Just Joe

"It's hard not to immediately fall in love with a dog who has a good sense of humor."

 

Kate diCamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie

 

 

"Just Joe"

 

 

detail from "Just Joe"

 





Team "Fat Russell Crowe"

You heard me. I love a fat Russell Crowe. I've spent the majority of my art career celebrating women of all shapes and sizes. But what about men? Funny enough, hardly anyone has ever asked me about this. Maybe men don't worry about their physical appearance the way women do. Maybe. But as a mom of teen aged boys I've given it some thought. I worry they'll want the rock hard 6 pack abs being paraded about in the media by any boy older than 15. In a world where grotesquely shallow movies like "Magic Mike" are actually taken seriously I work against the system to make sure my boys know which character traits really matter as they are slowly making the journey towards manhood; and it sure as heck has nothing to do with how you look or someone else's definition of what beautiful is.

Over the years I have painted various portraits of my beautiful dad.

 

detail of "The God of Bullshit"(unplugged)

 

 

 

"The God Of Bullshit" (unplugged)

 

 

"The God of Bullshit"

 

 

 

Mouse Kings

 

"Mouse Kings"

 

When I was pregnant with my first baby I worked as a nanny for two amazing little girls who ran around wearing t-shirts that said things like: "Girls Rule and Boys Drool!". I was immersed in an all girl world and all I wanted was someone to rock the Easy Bake Oven with. Then I was working out at the gym one day and a woman wandered past and said, "I hope it's a boy! "

 

I have two teen aged sons and I wouldn't change a thing. I mean, don't get me wrong. Boys do some pretty weird stuff. A "friend" of mine's 5 year old once launched a piece of lego from his springboard penis and it ricocheted off her forehead. It was a "shit just got real" mothering moment. But they are also going to tell you that you're the bestest mommy in the world, they will always want a hug and they will still call you mamma when they are 16 and towering over you. No wonder moms fall head over heels in love with their sons. They are the Kings of our hearts.

 

"Even bad men love their mammas."

Russel Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma

 

 

Matty's first portrait

"You Are My Sunshine"

 

 

 

Mason's first portrait

"Goodnight Growly Bear"