Hidden Ridge Gallery - Latest Product Updates from Dean Morrissey

The Promise of Peace and Tranquility

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:37:15 +0100

Add a little patriotic spirit to your Christmas celebration this year with Dean Morrissey's "The Promise of Peace and Tranquility". After all, the holidays are the time when we focus on all we share and the blessings we have in common in this great country.

During the Civil War, artist Thomas Nast created a Yuletide first: a gift bearing Father Christmas visiting front-line troops, handing gifts out to soldiers and children. Nearly all the elements he included in that 1862 drawing of Santa continue to this day: his sleigh pulled by reindeer, a long white beard, a furry hat, collar and belt. Truly, the iconic American Santa. Thomas Nast's 1862 vision of a star-spangled Father Christmas embodied the spirit of a unified and prosperous nation in the face of the divisive Civil War.

What Dean Morrissey has so remarkably brought to full-color life is just how striking that star-spangled was and how timely the thought of a unified country can be. What could be better in the coming Christmas season than knowing Santa's pulling for the red, white and blue, too?

This is the first in a series of paintings Morrissey will be doing on the history of Father Christmas and certainly a definitive holiday statement if there ever was one. Dean Morrissey's magical work shows that the spirit of Christmas and country never go out of style. Order your canvas or paper fine art edition today and enjoy the "The Promise of Peace and Tranquility¯Father Christmas During the Civil War" for years to come.

Price: $0.00

Portrait Of Father Christmas

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:45:20 +0100

More invigorating than the first nip of frost in the air, more uplifting than colored lights in the neighborhood trees, more highly anticipated than a snow day, is Dean Morrissey's annual tribute to Santa Claus. This year's elegant portrait celebrates the quiet joy of the holiday season, with Saint Nick seemingly captured in a moment of contemplation mere minutes before setting out on his celebrated annual route through the skies.

Size:	8"w x 10"h		Edition:	150
InformArt:	Not Listed		Status:	Sold out at publisher

Price: $445.00

One Christmas Eve

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:03 +0100

This warm and welcoming scene conveys the adage "it is better to give than to receive" as a young girl waits up for Santa to give him a present. What would Santa need most? A globe of course! This child wants to help him find his way to everyone on his route and she is quite confident that this will do the trick. For everyone who loves the giving of gifts more than the getting, this charming limited edition will bring joy for years to come.

Price: $0.00

The Weathermill

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:04 +0100

Contrary to modern meteorology, the winter storms that blanket the Northern Hemisphere of our planet originate in a castle called Weathermore, high atop a mountain in the land of the Great Kettles. Out on a terrace overlook of the castle stands the Weathermill, a very complex and temperamental machine that creates all our winter storms. Old Man Winter plays the Weathermill like a towering pipe organ, composing blizzards, flurries, dustings ... all of it. Sometimes he can be heard singing as he works: "Snow driving heavy or drifting like a feather, I'm always at my best when I'm brewin' stormy weather."

Price: $0.00

The Magic Door

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:04 +0100

Perched on the harbor in Old Bridgeport Village is The Magic Door, a mysterious shop owned by toy maker and inventor Sam Thacher. His emporium is named after the magical door - the ancient, padlocked one you see behind him - a portal through which Sam plans to some day retire from the real world to a world of imagination, a place called the Great Kettles. When Sam's friend Father Christmas comes calling, however, he learns he'll be embarking on this adventure sooner than he thinks. Published from the artist's original oil painting.

Price: $0.00

The Lightship

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:03 +0100

As Dean Morrissey shows us, the inhabitants of the his "Great Kettles" book series have a far greater impact on our world than we could imagine. The Spring Solstice, for instance, is when the cool Beacon of Winter is replaced with the warm Summer Sun. Designed to bring about lighter, longer days, it is the job of the Lantern Keeper, Maura Bump, and her vessel the Lightship to see that the golden amber ball is fixed radiantly in the sky and that the long-awaited Spring arrives.

Price: $0.00

The Chieftains

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:03 +0100

Following in the regal footsteps of the recent runaway successes The Celtic King and Anna of the Celts, we are pleased to present the next Celtic-themed fine art edition from artist Dean Morrissey. In a departure from portraiture, this action-packed scene features a pair of chieftains riding together to fend off their Viking enemies. It is set in the Dark Ages (circa 875 AD) when 250 Celtic kingdoms, each ruled by their own chieftain, extended from Ireland into Scotland and southern England. After years of being raided by the Vikings, the chieftains realized they were easy prey on their own but by joining forces in fighting their foe they would have a better chance. The chieftains were so successful in their combined efforts that the advance of the Viking hoards was halted and their expulsion from the Celtic kingdoms began.

