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The Nisse's Gift

The Nisse's Gift, 17"x11", oil on paper on masonite, 2014.


Hello Again,

I should have posted this a while ago, seeing as it was my Holiday card this year, and I've had the digital file for some time now.  Sarah and I do a Non-Denominational Winter card every year, and for the past couple years a Nisse has been part of the image.  A Nisse is a little gnome-like creature that is prominent in all Scandinavian cultures in one form or another.  They can also be called Tomte or Tomtenisse.  My family was from Denmark, so to us they are Nisse.  Every household has their own unique Nisse.  They are known to care for the animals of the house and fix various things the family may have overlooked (very courteous these creatures are, right?).  But if they are not given a hot bowl of porridge every year on Christmas Eve (when they are setting the presents under the tree) they will play tricks on the family for the next year.  And even if the family tries to move away, the Nisse will follow them and keep up its dastardly deeds.  
Needless to say, our Nisse is of the benevolent type, and we keep him very happy, as this piece shows.  He is sitting on the porch, cozying up to his warm bowl of porridge, staring up at the stars above him.  I am also very pro-windmills, as is Denmark, so I like to put fields of windmills in these paintings. Hope you enjoy it, and Glædelig Nytår!!!
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