Girl Reaching Out

This is the first painting I ever sold, to a man named Chris Benscer who works for the Australian Embassy- yeah, isn't that cool? Technically it was sold to Nathan Mick, the Economic Development Director, who then sent it to Mr. Benscer, but either way, my painting is now sitting in Washington alongside of collection of far superior work from all over the world. That's very exciting for me!

I was tickled to death when Mr. Benscer later sent me a long letter about how he liked my painting and if I ever wanted to tour the Smithsonian and Embassy, give him a call.

 It never ceases to amaze me, the way art reaches people. God makes everyone special, gives them something they are good at. Me? I'm awkward, clumsy, forgetful, and insecure..... but for some reason, people like my art, they admire it, and I don't think it's because of me. I'm hoping I'll be able to use art to really reach people one day, in a big way.

I designed this logo for the Garrard County Tobacco Festival- or the Cultural Heritage Festival, as they like to call it now. I'm not sure why they changed the name......

I did the line-work in ink, then scanned it in and colored it on Photoshop. I tried to keep the design simple, yet at the same time incorporate as many objects as possible that represent Garrard County culture. The tobacco leaves, barn, hay, and quilt represent some of the most popular farming/crafting activities, and the large hand represents the hard work put into such activities- it also gives the logo a feeling of support and community closeness, at least, that's what I thought when I drew it. I sketched out several other designs, but this is the one chosen by the committee members.

I received 200 dollars for this little logo, which isn't bad -laugh- I usually charge much cheaper.