This summer I purchased a framed print by the artist Erna Kasabach (1906-1989) from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store in NE Minneapolis. The image depicts a young
caucasian child kneeling in prayer in front of an illuminated background, gazing upwardly to his left. The phrase ‘Now I lay me down to sleep,’ is written below in a
decorative freehand font - 17.25 x 13.25”

I couldn’t find much information on this particular artist, other than that she was an ‘Accomplished pastel artist active in Hackensack, NJ; well known for her artwork depicting children praying or with animals.’ Her artwork was also primarily ‘printed from Edward Gross & Co, a NYC printer operating from the early 1900s-1950s.’

Purchase price: $6.00

I painted a yellow rubber duck holding an open blue book (maybe singing a hymn?) on the child’s head and returned this “new” artwork back to the same thrift store on
09/27/2025, around 5:03pm.

Another successful collaboration!
Thank you Erna, for your contribution to the work!

Framed painting of a young boy praying with a yellow rubber duck holding an open blue book on top of his head — Finished painting by Erna Kasabach and Seamus Liam O’Brien, 2025.

Framed pastel drawing of a little boy on his knees praying — Original Kasabach print purchased at the thrift store - Now I lay me down to sleep.

Pastel drawing of a little boy on his knees praying — *Before* - Original print by Erna Kasabach

Cut off drawing of a child praying with text that says, Now I lay me down to sleep w a rubber duck — The title for the piece was changed to, “Now I lay me down to sleep - w a rubber duck”

Yellow rubber duck toy holding an open blue book — Rubber duck model used for the painting.

Man in a purple shirt and big grey hair holding a framed picture of a boy praying with a rubber duck on his head. — Artist Seamus Liam O’Brien holding the finished painting in front of Hidden Treasures Thrift Store.

Detail of an artist signature on a painting written vertically. — Detail of the artists signature, Erna Kasabach, located on the bottom left corner.

Painting of a little red headed boy on his knees praying with a yellow rubber duck holding a blue book on top of his head. — *After* - I painted a yellow rubber duck holding an open blue book on top of the boys head.

Artists signatures on a painting — I added my name next to Erna Kasabach’s in her signature style.

Framed painting of a boy praying with a rubber duck on his head sitting on a shelf in a store. — I dropped the finished painting off at the thrift store once it was completed.