8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. Melinda’s six-year-old son’s white Blabla bunny eventually became so tattered that it was no longer repairable. When it became evident that she wouldn’t be able to find a bunny with the exact same coloration to replace it (not sure that would have worked, Melinda!), a story was concocted about bunny having a cousin who was coming to live with them. In this way, some of the affection (and wear and tear) was diverted onto the stripey new addition to the family!
Tag: custom portrait
Blue Bunny
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. I have spent a lot of time recently with a paintbrush in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other! My only source material for this painting was a series of actual paper photos from the childhood of Chris’ daughter Claire, who is now off at college (blue bunny in tow.) In most of the photos, the bunny is either partially obscured by Claire’s adoring stranglehold or lit by an unflattering flash, arms flung up in alarm as if caught robbing a bank. But one photo in which the light was lovely and the bunny appeared momentarilly relaxed, lying next to little sleeping Claire, became the focus of this portrait. Chris notes that the bunny was purchased at Fay’s Drugs for $12.99.
Toy Story Alien
9″x12″ acrylic, 2011. My customers are so much fun! The “models” for all three of Mary’s orders were sent without any setup, save for a few cryptic hints or instructions. The arrival of the first two illicited much excitement in this household, to say the least! The CatDog and Rugrat portraits were to be gifts for Mary’s grown sons, but one of the boys happened to stumble upon the paintings in Mary’s room. He advised her that the Rugrat portrait, which was intended for his brother, did not actually depict his true childhood favorite. So, deciding to keep the Rugrat painting for herself, Mary packed up another “suprise” model for me, emailing me only that he had three eyes! This stuffed Toy Story “Little Green Man” is actually extremely hefty. He’s about 12 inches tall and has hard plastic head and hands. Mary asked me to be sure to include his dimples, as they are a shared trait with the boy who loves this toy!
Tito and Tito The Other One
5″x7″ acrylic, 2011. When five-year-old Elsie was born, she was given an Angel Dear giraffe blanket-head by her grandmother. At least it started as only one giraffe, and he was named “Milton” by Elsie’s father. Elsie is now five, and of course she has discovered and claimed Milton’s “back-up.” Also, Elsie has rejected the “Milton” moniker in favor of the fantastic “Tito” and “Tito The Other One.” Check out Elsie’s little sister Kit’s monkey blankets called “Fritters” and “Fritters The Other One” here, and another portrait of an Angel Dear giraffe here.
Dolly and Bear
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. One of my very favorite toy stories is the one where the parent falls in love with a toy and is subsequently victorious in convincing her child to love it too! The bear in this portrait was purchased by Jennifer when she first became pregnant with her twin daughters Zora and Jane. “Having twin girls has been the greatest blessing in my life,” Jennifer wrote to me, “far more joyous (and exhausting!) than I could ever have imagined, and that Zora loves this bear represents this to me.” Jane’s favorite is Dolly, and is dragged to school each day, smothered in blankets and kisses while playing “mama,” and taken to bed every night. If Dolly is lost in the covers, Jane calls out “Dolllllllllyyyy” and Jennifer must come and find her. Jennifer notes, “They have many toys but these are the most cherished by far.”
Miffy Rattle
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.
Bandana Lamb
5″x7″ acrylic, 2011. Holly’s sister takes photos of each of her two children posed alongside the same favorite toy on a regular basis, and the resulting series of portraits is beyond adorable. As Christmas gifts, Holly commissioned small portraits of the two toys for her niece and nephew. This lamb belongs to one-year-old Elliot, who lives with his sister Maddie, two, and her bunny rattle Miffy in Switzerland.
Bitty Baby
8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. Twelve-year-old Emma, an avid ballerina, loves her three American Girl dolls. But ever since age two, Bitty Baby has been Emma’s very favorite. Emma will be dancing in the Nutcracker for the sixth time this year, and then, just before Christmas, she will be having some major surgery. Emma’s grandmother Cathy commissioned this portrait as a gift to brighten Emma’s hospital stay. I wish Emma an easy recovery and hope she’ll quickly be back up on her toes!
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Fritters and Fritters The Other One
5″x7″ acrylic, 2011. Kit, who is almost three, started with just one monkey. It was given to her at birth by her grandmother, and naturally the “back-up” monkey was discovered and absorbed into everyday use. The monkey blanket-heads are known as “Fritters” and “Fritters The Other One,” a fantastic variation on the “Lovey” and “Other Lovey” template for naming twin toys that I often see! The spotted green blanket behind the monkeys is also a beloved favorite. This portrait is one of two commissioned by Kit’s mother Beth for her daughters, so check back soon to see five-year-old Elsie’s giraffes “Tito” and “Tito The Other One!”
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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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More info about prints here.