Joseph, The Gift Giver. A Very Special Santa Claus Redux and A Very Special Story

I just love this Santa! Although, I really don't call him "Santa" I call him "Joseph, The Gift Giver" because every time I look at his sweet face, I think of Paul Simon's "Under African Skies"

Joseph's Face was black as night

The pale yellow moon shown in his eyes

His path was marked

By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere

And he walked his days

Under African Skies

Still, I consider this figure to be a wonderful representative of Primitive, Folk Art, and/or Black Americana Art instead of African Folk Art primarily due to his vintage quilt coat. 

But I should start from the beginning.

I am a Santa collector  and crafter. I have collected over 1000 Santas and through the years have bought and sold some depending on what I was "collecting" at the time.

I even had/have some African American Santas and a couple of "Kwanzaa Claus" collectibles but this one is extra special.

I actually have very few artist originals primarily due to their cost. Most of my larger Santas are reproductions that I've happened to pick up at my version of "affordable" prices.

Regardless, I am always on the lookout for another Santa (I know, i it is a disease!) and I found "Joseph" at shopgoodwill.com. If you haven't visited their site, then check it out. If you've already caught the bidding bug, then you'll know it can get as aggressive as eBay once you're on to something you really want.

But I was fortunate, I knew that I found this Santa for a reason so bid I did! 

I have been a Santa crafter for many years (mostly gourds and cypress knees) but years ago, I crafted "dolls" and figures. Recently I found a box full of "toys" that I had collected for my figures and found these three Black/African American rag dolls and I was thinking that I should sculpt a Kwanzaa Claus or something "folk artsy" to use them with. Then I put them back in the box where I'm sure they would have stayed for years, until I happened upon this particular "Santa".

I was so thrilled when he arrived that I already had his basket of babies ready to add to him. 

He originally came with only the bear (that has some sort of antique finish that gives him a grungy look) and the tree. Something had once been glued to the base and there was a damaged spot on his vintage quilt coat where something else had once been glued.

Also, he was filthy. I did my best to blow off some of his dust with a hair dryer (on cool) and beat some of the dust off his faux fur and coat, but mostly, his "grungy" patina is part of his vintage charm.

His face composition is unknown but it is very dense and it could be carved from wood or sculpted from clay or some form of polymer material.  He does have a couple of tiny paint chips that I did not want to repair because I was trying to avoid taking to much away from his "authenticity". 

His beard is made locks of dark wool that has most likely been hot glue on. 

I really believe that he is an original sculpture. Unfortunately, he is not signed by the original artist. However, I have signed him as a "Santa Redux".

But there is more to his story.

When I got him, I went on a "HUNT" and I mean I went through boxes and boxes of miniature toys and stuff that I have collected for my Santas to find the perfect ones to go with him. I do this all the time when I have a Santa to "redux". Not just any toy will do, I have to add, subtract, rearrange, etc. It is like decorating a living room! Some things just don't fit, where other things you just have to have!

So, after about two days of digging through all my stashes in storage rooms and my studio, I came up with several ideas.

First, he is wearing a suede belt from a vintage coat. This piece actually went around a wrist to tighten the sleeve over winter gloves. I think its age and grungy "patina" as perfect for this fellow!

He is carrying a very special ornament that I "composed" from found objects to honor two very special elephants. "Shirley and Jenny".  

"In 2000, “The Urban Elephant” brought viewers the touching story of Shirley and Jenny, two crippled elephants reunited at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee after a 22-year separation. The bonding was immediate, intense and unforgettable between the two former circus elephants."

This ornament is in honor of the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald Tennessee where I donate money when I can to support Shirley, an elephant I've known since my childhood growing up near the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. It is a great story you can read here! It is a tear jerker! I can't even watch the video without crying! 

I actually took the ornament from another Santa that I had added it to because I felt "Joseph" gave it much more meaning. 

Even though Shirley and Jenny are Asian Elephants, the sanctuary takes in African elephants as well. So, if someone asks you what you want for Christmas...ask them to donate on your behalf!

Also, tucked in the basket, is a tiny paper book with miniature illustrations and the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas". The cover is missing, so the book is turned to an illustrated page. 

He also carries a tree (original) with a star (added) made from a palm leaf (I think)and, like most of the goodies I stash away for Santas, I have no idea where it came from but it has two tiny holes where it must have once been an ornament. I also added some switches just in case.

He has two quilted blocks hanging from his old leather belt and a snowflake that is actually glued over a damaged area of his vintage quilt coat with faux fur trim.

At his feet is a wooden train, a rag doll bunny and a wooden top.

Just looking at this "Santa" fills my heart with sentiment as I think all collectible and heirloom Santas should be. If you have a "store bought" or even an artist's original, I recommend you add something special to it to make it more your own.

Usually, I do NOT glue anything on my Santas but I did have to glue the train to cover the existing glue from a missing toy, the star on the tree, and the snowflake.

Hopefully, you will be inspired by this Santa/Joseph, The Gift Giver, and find a song that fits your favorite Santa as well!

Update November 22nd, 2015:

Wow! Literally, by the grace of God I discovered a Santa on eBay that was actually the "white" version of my "Joseph".

As it turns out, both dolls (as well as many others) were crafted by a very talented Santa artist named Linda Randall during the late eighties and early nineties and I found this information from a previous eBay post:

The artist, Linda Randall handcrafts her Santa dolls, creating individually made clay faces and clothing them with genuine antique quilts.  She recognizes the importance of preserving the heritage that old quilts represent.

I also found this image of the card that came with one of her original Santa figures.

I wish I could find out more on this artist. I feel my additions to her Santa was very much in her style and I will keep my eye out for more her work.

Update November 27, 2015:

Before, when I checked the bottom of the stand and the doll for a signature by the artist, I had not seen one. Then l I read on a post of one of her other dolls that Linda Randall signed them in pencil. So, I put on my glasses, held the him under a good light, and checked the bottom. 

Sure enough, there is a signature:
Linda Randall 1 of 1 1990
The pencil was barely noticeable against the color and grain of the wood.

And my final notes on this memorable Santa.

I sold him on eBay because my collection is so out control that I am trying to let go of some of my Santas; even my favorites, because they are just getting lost in the crowd. I felt that this Santa deserved a very special place and need to go to someone who would appreciate him. 

I have crafted many Santas over the past 25 years, but giving this Santa a redux will always be very special and I'm glad I had the chance to save him.

Another update! (6/26/2016 I found this Linda Randall Santa on eBay a while back but I forgot to add it to this blog post. 
Isn't he ADORABLE!!!