Icon for 'Linocut ornament of a The Christmas Reindeer

The Christmas Reindeer

A holiday linocut print for my mom and aunt.

When I was fifteen or so, my aunt asked if I would make her something instead of buying her a Christmas present. So I did. The next year, she asked again.

It's been our Christmas tradition ever since.

I've been making her gifts for over thirty years now. Eventually, my mom got in on the action and I started making for both of them. These are not great works of art. But every now and then, one turns out pretty nice.

Christmas 2023 was one of those years.

A linocut illustration of a reindeer in snow A linocut illustration of a reindeer in snow A linocut illustration of a reindeer in snow A linocut illustration of a reindeer in snow

After racking my brain for a small-ish wildlife print that would suit the holiday theme, this fine, antlered fellow came to life.

He's carved in unmounted linoleum, inked with Supergraphic Black, and pressed on my Woodzilla A3.

The best part is, he fits right in with Christmas decor, but doesn't seem out of place the rest of the year.

And, for once, I didn't make a bird.