Price: $0.00

The Bounty

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:03 +0100

This abundant and lavishly beautiful feast would set a wonderful mood in any dining room without further explanation. But do you remember that one of the major themes in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is to be careful not to miss out on life's bounty as it occurs around us? Or, that the messenger of this particular tiding is the Ghost of Christmas Present? But as we said, we think this abundant and beautiful feast would set a wonderful mood in any dining room without further explanation.

Price: $0.00

Solarus The Wizard

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:03 +0100

Just in time for the season of magic comes Solarus the Wizard. His twinkling gaze invites you into his study, where you may find anything from sky-sailing ships to atlases of lands beyond the ends of the earth. This richly colored portrait will make a magical holiday gift for any lover of fantasy. Just hang Solarus the Wizard to instantly transfigure any room into your very own school of witchcraft and wizardry.

Price: $0.00

Preparing For The Journey

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:03 +0100

There comes a point on Christmas Eve when all the bustling activity the North Pole begins to slow. The reindeer are in harness, the runners waxed, the sleigh is filled to bursting with gifts. Dusk conquers day and the elves take their place on the sleigh. When all is in readiness, the Old Fellow takes his moment of pause. No one asks why, for they know he is consumed with the enormous job at hand. Suddenly his face breaks with a rosy grin and he deftly swings up onto his sleigh. With a crack of the reins, Christmas begins anew.

Price: $0.00

Father Christmas: The Workshop

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:38:59 +0100

"We all know about Santa Claus and his annual circumnavigation of the globe," says the artist. "It's quite a feat by any standard. But what is a bit less explored is what Santa does the other 364 days of the year. All year long and right up to Christmas Eve, Santa is a toymaker extraordinaire. He's up to his elbows in a labor of love, turning out magical toys at a pace and of a quality unparalleled in the world. With this portrait, I wanted to depict the master craftsman engaged in his work. Hearing the bell above the door, he looks up to greet his visitor. Perhaps the visitor is us, come to catch a glimpse of the making of magic."

Here at The Greenwich Workshop, the holiday season doesn't begin until we unwrap a box from artist Dean Morrissey to reveal the year's painting of Father Christmas. Over the past ten years we have had the pleasure of publishing Morrissey's portraits of a very real, wise and generous man that just happens to be Santa Claus. In Father Christmas: The Workshop, he's putting in a few hours after dinner, with a couple of industrious elves for companionship and help with the finishing touches. Why not let this picture of a twinkle-eyed craftsman decorate your home for the holidays this year?

Price: $0.00

Father Christmas: The Sleigh Ride

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:02 +0100

More exciting than a nip of frost in the air, more highly anticipated than the first snow, is the arrival of Dean Morrissey's latest creation in his Father Christmas series featuring none other than the worldly traveler with a merry twinkle in his eye.

It's Christmas Eve and the reindeer are in harness, the sleigh is filled to bursting with gifts. Circumnavigating the earth is a rare enough feat but doing so in the course of one blustery winter night, while making countless deliveries all the way around, is nothing short of remarkable. With his book of names and his sextant tucked nearby for ready reference and celestial navigation, Santa slaps the reins and his enchanted journey begins.

"I wanted to give a little of my sense of the character and the kind of wonder that surrounds him," says Morrissey, "both for kids and for grown-ups. Father Christmas is like Frosted Flakes - a lot of adults don't admit that they still love 'em."

This lavish portrait of Father Christmas in action is sure to be a magical holiday gift for believers of all ages.

Price: $0.00

Father Christmas

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:02 +0100

This is the real Father Christmas. . .a worldly traveler with a merry twinkle in his eye. Father Christmas is just one of the lavish images author/artist Dean Morrissey created for his book The Christmas Ship (Harper Collins).

Price: $0.00

Checking It Twice

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:02 +0100

Third in the "Father Christmas" Series

Stephen"Don't load any coal on the sleigh tonight lads," announced Father Christmas, donning his coat and sack. Scooping up the long scroll, he added "I've checked the list twice and lo and behold, all the children were good!"

An elf piped up,"Wonderful news, Sir! But we never load any coal."

"Sh-u-us-h now," replied the jolly old fellow with a smile."Time's a-wasting. Let's hitch up the team and be off.We've got our work cut out for us this Christmas Eve!"

Checking It Twice is the third in artist Dean Morrissey's series of lavish images inspired by the real Father Christmas ... a worldly traveler with a merry twinkle in his eye.

