"The Monkey's Aunt" by Kevenn T. Smith

One of my mom's favorite all-time celebrities is Annette Funicello. Because of that, we grew up in our house being exposed to Annette movies and music. Hers was the first autobiography I ever read when I was in junior high. I have thought a lot about why my mother gravitated toward Annette (obviously at a young age), and I haven't asked her, but I do suspect a reason or two. Annette Funicello was a kind person with a loving heart and a cheerful disposition. She was often demure and really didn't seem to think she was all that. I think that's what appealed to my mom at a young age and even now. My mother is a kind person with a loving heart and a cheerful disposition. In the Universe, like attracts like. When I think about myself and my own sense of optimism and my endeavors to be kind and cheerful, I truly think it's because of my mother - and in turn Annette.

And so with that, I did this illustration as a present for my mother for her birthday. It's an illustration inspired by the opening sequence of the classic Disney movie, "The Monkey's Uncle." My mother mentioned liking her look in that scene, especially with the blue headband. (Could that also be the origin of my love for headbands too?) In that sequence, Annette's character, Jennifer, is singing on stage at a college party with a little-known band at the time named The Beach Boys. Time and focus being what they are, I wanted to concetrate on just Annette (for mom) in my illustration, but I rendered the background to resemble elements of the set for that sequence with the room colors and party decorations. I also wanted Annette to look happy and singing. The reason that I titled this piece the way I did, was because in the song she sings in this scene, some of the lyrics are: I love the mokey's uncle, and I wish I were the monkey's aunt.

This illustration is now available at my Redbubble store on many products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, kids' & babies' clothes, dresses, skirts, scarves, prints, posters, cards, stickers, bags, iPad/iPhones cases & skins, Samsung Galaxy cases & skins, buttons, journals, pillows, and many, many more. Click on the picture below to go to the store and browse the many products this illustration appears on.
Pencil, Ink, Photoshop
©Kevenn T. Smith 2020

"The Beach Blanket Queen" by Kevenn T. Smith

My mother's favorite celebrity is Annette Funicello, despite that Annette passed away last year. I grew up watching Annette in movies, TV shows, and specials, and listening to her music thanks to my mom's fandom. This year, my mother wanted me to draw her a postcard with Annette on it, and I did. While my mom has the original, you can get this illustration in a special tryptych format on:

Stickers, Spiral Notebooks, Hardcover Journals, iPhone Cases & Skins, Samsung Galaxy Cases & Skins, Posters, Throw Pillows, Tote Bags, Studio Pouches, Duvet Covers, Mugs, Travel Mugs, Photographic Prints, Art Prints, Framed Prints, Canvas Prints, Metal Prints, Greeting Cards, Leggings, Scarves, Pencil Skirts, Drawstring Bags, iPad Cases & Skins, Laptop Skins & Sleeves, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Kids'/Baby's Clothes in assorted sizes, styles, and colors at RedBubble.com! Click on the image to buy those products with this illustration on it.
Pencil, Ink, Prismacolor Color Pencil, and Photoshop Enhancements
©Kevenn T. Smith 2015