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".

Most have been out on a night when there's a full moon.

Ever notice the dark, muted way it looks like daylight? Trees cast their shadows. The earth seems lit by some crazy artist's brush. It's simply an amazing, eerie phenomenon.

This painting took me four years (I started this painting in 2003) to realize that in the dark-bright night of a full moon, the trees' leaves even show highlights of their day-time color, thanks to Mr. Moonlight's magic.

This is what brought the painting to life. And the world keeps on. In the morning's light the world with its acorns and the Oak tree will have been working and growing as we slept.