5″x6″ acrylic on cardboard, 2013. This is a disproportionately tiny portrait of a stuffed bear that is quite large in size and in gravitas. He has never had a specific name, but he’s been the favorite companion of thirteen-year-old Silas all her life. Silas is the beautiful, statuesque daughter of my dear friend Jennifer, who and this painting is a my Christmas gift to them. I knew the bear still an important presence in Silas’ life when he popped up on Jennifer’s Instagram (which they have come to sort of share) with the caption “My best fwendd