Father Christmas: The Workshop

“We all know about Santa Claus and his annual circumnavigation of the globe,” says the artist. “It’s quite a feat by any standard. But what is a bit less explored is what Santa does the other 364 days of the year. All year long and right up to Christmas Eve, Santa is a toymaker extraordinaire. He’s up to his elbows in a labor of love, turning out magical toys at a pace and of a quality unparalleled in the world. With this portrait, I depicted the master craftsman engaged in his work. Hearing the bell above the door, he looks up to greet his visitor. Perhaps the visitor is us, come to catch a glimpse of the making of magic.” Here at The Greenwich Workshop, the holiday season doesn’t begin until we unwrap a box from artist Dean Morrissey to reveal the year’s painting of Father Christmas. Over the past ten years we have had the pleasure of publishing Morrissey’s portraits of a very real, wise and generous man that just happens to be Santa Claus. In "Father Christmas: The Workshop," he’s putting in a few hours after dinner, with a couple of industrious elves for companionship and help with the finishing touches. Why not let this picture of a twinkle-eyed craftsman decorate your home for the holidays this year?