By Wendy Elliott
welliott@kingscountynews.ca
NovaNewsNow.com
Paintings were selling briskly on Nov. 17 as the artist dashed between the Harvest Gallery and the Box of Delights in Wolfville. Luckily, the two are located in the same block.
Doretta Groenendyk’s show of the 22 original illustrations from a Bluenose Twelve Days of Christmas is bound to be popular. Her work is both colourful and appealing.
Groenendyk, who lives near Canning, took part in three book projects this year. All three were published this fall.
She illustrated Bruce Nunn’s Christmas book, which is a Christmas tale. Groenendyk also co-authored her daughter Izra’s book, Spin to Sea, and Nimbus Publishing has released her picture book Bully 101.
It is an irreverent look at a contemporary issue that concerns many. Bully 101 explores both the temptations of bullying and the remarkable possibility of kindness.
The book looks like an excellent conversation starter for both families and schools. Groenendyk’s illustrations are funky. While Bully 101 does not answer all questions around bullying, it does not preach either.
Ever modest, she has illustrated seven picture books, including Lila Hope-Simpson’s Fiddles and Spoons. Prior to Bully 101, she was the author and illustrator of I'm Writing a Story, Snow for Christmas and last fall Thank You For My Bed was published.
Groenendyk graduated from NSCAD with a degree in art education. Then she worked in Swaziland for a year and in Igloolik, Nunavut for another two. Once settled in the Valley, Doretta worked as an artist in classrooms through the Arts Infusion and Paints programs and as a volunteer.
