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.  

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.