Finished framed custom artwork depicting a magical Christmas scene with reindeer pulling a sleigh over snowy trees.

A Magical Painting to Honor a Christmas Tradition

Honoring a Holiday Tradition

Every year, for decades, the Walsh Family has delighted their hometown community with a city-wide parade featuring an appearance of Santa with his sleigh and reindeer. Every year until 2020, that is, when the pandemic cancelled the special annual holiday tradition.

Capturing photos of a holiday scene featuring a red firetruck with a santa sleigh.

capturing his daughter on the sleigh

Multiple source images of a red vintage truck with reindeer and Christmas decorations.

piecing together the photos

Images depicting a snowy winter forest with a bright full moon in a starlit night sky, used as source photos for a custom commission.

sourcing reference photos for the background

Magical Gift During the Pandemic

In light of his family's disappointment, Jay wanted to do something truly special and meaningful to honor his parents' annual tradition, even without a parade. He knew that the gift painting needed to include his daughter and the sleigh. Once we discussed the commission, it was clear to me that we needed a magical wintry nighttime sky and the reindeer should be in flight!

Artist working in studio setting, at laptop using a painting software program to develop a custom composition. .

painting in progress

Close-up detail of a red santa dress with white ribbon bow and arm around a reindeer.

painting in progress detail

Revealing custom artwork in a zoom meeting showing Santa's sleigh flying over snowy mountains in moonlight.

progress update via zoom

 

Christmas Morning Surprise

As you can imagine, Jay's parents were thrilled by the surprise early on Christmas morning, just one day following the date that the traditional annual parade would have been held.

Work in progress. Artist's brushing textures onto on a snowy scene.

finishing touches

Detail of a painted artwork showing a bright red dress and reindeer with artist's signature seal.

framed & ready

Custom commission being gifted. Happy faces with their custom art of their granddaughter on Santa's sleigh in a moonlight scene.

a big Christmas surprise!

Daily Reminder of Love

Creating a magical piece of art featuring their granddaughter as the sleigh driver, will be a reminder of who they love. It will be a constant reminder of their love for their family as well as an annual family tradition that they hold so dear.

 

Video: The Making of the Painting

 

Watch this exciting video story of a Christmas tradition being honored with a painting and why it was so important.

Happy client proudly displaying the custom artwork of his daughter in Santa's sleigh flying over snowy mountains at night.

Loved It!   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

""My parents totally loved it! Thank you so much!"    

- Jay

What story would you like to tell?

It's easier than you think to commission a painting. But only five commissions are accepted a month. Will yours be one of them?


➡️ Contact Bobbie to learn more

 

contact
Professional black and white portrait of artist Bobbie Bush against a dark background.

Bobbie Bush is a Massachusetts-based portrait artist creating custom portrait painting commissions to honor, celebrate and commemorate loved ones. Serving nationally. Since 1996.

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