Santa Claus Series by Shelley Gorny Schoenherr

INTRODUCING the 2011 Commemorative Santa

2011-07-23T19:19:00.001-07:00

He was Dressed all in Fur from His Head to His Foot ...

oil pastel on textured mat board

32" x 24"

2011 Santa is a representation of the Old World Father Christmas. Wearing deep red velvet and a beautiful brocade robe trimmed in red fox, he is elegant yet nurturing. This Santa steps out of the century old classic poem Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore, and is "dressed all in fur from his head to his foot". Who would not want to walk down a woodland path with this regal St. Nick.

ALSO AVAILABLE for 2011

is the original oil pastel 32"x24"

Father Christmas

Contact the artist to purchase

Father Christmas is not quite the same person to me as Santa Claus. A little more elegant, less of a jolly old soul but magical all the same, is the persona that Father Christmas adopts. I envision him carrying the staff of Saint Nicholas and possessing a very regal and ethereal aura. I have not been able to stop at just ONE Santa painting in 2011 -- I have created and present TWO this year.... you pick your favorite, but please enjoy both.

2010 - St. Nick and the Nutcracker

2010-08-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

The commemorative Santa for 2010 is a special nod to my fondness for nutcrackers. This season, Saint Nick is bringing a stout and festive friend your way, and with a twinkle in his eye, he is decorating for the holidays. Giclees in a limited edition print run of 100 are available.

2009 - I'll Be There with Bells On

2009-10-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

Santa promises to visit the homes of all good little girls and boys each Christmas Eve. We can imagine that he waits all year with excited anticipation for his stopover at our houses. Here he assures us that he will "...be there with bells on".

2008 - Riding Up Front with the Big Guy

2009-10-23T21:17:00.001-07:00

How exciting to be chosen to sit in the front with Santa during his magical Christmas Eve ride! The story here is told from the viewpoint of the two little bears who must have gotten the nod, and are seen "Riding Up Front with the Big Guy" ~ but it's still all about Santa.

2007 - Sweet Treats at Fireside

2009-10-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Santa honors the tradition of the candy cane as the quintessential treat for the holidays. It is your choice as to whether Santa is giving them or receiving them, here in the glow of the fireside.

This years Santa painting also honors the 100 year old Spangler Candy Company in my little hometown of Bryan, Ohio, as one of the leading manufacturers of the finest candy canes on the planet.

2006 - Making a List, Checking it Twice

2009-10-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Santa 2006 is "Making a list ... Checking it Twice" just as the song says. Is your name on that list? Sure hope so, because very soon "Santa Claus is Comin to Town".

2005 - The Gift of a Doll

2009-10-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

The third in the series of yearly Santa Claus images depicts a thoughful moment in time when we catch Santa in the midst of delivering the gift of a doll and preparing to place it under the Christmas tree.

2004 - Santa of the Star

2009-10-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

"Santa of the Star" honors the old European tradition of carving decorative nutcrackers as holiday gifts and giving them to friends to place at their front doors to protect and ward off ill will ... Today nutcrackers are popular and charming collectable figures that remind us of soldiers, kings, characters exemplifying careers and even sports figures. The list is endless.

"Santa of the Star" is not available to purchase.

2003 - Santa of the Tree

2009-10-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Inaugural Santa

This special oil pastel piece started the series, and has a unique sentiment attached to it ~ it was the first of many Santa Claus images to follow.
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The portrait model for this image was a large Santa figure made by artist Jane Altadonna. Though bedecked in jewels and dressed in lush brown velvet, I adapted its colors and features to fit my artistic needs. The original Santa was positioned next to a small Christmas tree. It illuminated his robes, beard and cheeks in glowing light, which was the element that initially captured my interest. While working, I was charmed by rendering the likeness of Santa Claus and by the time work concluded, I had formed a special connection with the figure that Jane crafted. I own the Santa now, but did not purchase it until after completing the inaugural oil pastel.

THERE'S MORE!

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NUTCRACKER COLLECTION

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Have a Happy Holiday Season,
Shelley