This is the second new piece for my show in May, a colored pencil drawing done in sampler style. It’s a memento mori, a mourning piece in remembrance of a canine companion that has departed.

Memento mori samplers were common, as you probably know, during the time when embroidery was a regular activity. While this is drawn rather than stitched it’s visually similar to old mourning pieces with the monument to the departed beneath the weeping willow, the floral motifs, the neighboring homes and animals feeling the loss, and the black border. Having lost a couple of wonderful dogs myself I swung from aching sadness to amused reminiscence while I drew, part of the reason for doing work like this I suppose.

“Memento Mori.” Sampler #3
Prismacolor pencil on Stone Henge Drawing Paper
20 x 28 inches

Prints of this image are available in my Etsy shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1139400975/memento-mori-for-a-dog-art-print-of?click_key=7fd98fdff937ab047c38bf242891701c74501a6d%3A1139400975&click_sum=60632931&ref=shop_home_active_1&sts=1
Free domestic shipping on any order through December 18.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my little shop. I’ve had a good year and will be taking a short break. My shop will close on December 19 and will reopen in January.

I wish you all the happiest of holidays.
Thank you for taking the time to view my work. It means so much.