Will the real Santa Claus please stand still?

This afternoon at Castle in the Air, I kid you not, the real Santa Claus came in to do a little shopping. I won't tell you what he bought, as that might give away the surprise to some deserving reader who has been good all year. Who knew that the real Santa Claus wears a green top hat when he shops?

What was just as strange as Santa's visit was what we found right after he left. Two other customers had been testing pens at different ends of the store. As they walked away, they left behind these sketches. Were they looking at Santa as they drew? It looks like one artist is putting Santa on The Nice List, the other has him down as Naughty!

Sketches at the Gates of Slumber

Not long ago I was talking with my dear friend Laurey about the frustration I feel from not being able to fit in making art with all the other things going on in my life. She told me about how she sketches every night just before bed. She's been doing it since finishing art school years ago, and says that she loves having the habit. It's sometimes the only art she's able to fit into her life as a busy mother, but it's something every day, which is so important.

I started the practice myself, and I find it to be really satisfying. Each night I take just enough time to make something before drifting off into dreamland. It's productive, too -- in fact, all the drawings for my next book, Commonplace Mouse, started as bedtime sketches. Thank you, Laurey!