Faculty of Art

Drawing and Painting

Leah Probst

Bankrupt Bobby

This was the final piece of the body of work. I was painting him as the talk of Cirque becoming bankrupt became the biggest threat to the cast, crew, and entire company. The intention for my painting was to portray the beautiful Clown as strong and hopeful. juxtaposing his clown attire. I believe this exact emotion is what washed over the many faces and hearts of the artists as they received the news of the company-wide furlough.

“Bobby – the bass playing clown, is a dear friend of mine. He is a very talented musician and has been my personal art dealer through the pandemic, helping me sell many prints of his portrait. If shows were to never resume, Bobby would easily have a backup career as a professional art dealer in New York. ”