Introducing another occasional feature -- The Guest Artist. Separate and distinct from the essays on art exhibitions, these entries will be about an artist who is either a friend, acquaintance, or interesting stranger whose work deserves a little extra recognition.

So, what's the use of having your own art website/blog if you can't practice a little shameless nepotism? Our first Guest Artist is none other than my sister, Kirsty Black. Kirsty is talented and funny and not nearly as ambitious as she should be considering the amount of sheer creative talent she has. She paints, draws, sculpts, landscapes and occasionally writes. Additionally, she is magic with animals and can pretty much get any creature to eat out of her hand.

In keeping with the season, I introduce her by posting some pictures of a Santa Claus figure she made for my mother one year. Kirsty bought an old rabbit fur coat at a thrift shop, got some velvet and cord and made all the clothes, as well as the figure.

Oh, and did I meantion she plays the bagpipes too?