Merry Santa (Mixed Media)

How early is too early to start getting ready for Christmas? 

We used to decorate during the Thanksgiving weekend, but we've scooted that up to the middle of November during recent years. 

Original Mixed Media Collage on 5"x 7" Canvas Board
Click Merry Santa if you need this little guy!

Santa Claus

Months ago my friend and art mentor, Cheri asked me if I'd like to be a part of a weekend of Santas.  I had no idea what that meant, but I said, "Yes! I'm in!  What do you want me to do?"  Her instructions were open and intentionally vague.  She said to bring art with a Santa theme. There was no other limit... just Santas.

Cheri had an open house at her Inspire Studio and Gallery in Shawnee, Oklahoma on the night of the city's Christmas event, and she invited us to be a part of it as guest artists.

My painting partner, Julie, and I had fun during the last few weeks creating different Santa themed ideas to bring. On Friday morning we loaded up the car and headed west to set up our little Santa booths. 

Cute! Don't you think!
Lots of people came through, and it was a fun evening.  
But... that was only half of it...

The next morning there was a Santa paint along workshop.  I love being a part of something where someone paints their very first painting ever.  

This was my first time back at the easel doing intricate work since breaking my right arm.  Hmph!!... Being able to use your wrist is pretty much an important thing when painting... I did take my cast thingy off a couple of times but got mom faces (You know... head slanted, eyes cut, lips pursed...) until I put it right back on.

Every one had a jolly ole' time together and left with a nice little Santa painting.

Original Acrylic Painting on 8"x 10 Canvas Panel
Click "Santa Claus" if you'd like to purchase this little painting.

Ho Ho Ho!

It's been a month since I've painted.  A broken right arm kind of brings some things to a halt... like painting.  I'm healing, and am more capable every day.  Although I still have my cast thingy, I can pretty much do anything I want to now.

And, I want to paint!

I started with something simple and using acrylics. 

Ta-Da!  

My first painting in a month!

I painted it for the next art show that I get to be a part of. I'm going to have a small booth in my friend and art mentor's "Whimsical Santa Claus Event" on Friday. 

I'm also taking Nutcracker Santas!

 And Whimsical Santas!

And Oyster Shell Santas! We were on the Outer Banks or North Carolina after this year's hurricane and collected so many shells.  Oyster shells aren't very pretty on their own, but they sure are cute dressed up as Santas!

My Santa suit painting was so fun, I decided to do another one and supersize it!  Ho! Ho!! Ho!!! Ha! Ha!! Ha!! 
You can't tell from this photo what I mean by supersizing it.

Here's the first one, ready to load up for the trip to Oklahoma.

And.... here's the supersized one... 
Hmmm... 
I wonder how that's going to work out...

If you're near Shawnee, Oklahoma on Friday, come see us!

Original Acrylic Painting on 16"x 20" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]
And 
Original Acrylic Painting on 30"x 40' Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

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]

Whimsical Santa III

I know!  I know!  It's not even Halloween yet! 

I tend to paint what's in season because that's the mood.  That means that whatever in-season picture I paint is finished, dry enough to ship, and ready to go... after the season has passed... sigh... 

I thought I'd get this funny little Santa ready in time to hang in our upcoming art show.

You can pretty much count on Pounce to come around whenever it's time to photograph a new painting.  Almost every single time, she decides that the exact perfect spot to sit at that very minute is right in front of the painting.  
(Can you relate, Sandra? Her Bella makes regular appearances on her quilting blog.)

Oil Painting on 6"x 12" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]