FINE ART FOR KIDS : "The Paxton Collection"

Dawn Ferencak, a well known Chicago and Oak Park artist, art teacher and artist representative, has created her first collection of FINE ART FOR KIDS. Ms. Ferencak has a reputation in the art community for bold colors and strong images. Her work is likened to that of Picasso, O'Keefe, Kandinsky and Klimt in style. Ferencak owned and operated the Ferencak Gallery on Harrison Street in the Oak Park Arts District for over 3 years. The Ferencak Gallery represented Ferencak's work and the work of a core group of local and national artists. When Ferencak became pregnant with her first child in 2002, she decided to take steps to reorganize her life. She closed her Oak Park gallery and re-opened the gallery in her Chicago home. She then turned her attention to mothering her newborn son, Paxton, and on her own artwork.

With Paxton , who turned 3 in May, 2006, Ferencak has been busy making time for her own work, showing her work and conducting adult and children's art classes. In conjunction with the latter and as part of the role of mothering Paxton, Ferencak became convinced that children exposed to fine art at a young age became more sensitive to color and design and to exploring the unexplainable. While Paxton , who often paints with his mother in her home studio, considers himself a budding artist, other children, she firmly believes, will benefit from the exposure to art early as well. With an early introduction to art, the children will develop an appreciation for art and find enjoyment in art and other aesthetics, such as music and architecture. She likens this to the exposure of children to the theater when they are young.

With the realization of the importance of art to children, came Ferencak's idea for a collection of fine art pieces for children. Obviously, the art must be fun for children to like it, Ferencak says, which means lots of color, but they should also be based on the same principles of any work of art. "The Paxton Collection" will be premiered at Art in the Park, the annual art fair presented by the West Suburban Artists Guild in Oak Park on May 21, 2006. The Collection features bright colors and abstract shapes. The paintings work well alone, or may be arranged in multiples. All of the pictures have an element of Ms. Ferencak's bold style.

Ms. Ferencak's art work, including Fine Art For Kids, can be seen at the Ferencak Gallery, Guava Imports in Chicago, and at the Thompson-Mole Gallery in LaGrange, Texas. They can also be viewed and purchased on the Ferencak Gallery website: www.ferencakgallery.com. Special orders may be purchased through the website, or by calling Ferencak Gallery at 708/807-0133.

Pieces from "The Paxton Collection" are sure to bring many smiles to children of all ages. They make perfect gifts and will be treasured for years to come. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Ms. Ferencak. NOT JUST FOR KIDS, these pieces can brighten any room and add an element of delight to any décor.