Acrylic gouache painting, 16.5'“ x 10.5”, Simper Leads the Crow Through the Doorway of Hours. Simper is a somewhat beloved, somewhat maligned character of mine that combines the body of a anatomically dubious winged-lion with a cherub head from a vintage Valentine’s day card. He tends to be a harbinger for ill-events and his presence is cause for alarm. The crow, in trying to chase him off, has allowed itself to be lured through the doorway of hours over and over again, speeding through the hours of its life and shortening its lifespan with every pass through the arch. If the crow does not stop soon, it will drop dead, and simper will have his meal.