Grace McKee, a talented artist who lives in MiraBay in Apollo Beach, has embarked on an interesting and intriguing project. McKee set a personal challenge for herself-to draw 52 portrait sketches from selfies sent to her. She will reveal these at an Art Show called Portrait Sketches From Selfies, set for Saturday, March 15 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the MiraBay Clubhouse in the Lagoon Room located at 107 Manns Harbor Dr. in Apollo Beach.
A $5 donation is requested and will be given to the SouthShore Arts Council to be used for scholarships for SouthShore residents who want to take an art class but may not be able to without financial assistance.
McKee explained the challenge, “My husband and I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Atlanta with our children and grandchildren. When the new year started, I was really in the dumps. I knew I needed a project to get myself involved. I had created a Christmas card with sketches of our six grandchildren. Since I teach drawing classes, I decided that I needed to get better at portrait sketches.”
Thus, McKee’s 2014 personal art challenge had begun. She requested that people send her selfies taken with their cell phone. She would create the portrait sketch and then post it on her Website and blog. “Many of those who loaned me their faces will be in the art show. I hope to have buttons for them that will read Find Me,” said McKee.
McKee’s original challenge to herself was to draw 52 portrait sketches-one a week. “However, I have become obsessed with drawing faces,” said McKee.
So come out to McKee’s Art Show and see her fantastic portraits and help another aspiring artist take an art class with a small donation. Have fun and help advance the arts at the same time.
For more information and to view some of McKee’s portraits, visit www.facebook.com/GraceMcKeeartist or call McKee at 766-5040.
