5″x5″ acrylic, 2010. I don’t actually buy that many stuffed animals, but every once in awhile a truly special beast will make its presence known to me and I just have to have it. Such was the case last week as my husband, daughter and I wandered around our local Job Lot in search of some random item which was evidently not random enough to be carried by Job Lot. This absurdly proportioned lion made us all burst out laughing. There was no discussion or debate — the fat lion just stepped on into the shopping cart like he had been waiting for a bus.
Tag: grown folks
James
8″x10″ acrylic, 2010. James is undoubtedly the most media-savy stuffed robot you will ever meet. He presides over Lisa‘s coffee table while she blogs with wit and charm about social media and modern entrepeneurial issues. About 12 inches tall and made from red cable-knit yarn, James scares Lisa’s guests by being so adorable that they can’t even stand it!
Knuffles
8″x10″ oil, 2004. Here is a “early” toy portrait that I painted several years ago of my sister’s childhood favorite, Knuffles. He was about 6″ high, I believe made by Gund, and pretty ambiguous about his species. There were many heated family discussions regarding what sort of animal he was… a cow? Hamster? Guinea pig? A nutria, even? His amorphous, squishy body made him a go-to living room battle projectile whenever the need for one arose.
Iuppa
8″x10″ acrylic, 2009. You may assume, because this is a painting of a stuffed dolphin, that those round things along side of it are supposed to be bubbles. But in fact they are pearl onions! Elizabeth, who commissioned this portrait for her husband, suggested that I work an onion or two into the picture. Her husband has had Iuppa the Dolphin since childhood, and when he was small he was really into pearl onions. One day when he was little, he told his parents that Iuppa was very upset. When they asked him what would make the dolphin feel better, he said, “Give him an onion!” I don’t think that would work for me, but what I guess there is a lot I don’t know about wildlife.
Pink Bunny
5″x7″ acrylic, 2009. When he commissioned this little painting as a gift for his girlfriend, Ben requested that in the portrait this bunny be restored somewhat to it’s former pinkness. She has had this much-loved toy since childhood, and in the photos provided it does indeed appear to be a worn-out white. So hopefully the rosey tinge to the fur in ths painting will bring back some nice memories!
Twinkles and Dusky
8″x10″ acrylic, 2009. This portrait of Twinkles the cat and Dusky the golden retriever were commissioned by Darby for her sister Annie. Annie was in on the project, and she shared some nice background info about these two. They have both been with her since childhood and through the lifetimes of several beloved pets, including two golden retrievers. She says that Dusky has been wonderful physical stand-in for her dogs whenever she can’t be with them (at college for example,), and is also an eternal reminder of how adorable they were as puppies. I had the pleasure of their company in my studio while I painted them (rather than photos) as Darby and Annie were kind enough to lend them to me.
Golly
5″x7″ acrylic, 2009. This little painting was covertly commissioned by my husband for his sister for Christmas. Golly, Kris’ childhood bear, now sits overlooking our 3-month-old nephew Kevin’s crib. Amid some extended family chaos, Greg and I abducted Golly and absconded to a bathroom to take pictures for me to work from. And in keeping with family tradition, no one has any explanation for Golly’s exclamatory name.
Bunny Ball
4″x5″ acrylic, 2009. This is a tiny painting of my husband’s childhood stuffed bunny. The bunny was unearthed a couple of months ago at his parents’ house and shown to me with a sense of extreme reverence. When I asked what the story with it was, there was a lot of shrugging and looking at one another. “It’s a bunny, and it’s a…ball,” the family finally agreed. I love that there really isn’t any more say about it than what is evident in its serious wear and tear.
Squishy, Take 2
5″x7″ acrylic, 2009. The original version of this painting is hanging in my current exhibit at Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga Springs, but someone purchased it while I was installing the show. He was kind enough to leave it up for the duration. So when another man phoned me expressing dismay that the painting he wanted to buy was marked “sold,” I told him that I still had the Hello Kitty squeeze toy handy and would be happy to paint another from the same motif. The new painting shipped within two days of his order, and he was able to give his Sanrio-crazy daughter-in-law the perfect gift!
BearBear
8″x10″ acrylic, 2009. This stuffed bear has been with Kelly since she was two, but she commisioned this painting for her mother! Bear Bear has had a long life filled with unusual purpose. Kelly’s mom is very fond of Bear Bear, and when she is feeling low, Kelly sends him to her for comfort. When Mom comes to visit Kelly and her husband, the bear sleeps in Mom’s room. Kelly is hoping that the portrait will bring Bear Bear’s presence to her mother even while they are apart.