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.
Comments (55)
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!
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!)
Mae Jane · July 31, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Lovely! That's one of my forever favorites of yours!
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.
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 :)
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.
ambika · July 31, 2007 at 02:03 PM
You are on a serious roll lately! Great work!
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! :)
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?
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.
Webbo · July 31, 2007 at 02:44 PM
This is a very interesting source of inspiration.
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.
RaShawn · July 31, 2007 at 02:52 PM
I love all the new paintings, but this one is extra-special charming!!!
Diane Duda · July 31, 2007 at 03:01 PM
I love this one, thanks for sharing your inspiration too :)
ysolda · July 31, 2007 at 03:18 PM
I adore the squirrel painting.
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!
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.
trina · July 31, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Wow, I love her face and her neck-ribbon. SO pretty!
Robin · July 31, 2007 at 06:45 PM
This is great. I could stare at that background all day!
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.
Linda · July 31, 2007 at 07:05 PM
I'm enjoying the smatterings of freckles on your girlies' faces as of late.
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!
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!
Janej · July 31, 2007 at 07:53 PM
I love the squirrel on the string! :)
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!!!
Lara · July 31, 2007 at 09:26 PM
Love your blog...
Hey, I put that Sugar Girl Freebie up on my blog...
http://hipandlittle.blogspot.com
So much fun!
Tonya
Tonya · July 31, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Love your blog...
Hey, I put that Sugar Girl Freebie up on my blog...
http://hipandlittle.blogspot.com
So much fun!
Tonya
Tonya · July 31, 2007 at 10:24 PM
I think the colors are just beautiful and you nailed that 18th/19th century feel! It is just so lovely!
Quirk · July 31, 2007 at 11:54 PM
Beautiful work Emily! This has to be my FAVORITE!!!
Jessica · August 01, 2007 at 12:12 AM
EMILY! YOU! CRACK! ME! UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE THIS STUFF
lOve,kim*
kim* · August 01, 2007 at 12:23 AM
Oh , what beautiful Eyes she has!!!!
the butterfly collector · August 01, 2007 at 12:55 AM
Oh , what beautiful Eyes she has!!!!
the butterfly collector · August 01, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Oh , what beautiful Eyes she has!!!!
the butterfly collector · August 01, 2007 at 12:56 AM
I think I like your version way better! Wonderful work!!
Teresa
Teresa · August 01, 2007 at 01:32 AM
She is beautiful!
cassie · August 01, 2007 at 06:32 AM
Oh I love her beautiful blue dress!!!!!!!!
stilettoheights · August 01, 2007 at 07:52 AM
I love love love this painting. It is definitely my favorite - even more so than I the painting I already have (and desperately need to find a home for in the new place). You absolutely must release prints of this painting ASAP.
Sara · August 01, 2007 at 09:22 AM
She is completely amazing. I love her and have to get a print--and one day soon, I hope I can get an original. Your work just keeps getting better.
peeps · August 01, 2007 at 10:25 AM
I just wanted to let you know that I have been mistaken for the person who wrote the stupid comment on your blog. I love your blog and art so I just wanted to clarify that it was not me.
Little Stitcher · August 01, 2007 at 10:30 AM
HI Emily,
Longtime reader and very big fan of both of your blogs. I'm also an art historian. Lots of those artworks attributed to "unknown" artists probably weren't unknown at all, but rather were women - so you're in great company! I love these portraits too. Cheers from Canada!
Holly · August 01, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I'm crazy for squirrels... and I can think of nothing better than having a friendly little squirrely pet on a string.
jen · August 01, 2007 at 10:55 AM
oh goodness, i LOVE this! *whines in best veruca salt voice* - "daddy, I WANT A SQUIRREL ON A STRING!" can't wait for the print to come out!!!!!
Jenn · August 01, 2007 at 11:50 AM
ooooh I will be completely redundant and say that I would *LOVE* to get a print of this!! The dress color is amazing!
jill · August 01, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Really lovely. And the squirrel is most charming. Aren't there a couple of famous squirrels in portraiture--John Singleton Copley I think--"Boy with a Squirrel".
But I love the Veruca Salt reference someone brought up. Genius!
Beautiful work!
leslie · August 01, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Oh Emily, this is the best. You did such a beautiful job with this, and I love that you shared your original source of inspiration.. Fantastic!
Maritza · August 01, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Ooh, this one is so so pretty! Love the colours, and her hair and dress and everything! I wish she'd had a little pet birdie instead of the squirrel though, because I have to admit I'm a bit afraid of squirrels!
Beautiful work :)
Benedicte · August 01, 2007 at 02:49 PM
this is probably my fave of your work. i adore the blue hues. and the squirrel on a chain! (seriously impossible in real life, but charming nonetheless!!)
blossom · August 01, 2007 at 03:06 PM
I love your interpretation of this beautiful old painting.
Jenna · August 01, 2007 at 05:12 PM
I think that is my favorite paintings you have ever done! Beautiful!!
Cerri · August 01, 2007 at 06:54 PM
So very pretty...I especially like her dark eyes.
Monica · August 01, 2007 at 11:41 PM
I really love this one. I hope prints will be available!!
Kimberly Garcia · August 02, 2007 at 11:19 AM
This painting is exquisite! You do such lovely work- thank you for sharing a wee bit of what inspires you with us!
Claire · August 02, 2007 at 03:11 PM
This is just fabulous! I think it is my favorite of your paintings so far! I sure hope you make this one into a print!
Kim McCabe · August 02, 2007 at 03:54 PM
I really love what you made of it
(but aren't they two girls though on the original?...)
Caroline · August 03, 2007 at 09:37 AM
It's a boy and a girl--it's just the way they dressed them back then. To our eyes, it looks like a girl's dress but there wasn't the same distinction between boys and girls clothing.
moya · August 03, 2007 at 11:33 PM