There Must Be A Pony

A commission based upon a favourite and well-loved book, inspired by the cover.

By James Kirkwood Jr, published in 1960.
‘Once-upon-a-time a psychiatrist had twin sons age eight. One was an incurable pessimist - the other an incurable optimist. Their father became alarmed and decided to try an experiment. Christmas Eve he filled the pessimist’s room with everything a boy could wish for; and he filled the optimist’s room with horse manure. Early next morning we went to observe their reactions. The pessimist sat among the toys, books, clothes, sporting goods - just sat there - eyeing the presents suspiciously, trying to figure out what the catch was. His father sighed and walked towards the other boy’s room. When he peeked in the door he saw him standing waist high in the middle of all the manure, shovelling it up in the air over his shoulders and laughing - as you would say, like a fiend!
“Son”, the father said, “what’s the matter with you? What are you so happy about?”
The boy turned, still laughing, and replied, “Gee, Dad, I figure with all this horse shit - there must be a pony!”

Reverse glass gilded using traditional sign painting techniques, 70cm x 50cm.

Materials: 23.5ct gold leaf, enamel paint.