Friday, December 8, 2023

Advent Calendar 2023

I've finished drawing my Advent calendar, the 13th since I began in 2008.  As always, it's been a meaningful way for me to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers. 

Because Advent ended on Sunday 12/24 this year, my calendar grid has double-wide spaces for the Sundays (moving down diagonally from the top left) and for Christmas Day.

Each drawing space is small, about 1-5/8" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.  If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.
  • Copic markers; also some colored pencil for 12/3
  • Pen: Copic multiliner or Micron
  • Words and sources:
    • 12/3  We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended.)
    • 12/4  Make haste to help us (Psalm 70:1 and Book of Common Prayer, evening prayer liturgy)
    • 12/5  O come, thou branch of Jesse's tree (Hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel")
    • 12/6  Joy
    • 12/7  Keep awake (Mark 13:35-37)
    • 12/8  Grace
    • 12/9  Good news - Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark 1:1) 
    • 12/10 Joyful hope is springing (Hymn "Sleepers, wake!") 
    • 12/11 Mercy and truth have met together (Psalm 85:10) 
    • 12/12 Restore (Psalm 80:3) 
    • 12/13 The day is near (Romans 13:12) 
    • 12/14 Stir up your strength and come to help us (Psalm 80:2) 
    • 12/15 Peace shall be a pathway for his feet (Psalm 85:13) 
    • 12/16 God so loves the world ... (John 3:16, with "loves" in place of "loved")
    • 12/17 Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear!  (Hymn)
    • 12/18 Listen 
    • 12/19 Holy and mighty (Trisagion hymn, "Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us")
    • 12/20 The Lord is not slow about His promise. (2 Peter 3:9) 
    • 12/21 Son of God - Savior - Emmanuel - Redeemer - Son of Man
    • 12/22 Praise
    • 12/23 Patience
    • 12/24 May the Word sent from God lead us in the way of love, hope, joy, and peace. (Advent candle-lighting sentence from our church bulletin)
    • 12/25 Joy to the world!

Monday, October 23, 2023

Peace Angel

It's too soon for Christmas, but never too soon for an angel of peace and good will.  

Starting from my 2022 Advent calendar, I redrew it to be larger and with a full set of wings on the left.  It will be the image for my 2023 Christmas card. 

  • Copic marker colors used: BG10, B01,21, BV31, V25, R02, E37,41,53, Y21, YR21, C0,1, Custom color G143
  • Pen: Micron 03 black
  • Paper: Neenah, cut down to A2 (4-1/4 x 5-1/2")
  • Words: Peace