Petunia the Bear

Original Oil Painting
20 x 16 inches (25 x 21 inches framed) – Framed in gold leaf

Party Animals series

Petunia is the kind of guest who shows up early, finds the coziest seat in the room, and settles in like she belongs there – which, of course, she does. She has a gentle smile and a relaxed posture that gives her an easy charm. I loved painting her rounded belly – there’s something grounding and familiar about her, like someone you’ve always known.

Her party hat – a sunny yellow one with polka dots – adds just the right bit of cheer. It’s playful, and it suits her completely.

She’s part of my Party Animals series – a collection of animals wearing party hats, each one painted with a mix of humor and tenderness. I started the series during a time when everything felt uncertain, and these characters gave me a reason to smile. They still do. The background is a playful wash of gray, mint, periwinkle, blue, tan, and yellow – light and layered, like a memory that makes you feel good inside.

Details

• Original oil on canvas

• Painting: 20 x 16 inches

• Frame: 25 x 21 inches

• Framed in a gold leaf frame

• Wired and ready to hang

• Signed on front, titled on back

© 2025 Merrill Weber. Artist retains copyright on artwork.