“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.”
– John Muir
Oh, we are SO back.
After last year’s hiatus, I managed to find both the time and energy to make an un-christmassy-christmas card!
What is an un-christmassy-christmas card, you ask? In the best of years, it’s not unlike a Sufjan Stevens holiday song. A little quirky, one or more cute characters, layers of meaning that may or not be apparent to anyone else but myself… it’s an image that reflects on the past year while ushering in the new. (I also never fail to keep Sufjan’s company in my headphones as I work on it.)
This year’s card couldn’t escape my still swirling feelings of my time on the Camino de Santiago. It all started with a vague idea for a Snow Cow. I couldn’t help giving it wings (to up the magical factor) and a halo (she deserves one), and before I knew it I realized I had the tetramorph of Saint Luke on my hands. Fitting, it being Christmas and all. So my Snow Cow had become a Snow Bull. Also fitting. Spain and all. Giving it a pañuelo became a no-brainer as well as a nod to my time in Logroño while the San Mateo fiesta was kicking off. And what of the thumbprint? (Did you notice the thumbprint?) Does it say something about the snowflakes? Does it say something about the very idea of a tetramorph? Of a Saint?
Welcome to my brain.
The last part of an un-christmassy-christmas card is the caption in the back, which follows the same sentimental framework of the rest of the card. I knew I also wanted something that echoed the Camino in some way, if not directly referencing walking then the feeling of being out there… eventually I landed on a quote from John Muir, co-founder of the Sierra Club and father of the American National Parks, which nailed the vibe I was going for.
Finally, this year’s card was a technical exercise for me! 2025 was the (long overdue) year where I finally bit the bullet and ditched my Adobe license. Girl, bye. This was my very first piece testing out Affinity! As a long-time Photoshop user, it’s got its quirks, but it’s also got everything I need. Minus the AI BS. And the price (free!) can’t be beat.
In many ways, it’s thanks to my fellow pilgrims that I even made a card this year. I was really craving an excuse to get in touch with my fellow wanderers again!
MÉLANIE DAIGLE 