Tag: Monchichi

Monchhichi Family

8″x10″ acrylic, 2013. So first of all, did you know that Monchhichi is spelled that way, with the two consecutive h’s? I didn’t until I began researching this project. Seems like an odd marketing choice, but there you go! This is the second family portrait commissioned by Dominic for his wife as Mother’s Day gifts. In last year’s version there were only Dominic, Cassandra, and Isaac, each represented by classic Fisher-Price Little People. With the addition of their new baby girl, Noa, this past August, Dominic decided to have a new portrait made of the family of four. I look forward to more of Dominic’s clever projects in the future as his family continues to grow!

Watch this video at your own risk — it will be stuck in your head FOREVER.

Monchhichi

6″x8″ acrylic on cardboard, 2012. This little classic Monchichi turned out to have a very sad story that belies it’s joyful expression and theme song. It had found its way into Sonja’s jumble of toys by way of a visit to my mother’s house. As I was painting it for an upcoming exhibit, it occured to me that I had no idea where it had come from, and so I emailed my family about it. My mom responded that she had picked it up at a yard sale on a whim in the late 80’s when my sister and I were already fairly grown. Our next-door neighbor’s very ill baby girl, Amelia, took a liking to it, and my mom would entertain her by dancing the monkey around. The little plastic feet would make a cheerful clicking sound on the floor Amelia would squeal with delight! She also liked to chew on the monkey’s furry tail. Poor Amelia’s passed away from her heart defect before she had grown beyond babyhood… I love this little toy for being a source of happiness during her short life.