Nativity Critters

Monica volunteered me to help with decorating the Nativity Scene on Campus. The teacher in-charge, Michele (also a good friend of ours), could not find anyone to help her paint some animals and a night sky for a window, so I was roped in, and very happy to have been able to help.

I had many great conversations with people coming by my office to chat as I painted these pictures.

I wanted some humor in the otherwise cute and stoic scene, so I came up with:

The "milk calf" with assorted famous milk brands all over it...

"Mary (as in Aunty Mary dorm parent on campus) had a little lamb..." I had not planned this, but the coloring turned out just like Mary's real life dog, Dexter!

And then, my favorite--Donkey! I just liked how this image turned out.

Finally, the night sky outside the window inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night". If you look carefully in the bottom-right, you will see the "Tan Family" character in chinese...

It was great fun watching all the kids rush up during lunch and recess to look at the scene. Even Aria was incredulous and very proud that I drew them--thanks Monica, for volunteering me!

Here is the final scene with "hay". The school drama club provided a few human characters closer to semester's end.

~ Shien