Cypress Knees Santa

Deep in the heart of Cajun country resides an artist who celebrates Christmas all year round. The Carol Duvall Show cameras visit Pat Duet as she creates Santa Claus figures from supplies that she finds right out her own back door. Cypress knees are commonly seen throughout the bayou as the raised roots of the swamp trees. Pat harvests these the odd-shaped objects and creates holiday charm for all. No two are ever alike in width, height, color or texture, making each piece of Duet's sculpted-by -nature art one of a kind.

Duet first boils, peels, sands and then dries the cypress knees before painting. Once prepped, she uses acrylic paints to recreate Kris Kringle on the rugged shapes. She starts with face and then moves onto the robe or suit. Duet has made more than 200 Santas in preparation for holiday season.