Painting Emma

If you’ve seen the movie, “The Biggest Little Farm” you know Emma. I was fortunate to meet her In March of 2022, weeks before she passed of old age. Molly and John Chester own and operate the farm and John introduced me to Emma as she lounged in a mud bath in the corner of a beautiful field. She was clearly happy to see John and I wanted to catch this in a painting.

Emma oil 8x10” ©2022 Susan McDonnell

When I got home to my studio I painted her right away while the experience was fresh (above). As I was painting Emma I learned that she had passed. While this was very sad, I thought, “What a great pig life she had".

For my show in October 2023, I’m painting another painting of Emma. This time in watercolor, with flowers and butterflies. I imagine this is where she is now, happy and muddy.

Emma in the Mud, detail of a work in progress. Watercolor ©2023 Susan McDonnell

August 17, 2023