Notes from the Artist…

Artists kind of go in phases. We go from ‘I’ve got to have a real job’ to “I want to do something that’s a real part of me.’ I just started searching for something that would use all my talents–sales, business, sculpting, working with textiles, and design.

I first got the idea for my own line of Santas in 1990 on a family vacation to Europe. I saw some high-quality figures in Germany. Most of what I’d seen in the U.S. was mass-produced and a lot of import kind of stuff, nothing I would even buy. When I got home, I almost immediately began sculpting a prototype Santa and in 1994 applied for a copyright and Twelfth Night Studios became official.

The prototype Santa took a few years to finish. I was striving for real features. The ones I had seen were too cartoon-like or caricature, and I tried to have very natural features. I spent the most time on the porcelain resin eyes and added a personal touch by sculpting hands from photos of my father, who died a few years ago. I kind of memorialized him. It’s been great therapy.

The end result was a 12-pound 30-inch freestanding figure with a wire and wood frame, hand-tied stuffed body, porcelain face and hands, and elaborate clothing I designed and sewed myself.

I’m something of a perfectionist and sculpt my own buttons and only use a special curly raw wool that I clean and use for beards and hair. I also hand sculpt many of my own accessories such as fishing poles, golf clubs, gardening tools, and toys. Much of the clothing is trimmed with real or faux fox, mink, raccoon, or coyote fur. See our Features page for additional information on construction details.

In addition to what have become six standardized versions, I take special orders. I’ve created gardening, golfing and fishing Santas along with French, Eskimo, African-American and Russian versions. Call (616) 327-7001 or e-mail us at cj@12thnightstudio.com with your custom Santa ideas, and we’ll get you a price!