Elephant Eating Fries

I received a request from a good friend to paint a picture for her nephew Mahdi. The request was unique and I knew it would be a fun painting to create: an elephant eating french fries. The only other information given to me was that it should be in bright colours.

I decided that it should be a fun painting with a cartoonish quality. I had some ideas in my head and kind of went with whatever came to me as I put it together. I started with a bright blue sky and green, textured grass.

Acrylic Painting on Canvas


I used the shiny acrylics that are easy to work with versus the duller, expensive acrylics I use for serious, life-like paintings.



I added the monkey to add a little fun to the fries. The bird was added to incorporate Mahdi's name in the painting.

I hope he likes it. It was a lot of fun to paint--there is more freedom in creating silly paintings.

Bear the giant, loveable dog.

Today was a good day for painting. I had a job interview for the computer side of things and then washed the floors. I felt motivated and then creative. Jackson and I painted while Quinn napped and Riley was at school. I just felt like whipping up a quick painting today and not starting the big project I have had in my mind for ages. Some days just call for a quickie, right?

Earlier we had been outside playing and I snapped on my iPhone of Bear.


I decided to use my phone to paint a picture. It's not easy looking at a small iPhone screen to paint but I knew I was doing a "fun" portrait. I've done this style in the past. I did this painting in maybe 2 hours. I started and had to watch our active toddler Quinn while I finished up. He wanted to help.

In progress.


Finished painting. Acrylic on canvas.


I'm happy with it. It feels good to pick up a paintbrush.