I hadn't painted a person in ten years. I did this, though, because I was excited and challenged by the thought of painting a person who would embody light. My portrait is of St. Nicholas, the real fourth-century bishop upon whom Santa Claus was based. Today I think that Santa Claus is no longer a mystical, magical, wonderful person. It is a stereotype, a symbol. By bringing back a literal and figurative spirit of Christmas, I want to remind people of what Christmas is all about: love of life. - SL