Jasmine Becket-Griffith is certainly not the only artist to paint big eyes, nor is she the first.The original "Big Eye" artist is Margaret Keane, known as the "mother of big-eye art," who began painting this style in the 1960s. She was soon famous for her paintings of "sad-eyed waifs" - cute children with enormous eyes. Her husband, Walter, marketed them as mass-produced prints and they became a commercial success, with several other artists copying the style. Unfortunately, though, Walter then claimed he was the artist - what a jerk. No wonder Margaret's early works are sad!
Strangeling - Art of Jasmine Becket-Griffith
Fantasy artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith creates works of magic and mystery which evoke a sense of wonder, especially when you look into those enormous eyes - strange indeed!
Jasmine Becket-Griffith calls her art "Strangeling" and it fits. She paints beautiful girls and fairies, who are often accompanied by other creatures. And her creations, whether human, animal, or mythical, all have the most amazing eyes.
She has created a whole series of fairies with "dragonlings," yes little dragons like the one here. Of course I love them all! There are "Owlyns" too - little fairies that seem to be part owl. Of course they live with the owls, which naturally have the big eyes.
Image of "Darling Dragonling IV" ©Jasmine Becket-Griffith from www.Strangeling.com.
Big Eye Art
Margaret divorced him, moved to Hawaii, became a Jehovah's Witness, and won the rights to all her paintings. Her later paintings still have big eyes but are so much happier.
You can learn more about Margaret Keane in this article: Margaret Keane: Mother of Big-Eye Art
Fine art by Margaret Keane is available as greeting cards, double matted cards, posters and refrigerator magnets at Keen Look.
Revival of Big Eye art
In recent years there has been a revival of Big Eye art. Some new artists have taken up the style, but with a difference - they added fantasy. That means dragons, fairies, and other mythical beings have come to the land of big eyes!
Two of these artists are Blonde Blythe and Jasmine Becket-Griffith. Both of them have some amazing artworks, and they publish books too. This article is about Jasmine's "Strangeling" art, but I'll get to Blonde Blythe next.
Introduction to Jasmine Becket-Griffith
Jasmine Becket-Griffith is a freelance American artist, born in 1979, who lives in Florida with her husband and several cats. She loves animals (yes, she has those three cats and paints them as well as lots of other animals), reading (fantasy of course among a variety of other genres), and would you believe she actually has big eyes!
Jasmine paints with acrylic on wood or canvas, and paints all the time. The only time she is not painting is when she is attending conventions and shows. So she has quite a large portfolio!
Her husband and other family members help with the business of selling her art, and her designs appear on several brands. Her Big Eye art is certainly popular.
Owlyn in Springtime
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This is Owlyn
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Dragonlings
But really it wasn't the big eye girls, or fairies like Owlyn, that sold me on Jasmine's art. It was the dragonlings!
Now, as a fan of dragons I'm always looking at dragons in art (not so many in everyday life you know), and when I found these adorable dragonlings I was truly sold.
The dragonlings are really cute, little, baby dragons, often held in the arms of a big eye fairy whose wings and coloring usually bear a striking resemblance to their little dragonling.
Her art is available on many products
Strangelings are not just found as works of art on canvases and posters, or even just reproduced in books. They can be found in many other forms.
There are figurines available through the Bradford Exchange and Hamilton Collection; and there are products like mugs, mousepads, cases and sleeves for electronics, and much more on Zazzle.
Strangelings have been made into the cutest figurines!
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Strangeling art on Zazzle products
Mousepads, mugs, and so much more
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Books of Strangeling Art
Strangeling: the Art of Jasmine Becket-GriffithFor the past 15 years, fantasy artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith has captivated a worldwide audience with her imaginative acrylic paintings. Exploring realms of sparkling whimsy an...
Portfolio OneCreated by me, artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith - "Portfolio One" is my second "solo" art book (following the previous "Fairy" book). "Portfolio Volume One" is a stunningly beauti...
Jasmine Becket-Griffith: PORTFOLIO TWOPortfolio Volume Two from me - artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith! A glossy portfolio-style picture book, this is a very personal book to me - basically I have selected over sixty o...
Jasmine Becket-Griffith: PORTFOLIO THREEPortfolio Volume Three from me - artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith! A glossy portfolio-style picture book, this is a very personal book to me - basically I have selected over sixty...
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More about Jasmine Becket-Griffith and Strangeling art
You can learn all about Jasmine Becket-Griffith and her art on her website, Strangeling.
What do you think of Strangeling art?
jptanabeJan 21, 2014
TolovajJan 21, 2014
Thanks for the introduction!
jptanabeJan 21, 2014
DerdriuMarrinerJan 21, 2014
The figures and the use of color are enchanting.
VioletteRoseJan 2, 2014
jptanabeDec 18, 2013
cmoneyspinnerDec 18, 2013
jptanabeDec 18, 2013
dustytoesDec 18, 2013