Blog / 2024 / Squirrel of Love
December 2, 2024
The title of this vlog is a reference to the title of my last one: Bird of Courage. You can learn about the Judicial Grinch that lives in me as well as why I think we should celebrate all sort of religious holidays here.
The animated version of the image can be downloaded here. You can peruse all the arty GIFs I’ve made in this gallery and they’re all free to download.
You can find cards and t-shirts with the squirrel here in my print shop. There’s also wishes for a super fly Christmas, a relaxing Catmas, and a funny little Fishmas.
Santa Squirrel
2024
acrylic on unmounted canvas
26 x 20 inches
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
When I first moved to my apartment in Lambertville, it was summer and we were in the middle of a heat wave. I’d just spent a sweaty week getting settled in and I needed to run an errand. I stepped out onto the sidewalk and right into a conversation between my two downstairs neighbors. One had a pitcher of water in their hands and the other a dish. They explained that they were headed to the back yard to put water out for the squirrels and birds.
It was in that moment that I knew for sure I was right where I needed to be. And it’s also why I painted this squirrel wearing a Santa hat and holding a star to display in the building’s front door window.
Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of Christmas. I don’t like the “buy now, buy everything, buy more” feel of the holiday. Plus, it aggravates me that a country that was very purposefully put together without a state religion would officially celebrate any religious holiday.
That said, this year, I’ve quelled my inner Judicial Grinch and decided that making a painting honoring my neighbors is more important.
You can download an animated version of this image with a glowing star for free, so that you can send some holiday cheer via text. And there are cards with the image available in my print shop. Actually I got a little Santa-hat-silly this year and there are multiple designs of animals who are dressed for Christmas!
Maybe this post made you think of something you want to share with me? Or perhaps you have a question about my art? I’d love to hear from you!
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