A recent trip to the beach in sunny Ft. Myers, Fla., and her 5-year-old’s love of painting and finger paints helped to inspire a Huntsville area resident’s entry in the Not So Bad Art By Good People contest hosted this month by the Logan County Art League.
Huntsville United Methodist Church Youth Pastor Ashley Sloan said she and her two sons, ages 3 and 5, “get our hands in the paint about three times per week.”
So when she sat down to work on her piece for the contest shortly after arriving home from their family’s trip to Florida at the end of December, it was hard to tell her 5-year-old Tyson that he couldn’t be involved.
“Tyson just loves painting, arts and crafts, making slime and anything else where he can get his hands a little dirty,” the 2006 Indian Lake High School graduate and Ashland University graduate said. “While I was going to work on the piece myself, he was eager to join me, so I figured it would be a fun joint project. He helped me for quite a few hours.”
The mother of two, also including 3-year-old Griffin, said she and Tyson set to work with children’s finger paints and created much of their seascape, including the ocean waves and sky, by swirling paint with their fingers. Tyson also wanted to add glitter to the painting, which they added to the water to make it shimmer.
“Then I grabbed a brush and created the boat in the painting. I also added in our favorite verse, “Mightier than the waves of the ocean is His love for you!’” from Psalm 93:4.
“After just getting back from the ocean, the verse felt especially fitting, as we were in awe of God’s strength displayed through those strong ocean waves. We wanted to reflect that in our painting.”
Creating any kind of art, whether finger painting or creating a large scale painting “is therapeutic and always an enjoyable time,” Mrs. Sloan said, noting that she enjoyed painting before her sons were born.
The youth pastor who will mark 10 years at the Huntsville church in April said she was honored to be a part of the contest this year, which features nine other local celebrity artists. She was appreciative of the Art League members’ flexibility of the creative endeavor.
“When they approached me about being one of the artists this year, I was eager to sign up, but I was unsure if I could make it to the open studio times. They were so gracious to work with me and let me fit it around my busy schedule and work on it on my own when I could.”
Mrs. Sloan and Tyson’s piece is currently displayed alongside the eight other pieces at Craft, Paper, Scissors, 142 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, continuing through Friday, Jan. 31, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The display closes at 2 p.m. Jan. 31.
Individuals can cast their votes for their favorite pieces for $1 each. There are no restrictions on the number of times a person can vote.
A People’s Choice Award and trophy will be presented to the artist who garners the most votes at the upcoming auction of the pieces, slated for 7 p.m. Jan. 31, at the Bellefontaine VFW, 216 Orchard Ave. The public is invited to attend the auction and participate free of charge.
This year’s Not So Bad Artists” who have been hard at work to create their entries throughout the last several months also include: Carrie Brown, hair stylist at Indian Lake; Justin Dinovo of Citizens Federal Savings & Loan; Allen D. Hadley; Krista Harmon; Jeramy Fitzpatrick of Brewfontaine; Mackenzie Myers of The Logan County Farmers’ Market and Holland Theatre; Pastor Bryan Meadows from the Huntsville United Methodist Church; Vicki Rapp from Mary Rutan Hospital public relations; and Dee Dee Rickets, owner of Me & Company.
Prior to the 7 p.m. auction Jan. 31, doors open at 5 p.m. at the Bellefontaine VFW for final voting and drinks. A catered dinner is served at 6 p.m. for pre-registered guests, who need to make reservations by Jan. 22. Forms are available at Craft, Paper, Scissors or at the Art League bulletin board at Union Station.
Funds raised both through the auction and the voting will be used by the Logan County Art League to benefit and encourage the growth of the visual arts in the Logan County area.
Sponsors of the event to date are: Mobile Instruments, Mary Rutan Hospital, Ohio Ready Mix, Me & Company and Zimmerman Realty. If you would like to become a sponsor or would like more information on the event, contact Karen Feltham at (937) 468-2874.