Lynn Whipple’s “Ninnies”

Above: “Boy Bunny and Lunch”

Above: “Man with Antennae”

Above: “Egg Man with Bunny Ears”

Above: “Boy with Umbrella”

Above: “Spider Woman”

EVERY FALL, AT THE CLAYTON ART FAIR IN ST. LOUIS, MY WIFE BUYS AN altered photograph from artist Lynn Whipple, who lives in Winter Park, Florida. Lynn shares a warehouse studio with her husband, John, who is also an artist. Her work is fun and whimsical and mysterious. Taking old cabinet cards that she finds at flea markets, Whipple alters them with paint, creating completely new people she calls “ninnies.” Here is what she says about her work:

“I allow myself to play and let my pieces reveal themselves to me... I have been fascinated by old books, history, and odd bits of memorabilia. I find the things that interest me the most are slightly absurd... My hope is to create something real and somehow poetic but not commonplace. My goal is to keep communicating in my language.” - Lynn Whipple