Sitting Pretty 1955

This is Gil Elvgren's 'Sitting Pretty,' and I imagine it was made with oil paint. Elvgren sure knew how to build a world with washes of warm tones, creamy highlights and outlines. There's such a clear sense of playfulness here, that you can sense his hand moving across the board as he teases out the image. Have a look at the way he builds up the textures on the barrel horse - how the light catches the wood grain and the highlights pop on the leather saddle, giving everything a palpable, tactile quality. It's all about the sensation, isn't it? The sheer joy of looking. Elvgren's work reminds me of Norman Rockwell, another artist who knew how to capture the warmth and humor of everyday life. And, like all good art, it invites us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table. There are so many stories we could tell about this cowgirl!