Santa Nutcrackers

I have a lot of nutcrackers that I've collected over the years. Some of them are quite ornate and fancy, but this one is probably the simplest one that I have.  He's also my favorite.  From Thanksgiving to New Year's, he stands on the windowsill beside the fireplace.

It was fun to paint him in four different ways.

Original Oil Paintings on 6"x 12" Wrapped Canvas

These were painted for an upcoming Santa-themed art event, but for now they're available in my Etsy shop.  Click here if you'd like to purchase one.

Whimsical Santas

    

Four Friendly Fellas with Fancy Frosty Facial hair

Wore their Funny Felt hats with a Fine Festive Flair!

Thinking about Christmas in August?? What??

Well, it seems like I'm always painting "in season" when the mood feels right, but by the time I finish, the season has passed.  This time I got a head start.  My art friends and I spent the weekend at Welcome Home Retreat where I had a three goals:

• GOAL 1 - Finish 4 of Whimsical Santas all with the same image but in different styles.
• DONE
• I am so intrigued by style. I asked each of the other artists and crafters there which they were the most and least drawn to.  Everybody had different opinions and different reasons for them. I love that.
• GOAL 2 - Finish 4 Nutcracker Santas all with the same image but in  different styles.
• HALF DONE
• I got distracted by everything in GOAL 3.
• GOAL 3 - Enjoy every minute.
• DONE
• Rocked in the red rocking chairs on the porch while watching the turkeys and chickens.
• Ate amazing food prepared by Don and Jackie. 
• Sat in the hot tub until our fingers were wrinkled.
• Tried to learn to play the Bob Ross board game.
• Helped my partners create their own Bitmojis.
• Talked, laughed, and relaxed.

Original Oil Paintings on 6"x 12" Wrapped Canvases

The third one can be found for sale in my Etsy shop. Click if you want to purchase him.
The other three are  [SOLD]

Who's the G.O.A.T?

Who's the Greatest Of All Time?

• Garth? or George?
• Kermit? or Mickey?
• LeBron? or Michael?
• Tom? or Peyton?
• The Beatles? or The Eagles?
• Michelangelo? or DaVinci?
• Dolly? or Taylor?
• Dr. Seuss? or... Well... no one comes close there...

Ok... that little exercise had nothing to do with these guys, but it was fun to come up some G.O.A.T.s for the list.  

These 3.5 goats were my dad's neighbors a few years ago.  The teenager who lived next door to him raised goats for his 4-H project.  They were funny and friendly. And who doesn't love a funny goat!

So... if you're wondering about the 1/2 goat on the left... When I was taking the picture of the other three, he literally butted in and photo bombed the shot.  

I worked on and "finished" the painting without him, but I never felt satisfied with the painting as a whole.  My painting partner / daughter-in-law said, "Put that other half a goat in!!" Turns out he's the star of the show... the G.O.A.T!

Original Oil Painting on 14"x 18" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]