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"When as a young man I first explored Elvis Presley’s
fabled estate, I was surprised to discover that Graceland is at once grand
and surprisingly intimate. Elvis seemed to be an ordinary person with the
same hopes and aspirations of anyone else.
That is the spirit of Graceland Christmas, my second portrayal of the famous
Graceland mansion. Here we see Elvis gathering presents in his role as
family Santa. As he unloads gifts from the famous pink Cadillac, we are
captivated by the twinkling tree lights that suggest the magic of the
season. Colorful Christmas trees line the drive and the amber sunset
suggests a frosty evening ahead. The glow from the porch and windows reminds
us that all families, even that of the King of Rock’n Roll, will join
joyously tonight to celebrate the season. I hope Graceland Christmas will be
part of your Christmas celebration for many years to come."
- Thomas Kinkade
The Release of the Actual Canvas will be limited to the
following sizes:
12" x 18" - canvas framed - from $750 - SN edition size of 395 (Only 8
Studio Proofs)*
18" x 27" - canvas framed - from $995 - SN edition size of 595 (Only 20
Studio Proofs)*
24" x 36" - canvas framed - from $1,680 - SN edition size of 295 (Only 8
Studio Proofs)*
28" x 42" - canvas framed - from $2,250 - SN edition size of 25 (Only 8
Studio Proofs)*
Interesting Facts:
1. Thom has included a total of 3 N’s in Graceland Christmas as
a gesture of love for his wife Nanette.
2. Elvis Presley’s Graceland, a National Historic Landmark
toured by over 600,000 annually, is one of America’s most
visited historic homes and features a festive seasonal display
and exhibit for visitors during the Holidays each year.
3. As part of the tradition since Graceland opened for public
tours in 1982, the annual Holiday lights display at the mansion
is turned on during a public lighting ceremony at dusk on the
day after Thanksgiving. This year, 2008, the ceremony is set to
begin before Thanksgiving – on Friday November 21st – when
Elvis’ traditional lights and decorations on the mansion
property will come to life during a special lighting ceremony at
the front gates of Graceland.
4. Beginning with his first Christmas at Graceland in 1957,
Elvis had a Santa, sleigh and reindeer displayed on the front
lawn with the message “Merry
Christmas to All, Elvis” spelled out above it. A replica of the
original sign is in use today. The original was found in Graceland’s barn during spring
cleaning several years ago and is currently in climate
controlled storage for preservation purposes.
5. Giving a new meaning to Blue Christmas, Elvis himself made
the decision to line the winding driveway of Graceland with
hundreds of blue light bulbs. His
father Vernon often joked that he was lucky if a plane didn’t
try to land at Graceland, thinking it was an airport runway.
6. Throughout the Graceland mansion tour, various Christmas
gifts are displayed for visitors to see including a set of bongo
drums Priscilla Presley gave
to Elvis and his beloved Bible, given to him by the entourage
known as the Memphis Mafia. Another rare artifact on display
during the Holidays is a
portable television Elvis gave his Mother, Gladys, in 1957.
7. The life size nativity scene displayed on Graceland’s front
lawn along with several aluminum trees that line the front of
the house were first used by
Elvis starting in the early 1960’s and remain in use today. The
interior of the Graceland mansion is normally decked in Elvis’s Christmas décor for the
Holiday season and includes Presley family Christmas artifacts
on display around the decorated trees.
8. Starting in the 60’s, Elvis decided to have the draperies in
the front rooms of the Graceland Mansion switched from the
traditional blue to a festive
red for the Holidays. Members of the Presley family routinely
sneak back to Graceland each year for a private celebration
during the Holiday season
where they exchange gifts in the Jungle Room and enjoy a
southern style home cooked meal in the formal dinning room. |
Collectors who PRE-ORDER this piece will receive a Very Special
Silk Screen Remarque & SIGNATURE by Thomas Kinkade.
Call an Art of the South Gallery for further details!
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