La Befana by AbigailLarson

I spent November in my husband's hometown in the region of Liguria in Italy, and after hearing the local Yule stories of Befana, a witch-like spirit who delivers gifts to good children and lumps of coal to naughty ones, I felt inspired to create this illustration for the "Yuletide Monsters" group show back home in Richmond, Virginia! The original will be on display at the gallery throughout the month, and prints of this piece can be purchased here!

Ink, watercolor, and digital media

SpiritZodiac Featured By Owner Apr 8, 2018

La Befana'a so cool! I wish she was more well known.

LaertethePudu Featured By Owner Mar 30, 2018 Student General Artist

awesome

str4yk1tt3n Featured By Owner May 23, 2017

I just want to leave comments on everything you draw telling you how much I love it.

AbigailLarson Featured By Owner May 29, 2017 Professional Digital Artist

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it!

IsidoraN Featured By Owner Dec 22, 2016

cool

BornFreak Featured By Owner Dec 18, 2016 Hobbyist

Yoo! I've never seen Befana as something this badass until now. Great job! As an italian person I can tell yuo you did an amazing job with her design!

sunflower4ever Featured By Owner Dec 12, 2016 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Your art style is something to be admired greatly! I love this

JWAPPEL Featured By Owner Dec 9, 2016

Nice. I'd say she's more sinister looking than needed, but then again, that is the point of your gallery.

Samy-Consu Featured By Owner Dec 8, 2016

Oh La Befana!!!!!! (^w^)b

Really cool this version of Befana!!!

Tritanicus Featured By Owner Dec 7, 2016 Student General Artist

this is a good illustration!

fuchskauz Featured By Owner Dec 5, 2016

wow, she is so amazing! I love your Folklore and fairytale illustrations!
Would love to see the russian witch Baba Yaga in your Style

Chartoons101 Featured By Owner Dec 5, 2016

nyeh-nyeh-nyeh

EMlux Featured By Owner Dec 5, 2016 Hobbyist General Artist

It's exactly how I've always immagined her! Buona festa della Befana

LittleGoa-t Featured By Owner Dec 5, 2016 Student General Artist

I'm BIG fan of your artwork darling! My great inspiration *smile hug*

Goatcookie Featured By Owner Dec 5, 2016 Hobbyist General Artist

La Befana vien di Notte...

geanera Featured By Owner Dec 26, 2016

...con le scarpe tutte rotte...

LuxBlack Featured By Owner Dec 4, 2016 Hobbyist Digital Artist

So you were here in Italy last month! And you have tasted some good old Italian folklore

"Befana" is also used as an insult to very ugly women XD Awesome art, as always!

roby-boh Featured By Owner Dec 4, 2016 Professional

"La befana vien di notte con le scarpe tutte rotte, il vestito alla Romana, viva viva la Befana".. when I was a child my granmother used to sing me this nursery rhyme

Really nice rendition of her!

FaGian Featured By Owner Edited Dec 4, 2016

She is not a "witch", she is an ancient greek/roman goddess: Strenia, the goddess of the yearly cycle.
Young in Genuary ad old in december, when she rejuvenates on new year's Eve

I know, I'm from Liguria too

kade32 Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016

I've never heard of this one.

Ururuty Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016

cool

ratravarman Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Hobbyist Photographer

Where is this exhibit?

s-0-d-a Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Student

hey! that's in my culture too!

CohenSander Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Hobbyist General Artist

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2VMAt…

19Enigma80 Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016

Funny

nati Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Traditional Artist

I hope you had a nice stay in Italy ❤ I love your Befana!

grassa48 Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Hobbyist Writer

Patron of the Italian Witches. the book "Aradia, Gospel of the Witches" speaks of her in some detail.

bleedingnightingale Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016

This makes me want to do my own research on Yule traditions and stories.

SmudgeThistle Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Hobbyist

I am part Italian and I was so excited to see that you had drawn Befana!

I heard stories about her as a child.

LollyLongland Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Well, actually nowadays naughty children get coal made of sugar which can be either red or black and it taste horrible xD but maybe it's just me, some people love it!
Anyway great job! as always

MarcoPellino Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Student Traditional Artist

Nice! Is it nice Liguria? I live in Italy

AbigailLarson Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Professional Digital Artist

I like Ligura very much! Genoa is one of my favorite cities in the region, but the natural beauty all along the coast is really stunning

MarcoPellino Featured By Owner Dec 3, 2016 Student Traditional Artist

I'm from south Italy and we have the same thing near Amalfi and Sorrento, honestly I haven't visited Liguria but I know that "Cinque terre" is amazing. Next time you should try visit "Costiera Amalfitana", you would fell in love with the panorama!