School portraits are endearing for a host of reasons. Bad hair, outfits and expressions notwithstanding, the awkwardness of it all turns to charming once you can look back and laugh.  Artist Angela Rossi's Beat Up Creations Mixed Media Portraits are a laugh-out-loud riff on the theme, where instead of wily children, she has replaced smiling faces with soulful faced animals.  Dressed in era-appropriate 1970's and 80's looks of the day, turtlenecks, corduroys  and plaid shirts were standard garb. They take the lower school years to high art, printed from pigment-based inks on archival paper they are framed in gesso-painted pine frames. You can find them at Michele Varian online. They are genius.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Varian

Rachelle 4th Grade Cockatoo

Andrea 1'st Grade Giraffe 

Billy 2nd Grade Goat 

Hunter 3rd Grade Hound Dog

Katie Kindergarten Cat 

This is the only time I will ever show a cat, I promise

Mary 3rd Grade Gazelle in the very same teal Oshkosk corduroy overalls I had

Princess Pinniped of the Caspian Sea, Sea Lion 

Tony 6th Grade Tiger Cub