Winter solstice card with wistful barred owl and moon is digitally printed using pigment inks on silky, bright white, acid-free paper. Folded card is 5.25" by 5.25" and comes with a beautifully made, bright white envelope. The primary photograph I used to create the artwork is printed on the back of the card with the photo location. Interior message, May the promise of returning light sustain you through the longest night, is printed in flowing script. The paper is super smooth, not slick, and takes gel, ballpoint, and other inks well. The card and envelope are packaged together in a plastic sleeve and mailed in a stiffened mailer.

Framing. This card is created using high-quality archival materials, such as might be used in a museum. The print is sharp, bright, and frameable. To protect the vibrancy of the artwork, I frame using UV glass or acrylic, and I recommend it. If you use plain glass or acrylic, make sure you hang this sweet, little piece and all your beautiful art away from direct sunlight.

About the art. The mandala on this card, titled Midnight Reflections, was created using two photos of Sage, a non-releaseable barred owl, who lives at the Deep Creek Lake State Park (Maryland) Aviary. An additional photo of the moon over a cornfield at Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland, was used in creating the background. The stars are all digitally painted.

The poetry. The words used in this poem contain lots of "o's" to suggest the hoots of the owl.

Snow settles in the midnight wood, alone, alone, alone.
The indigo press of the longest night leaves no room for breath.
Alone, alone.
Clouds flee without warning and I find a friend in the luminous glow of the moon.

~poetry and artwork created for you by Linda S. Gribko