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BEST OF CHRISTMAS WINDOW PAINTINGS 2015 - PART 2

6/6/2016

I only placed the following images into the second half of the Best of segment because they are designs that are out of the ordinary for the season, not that they were second best. They highlight elements that are part of the tradition of the season but are seldom seen as a central theme. They are the back of the house supporting characters. They are Santa's helpers. The elves rarely get a front seat in Christmas decorating, but in the following scenes, they are given full privilege.

The decorating must be done and Santa's elves will go to any length to accomplish their goals. They are creative and determined as you can see in the tree scene in this image:

Decorator Elves

This lovely elf was part of the beauty regiment and grooming routine that Santa uses to relax prior to the night before Christmas. He must rest and gear up for his strenuous journey and his schedule includes a nice manicure and a trim of his beard and a haircut. The elves help Santa polish up his appearance and lend the Jolly Old Elf some "me" time. It is important to rest when one has a mighty task ahead. When all plans are a go and the list is complete, the job goes a lot smoother when one is in tip top shape and looks their best. There is a confidence building element in a trip to the spa or salon that adds a breath of fresh air to a busy fellow.

Santa Manicure

Although this following lady is not an elf, she is certainly helpful with a few tasks assisting Santa and his crew. Here, Groomer Girl at Groomer Has It is helping one of the reindeers fit into his harness. The creature has been properly bathed and shined up for his flight and now it is time to put the legendary bells on. This shop tenderly cares for all the creatures that enter their doors.

Bells On Groomer Girl and Reindeer

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Best Of Christmas Window Paintings 2015 - Part 1

6/5/2016

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The best of window paintings for the 2015 winter and Christmas season by artist and author Maria Burgess.

Pizza Rock Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada Christmas Window Painting Image Collage

Sorting through hundreds of images takes a lot of time and effort if you take pictures like I do. I take before, during, and after shots of all my artwork. I have to. After the holiday is over it is left as a mess on paper towels and colorful water. It is destroyed intentionally. It is my desire to preserve the steps and the art for future reference and cataloging. I am finally ready to post my best of's for the Winter and Christmas holiday painting season.

It was my privilege to paint not only downtown at a new location, but I did a set of images for the Green Valley Ranch location of Pizza Rock. This is a big deal for me because I have yet to leave my art on such an establishment. It was an honor to be represented here. I have been in Las Vegas for over 30 years and have always envied the artists who got to paint hotel windows. This year, I was hired to do a pizza place, which to me is the next best thing.

The first location was an interior project at GVR. The separation windows and doors were to be decorated for the seasonal celebration. I chose Santa (though I dread painting him - he turned out smashing this year!) and the traditional standby Snowman. These I did with a twist on the pizza theme. The snowman was tossing dough and the Santa was taking a pizza to go on his merry way.

Pizza Rock - Green Valley Ranch

Santa with a Pizza Rock pizza to go

Dough tossing snowman

Similar designs were used on both businesses and the doors were painted to match as well. I cannot tell you how tough it is to get really good photographs of window paintings. Lighting is always an issue and so is point of view.

Pizza Rock - Downtown, Las Vegas, Nevada