Gentle Animals of the Stable for The Christmas Story Willow Tree – Susan Lordi

The Christmas Story is the largest-scale nativity created by Susan Lordi. The two-piece set of Mary and Joseph fit with Gentle Animals of the Stable on the wood base of the 24”h Sanctuary backdrop. Pierced metal Tree Sihouettes add color and texture.

These three animals specifically fit the larger-scale presence of The Christmas Story and Sanctuary. “I wanted these animals to have a calming, yet very stoic, elegant presence — by their gestures, their stance, the turn of their heads. I experimented with color and texture to give them a softness. I was interested in transforming a hard surface by carving and carving into it until it looked wooly or furry, or in the case of the donkey, had the clothlike surface of a blanket.” –Susan Lordi