Dimensions: 4x6 / framed 9x12

Medium: Scratchboard and inks

Status: SOLD at Balticon May 2008

In honor of the Chinese New Year, I present another dragon. Every culture has dragons -- in the west, they've long been generally considered evil and dangerous, representing the sinful side of human nature, temptation and the devil. In eastern cultures, they're considered powerful and benevolent, representing good luck and prosperity. I prefer the eastern idea of dragons.

In China they're royal symbols and one of the creatures representing knowledge and long life. R.A. MacAvoy took the Chinese dragon and brought him into the modern world in her terrific classic Tea With The Black Dragon. Mayland Long, the dragon ("Long" in Chinese is the word for "dragon"), was, as he often explained, a five-fingered dragon, so he could "write letters to his friends." I like to image other things the Black Dragon could do with five fingers, so here he plays a game of chance.

This piece was done for the last WorldCon. WorldCon is where they give out the John W. Campbell Award, which R.A. MacAvoy won for "Tea With the Black Dragon" in 1984. Even though it is the Year of the Pig, dragons are lucky all year long.

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