Our Next Update~

....will be Friday, February 6th, 2009. Please join us to view new portraits and playthings of the past. If you would like to be informed in advance, as well as view a sneak peek, please email Lana or Suzanne (email addresses on sidebar), to be added to our mailing lists.

Thank you, and Season's Blessings to you and yours.

Welcome~

We are so pleased you stopped by. The offerings this evening (both portraits and dolls) are listed below the history of the painters who inspired us this update.
If you are interested in purchasing an offering, please contact Lana to purchase a doll only, and contact Suzanne to purchase a portrait.
If you would like to purchase the doll and portrait as a set, the shipping will be free, just contact one of us with your request, and we will contact one another with the information.
Please find our email addresses on the sidebar.
*For a closer view of the offerings please view the slideshow of our work at the bottom of the post.*

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A Little History:

Two of the portraits and dolls offered this update are interpretations of two of Joseph Whiting Stock’s (1815- 1855) 19th century portraits. (please see the sidebar to view Mr. Stock's portraits)

Joseph Whiting Stock was born in Springfield, MA. One of 12 children, at the age of eleven he was crushed by an oxcart and left paralyzed from the waist down. He took painting lessons as therapy from Franklin White, a pupil of Chester Harding, and became proficient as an artist.

Joseph was one of the most prolific painters of his time. He kept a journal of his paintings that lists 912 examples of his work executed between 1832 and 1846, canvas sizes, the prices charged and where the pictures were painted.


The last portrait of inspiration is by James Peale (1749 – 1831). He was the younger brother of Charles Willson Peale who taught James how to paint upon his return from London in 1769 where Charles had studied with Benjamin West. James was Charles’ assistant, as well as frame maker. As James developed his own skill and style, he was most notably recognized as a miniature artist. (please see sidebar to view Mr. Peale's portrait)

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~Portraits by Suzanne~

This first portrait is based on the portrait painted by Joseph Whiting Stock in 1837, “Girl Holding A Doll”. Since the portraits were not identified by the young sitter’s name, I’ve given each of my portraits early American names:

Margaret Elizabeth~



This sweet child is dressed in white and sits in her rocker while holding tightly to her doll. For this portrait, she posed in her family’s drawing room that is decorated with a Parisian rug and deep red velvet drapes. There is also a window with a view of the tree-lined entry to the home.
Margaret Elizabeth is painted on textured canvas board and is framed in a vintage-shop-found frame of carved molding. The painting is buffed with wax to seal it and the back is covered in vintage-style paper. It is signed and dated.

11 X 13 (framed)
$125 (plus shipping, unless purchased as a set with Lana's companion doll)




Katherine Grace~



Sitting outside under a tree with her doll and basket of fruit, Katherine Grace poses in her prettiest frock. Her doll is also dressed in a lovely red gown with gloves and a matching sash. This portrait is painted on lightly textured canvas board and framed in a simple beveled distressed black frame. The painting is sealed and the back is covered in “aged” paper. It has a hanger and is signed and dated.

13 X 16 (framed)
*Sold* Thank you!


Susannah~



With a cradle at her side, Susannah poses for her portrait in a pale pink dress. Her doll wears a dotted lace dress with a blue sash and matching ribbon for her hair. Susannah sits on a gilded black chair with a woven seat.


9 ½ X 11
*Sold* Thank you!