Santa Claus

Santa

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar panel

$150

This is the last of my series of Santa Claus paintings for this season.  It was so fun doing my research and painting these pieces.  The series does bring back fond memories of my childhood and the many Christmases I spent with my family.  I have four brothers and we were all very inquisitive...always trying to find out what was in our packages.  One Christmas my second oldest brother woke me up at about 2 o'clock in the morning to go downstairs and check out our presents.  In our house we had wrapped presents under the tree..but Santa would leave unwrapped presents out for us when he visited.  We snuck downstairs to check out the loot...of course we were NOT quiet and soon my Dad was standing over us with a less than pleased look on his face.  We scurried back to our beds and tried desperately to sleep until we were allowed to get up.  

Such great memories.  I wish you all a very happy holiday season...The season of giving...of random acts of kindness.  

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Here Comes Santa Claus

10 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

$150

I was fortunate to be able to get to take pictures of Santa before the lines of children became too long!  We were just visiting a large sporting goods store in Alabama and the line to see Santa was 3 hours long!  They took appointments so people didn't have to wait so long.  Times have certainly changed!  Though it was a long line...my pleasure was in seeing all the children dressed up and waiting patiently.  All I can think of the the wonderful memories they are making.  Good times!  

I am now planning my weekend and deciding what random acts of kindness I can do to keep the spirit of the true meaning of Christmas alive.  A time for giving...giving of your time, your heart and gifts if you are able.  

All I want for Christmas!

"All I Want for Christmas"

10 x 10

Oil On Raymar Panel

$150

The Christmas season is such a magical time of year.  I love the hustle and bustle of the season...but most of all I love the generous and giving feeling it seems to generate.  The smiles, the random acts of kindness and giving nature of season is contagious.  No matter what religion or beliefs you have it is a nice time of year to think about others.  

When I painted this piece I could just imagine what this little girl was telling Santa...the list of wonders she wanted placed under the tree to delight her on Christmas morning.  I can also imagine her wanting peace, happiness and love for all.  

A few years ago I started concentrating on random acts of kindness.  It may be paying for someone's coffee, someone's meal at a restaurant or just leaving some money for the restroom attendant.  Small things that brighten people's day.  Most of these are done anonymously...It makes my heart happy and makes me enjoy the holiday so much more than ever.  

Santa's Lap

"Santa's Lap"

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

$150

I thought this was absolutely priceless.  Such a iconic scene in malls across the country.  Mom and Dad think it will be so fun to sit their child on a strange looking stranger's lap and smile for the camera!  This little one was having none of it!  

I am having great fun painting Santa this season.  It is a fun respite from the concentration my commissions require.  I use these small pieces to warm up or when I just need some comic relief.  

Meeting Santa Claus!

Hello!

8 x 8

Oil on Raymar panel

$200

It is amusing that we tell our children not to talk to strangers, be wary of adults bearing gifts, don't accept candy from strangers...and then Christmas time rolls around!  We stand in long lines to hoist our child up onto a stranger's lap and encourage them to accept candy canes as gifts!  I guess the solution to this dilemma is to introduce your child to Santa before hand.  Prepare your child for Santa and the magic of Christmas...Santa is no stranger!  

I also believe strongly that this season is the season of giving.  The holiday certainly has strong religious ties, especially for me, but I think the spirit of the season...the spirit of giving spans religion, race and culture.  It is a good message for all year long and it is nice to emphasize it each year.  

Which Holiday is This?

Which Holiday is This?

8 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

Sometimes I think I am funny.  

I wanted to paint a line of children waiting to talk to Santa.  We see these lines at the mall all the time.  In the Washington DC area we are fortunate to have such a great Santa at our local mall...the kids love him.  

While I was painting and trying hard not to post any Christmas paintings before Thanksgiving...my mind started wandering.  The holidays...Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to all get mushed together.  If we, as adults, get confused...you can imagine how a child must feel.

I painted and as I was setting the last figure in line a cape appeared!  It just happened.  Then I thought it was amusing so I kept on.  As I painted I thought about how many parents have a child like this.  How many artists feel like this...playing the the tune of a different drummer.  When everyone else goes one way you choose another path.  That is the story of my life...

It has been said that whenever you paint you leave a bit of yourself in each piece.  I know who I am in this line of children waiting to see Santa...

Open House! Raffle Prize!

Santa

8 x 8

Oil on Raymar Panel

We...my husband and I...are having and open house on December 6th from 5 to 8.  We would love to have all our friends, family, business associates and artist friends join us.  To, perhaps, entice attendance I will be offering this painting of Santa, which graces our Christmas cards this year, as a raffle prize.  You do not have to be present to win...but you do have to physically fill out the entry at the event.  

If you cannot make it we will miss you...but I will have a few Santa paintings for sale during the month of December...stay tuned!

As we do every year, our son, Michael Bennett Hock and his lovely wife Marissa, will be catering the affair.  If you have not had the chance to sample Michael's BBQ you don't know what you are missing.  Please arrive hungry!!!  

Ho Ho Ho - Santa Claus is coming to town!

Ho Ho Ho

6 x 6

Oil on Raymar Panel

$200

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us…let the Christmas celebration begin!  This is the Santa I painted for my Christmas card this year.  Last year I had the opportunity to take pictures of Santa Clause at a local mall.  He was kind enough to pose for me…I had a ball.  As a result I have quite a few source photos that I am sure I will be using for years! 

The Thanksgiving dishes were hardly dry when I started decorating for Christmas.  I have a large collection of Santa Clauses that adorn the base of my tree and each year it is a treat to unpack and arrange them.  

Here is a picture of some of my Santas and our tiny little tree.  The Santas are all shapes and sizes and were purchased/gifted/collected from all over the world.  There are so many memories…I just love revisiting the good times.