Concentrating on the “Mona Picasso” painting in front of her, 6-year-old Allison attempts to sketch her own version of the portrait created by local artist Jo Moncrief.
“Can I give you a little tip?” asks Kim Worthington, bending down to talk to Allison. “See, look at her face, and see where there’s a line on her forehead and it kind of goes down the middle of her face and down to her nose?”
Worthington shows Allison how to make that line the starting point of her sketch, and the first-grader quickly catches on.
“I’m going to try it, but I’m not going to do it exactly the same. It’s not going to look like that,” Allison says, motioning to the Mona painting.
“That’s all right,” Worthington encourages her. “It’s going to look like yours.”
Worthington had offered up her Casa Linda Plaza studio, Artistic Gatherings, to the 10 first graders from Lakewood and Hexter elementary schools who had come together to work on their paintings for the upcoming Chateau de Arts auction. The mission of these students, known as 10paint5, was to examine the paintings of five local artists and replicate two of them in their own style (and with only verbal help from adults).
The group formed last year after conversations between Hollywood/Santa Monica residents Michael and Susan Langley, who organize four annual art auctions benefiting local artists and charities, and their daughter, Kate. She expressed a desire to both learn from accomplished artists and help other children.
So the Langleys pulled together 10 students, then kindergarteners, based on their ability to paint and draw. Their first project took place during last spring’s Artfest in Addison, where the children set up easels around Moncrief’s booth and went to work.
“It attracted a big crowd. It was raining, and people stood out in the rain and watched,” recalls Moncrief, who had dropped by Artistic Gatherings to observe.
“I think some of the kids’ paintings are better,” she says. “They have the freedom that you sometimes lose when you get older.”
Dixon had also chosen “Mona Picasso” and was taking great care to create her right eyebrow with charcoal.
“I have a girlfriend, and I’m going to leave it at my house so whenever she comes, I’m going to show her,” Dixon says of his painting choice.
Sterling had settled on “Not Inspired Again,” a self-portrait by neighborhood artist Willie Baronet.
“Sterling, I may have to buy that,” Moncrief tells him as Baronet walks around snapping photos.
“I wish when I was a kid somebody had done this for me,” Baronet says. “I think this is just amazing and encourages all these kids to express themselves, so I’m a big fan.”
He and Moncrief had lent the paintings from their private collections, as did artists Fred Gardner, Marty Ruiz and Sheliah Unger. These five artists regularly participate in the Langleys’ shows.
“He gives like 90 or 100 percent. Nobody does that,” Moncrief says of Michael Langley’s charitable contributions. “He loses money sometimes and gives it to the charity.”
At this month’s Chateau de Arts, the North Texas Food Bank will be the primary recipient. Last year raised more than $10,000 for the food bank, and the Langleys have high hopes for the fourth annual event, which will feature more than two dozen artists. Plus, the money raised from the 20 10paint5 pieces will be donated for the creation of art space in the cottages at Jonathan’s Place, which houses children in the state’s foster care system.
“What if the kids don’t want to sell them?” Baronet asks, as he watches the children create.
“Well, the parents can buy them,” Susan Langley tells him. “They may just have to outbid someone.”
But if the parents lose this time around, they’ll have plenty of other chances to purchase their children’s work. The members of 10paint5 plan to continue working with each other and with neighborhood artists at least through elementary school, and will graduate from sixth grade with a full portfolio.
Chateau de Arts
when/ Friday, Oct. 12, 7-11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 13, 1-11 p.m.
where/ Times Ten Cellars, 6324 Prospect
cost/ North Texas Food Bank donation of $5 at the door; $20 for VIP tickets including valet parking, wine ticket and food from Dixie House, Kitchen 1924 and Matt’s Rancho Martinez
what else/ The 10paint5 members will be painting in the gallery room from 1-6 p.m. Saturday. The money raised from their pieces will be donated for art space in the cottages at Jonathan’s Place, which houses children in the state’s foster care system.
for more information/ visit fairefather.com or 10paint5.org
