Checking it Twice
$375.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
There’s a comforting domesticity to this scene—Santa at the end of a long day, still very much at work but in a relaxed, reflective mood. Dean Morrissey arranges familiar domestic props—a crackling hearth, a high-backed leather chair, a crowded worktable—so the viewer feels invited into a private moment. The artist’s warm palette of browns, reds and golds gives the room a soft glow, while the small, carefully observed toys and tools scattered across the desk suggest patience, craft and a storyteller’s attention to detail. Santa’s posture—seated, slightly turned, inspecting a small object—reads as gentle concentration rather than hurry. Little touches (striped stockings, a stack of books, a brass telescope) add personality and a sense of narrative without overwhelming the composition. Light from the fire and the clock on the mantel create a quiet focal rhythm that balances the busy tabletop and the calm figure. Overall, the image feels like a pause between tasks: reassuring, intimate and quietly nostalgic, the kind of picture that rewards a slow, close look and leaves a pleasant, homey aftertaste.
The Artwork
About St. Nicholas: Work Day's End
St. Nicholas: Work Day´s End
Dean Morrissey has been drawing and creating characters since his childhood in Boston. Inspired by Disney matte paintings and comic book heroes early on, he grew to appreciate the works of the masters, such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Pyle and N.C. Wyeth. Morrissey worked a variety of job until deciding to paint full time in the late 1970s. He worked as a freelance book cover illustrator for over 15 different publishers in New York and won numerous awards. Morrissey is self taught, and considers the demands of cover illustration to have been his €œart school€. In 1991, Morrissey began to paint some images from a story that he was creating. His books include Ship of Dreams Harry N Abrams (1994), The Great Kettles: A Tale of Time Harry N Abrams (1997), The Song of Celestine Little, Brown and Co. (1998), The Christmas Ship HarperCollins (2000), A Christmas Carol Greenwich Workshop Press (2000), The Moon Robber HarperCollins (2001), The Winter King HarperCollins (2002), and The Monster Trap HarperCollins (2004). His awards include The Society of Illustrators Gold Medal for The Great Kettles, The Chesley Award for The Light Ship (2002), and he is a current nominee for this years Chesley Award for Anna of the Celts (2003). Morrissey lives with his wife Shan and his son on the South Shore of Massachusetts.
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
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About the Collection
Dean Morrissey (1951–2021) was a celebrated American fantasy artist and children's book illustrator, renowned for his enchanting oil paintings that bring imaginative worlds to life. His notable works include "The Christmas Ship" and "The Great Kettles," which showcase his whimsical storytelling and masterful depiction of Santa Claus and other fantastical subjects. Morrissey's art is characterized by its rich detail and warmth, making his collectible art prints highly sought after by enthusiasts of fantasy and children's literature illustrations.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Dean Morrissey.
Authorized Source
Authenticity & Documentation
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"Dean Morrissey has been drawing and creating characters since his childhood in
Boston. Inspired by Disney matte paintings and comic book heroes early on, he
grew to appreciate the works of the masters, such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Pyle
and N.C. Wyeth.
Morrissey worked a variety of job until deciding to paint full time in the late
1970 s. He worked as a freelance book cover illustrator for over 15 different
publishers in New York and won numerous awards. Morrissey is self taught, and
considers the demands of cover illustration to have been his "art school".
In 1991, Morrissey began to paint some images from a story that he was
creating. His books include Ship of Dreams Harry N Abrams (1994), The Great
Kettles: A Tale of Time Harry N Abrams (1997), The Song of Celestine Little,
Brown and Co. (1998), The Christmas Ship HarperCollins (2000), A Christmas
Carol Greenwich Workshop Press (2000), The Moon Robber HarperCollins (2001),
The Winter King HarperCollins (2002), and The Monster Trap HarperCollins
(2004).
His awards include The Society of Illustrators Gold Medal for The Great
Kettles, The Chesley Award for The Light Ship (2002), and he is a current
nominee for this year s Chesley Award for Anna of the Celts (2003).
Morrissey lives with his wife Shan and his son on the South Shore of
Massachusetts.
"
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