Punch and Judy Penny Bank c. 1939

This Punch and Judy Penny Bank by Cushman Parker, is like a vibrant, playful stage set. Imagine Parker, brush in hand, meticulously layering those reds, yellows, and blues, bringing this miniature puppet show to life. I wonder what Parker was thinking, channeling the chaotic energy of Punch and Judy into this piece. The colors are applied so neatly, almost like a form of folk art, but the subject matter feels a bit dark. It's like a memento mori for kids. It makes you think about how artists are always in conversation, borrowing and riffing off one another, whether they know it or not. Painting's about expression, about finding new ways to see and feel, and sometimes, it’s about embracing the weirdness and letting the ambiguity hang in the air.