Creating art for the most part is a solitary endeavor. An artist spends many hours in a studio working alone except for the company of an invisible muse. Social interaction with other creative beings takes place on rare occasions usually at receptions, art shows, or encounters in coffee shops and bars.

For a change of pace I consented to be involved in a group project working with two of Eureka Springs' finest artists, Valerie Damon and Larry Mansker.

Our greatest challenge was to merge three very different styles of work into a cohesive conclusion.

We spent this past Sunday in a Bella Vista parking lot, paint brushes in hand, embellishing a child's playhouse.

The playhouse was constructed by volunteers and will be up for bid during a silent auction to raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

The benefit auction is one of the many events taking place during the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Art Festival in Rogers, September the 8th and 9th.

The day was filled with adventure and began with getting lost in the tangle of roads that wind through Bella Vista.

Midday brought a downpour of rain that soaked us to the bone as we covered the playhouse and our supplies with tarps.

During the rain storm we took a lunch break and headed for a Bella Vista country club where we were graciously welcomed despite our drowned rat appearances.

After a nice buffet and the warming effects of Merlot and coffee, we spent the rest of the day painting, conversing, laughing, and collaborating about our project.

Whimsical artist and children's book illustrator Valerie Damon lent her enchanting trademark and playful hobbit-like images to the effort.

Her hand magically adorned the little building with toadstools, flowers, birds, and butterflies.

Valerie herself is an enchanting creature inseparable from her work in physical appearance and her wonderful childlike, playful spirit.

Larry Mansker is noted for rendering monumental works in the form of beautiful large scale paintings and murals.

His work can be seen in many Eureka Springs' businesses that include stunning pieces at the Mud Street Café and on the walls of Rogue's Manor.

Of the three of us, he seemed the most at ease with the scope of the project. Larry created beautiful images of trees and flowers forming a landscape that unified our work into a delightful landscape.

Trying to not be intimidated while working in the company of such accomplished artists, I added my signature images of a clothed chimp, a macaw, and some irises.

I am a watercolorist and thus had to rise to the challenge of using latex and acrylics in an upright format. I learned from the challenge as it forced me out of my watery comfort zone.

I think the three of us grew by the mere fact that we were exposed to each other's approach to the creative process. We were introduced to previously unknown muses.

Later on this Tuesday morning we will be together again in Rogers where the playhouse has been moved to the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall food court for the unveiling to the public and the press. For the rest of the day we will add the final touches to our collaborative creation.

The Lovely County Citizen videographer will be present to film the press event and the video can be viewed in the near future on the publication's web site.

The playhouse will be on display in the food court of the Promenade Hills Mall until the weekend of Sept 8th and bids can be made up until that time.

It was fun being a kid again and having Larry and Valerie for playmates.

Valerie Damon's art can be viewed by visiting www.eurekaspringsartists.com.

See Larry Mansker's work at www.larrymansker.com.

For additional information about the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Art Festival visit pinnaclehills.info.

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