Abby Sunshine

Over the past few months, I have watched  children interacting with Abby Sunshine in such a warm and delightful manner. One day I sketched this youngster offering Abby a treat while a friend watches attentively. Doesn’t this image conjure up positive feelings? Wouldn’t you say that the dog is bringing some merriment into the lives of these two figures? What sounds would you hear if you were to enter the scene?

No, again this is my imagination gone wild. I did not create this pleasing picture. This is a chalk and charcoal piece of artwork, done by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, 1738-1739. He was an Italian artist, born in Venice, known for being a rococo painter, though he was also recognized for his charcoal renderings. This was way before my time!

I included it today because I spent the morning with a 9th grade Spanish class in Minnetonka. The students were studying pieces of fine art, and describing them in Spanish. The estudiantes were magnifico! It was an enjoyable experience to be in class with them.

So let’s describe this piece of artwork. What would you say? How does the dog remind you of Abby Sunshine? What makes you think this could be from a time long ago? How are the people feeling in this image?

Tell me more! I mean it! I want to know what you think!