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…or the Krampus will get you! Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic holiday figure, popular in the Germanic regions of Europe. According to legend, Krampus punishes children during the Christmas season who had misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved ones with gifts. This horned demi-demon would beat the bad children with sticks. 

This is a digital painting based on a photograph taken at the opening of “Fright Before Christmas,” a horror-themed Christmas art show held at Mike Winland Studios in Kanawha City. I figured it’d be a good start to this holiday week. Click to see him even bigger.