My Original Whimsical Animal Paintings
Unique eccentric artworks accompanied by short fairytale narratives and taking place against a Victorianish backdrop. Acrylic on canvas. Sizes from 4" x 4" to 8" x 12". Originals and prints available at foxyandpaper.com
Butterfly, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas
“Rare and unique like exotic butterfly, she seemed both dignified and timid, ready to flutter up any moment at the first hint of danger.”
Modern Day Robin Hood, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“Newspapers called him none other than "Modern Day Robin Hood". High society money-bags kept decent silence, ignoring his very existence, but deep inside every single one of them was terrified to lose all his fortune. Their wives were less humble in conversations and called him "criminal", "wicked man" and even "scoundrel", trying to secure their daughters against his negative influence. However, every single one of them had a scrap with his portrait in the very bottom of dressing table drawer.”
Dangerous Species, 20 x 30 cm (8” x 12”) acrylic on canvas
“As venomous as she was, she rightfully had her special place among the most dangerous species.”
Lily Abbott, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with a desire to become a stellar astronomer, unless you're an elder daughter of a fishmonger in an obscure country village in Cornwall. But a girl can dream, can’t she?”
Evening Dress, 15 x 20 cm (6” x 8”) acrylic on canvas
“Her impossible beauty and the absence of the ring on her left finger clearly told you that she was single. But what it couldn't tell is that her heart didn't belong her, like his heart didn't belong him anymore. She was his universe and he was her sun. Their hearts were one now. And this new stronger heart beat faster, felt deeper and blazed so fiercely, that he had no illusions on the point, that sooner or later it would burn them both to ashes.”
“Her impossible beauty and the absence of the ring on her left finger clearly told you that she was single. But what it couldn't tell is that her heart didn't belong her, like his heart didn't belong him anymore. She was his universe and he was her sun. Their hearts were one now. And this new stronger heart beat faster, felt deeper and blazed so fiercely, that he had no illusions on the point, that sooner or later it would burn them both to ashes.”
Woman in a Fox Mask, 15 x 20 cm (6” x 8”) acrylic on canvas
“Slowly going down the winding stairs and surveying the guests, she felt certain that all eyes were now focused on her. Copper shimmering of candlelight on her usually dark hair, a piercing glance of hypnotising hazel eyes behind the mask, a hint of a smile on a perfectly still marble face — she was marvelously pretty tonight and she knew that full well.”
“Slowly going down the winding stairs and surveying the guests, she felt certain that all eyes were now focused on her. Copper shimmering of candlelight on her usually dark hair, a piercing glance of hypnotising hazel eyes behind the mask, a hint of a smile on a perfectly still marble face — she was marvelously pretty tonight and she knew that full well.”
Gentleman with a Pipe, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“Mr. Theodore Brighton, the eldest of three sons at "Brighton & Sons Tobacco Company", has never been seen without his pipe. Even if you'd knocked on his door at 3:00 A.M., he would have probably met you in his flannel nightshirt and bobble bed cap, but with a usual pipe in his mouth.”
“Mr. Theodore Brighton, the eldest of three sons at "Brighton & Sons Tobacco Company", has never been seen without his pipe. Even if you'd knocked on his door at 3:00 A.M., he would have probably met you in his flannel nightshirt and bobble bed cap, but with a usual pipe in his mouth.”
The Cat, 20 x 30 cm (8” x 12”) acrylic on canvas
“He wasn't an ordinary cat in the usual sense of the word, but like most ordinary cats on their own he didn't have a name. Because giving names was, in his opinion, a human way to impose their will. But he didn't play by these rules. He shunned the society of men, preferring to be left alone to his own thoughts in the middle of nowhere. The ability to change his appearance was very handy in avoiding uninvited guests and also a perfect antidote for boredom. He could take any shape, size or color at will, which he sometimes did about twenty times a day to keep in practice and amuse himself. Today he was in a tabby mood. With a touch of superiority complex.”
Siblings, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas
“You'd never had guessed that Peter and Lizzy Robbins were siblings. They were like chalk and cheese. Peter — a real people person with lots of friends — seemed to know every boy under thirteen in their small slumberous town (he didn't care much about girls) and liked to be in on everything remotely interesting that happened here. Lizzy, on the contrary, was withdrawn and shy. Her best friends were books and she spent most of her time reading on the window sill or in her favirite corner of the garden. When she wasn't reading, she was tailing after Peter everywhere to his great annoyance. And while he never missed opportunities to call her a 'dumbhead' or put a frog on her pillow in the morning, he would never let anyone offend her.”
“You'd never had guessed that Peter and Lizzy Robbins were siblings. They were like chalk and cheese. Peter — a real people person with lots of friends — seemed to know every boy under thirteen in their small slumberous town (he didn't care much about girls) and liked to be in on everything remotely interesting that happened here. Lizzy, on the contrary, was withdrawn and shy. Her best friends were books and she spent most of her time reading on the window sill or in her favirite corner of the garden. When she wasn't reading, she was tailing after Peter everywhere to his great annoyance. And while he never missed opportunities to call her a 'dumbhead' or put a frog on her pillow in the morning, he would never let anyone offend her.”
