I am completely unashamed about the love I have for these saucer eyed
waif-y
children and pathetic puppies and kitties. There really isn't a place
to go, -that has any real information about
the artists that were, oh so, popular in the early sixties until about
the
mid seventies-. Walter and/or Margaret Keane, Gig, Maio, Eden, Eve,
Lee, Goji, Ozz Franca, and Igor just
to name a few, were all the rage- and have pretty much just
disappeared (to many peoples delight) into total obscurity. Now I don't
claim
that these big eyed cuties were always the epitome of fine art.
But
they are masterpieces to me.
Initially I feared that proclaiming my love for these critters, was just going to
limit my chances of finding these treasures. And I was
really pretty reluctant to divulge any thing about my big eyed
fetish. But after I had the chance to meet Walter and Margaret Keane, and have now met and
become good friends with many people
who are fellow mega-optic connoisseurs, I was inspired. Some of them
have great galleries to browse, some have things to trade or sell, and some are creating
there own big eyed art...Although not complete, many of these
sites are listed here. And if You have any suggestions, information,
stuff for sale or trade please feel free to e-mail me
AND BY REQUEST.
Click Here for A Quick Note On Pricing
Gig is the master painter behind those pitty kitties and pitty puppies
with the GIANT sized eyes. My personal favorite artist of the genre- he
was able to convey such sadness and cuteness it is almost unbearable.
MARGARET KEANE
Well, when in San Francisco about 4 years ago I had a chance to stop by
the Keane Eyes Gallery, and sadly it was closed.
SOB SOB! I was more pathetic than one of her paintings looking through that
window.
Since then I've learned a lot more about Margaret's art and recently had
a chance to meet this amazing artist and her daughter. They were both as
sweet and talented as can be. I was also a bit suprised by how candid Margaret was
and also a little shocked to see just how much she looks like her
doe eyed paintings...click here
for more about my meeting with Margaret
Also, a keane fan, Carrie, was VERY kind and sent me this article that I
have heard so much
about. It is over
20 years old and still makes for an
Interesting Read, as well as major insight to Margaret's
transformation into painting smiling children, rather the the sad
eyed urchins that she did 30+ years ago.
WALTER KEANE
I now know that Walter didn't actually do any of the
painting- although he was a great business man and one of the reasons
that this art form is recognized
Here's an
article about the time I met Walter Keane. He was very nice to me, and
had some wonderful stories that he shared. My opinions have definitely
changed about a lot of stuff, but here's how I felt at the time. I feel very
lucky to have met him, and believe that his skills as a business person-
is why 'big eyed' art became so popular. Dealing with celebrities and
living the 'lifestyle' made the art all the rage with the stars. Without
his promotion- we perhaps never would of seen Margaret's
work in the limelight in 60's. As well as the rest of the movement that
her style sparked.
My meeting with Walter
REFERENCE and IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
TRIBUTE WEBSITES
CONTEMPORARY BIG EYES
LITTLE MISS NO NAME
Little Miss No Name was a doll made by Hasbro in 1965. Not a big seller
at the time. Can you imagine a young girl asking for a doll that looks
like
she has already been played with? So pathetic with a little
plastic tear, potato sack dress, and hand that reaches out for love,
affection, and some spare change. What a sad little girl.
CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, Little miss no name didn't involve
Margaret Keane in the design process at all. I had always heard that
they had something to do first hand with her creation, but a reliable
source has told me that the look was just based on their painting- it
wasn't something Keane was a part of.
I have some interesting letters written to me by people who have a
doll for sale. Basically after they purchased them for their own
collection, they end of having to get rid of them because their children
freak out
because the child thinks the doll is possessed or something. I have had
several people so far e-mail me in search of these dolls. The story is
pretty much the same "I got the doll for Christmas and my
younger sibling was so horrified that my mother had to throw her away".
Other great big eyed dolls include, Susie Sad Eyes, Susie Slicker, Soul
Sister, Lonely Lisa, Blythe and Love Me Linda.
I'm working on an i.d. guide for these cuties- so check back
PROJECT BIG EYES!
I'm currently working on an extensive catalog of known big eyed images.
This will never be for sale. The only way to receive one, is to donate
needed images. If you have original artwork or unusual prints and would
like your name to appear in the catalog- please let me know. Everyone
who is involved will be properly credited next to the image they donate.
Each contributor will also receive a copy- it won't be available
anywhere else, ever. However, this is currently on a hiatus- as I'm
focusing on co-writing a book, tenatively titled "Big Eyed Masters".
We are
still looking for more info on the artists
and hoping to hear from more collectors. So if you would like to be
involved and receive a credit in the book plus your name
next to any image of original artwork you donate--- if you haven't already....
please write.
!E MAIL ME If it doesn't work, Please try to e-mail me at besmirched@earthlink.net
special thanks to everyone who has big eyed
stuff to link to, and to kim and noel for motivating me!
Last update * January * 2001
This page was created in March of 1997
p a g e d e s i g n (c) M e g a n B e s m i r c h e d 1 9 9 7-2 0
0 1
all artwork is (c) by the individual artist(s)
All photos and info is for private use only,
do not redistribute
or
reproduce for public use
