8″x10″ watercolor on paper, 2007. Here’s a watercolor sketch from a few years ago of three objects that may be found in my living room. The giraffe is a tea-light holder from Pier One, the chick is a bubble container/wand thing, and the ceramic hamster actually represented my husband atop our wedding cake. 
As you can (barely) see in this photo of a photo at left, our cake’s “bride” was a ceramic duck with a silver star on her head. Of course!
Category: Toy Portraits
Custom portraiture and paintings of Sonja’s toys
Katherine’s Bear
5″x7″ acrylic, 2010. The worn patches on this old bear are as important as any of his features, Katherine wrote me when we were discussing this portrait. I’m learning that how the wear and tear on a toy should be handled varies from painting to painting — some people prefer that the toy be “restored” for its portrait, and others treasure the aged, rubbed appearance as a testament to it’s loved-ness. Katherine has been sleeping with this bear for 27 years, it shows, and that’s awesome!
Tiger and Giraffe
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. Well, while I’m waiting for my slow summer to give way to some brisk portrait commission action as folks look toward the holidays (I HOPE!), here is a little study of two classic toys. I found the tiger, along with many other whimsical velveteen animals, for a dollar each at my local Ocean State Job Lot. They are reproductions of 1950’s Dakin Dream Pets, which were originally used as packing material for toy trains! The giraffe was a yard sale find. It’s from Little Tikes, I’m guessing from the 90’s. It served for many years as the “pilot” of my husband’s car, perched on the dashboard with its head smooshed under the windshield. It became a bit deformed from all the sun, and was ultimately surrendered to our toddler.
Duckie
9″x12″ acrylic, 2010. Emma is away at camp, but when she returns this week, this painting will be hanging in her room as a suprise from her parents! Emma’s mother Jennifer commissioned this portrait of “Duckie,” who I suspect might actually be a pelican… he’s a little ambiguous, but I love how kids see what they want to see in their toys! Below is a watercolor study I did from another of the many great photos Jennifer sent. I tucked it into the package as well — I intend to send any studies I make along with the main paintings from now on as a little bonus!
Roar, Monkey, and Blankie
5″x7″ acrylic, 2010. I can’t believe that this is the first sock monkey to come my way for a toy portrait! I hope there will be more! Monkey, Roar, and Blankie all belong to Sephanie’s son Graham, and this little painting is a gift for his upcoming birthday. Apparently there is no heirarchy among them, as Graham carries all three around the house all day and into bed each night. The blankie has its own voice, a bubbly, loopy, wordless language, and also a special spot on it which Graham insists is its “mouth.” What an imaginative kid!
Honey
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. This blanket and stuffed dog named “Honey” are both objects of great importance from Georgia’s 25-year-old daughter’s youth. Georgia commissioned this portrait as a gift to honor her grown daughter’s favorite childhood things in a suitably adult way!
Retro Firetruck
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. This awesome firetruck was purchased by Jon and Sarah as inspiration for the nursery decor for their soon-to-be-born second son. Sarah was the winner of the recent toy portrait giveaway on www.designmom.com, and this painting is one of two that made up that prize (check in tomorrow to see the other one!)
Pookey Bunny
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. There is something so meta about a toy sporting a shirt with a picture of another toy on it! This painting was commissioned by Peter for his wife as a fifth anniversary gift. Pete bought the bear for her when they had been dating for a year, and it has since become, as he very eloquently put it, part of their “shared mythology.” They have a baby on the way, and the painting will hang in their nursery!
Panda
5″x7″ acrylic, 2010. This panda portrait was commissioned by very thoughtful friend Angie for Louise’s 40th birthday. And yes, that is a hospital band around his wrist! When Louise’s panda lost an eye and began to come apart at the seams he was sent off to a “teddy bear hospital.” He is surely deserving of such care, as this toy has been a source of comfort to Louise throughout a childhood that was rather frought with illness. As a newly-forty-year-old myself, I was extra pleased to support this commemorative gesture!
Sweetie
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. The portrait of this stuffed dog was commissioned by Matthew as a gift for his grandmother. She gave “Sweetie” to him when he was eight, but it was her own toy for some time before that. What a great way to return Sweetie to her in spirit!