Pippi Longstocking

Cute! Cute! Cute!

The little dab of hair sticking straight up. The jumpy pose. The colors that clearly belong together but aren't quite following the rules. This figure has personality and she knows it. She’s spunky, energetic, inquisitive, and just a little bit sassy. There’s something wonderfully unconfined about her, as though she has somewhere to go, something to investigate, and absolutely no intention of standing still long enough to explain herself.

I was drawn to the idea of capturing that particular kind of youthful energy, the kind that makes the body move before the brain has finished deciding where it’s going. Her pose feels almost like a jump, but it could just as easily be a spontaneous dance move, an excited reaction, or the physical manifestation of a very enthusiastic thought.

The color is part of her personality, too. The palette works together without being perfectly matched, creating a sense of harmony with just enough discord to keep things interesting. Nothing is overly polished or precious. She’s put together, but she hasn't been over-managed.

And then there’s the hair.

That little piece sticking up feels like the perfect finishing touch. It gives her a slight sense of mischief as if even her hair has its own agenda. This is one of those paintings where the figure doesn't need a complicated story. She has arrived, she’s excited about something, and she’s ready to go. Basically, she’s adorable. And she knows it.