15 Illustrations: Costume Parade at the Library Center

I am working with Inktense pencils, Micron ink pens, and Canson Illustration 11×14″ 150lb art pad to create 15 illustrations (that is how many pieces of paper are in the art pad) of my current family life and inspirations.

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This work is narrative in content and uses color in a monochromatic way accentuating one part of each drawing. These fun and quirky illustrations are a reflection of the current joy and activities I have been experiencing.

“Costume Parade at the Library Center,” was a fun Halloween costume parade at the Library Center in Springfield. All of the librarians dressed up and set up trick-or-treating stations throughout the library. They had the kids line up and go through the library collecting fun toys and stickers from each of the librarians. This was a super fun event, and because my kid had no intention of staying in the line, we caught the end of the line and wandered through at our own toddler pace. I used Inktense Pencil Saddle Brown to accentuate the library’s architecture and add to the structure of the space in the drawing.

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My favorite things about this drawing are all of the fun costumes and patterns,

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the cool arches and architecture of the library,

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and the plant and “hold” bookshelf.
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Inspiration for this drawing

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KUAR the Holly Jolly Trolley with the Damsels in Distress

We were asked to come up with a fun Christmas sounding song with many variations for the KUAR Arts & Letters “The Holly Jolly Trolley: A Ride Through Arkansas History,” so we came up with “Snow Angels.”

We used vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, percussion (ride symbol, drum pad wrapped in foil, jingle bells), glockenspeil, banjo, piano, and harmonica to create a catchy and fun Christmas tune called “Snow Angels” in which two people go out into the morning winter snowfall and make snow angels before they have to go to work.

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Snow Angels
Snow angels, snow angels lying in the sun.
Snow angels, snow angels winter’s just begun (or so much fun).
You and I, we made them this morning at play.
Ten o’clock we had to go to work, we had the bills to pay.

“The Holly Jolly Trolley: A Ride Through Arkansas History” to air Friday, December 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm CST on KUAR 89.1 in Arkansas. You can listen to the show online at ualrpublicradio.org/programs/arts-letters and you can listen to the “Songs for KUAR Arts and Letters 2016” on the Damsels in Distress bandcamp page at thedamselsindistress.bandcamp.com

Happy Christmas from the Damsels in Distress!

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Paintings for Livada: Shinkai House

When I was on the missions trip with Grace Church serving the Livada Orphan Care ministry in Romania, the beauty of the country inspired me. I had the idea that when I got home to Arkansas I could paint these Romanian scenes and donate the paintings to Livada to raise money for orphan sponsorship.

Our group went to the Shinkai house and it was amazing! The family who fosters some of the orphans was so welcoming and showed us around – on the outside of the house, there were cats, dogs, rabbits, pigs, and chickens. On the inside there was a wall full of drawings and paintings that the kids had made.

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As we were leaving, a man on a horse cart passed us by and we jumped on his cart for a picture.

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Image to Paint

4. Shin Kai House

Charcoal Sketch on Canvas

4. Shinkai House Sketch

Painting Sketch (1st Coat)

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Painting Sketch (2nd Coat)

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Painting Sketch (3rd Coat)

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Final Painting

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Art for La Leche League

I donated some art pieces for the La Leche League of Springfield‘s 3rd Annual “Live, Love Latch!” event this year.  I initially discovered the La Leche League in Arkansas. They are a breastfeeding support group, which has been really helpful for me as a new mom. Once we moved to Springfield, I knew the La Leche League would be an easy way to meet people and make friends.

I donated three pieces and had them matted at National Art Shop, which is the most amazing locally owned art shop I have ever been to.

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The day was warm with a slight breeze. It was great to see so many people and families that support the La Leche League here in Springfield.

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Paintings for Livada: Orthodox

When I was on the missions trip with Grace Church serving the Livada Orphan Care ministry in Romania, the beauty of the country inspired me. I had the idea that when I got home to Arkansas I could paint these Romanian scenes and donate the paintings to Livada to raise money for orphan sponsorship.

We spent one afternoon in the heart of Targu Mures, Romania – our “tourist” day if you will. I really liked this small orthodox cathedral and decided to paint it.

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Image to Paint

12. Orthodox

Charcoal Sketch on Canvas

12. Orthodox Sketch

Painting Sketch (1st Coat)

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Painting Sketch (2nd Coat)

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Final Painting

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