Welcome to Hambone Picklebottom’s Art Emporium with fantastic works by Artist Joe Bessette.
Joe is a local Westfield Artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Educated as a painter, illustrator and designer, Joe’s current creative path focuses on whimsical themes which his children have named “Hambone Picklebottom”, a humorous and amusing mishmash of creatures and their desire to live a day in our shoes. His latest theme “Let Them Eat Cake” focuses on the simple celebration of noshing on the most wonderful of confections. Past themes have taken the viewer to another world with a “Space Opera”, motived exercise with “The Active Cow”, and given the alphabet a boost with “A-Z.” Oh yes, and then there’s also the still life work. “Shrimp” was drawn for his daughter who can’t eat enough of it. More can be seen throughout this website!
Joe is the owner and Creative Director of Get Set Marketing in Springfield, MA. His wife and children have been supportive in his creative endeavors, even though they haven’t seen the bills for his art supplies. Thanks for stopping by to check out the work!
All art is the property of Joe Bessette aka Hambone Picklebottom / Copyright 2026
Let Them Eat Cake Book
Let Them Eat Cake Confection Confessions Meet a colorful cast of animals with a taste for cake in this playful illustrated book by Hambone Picklebottom. Each page pairs a whimsical scene with a short confection confession, making it a fun read-aloud for children and...
Let Them Eat Cake Sticker
Let Them Eat Cake Sticker The Whole Gang is Here! This colorful design brings together the animals from the final page of Let Them Eat Cake!, along with the book’s title. Full of character, cake, and playful details, it’s a fun pick for animal lovers, dessert fans,...
Let Them Eat Cake Shirt
Let Them Eat Cake Shirt The Whole Gang is Here! This colorful design brings together the animals from the final page of Let Them Eat Cake!, along with the book’s title. Full of character, cake, and playful details, it’s a fun pick for animal lovers, dessert fans, and...
Lion – Eat, Sleep, Run for Cake
Eat, Sleep, Run for Cake Lion Running with Cake - Let Them Eat Cake Eat. Sleep. Run. This retro marathon lion is ready to go the distance—with a cupcake in hand for a little extra motivation. He's going to hide and eat on his own. Hey Lion! It's good to share! A...
Life’s A Cakewalk – Funny Dog Playing Hopscotch
Life's A Cakewalk Dog Playing Hopscotch - Let Them Eat Cake Life’s a Cakewalk! This playful pup will hop, skip, and perform just about any trick for a piece of cake. A whimsical illustrated design for dog lovers, dessert fans, and anyone who believes every good dog...
Peace of Cake – Funny Cow
Peace of Cake Meditating Cow Holding Cake - Let Them Eat Cake Find your inner Peace of Cake! This meditating cow has discovered the secret to perfect balance: staying centered with a piece of cake in each hand. A whimsical illustrated design for cake lovers, cow fans,...
Here for Leftovers – Funny Vulture
Here for Leftovers Vulture Looking for Cake - Let Them Eat Cake This hungry vulture is always ready for the leftovers—especially when cake is involved! A funny illustrated design for dessert lovers, bird enthusiasts, foodies, and anyone who never lets a good slice go...
Success! Thanks for coming out on this awesome autumn day to Artoberfest Westfield 2026! If the weather wasn’t great where you live you can still pretend you were here and visit my shop! Happy October! Or wish Penny a Happy 4th Birthday!
No way! No rain on Saturday?! We can all go outside again! If you`re around Westfield this weekend, stop by my tent to check out the arts and such. If you go apple picking, stop by with an apple. From what I saw at Costco, it`s already Christmas, so if you can`t make it, you can shop my site: hambonepicklebottom.com
When the kids were small, I would make drawings for them during my creative months of the year. I’d push myself to draw or paint something each day, and then go back to my day job in Graphic Design. Each year people would say, “you should put a book together!” It took some time, but I finally did it. “Let Them Eat Cake: Confection Confessions” will be the first in a “Hambone Picklebottom” series. It’s a whopping 32 pages with cover - picture book. Inspired by the “Coffee Table Book about Coffee Tables,” It’s more of a “I like cake, so I’ll make a book about liking…cake” type of book. Hey, gotta start somewhere. Check it out at Amazon near you. Also, a shorter version is at the Springfield Museums. So after you visit Monet, Degas, Suess and the others, go see my book! Link in bio.
https://www.hambonepicklebottom.com/let-them-eat-cake/
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Too obvious that we had a family trip to Bar Harbor this summer? While we got our overfill of the lovely creature, this is my ode to one of my favorite spots on earth.
Getting ready for the Pioneer Valley Arts Fest this weekend and realized I may need a bigger Art tent! Come on down and say hi if you’re in Agawam.
