Pa. Parks and Forests Foundation launches paint-by-numbers series
With some colors and a steady hand, individuals can create works of art that reflect the beauty of Pennsylvania’s great outdoors.
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation recently launched a downloadable paint-by-number each month.
The group has featured plans for paintings of a sunset at Tobyhanna State Park, a bald eagle at Black Moshannon State Park, and a kayaker on the water at Kettle Creek State Park.
For August, they’re featuring one of Beltzville State Park near Lehighton.
While most of do-it-yourself paintings are created from photos submitted to the PPFF, this one is from the artist who turns the submissions into paint-by-numbers.
“I love Beltzville State Park and find it a wonderful place to walk - either with dogs or by myself and I have been going there for years,” said Melodie Higgins, of West End.
If she’s not walking, she’s taking photographs or kayaking on the lake. On the day the photo was taken, she was with her husband and their wolfhound puppy.
To create the paint-by-numbers, Higgins makes a color sketch of a photograph. She paints it, then traces the outlines of the different colors to create a template.
Then she “numbers” the sections and develops a color key that corresponds with the numbers.
While the August one is hers, others are from photographers across the state.
“There are some really great photographers out there who do an outstanding job of capturing the beautiful sights that nature provides through the parks,” Higgins said.
She said that her goal in creating the paintings is to provide a different way for people to enjoy the parks.
“There are lots of opportunities for people who are active hikers and boaters and outdoors enthusiasts but I think that the arts also can provide an important way to enjoy nature and feel connected with it,” she said. “My hope is that as people connect with nature they will feel inspired to protect and preserve it.”
Folks can download and print the paint-by-numbers by visiting www.paparksandforests.org, and searching for “paint by number.”
They are encouraged to share their completed works on social media and tag the PPFF.
Based in Camp Hill, the nonprofit organization sponsors the Friends of Beltzville State Park, Friends of Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks and other “friends” groups across the commonwealth.