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African – American Santas

November 15, 2011 By Colleen Jorgenson 4 Comments

african-american-santa

For years I’ve been collecting African-American Santa Clauses. Or, at least I’ve tried. They are a little few and far between in the suburbs in Northern California.

Nevertheless, it has been important to me ever since my stepsons moved in 20 years ago. Last year, I wrote a post about our 1st family Christmas and why Santa comes in different colors in our house.

The-Boys

Left to Right: Father-in-Law, Brother-in-Law, The Hubs, Son #3, Nephew in front of FIL. Grandson stealing the show. Taken February 2011.

I’ve done a few paintings of african-american Santas, but they’re just sitting in a box somewhere. Now that Grandson is 4 years old, it’s important to me that he sees holiday images that look like his family.

So when I was on my weekly trip dropped by the thrift store Friday, I saw loads and loads of Santa figurines. For like a buck a piece!

thrift-store-Santas-2

I picked up . . . um . . . a few.

I had to. It’s a calling, I tell ya.

african-american-Santa-5

Because here’s what african-american figurines usually look like. Brown skin? Check. Black hair? Check.

Yeah, but . . .

african-american-Santa-6

. . . they just look a little . . . what? Freaky? Scary? Certainly not angelic!

I grabbed a few Santas and a couple of elves to see if I could do any better.

thrift-store-Santas

Yes, I said “few”.

african-american-Santa-1

After a thorough cleaning, I got out my Martha Stewart multi-surface paints and got to work. I gotta admit, I wasn’t prepared for how tiny a lot of the little faces are. Or how many layers, and layers, and layers it would take to get a decent coloration.

african-american-Santa-3

Ok, so elves that are little old men is a bit weird, but I thought they were kinda cute.

african-american-Santa-4

In their own bizarre way.

african-american-Santa-2

At first I thought I’d just repaint the faces and hands. But then I had to do the hair. And eyes.

Did you know that every white Santa I bought has blue eyes?

I just might wind up painting some of the coats too but I’ll have to see how long it takes me to paint all the faces.

Did I mention I picked up a ‘few’ angels too? Yeah, something to do in my ‘spare time’. Ha! But it’ll be worth it, I think.

This weekend Grandson was playing a computer sports game. You know, one where you pick the avatar’s features. Every single time he chose black hair and dark skin. I asked him why he chose the dark skin and not medium skin (like his own).

“Cause it looks like Poppy!”

the boys

Enough said!

I mean, when I see a little face like that who so loves the face of his grandpa holding him, how could I not make time so Santa Claus reflects his family?

 

Filed Under: my paintings, My Stuff

Comments

  1. lisa says

    July 2, 2018 at 8:41 am

    Oh my gosh i have been looking for something like this because the black Santa Claus do not look as angelic as the Caucasian so i wanted to know if i could paint them African American so thank you thank you thank you

    Reply
  2. Kena says

    December 1, 2020 at 5:30 am

    Awesome read! I’m so inspired! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Theresa Morrissey says

    January 3, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Wow! I just thought about this as I as thinking of how many places don’t have black santas. This may be a project for me also.

    Reply
  4. D. S. Jackson says

    January 7, 2021 at 10:06 am

    We know Santa Claus is all colors at heart!

    Reply

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    About Me

    Hi there! I'm Colleen, a self-taught artist, writer and blogger, among other things. You don't get to be old enough to order off the Denny's senior menu without accomplishing a few things in life. Read More…

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