Description

Discover the extraordinary works of a 1900's Midwestern artist when Forest & Found presents Barbara Maynard: Fearless Portraits and Landscapes. The exhibit and sale will run from July 25 to August 2 at Forest & Found, 1363 N. Western Avenue in Lake Forest. The show will follow Maynard's work as a 1920 student at the Art Institute of Chicago, through her life as a young professional in Lincoln Park, to a mature artist who depicted Michigan landscapes with a spare and graceful palette.

Barbara Maynard was born in 1900 on a Michigan farm. She studied at the Art Institute and worked professionally as an illustrator for Compton's Encyclopedia. Through her friendship with a children's book author, she illustrated some classic picture books in the 40's and 50's. Her private works recently came to light from the basement of a Lake Forest home.

“We did some research, which led to two scrapbooks of photos of Maynard from childhood to adult. They tell the story of a modern, independent woman of her times. Her work shows us how truly fearless she was in trying different styles and palettes in her painting,“ said Michaele Ann McDonnell, Forest & Found board member. “Be sure to see her series of tongue-in-cheek art history illustrations. We can see Maynard also had a sharp sense of humor,” McDonnell added.

Forest & Found will exhibit Maynard's paintings on loan from her great niece, Helen Maynard, who lives in the Chicago area. To raise money to benefit the charities that Forest & Found supports, high quality prints of these works will be available for order. These reprints are made possible through the permission of the Maynard family and the  generous donation of time and technology skills of Lake Forest resident, Rich Foss.

Barbara Maynard: Fearless Portraits and Landscapes is the third in a series of events at Forest & Found to promote the creative reuse of existing products and design. Forest & Found is a charitable thrift store that benefits a growing community of donors, shoppers and two beneficiaries – Bernie's Book Bank and A Safe Place. For more information visit www.forestandfound.com.