A raccoon and bunny are cozily tucked into a bed with a colorful patchwork quilt. A string of star-shaped lights hangs above, adding a whimsical touch.

An original acrylic painting on panel in a black frame by David Hinds of Springfield, Illinois.

Image size: 19 5/8" x 27 5/8

Framed size: 23 1/8" x 31 1/8

"Life is a carnival" that is what my friend Jeff has always told me... and I'm starting to believe him!

Though relatively late to the party, I didn't start painting until 2015, though I have been a builder/creator for the bulk of my adult life. Between growing up on a farm and living right smack dab in the middle of ole Abraham Lincoln's stomping grounds, I have never had the shortage of ideas for artwork.

I was very fortunate to have been able to call the late George Colin a friend & neighbor for many years. George was an outsider artist that sold fantastic painted wooden creations from his yard, but it was his vividly colored pastels that were his claim to fame. George's use of bold shapes and colors captured my imagination early on and I have implemented that narrative into my work.

"Whimsical" is often used to describe my work. I honestly don't know where it comes from… all I know for sure is that I do what makes me happy.

 Find more work by David here.