Here's the story. I was sitting on our love seat looking at our Santa figurine. I thought what would an artist want most for Christmas? A human skull of course! That is, if he wants to paint portraits with the knowledge of the underlying structure. So that was my idea. So I placed my skull next to Santa. As I was working I came to realize that my "working idea" was not at all what I was doing. No, this goes deeper than that. It's a fundamental difference in one's outlook on life. Some want to know how to die well. Hence, the Latin title. "Ars Moriendi" means "The Art of Dying". But Santa represents just the opposite. He brings cheer and well wishes and gifts and sparkling things to life. At least I think that's the correct Latin; I've forgotten so much of my Latin I'm not sure. And here, if anyone knows Latin, please correct me on this because I want the title right. I want it to express the Santa view of life. I.e., not having, or in opposition to the view of dying well. "Ex", in Latin can have different meanings depending upon the whole idea. That's why it's so hard to translate Latin. Oh, I tell you. I used to get a kick in the shin from my Catholic priest who taught Latin. I translate it as "Santa: Free of the Art of Dying".

Now all art is hard to photograph. And especially pastel. This is as good as I can show it online. But the actual painting is somewhat smoother than this shows.  The lights are brighter, the darks darker.  It's smooth where it's smooth and sharp where it's sharp.

In the book it's printed to perfection.

Where did I sign this painting? Looks like the girl in the pencil portrait on the wall is drawn with both her hands. No, the top "hand" is my signature.