How special are these shepherds who are watching their flocks and not only have an angel come to visit them and probably be one of the first people told of Christ's birth. Being a Shepherd probably was a family trade and therefore would have a variety of ages and both male and female. This was the time of year where the new lambs would be born and need to be watched over and protected. I wanted to show the important significance of that and the blessing they received of the heavenly visitor.
This is a night painting of shepherds watching over their flocks in open fields. Clouds are in the sky with stars and an angel, who is not in painting, is illuminating the shepherds and nearby sheep. The shepherds are holding staff and there are 5 shepherds depicted.
Reproduced from the artist's original artwork of Gouache on paper 11 x 5.5. Painted 2023.