Cousins

 

 

 

 

 

This 40"x40" oil painting was inspired by a cache of old photographs, from a time when my family, which includes eleven children, lived in New York. This was the only period where we were surrounded by extended family. We left there and moved to Michigan when I was eight years old, but I remember the house and yard well. There was an old metal swing set where hanging upside down by the knees was the limit of my daring. The two carefree girls depicted here are my older sister and cousin. The stick-wielding little one is only sort-of me--I used a photo that i've always loved of one of my aunts as a baby. Right age, wrong generation, but I was drawn to the baby's intensity and self-absorption juxtaposed with the glee of the older girls. This painting was purchased a few years ago by a private collector, but prints in many sizes and media are available at

https://patriciabeggins.artstorefronts.com/warehouse/art_print_products/cousins-fi02ecmswjw?product_gallery=45034&product_id=2451908