here in the UK, I found his work a few years ago when I first started exploring animal totems and transformation in my paintings. A customer suggested I read 'Someplace To Be Flying', which I did, and was smitten! Things came full circle, because a couple of years later, Terri Windling bought the original of the little Crow Girl painting as a gift for Charles himself.

You can find more music by him, and MaryAnn Harris HERE (and CDs are on special offer until the end of the week!)

some pen and ink works.....

Busy, busy in the run up to Christmas! I've been finishing commissions, which, sadly, I can't show you pictures of yet, as they are to be gifts. You'll have to wait till New Year! I've been trying to list a few new prints over in the Etsy shop, and preparing for an open Studio this weekend.

I also did this little piece - a design sketch for a larger piece, depicting the spirits of the land. This one is entitled 'Red Deer Guardian'. Can you see the guardian? It took my children a while! There are prints of this in the shop, but the original is HERE, offered for sale at the 'Magick for Terri' fundraising auction. If you click through, it will explain in more detail the reason for this, but suffice it to say, its a very worthy cause. Terri Windling has offered so much support and encouragement to many of us striving to make a mark in the world of mythical arts, and its an honour to be able to offer something back.
The greats of the fantasy world have come together to help Terri, and there are the most amazing things on offer! I could write my complete Christmas list from the auction :) Fancy an original Brian Froud or Alan Lee work? They are there. Lunch with your favourite author? Or even cooler, the chance to BE a character in your favourite fantasy author's next novel! How amazing is that! Personally, I'd like a poem from Charles De Lint or the 'A Fall of Stardust ' portfolio, with work by Neil Gaiman and Susannah Clarke ;-)

However, if you're longing for an original Alan Lee work, and can't afford the price his fundraiser sketch is making, this beautiful pencil drawing is this week's treasure at Proper Job! It's very beautiful, a local river scene, and is about 15 inches by 9 inches. They are asking for offers over £200, so get yourself down there if you want a bargain! On second thoughts, best to give them a ring first, in case it has already gone.