Tilda, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas.
“The incomparable beauty of Her Royal Highness Princess Tilda was famous far beyond the kingdom as well as her bad temper. No wonder, that her parents were so keen to marry her off to anyone who will take the trouble, that on her wedding day to Lars Jonsson, the owner of three groceries and one butcher shop, they looked more delighted and satisfied, than both bridal pair and parents of the groom. Which was a bit odd, as the Jonssons were hereditary grocers, who were always dreaming of any at least third-rate title, and for whom this wedding was a gift from above.”
“The incomparable beauty of Her Royal Highness Princess Tilda was famous far beyond the kingdom as well as her bad temper. No wonder, that her parents were so keen to marry her off to anyone who will take the trouble, that on her wedding day to Lars Jonsson, the owner of three groceries and one butcher shop, they looked more delighted and satisfied, than both bridal pair and parents of the groom. Which was a bit odd, as the Jonssons were hereditary grocers, who were always dreaming of any at least third-rate title, and for whom this wedding was a gift from above.”
Bird of Paradise, 20 x 30 cm (8” x 12”) acrylic on canvas
“With golden feathers covering her entire face and neck apart from emerald green domino, she was more beautiful and exotic, than it was socially acceptable. And like many truly beautiful things in life she was admired from a distance. Always a good acquaintance, but never a real friend. Always a muse, but never a sweetheart. And that was the tragedy of her life.”
“With golden feathers covering her entire face and neck apart from emerald green domino, she was more beautiful and exotic, than it was socially acceptable. And like many truly beautiful things in life she was admired from a distance. Always a good acquaintance, but never a real friend. Always a muse, but never a sweetheart. And that was the tragedy of her life.”
Tuxedo, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“Nothing would force Mr Peabody to wear his tuxedo, except the critical emergency. Like wedding, for instance. This time his own, unfortunately.”
“Nothing would force Mr Peabody to wear his tuxedo, except the critical emergency. Like wedding, for instance. This time his own, unfortunately.”
Rabbit moon, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas
“A 'Rabbit moon' is one of the names of full moon, due to the legends about a mythical rabbit that lives there, based on pareidolia that identifies the markings of the Moon as a rabbit.”
“A 'Rabbit moon' is one of the names of full moon, due to the legends about a mythical rabbit that lives there, based on pareidolia that identifies the markings of the Moon as a rabbit.”
Flower Rabbit, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas
“The butterfly rabbit (Sylvilagus papilionaceus), also known as flower rabbit or wild rose bunny, is the world's smallest mammal, weighing in at about 3 grams. The average butterfly rabbit is 2 inches in length, with an ear span of 1.5 inches. Their usual diet consists of mostly wild rose pollen and petals.”
“The butterfly rabbit (Sylvilagus papilionaceus), also known as flower rabbit or wild rose bunny, is the world's smallest mammal, weighing in at about 3 grams. The average butterfly rabbit is 2 inches in length, with an ear span of 1.5 inches. Their usual diet consists of mostly wild rose pollen and petals.”
Sir Lionel Smith, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“General Sir Lionel Thomas Smith was the best shooter in the British Army, a Latin buff, a loving and faithful husband and a proud father of four daughters — the most beautiful and bright young ladies in the whole Savannah, Georgia.”
“General Sir Lionel Thomas Smith was the best shooter in the British Army, a Latin buff, a loving and faithful husband and a proud father of four daughters — the most beautiful and bright young ladies in the whole Savannah, Georgia.”
Night Rider, 20 x 30 cm (8” x 12”) acrylic on canvas
“Two moving figures were hardly distinguishable in the gloom. Only quick breath of the rider and regular stride of four soft limbs of the racer upon the sleeping ground could give away the secret of their presence. When, for a moment, suddenly aroused moon snatch their graceful hovering silhouettes from the dark landscape and left them soar in the air like a fancy decoration on a Christmas tree. And then it got dark again.”
“Two moving figures were hardly distinguishable in the gloom. Only quick breath of the rider and regular stride of four soft limbs of the racer upon the sleeping ground could give away the secret of their presence. When, for a moment, suddenly aroused moon snatch their graceful hovering silhouettes from the dark landscape and left them soar in the air like a fancy decoration on a Christmas tree. And then it got dark again.”
Miss Pumpkin, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“Miss Virginia Pumpkin was a mod and a fashion queen of Norton Finchgrove. Everytime she happened to stir abroad in a new sassy hat, in as little as half an hour all women of the village were already beleaguering "Mr Richardson & Sons′ Fancy Hat Emporium", 45 Pondergate street.”
Ballerina, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas
“Daisy always wanted to be a ballerina. The grass was her stage, the trees were her curtain, the moon was her spotlight. But all she was is just a fairy mushroom and fairy mushrooms can't dance. Well, luckily she had no idea about that. She closed her eyes and danced, danced, danced...”
“Daisy always wanted to be a ballerina. The grass was her stage, the trees were her curtain, the moon was her spotlight. But all she was is just a fairy mushroom and fairy mushrooms can't dance. Well, luckily she had no idea about that. She closed her eyes and danced, danced, danced...”
