Snips, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Snips, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails 8x8" oil on museum quality Gessobord

"Older people sit down and ask, 'What is it?' but the boy asks, 'What can I do with it? — Steve Jobs

Boys will be boys! The look on this little guys face, speaks volumes. For this portrait, the photo I was working from included a lot more dried dirt streaked across his face from an obvious recent adventure in the mud. I left most of his well-achieved war paint off, but had to keep enough so the viewer would appreciate the am-I-in-trouble-now expression in his eyes. Obviously his mom saw this as a priceless moment when she snapped the photo. According to English poet Robert Southey (1774–1843) 

 What are little boys made of   

Snips and snails and puppy dogs tails 

And such are little boys made of.

I am reminded of my own young children years ago, while on a hike through the woods, and having to dutifully instruct them by example, the fine art of taking the full measure of a high-high mud pond. What great mucky fun and a wonderful memory we still talk about to this day. Who says girls don't have a little snip and snail in their souls? "Sugar, spice and everything nice" is just plain boring.

This one is a commissioned painting so not for sale, but thank you for viewing.

nancy 

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