Meet The Artist
WHY SHEEP?
Conni Togel is an award-winning American artist, author, and illustrator whose work has earned a devoted following — affectionately known as the "Flock" — across the United States and around the world.
Born with an eye for the absurd and a heart full of warmth, Conni creates art that does something rare: it makes you laugh, then makes you think. Her paintings have received numerous awards and accolades, been featured in media across the country, and found their way onto the walls of collectors who appreciate art that doesn't take itself too seriously — but means every brushstroke.
Whether you're drawn to her whimsical sheep, her striking abstract landscapes, her beautiful nature paintings, or her custom pet portraits, you'll find that Conni's work always carries the same signature: genuine joy, wry wit, and a quietly profound view of the human condition.
And yes — there are usually sheep involved.
We’ve been asked “Do you ship to Australia?” and “Do you offer layaway plans?” a hundred times over the last twenty years, but “What’s with the sheep?” and “Why sheep?” has by far been most pressing on people’s minds.
So to avoid further mind-bending, here a brief exposé:
My sheep are a lot like people in sheep’s clothing - not the most intelligent or adept creatures, yet colorful in their personalities, absolutely ridiculous in their mindset, and really, just as off-kilter as the rest of us.
The sheep paintings allow me to comment on the human condition, society at large, sheep in specific, and even politics, religion, and pop-culture - the sheepishness of all of everything.
But the sheep say it so much cuter and funnier.
Which, of course, makes them the perfect mascots for my artwork.
Here are the top ten reasons of “Why Sheep?”:
Sheep are deficient, which makes them perfect models for my “slightly political” series. They deserve all the votes...
Sheep say Baaaa - anyone that can say that much with just one word is worthy of some attention (as opposed to some people that talk a lots of words, without anything to say...)
Funny Sheep will never make it into the American Idol show - so giving them their very own platform of fame has become my goal (along with trying to get you to smile)
Sheep are ridiculous - always. Prove me wrong.
Sheep are peaceful - they don’t have trigger fingers.
Sheep wool is the ultimate high-tech material for everything from house insulation to soap making.
Any source that sophisticated must come from a pretty special factory (and it runs on bio-fuel, too! The emissions are rather vile, though...)Sheep are quite adept at mowing lawns. And flower beds. And the neighbor’s flowerbeds. And the dog’s food. And anything you really don’t want them eating.
Wicked composting machines.Sheep are gullible creatures -Perfect victims for my paintbrush and canvas (unlike human models that tend to leave in a huff...)
Sheep think everybody else is really smart. They are right.
Sheep have legs. Four of them. Family Pack of Roast Leg of Lamb...yumm. Pass the mint sauce.