In 1958 the first edition of “Jolly Old Santa Claus” was published, with the lush oil-painted illustrations by George Hinke. (1883-1953) George was born in Germany and came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1923, worked in a print shop, and eventually opened his own studio. He was commissioned by Ideals Magazine to create art in his classic nostalgic style.
As a child (born in Milwaukee), I devoured every tiny detail of Hinke’s illustrations. If you are familiar with the book, you know that there is a cat hiding in every scene. I loved finding the elf mishaps, I loved the soft fur of the reindeer, the Black Forest clock on the wall of the workshop, and I could hear the sleigh bells jingling as the reindeer were hitched to the magical sleigh. What I loved most was when I realized that these images were PAINTINGS which meant that if I was an artist, I could create images like this too. This was an absolute miracle for my little brain to contemplate.
When my parents split up and I moved to college at 17, my childhood book collection was liquidated. This was one of the books I mourned for a long time. (Along with Uncle Wiggly) When it was reprinted so I could buy a copy to read to my own children on Christmas Eve, I literally had tears running down my cheeks. What joy to see those beloved scenes again, and share with my own young children!
Hinke’s style of Santa Claus art has now been duplicated in so many ways over so many years, that I imagine not many realize the influence he has had on today’s Christmas illustrators and designers. Every time we get in a new Santa Claus panel that is reminiscent of his work, I smile and think that George must be a guardian angel looking over the shoulders of another generation of holiday artists.
And so we are all inspired by those who come before us. Even when we create something brand new, it was first part of the creative soup in our brains, that has been brewing our entire lives. For those of us who crave visual stimulation, and then allow the colors and designs to flow out of us into our quilts and textile art, it is simply the creative life force of divine consciousness that is guiding our hands and hearts.
In this season of Faith, Hope, Love, and Charity…may we all harness this as a Force for Good….to guide our sleighs safely through this holiday season and into the New Year.
…sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
p.s. Mission of Love is filling up a 53′ foot trailer with disaster relief supplies, departing Dec 28 for Bowling Green Kentucky which was hit by 2 tornadoes Dec 11. If you would like to help with basic humanitarian needs for those who have lost everything, we urge you to support this effort with our trusted non-profit partner. Details on our Facebook page.
