I started as a fun holiday idea, but then things spiraled like they usually do with my work, into something else. It’s a reindeer. But not just any reindeer. This one’s got a face that’s basically screaming the text. And who hasen’t we all felt like this at some point during the holidays?
But this isn’t just holiday art. It’s a protest, a conversation starter, and maybe even a little bit of therapy, for me, anyway.
The Artistic Style
The painting is bold. It’s chaotic. The strokes are all over the place, and the colors? Let’s just say subtlety wasn’t invited to this party. The reindeer’s human-like expression hits you right in the feels, though. It’s kind of surreal, almost like it’s asking you, "Hey, are you paying attention?"
And those background trees? They’re just keeping the focus where it belongs, on this existentially distressed reindeer.
The Words Say It All
"WHO’LL STOP THE SNOW?" That’s the question. It’s a nod to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Who’ll Stop the Rain, but I swapped “rain” for “snow” because snow hits differently during the holidays.
And what about the cheery little “Happy Holidays” at the bottom? It’s not just there for decoration. It’s kind of ironic, really. Like putting a smiley face on an overdue bill. The contrast between the reindeer’s panic and the forced holiday cheer is the point.
What It All Means
Sure, it’s a painting of a reindeer. But it’s also about climate change, holiday stress, and everything in between. The relentless snow could be a metaphor for how overwhelming the holidays (or life) can feel. Or maybe it’s about how we’ve commercialized joy to the point where even a reindeer looks exhausted.
I wanted to make something that feels like a protest but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Something that says, "Yeah, we’ve got big problems, but maybe laughing at them is a good place to start."
Why This Painting Feels Personal
When I painted this, I wasn’t thinking about climate change or holiday stress, not consciously, anyway. I was just letting the brush do its thing. But looking at it now, it feels like all of that stuff snuck in there. And I think that’s what art is supposed to do. It’s supposed to make you feel something, even if you can’t quite put it into words.
