A Squirrel On A String
I finished work on another new painting last night:
Squirrel on String 11"x14"x1" Acrylic on canvas
I've been poring over all these old (and mostly out-of-print) books on 18th and 19th century folk portraiture this summer. I love this stuff...and I know lots of other folks do too. It's one of my primary points of inspiration. The static poses, the beautiful strange visual quirks of the artists (many of whom are unknown, or historians are really unsure as to what work they are responsible for) manifesting themselves in these wonderful, bizarre, sometimes hilarious portraits.
One of my very favorites is this one, Portrait of Two Children (1760), which is attributed to a man named Joseph Badger.
This painting was found in an antique store in the 1950's in London, and the identities of the sitters is unknown. I loved the gesture and garments of the little boy (not that his little no-necked sister is without her charm), and decided to paint a black apple-ish version.
I love looking at art too, I have this huge book, The History of Art that I LOVE. A lot of my interests and hobbies have been put on the back burner because I have two young children that I give my undivided attention to all day but you made me remember this book, I'm going to pull it out of my dusty bookshelf right now!
Posted by: Asha | July 31, 2007 at 01:01 PM
This one is too cute, Emily! I loooove her facial expression and neck and dress, too pretty! You're a painting machine lately :) (keep at it!)
Posted by: Mae Jane | July 31, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Lovely! That's one of my forever favorites of yours!
Posted by: Rachelle | July 31, 2007 at 01:44 PM
look at you go, emily! You're just cranking these out lately! The balance between the blue-greens and red-browns is really, really nice here.
Great inspiration image, too! I also love old portraits like this - mostly for the eccentric minutiae that inevitably surround the sitter, and whatever odd object they may be holding in their lap/hands, etc. The squirrel on a string (with his little gold collar) is too cute.
Posted by: sarah | July 31, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Oh, I like this one a lot... the colors are great, and I love the thought of having a pet squirrel. I think it adds a bit of humor to the painting too, if you think about the typical behavior of a squirrel... imagine him sitting there on her arm being all twitchy and furtive like squirrels are :)
Posted by: Dave | July 31, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Ah, I really like this one. There's something about her loose hair and the ties on the neck ribbon that seem to have a story in them. And the squirrel! This one really is wonderful.
Posted by: ambika | July 31, 2007 at 02:03 PM
You are on a serious roll lately! Great work!
Posted by: Marilyn | July 31, 2007 at 02:06 PM
oh! You hit my soft spot! I LOVE....I mean LOVE ADORE passionately drool over late 18th and 19th century folk portraiture.....especially from the 1810's to the 30's.....I love the awkwardness...I think what I value most in art is awkward beauty...and smatherings of fashion history!
Your little squirrel owner is adorable! :)
Posted by: Marjorie | July 31, 2007 at 02:06 PM
The painting looks fantastic, interested in putting it in The Shiny Squirrel for the launch? any thoughts or am I peskering you too much?
Posted by: Jessica | July 31, 2007 at 02:18 PM
Oh! I'm besotted. If I can't get my hands on a print soonish, I might be found down the park trying to attach a leash to a squirrel.
Posted by: Webbo | July 31, 2007 at 02:44 PM
This is a very interesting source of inspiration.
Posted by: Janet | July 31, 2007 at 02:52 PM
I have a soft spot for squirrels. I can't help it really so naturally this painting makes me feel warm inside. I swear, you've got me inspired to start painting again.
Posted by: RaShawn | July 31, 2007 at 02:52 PM
I love all the new paintings, but this one is extra-special charming!!!
Posted by: Diane Duda | July 31, 2007 at 03:01 PM
I love this one, thanks for sharing your inspiration too :)
Posted by: ysolda | July 31, 2007 at 03:18 PM
I adore the squirrel painting.
Posted by: manda | July 31, 2007 at 04:31 PM
God, I adore the squirrel on a string! It's unbelievable! Are you considering offering prints of it? I would buy one in a heartbeat!
Posted by: Strange Bird | July 31, 2007 at 04:48 PM
oh emily! your paintings just keep getting better and better. I'm so loving the facial expressions and colors and depth in the faces as of late. Her eyes are just amazing and mesmerizing and the color of the background i could just get lost in. pretty soon i'm just going to have walls and walls of your prints.
Posted by: trina | July 31, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Wow, I love her face and her neck-ribbon. SO pretty!
Posted by: Robin | July 31, 2007 at 06:45 PM
This is great. I could stare at that background all day!
Posted by: Christine | July 31, 2007 at 06:59 PM
I agree. The background is so pretty, and I like the way her hair falls around her neck. I love how you have added your style and character and created your own version of this painting.
Posted by: Linda | July 31, 2007 at 07:05 PM
I'm enjoying the smatterings of freckles on your girlies' faces as of late.
Posted by: erin | July 31, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I'm loving the greenish background color.
I always find your inspirations so interesting; please keep sharing!
Posted by: Ky Eliza | July 31, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Normally, I am creeped out by those rats in the furry costumes that most people call squirrels. You manage to make it seem sweet! Well done!
Posted by: Janej | July 31, 2007 at 07:53 PM
I love the squirrel on the string! :)
Posted by: tricia mckellar | July 31, 2007 at 08:56 PM
Ooh this has to totally be my favourite of yours so far! Will you be selling it or prints? Prints please!!!
Posted by: Lara | July 31, 2007 at 09:26 PM