Artist's landscape on sale to benefit Danville schools

DANVILLE – The latest print in local artist Amy Chrisman's series of Vermilion County landmarks is now available through a fundraiser by the Danville Public School Foundation.

The giclee print features Danville High School, the school district's flagship school.

"It's the seventh in Amy's landmarks series, and it's just beautiful," said Bob Richard, the foundation's executive director. "Her attention to detail is amazing. I think it will be very popular with Danville High School graduates and people within the community."

Because it's a limited-edition series, only 10 18-inch by 24-inch prints and 100 12-inch by 16-inch prints are available. The larger prints cost $150, and the smaller ones cost $89.

"All of the prints are numbered and signed by the artist," said Richard, who believes they will go fast. He urged people who are interested in purchasing one to contact the foundation at 444-1044 as soon as possible.

Chrisman started her landmarks series, which are realistic portraits of historical buildings done in transparent watercolors, to serve as fundraisers for the organizations sponsoring the original paintings. The landmarks in her series include the Lamon House for the Vermilion County Museum Society, the Masonic Temple for the Masonic Lodge and the Kathryn Randolph Theater for the Red Mask Players.

"The style I employ is realism, although I strive to create a greater sense of vibrancy and excitement through the choice of colors I use," said Chrisman, who has been painting abstract and impressionistic watercolors off and on for about 25 years. "Realism is a relatively new style for me, but I felt it was appropriate for depicting the landmarks."

Chrisman first creates an original watercolor painting, working off of photos – including many close-ups of architectural details – that she has taken. Then using the state-of-the-art giclee process, she creates a print on acid-free watercolor paper using pigment-based inks that won't fade or yellow over time under normal conditions.

Richard said Chrisman's painting features the high school's east side from Ned Whitesell Field.

"It's been unchanged since the high school was built. And it's a very easily identifiable image ... whether you played sports or marched in the band or just walked by the high school," he said.

Richard said that foundation officials are thrilled with Chrisman's work, and plan to use the image in some marketing material for class reunions.

"We hope to put them on some coffee mugs and make them available at a very affordable price for people coming back for their reunion. It will be something they can take home with them," he said.

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