PORTFOLIO > Homage to Children & Beasts

Combining animals, children and art is not new. Western societies have had an obsession with childhood since the late 18th century and ubiquitous childhood images pervade our culture through advertising. We idealize childhood innocence. In Medieval Bestiaries animal stories were used for moral teaching and to illuminate theological principals. The information was not scientific but served as metaphor or allegory; stories easily remembered to show the appearance, strange habits and foibles of each creature and to liven up sermons. In examining images from my collection of vintage family photos, I began to notice many images of children with family pets, farm animals or animals at petting zoos. Children feel a kinship with animals; both are felt to be untainted by the artificial structures of human civilization and remain natural and innocent. What better way to illustrate our middle class concepts of nostalgia and the ideal childhood than to merge these principles; the innocence of the ideal Western childhood with the charm, humor and imaginative aspect of the Medieval Bestiary?

All the work is egg tempera and 22k gold leaf on vellum (animal skin).

Boy Discovers Comfort in Transitional Objects in the Shape of Beasts
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8" x 5 5/8"
2011
$900
Young Girl Praising Beast with Calm Nature Slobber & Drool
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8.5" x 5 5/8"
2011
Young Beauty Sooths & Pacifies Hideous Small Beast
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on panel
8" x 5 5/8"
2011
$900
Children Adoring Beasts with Claws & Sharp Teeth
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
12" x 9"
2011
$1800
Young Girl Exalts Beast with Strong Bones, Balance & Refinement
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8" x 5 5/8"
2011
Sisters Tend Young Beasts With Soft Downy Undercoats & Calm, Gentle Natures
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
9 1/4" x 6 1/2"
2012
$900
Youthful Girl Providing Nourishment to Stubborn Braying Beast With Large Ears
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8" x 5 5/8"
2011
$900
Infant & Boy Admire Seed-Eater Beast with Vivid Color, Strong Curved Bill & Clawed Feet
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
9 1/4" x 6 1/2"
2012
$900
Young Girl Delights In Play of Infant Mewling Beasts
Egg Tempera & 23k gold leaf on vellum
9.25" 6.5"
2012
$900
Three Generations Gaze Away While Girl & Mother Caress Small Beast of Prey
Egg Tempera & 23k gold leaf on vellum
9.25" x 6.5"
2012
$900
Female Blue Eyed Babe Venerates Calico Beast
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8" x 5 5/8"
2012
$900
Small Children Admire Small Beasts with Fuzzy Coats & Fluffy Tails
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8" x 5 5/8"
2011
$900
Adolscents Adoring Beast with Beauty About the Head & Neck
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
8" x 5 5/8"
2011
$900
Adolescent Blesses Calico Domestic Beast Held By Her Mother
Egg Tempera & 22k gold leaf on vellum
10" x 6 1/2"
2012
$900
Small Girl Cradles Tabby Ginger Beast With Downy Coat and Long Tail
Egg Tempera & 23k gold leaf on vellum
9.25" x 6.5"
2012
$900
Sisters Nurture Beast With Horizontal Pupils, Beard and Wattle
Egg Tempera & 23k gold leaf on vellum
9.25" x 6.5"
2012
$900
Small Girl with Cart &  Pedal Driven Transport Regards Curious Hunting Beast
Egg Tempera & 23k gold leaf on vellum
9.25" x 6.5"
2012
$900