As a child living in Hamburg, Germany, Ellen received an antique teddy bear from a neighbor. Her mother dressed him up with a homemade sweater and pants with suspenders. Teddy stayed close to Ellen through the war years and travelled with her on the boat to America. More than a toy, he has had a place of honor in the Topelmann household ever since.
Karsten decided to pay homage to Teddy by painting this warm and colorful portrait in oil. Here Teddy poses with the Topelmann's cherished collection of German children's storybooks. Notice that Teddy is proudly pointing to a page featuring his own portait. Incidentally, the artist's signature is cleverly incorporated in the painting on the spine of the red book. Translated, it says: painted by Karsten Topelmann. 16 " x 20".