Price: $0.00

Celtic King

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:02 +0100

"In the glint of early dawn, a Celtic King awaits a messenger from the coastal bluffs, bearing what he hopes will be good news," says Dean. "All people of the shire have been drawn within the castle walls, however, loyal knights are mounted and in ready. A king must be prepared for other possibilities."

Following in the regal footsteps of the recent runaway success with Anna of the Celts, we are pleased to present the perfect companion piece from creator Dean Morrissey. This Celtic King brings a sense pride and dignity to any surrounding.

Price: $0.00

Anna Of The Celts

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:02 +0100

During medieval times in the Celtic world, Christianity may have been on the rise but many held onto their beliefs in traditional gods and goddesses. Anna was the figure they looked toward to protect them in battle. She represented loyalty, purity of spirit, and courage of conviction.

Battle was often waged by very loyal, bands of knights against marauding invaders, such as the Vikings or Normans. It was believed that those who died valiantly in battle would be escorted by Anna to the next world. A fallen king's targ (or shield) in hand and claymore (sword) nearby, Anna awaits her new charges.

Price: $0.00

A Christmas Carol

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:02 +0100

Scrooge was a miser. His money was his life. Then, one Christmas Eve, Scrooge received a trio of visitors who showed him not only the true meaning of Christmas, but the true meaning of life. Morrissey's painting depicts London, circa 1843, when Dickens first published the story. The offices of Scrooge and Marley are in fact the pub in the city where Dickens reportedly did a great deal of writing. As Scrooge leaves for home on that fateful Christmas Eve he seemingly heads away from the light and joy of the holiday represented by both the carolers and a Father Christmas further down the street. Yet, these are actually his first steps towards redemption. This is a piece art destined to become one of your family's Christmas heirlooms and holiday traditions.

Price: $0.00

The Voyage Of The Fianna

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:46:41 +0100

A legendary Celtic adventurer with the ability to travel through time, Finn MacCool was the greatest leader of the Fianna, the military elite of ancient Ireland responsible for guarding the High King. An unruly band, the Fianna were challenged by Finn to become models of chivalry and justice. The stories of Finn inspired many narrative poems and ballads, playing an important part in the Celtic literary renaissance. Some argue that the tales of the Fianna are the basis of the legends for the Knights of the Round Table. In Dean Morrissey's The Voyage of the Fianna, we find the inspirational hero Finn sailing through the sea of time.

Following in the regal footsteps of the recent runaway successes of Anna of the Celts and the Celtic King, Morrissey's Celtic canvases bring a sense of pride and dignity to any surrounding.

Size:	25"w x 20"h		Edition:	150
InformArt:	Not Listed		Status:	Available at publisher

Price: $550.00

The Piper Of Tir n' Og

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:46:41 +0100

The famed warrior Finn goes on a quest into Tir n' Og (pronounced tear-ah-naug), the Celtic land of eternal youth and happiness. At the end of his stay, he persuades an enchanted bagpiper to leave paradise and journey with him back to the world to join the Fianna (military elite of ancient Ireland) as their piper. His enchanted pipes stir the troops and summon their spirits to the task, defending the Celtic realm from any and all enemies. The piper travels with Finn for a time, but grows restless, tells Finn that the Fianna do not need him to play in order to fight and that his ability is needed elsewhere. Finn releases him, and for the next 300 years he roams the Celtic lands, his music awakening people to seek out the beauty and grace which lives within them.

Size:	30"w x 20"h		Edition:	50
InformArt:	Not Listed		Status:	Sold out at publisher

Price: $0.00

The Monster Launcher

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:46:41 +0100

Artist Dean Morrissey explores the power of imagination as it weaves in and out of our lives. As Morrissey conceives this story, Paddy becomes convinced (after listening to Monster Radio Theater) that monsters are living in Gramp's house. Gramps sets to work on the Monster Launcher, a masterpiece of imagination, ingenuity and spare parts. The Monster Launcher is supposed to send a monster to the back side of the moon (the home of all monsters according to Paddy). He and Gramps load the machine with sure-fire monster bait (fruit cake and limburger cheese) and, to Gramps' surprise, real monsters show up and climb aboard. They get launched, but only into the neighbor's yard where they are eventually befriended by Paddy and Gramps. Once we've faced monsters, and taken their measure, we often find that they are not nearly as frightening as we imagine.

Size:	35"w x 11.5"h		Edition:	250
InformArt:	Not Listed		Status:	Available at publisher

Price: $165.00