CNM Art Exhibit Features Illustrations by Beth Purdy

Drawings from Kalamazoo Valley art instructor Beth Purdy’s children’s book, “Finders Keepers,” will be on display in the Center for New Media during the month of October. The public will have the first chance to see her pastel drawings during Art Hop on Oct. 6.

Purdy teaches Drawing I, Painting I, Advanced Painting, 2D Design and Color Theory, and Pastels and has worked at Kalamazoo Valley for 10 years. She said she enjoys collaborating with other faculty members and likes to challenge and encourage her students. She’s also happy to be showing her pastel exhibit while teaching a pastel class. “The perfect time to have an exhibit on pastels is when you’re also teaching pastels,” she said.

After participating in a digital storytelling workshop hosted by humanities instructor Kristin DeKam and Dean of Instruction for Liberal Arts, Billy Reynolds, Purdy decided to create the book. She started with an original drawing of a bee and a crow with an apple that she created in 2010 and expanded on the theme. “Once I decided to make it into a book, I started researching,” Purdy said. She spent 14 months making the book’s chalk pastel illustrations and then made some minor adjustments.

“I do a lot of pre-planning so I’m usually pretty satisfied by the time the drawing is finished,” she explained. “I’m sort of methodical. I stay true to my original vision.” Purdy starts with a drawing, makes her own textured paper and then does a watercolor wash as an under-painting technique before finishing each piece with pastels.

The book tells the story of a crow who tries to steal an apple from a bee. In the end, they learn to share. "This is a beautiful book and timeless story that Beth tells. It's a story that we can all learn from, no matter our age. I also know that it's been a true labor of love, something that Beth has been working on for quite some time," said Reynolds.

Purdy published the book herself. She also sent it out to six children’s book publishers and would still like to have it picked up by a publisher. “This book was a learning, exploratory project for me,” Purdy said. “I’ve figured out what I’d do differently if I ever do this again.”

Purdy has several copies of the book for sale. The book can also be ordered online. Softcover books are $10 and can be purchased at http://www.blurb.com/b/8162391-finders-keepers. Hardcover books are $23 and can be purchased at http://www.blurb.com/b/8071703-finders-keepers. Purdy’s drawings from the book are also available for purchase.

Purdy, who is married with two preschool-aged daughters, is considering other book projects.