5″x7″ acrylic, 2011. As Christmas gifts for the her family in Switzerland, Holly commissioned little portraits of the favorite toys of each of her sister’s two children. Holly’s sister takes a yearly photo portrait of her children together with their special toys. Holly originally envisioned one painting of the two toys, but then thought individual portraits would allow for additions to the series for any future siblings. This ridiculously cute Dutch Miffy the Bunny rattle gives me a little twinge of regret that it’s too late to get one for my own three-year-old! I might anyway, and convince her that it’s a maraca rather than a baby toy.
Tag: blue
Ceramic Plane
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. My nephew Kevin’s priorities are very clear: Machines that go first, then animals. On his recent second birthday, I sat with him and looked at a picture book which contained an assortment of both. He excitedly pointed and named things, one after the other: “Firetruck! Helicopter! Diesel engine! Motorboat!” “And what are these?” I asked, indicating a flock of sheep. “PIGGIES!” shrieked Kevin. This ceramic airplane adorns Kevin’s bedroom and represents his current favorite vehicle.
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Pooh Bear
5″x7″ acrylic, 2011. I really enjoy an opportunity to paint a new version of a stuffed toy I have encountered in the past. This classic Winnie-the-Pooh blanket-head sports a yellow blanket, and last year I had the pleasure of painting a similar Pooh whose blanket was pink. In this second of two portraits commissioned by Katie for her sons, Pooh rests against a blue blanket which is also a special favorite. This Pooh represents my favorite variation on the blanket-head theme, in that it appears to hold the blanket in its arms rather than having a blanket as a sort of totally limbless body! Adorable side-note: Katie’s son chose this pose for Pooh because it looked most like “her.”
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Limu
11″x14″ acrylic, 2011. In July, the website Sixty Second Parent was kind enough to host a custom toy portrait giveaway. The recipient of the portrait was Stephanie, whose three-year-old absolutely adores this stuffed sea turtle. While vacationing in Hawaii last winter, the family bought a book called “Limu the Sea Turtle” at a Costco. Shortly after, the people who delivered rental baby furniture to their vacation home gave this hand-made turtle to Stephanie’s daughter as a wecome gift. She immediately named it Limu (Hawiian for seaweed or algae!) after her new favorite book. They have been inseparable ever since — she even took Limu and the book to preschool to show her classmates! Limu is special to Stephanie because he will always remind her of that beautiful vacation and happy time in the family’s life.
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Puppy and Bear
5″x7″ acrylic, 2011. Ding ding ding! The bells are going off as Patrick racks up Awesome Husband points for finding his wife a unique and special birthday gift. When she happened upon my website a couple of months ago, Patrick’s wife mentioned in passing that she would really like a portrait of their children’s two loveys. I wonder if he let on that he had tuned into that, or, as my husband might do to fake me out, just made an affirmative noise while staring at his phone? Patrick covertly commissioned a little portrait of Puppy and Bear, belonging to Liam (1) and Jack (3), respectively. Jack’s favorite part of Bear is his tail, which is well-worn, and Liam loves the silky undersides of Puppy’s ears. I hope that this portrait preserves a sweet, fleeting period in the boys’ childhood for years to come!
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Collin’s Bear
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. This portrait is the second of two paintings won last year in a blockbuster Design Mom holiday jackpost giveaway. The big winner was Jo, and of her son Collin’s favorite things, she chose his toy ukulele and this wonderful blue bear to be painted. I love that the bear is sporting a rather boyish shirt along with a silky bow at the neck. He’s well rounded! He’s seated next to the same gorgeous avian pillow that appeared in the Ukulele portrait. Jo tells me that the arrival of these portraits might help Collin feel loved and special during the difficult adjustment to a new baby in the family.
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Puppy, Other Puppy
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. Here is the second of two portraits given as Mother’s Day gifts by Dale to his wife Julie. These blue Carter’s stuffed dogs, known simply as Puppy and Other Puppy, belong to their 3-and-a-half-year-old son Henry. One puppy has been Henry’s “best friend” since birth, but when he found out that his parents had purchased a back-up puppy, he insisted on carrying and sleeping with them both. So ensconced in the family are these dogs that the night Julie gave birth to their younger son Evan, she kept one of the puppies with her throughout her C-section so that she would have a bit of Henry present with her. Dale wrote me about his wife in such adoring terms and it’s clear that so much thought and love went into this gift… this couple is very fortunate to have each other!
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Rabbit
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. Wait, slow down, stop! You almost drove right by a garage sale that could very well harbor the most significant objects you may ever own! This worn blue Beanie Baby, simply called “Rabbit” by 8-year-old Jenna, is one such find. He was still a bright baby blue when he was discovered, but has since faded and further floppied… Jenna cannot sleep without him beside her to this day! It’s fun knowing that Rabbit has been loved by families who are local to me, as Julie lives nearby and found him at an area garage sale… and found me through an article in our newspaper!
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