ILLUSTRATED PHOTO MATS: Nativity

In November I was asked to vend at our local country club for their holiday arts and crafts event (a portion of sales goes toward the charity of the year).  The event was slated for the Saturday after Black Friday, so I was prepared to expect a massive onslaught of ladies going for the Christmas bargains.

I made this holiday-themed goodie for the occasion.  Better than a Christmas card, if you ask me!

Nativity.  8 x 10 mat (4 x 6 cut out), pen and ink.

And a detail:

I did my research on this one.  The animals you see there are documented work/farm and/or food animals of the middle East and northern Africa: the onager, the oryx, and some very sturdy sheep.  (Plus a mouse.) There was an ox and a few other barnyard miscreants, but they didn't make the final cut given the space.  

The timeline of documented events that match up with the stories in the Bible suggests the three kings might have arrived just in time to meet "baby" Jesus as a toddler or young child, which indicates to me the family would've been ensconced in their own home by then (Joseph's carpentry workshop is out back in my rendition, but no space on the mat, ha!), rather than still hanging out in the manger of an over-booked roadside inn, so I've drawn the entrance to their home, warmly lit in welcome while their small assortment of live stock are taking it easy in the yard.  

Sold these puppies like hot cakes!  Sure to be back next Christmas!