Tulsa Man Uses Business Windows As Christmas Canvas

Many people are finding fun and creative ways to show their holiday spirit.

Usually, you think of lights, but a Tulsa artist is using business windows as his Christmas canvas.

"See how the colors pop out there?" asked Tulsa Window Artist, Gerard Berlinguette.

Berlinguette is more commonly known as Sluggo. It’s a nickname he was given as a kid because he did everything he could to protect his brothers but he jokes, “Nobody knows my real name except for bill collectors."

He spends his December Days making spirits a little brighter through his window art.

"I like the jolliness of the season,” said Sluggo. 

He's usually playing Christmas music, has bells on the back of his van and he often wears a Santa hat.

"It kind of makes people laugh a little but that's what I do," said Sluggo.

You might’ve seen his artwork on restaurants, businesses, or even this animal clinic near 61st and Memorial thanking customers for their support throughout the year.

"They say how did you do that? I don't know. I made it up," said Sluggo.

Sluggo says he doesn’t usually have an idea for the artwork before he starts, so instead, he’s inspired by the type of business or his surroundings.

“I get over here and look at the windows and see how big they are and I go from there,” said Sluggo. “I have something going up here that makes me able to do that. God makes you do it.”

Sluggo started his art career in his 20's drawing cartoons on walls with house paint and magic markers.

“I could draw real big, but I couldn't draw real small so I did murals,” said Sluggo.

He says he’s had several jobs in his lifetime, but being an artist brought him the most joy.

 Sluggo says he's been told many times; he'd never make it as an artist, now he hopes to inspire a younger generation to pick up a brush.

 “Not everyone is a Van Gogh you know but there's still good painters out there like me,” said Sluggo.

 Sluggo is 68, has five grandkids and a bad knee, but says he's got plenty more art left in him, and he intends to try to brighten Tulsa's spirits one stroke at a time.

 If your business needs a little Holiday cheer, call 918-955-4413 or message him on Facebook.