Cup of tea, 15 x 15 cm (6” x 6”) acrylic on canvas
“Being a flamingo is hard enough. And try to be a flamingo in a cup of tea, that’s hundred times harder! Because it’s a hot tea, of course. Otherwise, it’s not a tea at all. But here comes the benefit of standing on one leg.”
“Being a flamingo is hard enough. And try to be a flamingo in a cup of tea, that’s hundred times harder! Because it’s a hot tea, of course. Otherwise, it’s not a tea at all. But here comes the benefit of standing on one leg.”
Magnolia, 20 x 20 cm (8” x 8”) acrylic on canvas
“Many people were disoriented by her fancy name, mistakingly considering that she was nothing more than just a delightful flower — pretty and vulnerable. The first one was absolute truth, as for the second — hardly. She, as a matter of fact, was the opposite of vulnerable: intelligent, stubborn and surprisingly confident for an eighteen year old girl. And once the decision was made, she never looked back. She dashed toward her goal without thinking twice like merciless runaway train. 'If my Maggie have decided something, even twenty best horses won't stop her,' used to say her mother. 'Her Maggie' by the way didn't like nicknames and mother was the only person allowed to call her so. But for the rest of the world — no Maggies, Nollies, Mags or other Maggie Mays. Just Magnolia. Magnolia June O'Reilly.”
Silent night, 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) acrylic on canvas
“This night was cold, still and silent. She wore black, and black always suited her. She looked extraordinarily young and pretty in the dim moonlight. Even a smattering of lustreless stars covering her marble face made her look yet more flawless and perfect. Though she usually preferred solitude, owls were her faithful friends, and their quiet rhythmed screech was the only sound breaking the ringing silence.”
“This night was cold, still and silent. She wore black, and black always suited her. She looked extraordinarily young and pretty in the dim moonlight. Even a smattering of lustreless stars covering her marble face made her look yet more flawless and perfect. Though she usually preferred solitude, owls were her faithful friends, and their quiet rhythmed screech was the only sound breaking the ringing silence.”
Portrait of a Noble Gentleman in Red, 20 x 30 cm (8” x 12”) acrylic on canvas
“History hasn't preserved any records of his real name for posterity. But evidences of the numerous contemporaries give us clear vision about what kind of person he was. A gentleman to his fingertips. A doer, rather than a talker. A brilliant commander and a faithful friend. He was as humble as glorious and always hid his true feelings behind brilliant smile, because that's just the way he was raised. He was loved by so many and just as many hearts were broken, but not from any fault of his own. The truth is he simply couldn't love back, as his heart had been already stolen by most beautiful and pure creature in the world. And now it was buried six feet under the ground along with its lovely thief.”
“History hasn't preserved any records of his real name for posterity. But evidences of the numerous contemporaries give us clear vision about what kind of person he was. A gentleman to his fingertips. A doer, rather than a talker. A brilliant commander and a faithful friend. He was as humble as glorious and always hid his true feelings behind brilliant smile, because that's just the way he was raised. He was loved by so many and just as many hearts were broken, but not from any fault of his own. The truth is he simply couldn't love back, as his heart had been already stolen by most beautiful and pure creature in the world. And now it was buried six feet under the ground along with its lovely thief.”
Long Winter in Antler Hills, 30 x 40 cm (12” x 16”) acrylic on canvas
“People of Antler Hills always thought of themselves as the lucky ones. They enjoyed their quiet, peaceful, maybe even hideaway life aboard a giant deer. They didn’t even mind having a half-year long winter, as they loved the crispness of everwhite snow in the mornings, loved how fresh cold air tickled nose, loved sledding down enormous deer antlers barely managing to grip hands on them to not bite the ground. Funny little chaps just didn’t suspect that HE never was a giant deer, it’s THEM who were 1 inch tall.”
“People of Antler Hills always thought of themselves as the lucky ones. They enjoyed their quiet, peaceful, maybe even hideaway life aboard a giant deer. They didn’t even mind having a half-year long winter, as they loved the crispness of everwhite snow in the mornings, loved how fresh cold air tickled nose, loved sledding down enormous deer antlers barely managing to grip hands on them to not bite the ground. Funny little chaps just didn’t suspect that HE never was a giant deer, it’s THEM who were 1 inch tall.”
Mr. Fox’s Silent walk, 20 x 30 cm (8” x 12”) acrylic on canvas
“Mr. Fox always preferred solitude. Not that he didn’t like people at all, he just didn’t like seeing them or talking to them. He liked to be left to his own thoughts. He was enjoying a cold pricking of the snowflakes on his hot nose and a crackling sound under his paws in a perfect silence, when it suddenly floated in his mind, ‘Could the silence love me as much as I love her? We would make a beautiful couple then.’ And this thought made him smile.”
“Mr. Fox always preferred solitude. Not that he didn’t like people at all, he just didn’t like seeing them or talking to them. He liked to be left to his own thoughts. He was enjoying a cold pricking of the snowflakes on his hot nose and a crackling sound under his paws in a perfect silence, when it suddenly floated in his mind, ‘Could the silence love me as much as I love her? We would make a beautiful couple then.’ And this thought made him smile.”
