8″x10″, acrylic on canvas, 2009.
Whoa, Nelly! What is going on with THIS? This strangely flirty plastic pony was accurately described as “disturbing” by the mother of the child who loves it. The horse, which five-year-old Oona has named “Beautiful,” was a Goodwill purchase by Oona’s grandmother. Yes, you can just go ahead and put those artsy-craftsy Etsy toys that look so awesome on your baby’s dresser right into a box up in the attic. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Tag: acrylic
Bunny Sur L’herbe
9″x12″ acrylic, 2010. The portrait of this bunny, called “Bunny,” will be Donna’s gift to her niece on her upcoming first birthday. Donna’s own children already have portraits of their favorite toys which were painted by (ahem) someone else, but that’s okay… I was delighted to paint this fabulous floppy bunny and I hope that he really does spend lots of time lounging on the grass just as we see him here.
BugBug
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. My old friend Richard commissioned this portrait for his niece Evie. After the family experienced code red panic when Bug Bug went missing for several days recently, Richard thought it might be wise to immortalize Evie’s most significant toy in paint! The portrait will be a gift for Evie’s upcoming third birthday. But since Evie is described as “three going on thirteen,” I hope she’s not already to too cool for it!
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!