A children's book written for adults as well, might be the best way to describe this colorful book. Each page features watercolors painted from photos and historical information collected over several years and during the nine day art festival in Lake City, SC. Illustrations are drawn with mechanical pencil and painted on cold pressed watercolor paper. Artist, Melinda Hoffman, took the story from a short conversation with Darla Moore and from volunteers working the art gallery venues during the festival. The trains, with their own artwork bring us into this story while a little girl reiterates the story she hears her mama tell about her town, the art event and this community's economic history.
As an artist participant for four years in the festival, Ms Hoffman has developed an interest in this phenomenal relationship between a town, its community, its history, and a woman that believes in this community. A community with great grace and Southern hospitality, Lake City has much to teach us all.
Melinda will tell you this story wrote itself. She'll tell you about that train track that developed around a strong agricultural history. That it that still runs through the middle of town...as a constant reminder of the history and assets of Lake City, SC, with all the vibrations and whistles that go down that track. She includes actual art works from artists that have participated over the years in Artfields.
The title, Lots of People Love Lake City is an exact quote from Janice Graham, a volunteer and resident of Lake City. When Melinda and Janice were talking, Melinda was noting Ms, Moore's love for her hometown and Ms. Graham pivoted on her feet to respond..."lot of peopel love Lake City."
Rarely do you see art works of this kind developed for a children's book. But Melinda would like you to consider this book a piece of her art work. She would like to expose children and adults to the simple style of mechanical pencil and watercolor. And she would like to invite people from across the country to make a trip to Lake City near the end of each April to see current and sometimes provocative works of art while enjoying all the community that makes this all happen.