Camp Fire Complete

The finished drawing, ready for presentation at the Camp Fire Centennial celebration.

With a hundred years of material to work with, there was no problem finding an abundance of meaningful images to include in this drawing. The challenge was to choose the few items necessary to convey a detailed timeline, highlight the Camp Fire focus on Work, Health, and Love - while still keeping a feeling of fun and celebration.

Work is demonstrated in part by the paint brush and roller, saw, flower pot, trowel, measuring tape, cookbook and keyboard. Health is noted by a First Aid kit, adhesive bandage, healthy eating and exercise (play included). Love is shown in the heart on the kite, the Salute to Veterans emblem, and the Welcome mat that invites everyone to participate in Camp Fire programs and activities.

Stones around the base of the fire reflect the changing Camp Fire logos across the century, along with early and modern emblems of achievement within the organization.

The “flames” rising out of this camp fire are formed from streamers of movie film, music, measuring tape, a bow and arrow, and strings of award beads. Tendrils of red clover, the state flower of Vermont, signify the state where the Camp Fire organization was founded in 1910. At the heart of the blaze lies today’s Camp Fire USA logo.

Sparks from the fire are mimicked by a scattering of toys, beads,bubbles and badges, donuts & candy (a significant source of fundraising over the years), pacifier (for child care), coins (for money management), a quill for education, and keys to success.

Mirroring the Camp Fire organization's focus on self-reliance and personal development, the picture includes camping gear (canteen, flashlight, pocket knife, rope, fishing pole), and toys from every decade from 1910 to 2010.

This piece will be one of a dozen works by Birmingham area artists that will travel the state to celebrate 100 years of Camp Fire USA. Originally called Camp Fire Girls, the organization continues to foster confidence and develop leadership skills for nearly a million children, youth and families every year. 
The combined show will debut on April 27 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham.

Sing Around the Camp Fire

The Camp Fire USA Centennial: the latest effort in our continuing series of artworks supporting worthy charitable organizations, this drawing celebrates 100 years of building healthy citizens through the Camp Fire organization's practical application of Work, Health and Love.

When complete, the image will accompany works by other area artists, taking part in a year-long calendar of events highlighting the organization’s rich heritage of providing quality children’s programs over an entire century. The idea is to depict 10 decades of childhood, illustrating the nature of the growing-up years, and the timeless relevance and importance of healthy youth development.

This is a first-round sketch I’ve been playing with, just to see how one might incorporate Camp Fire imagery into a campfire-shaped design. So far we have an historic progression of Camp Fire logos and rank insignia, and a few items representative of the Camp Fire watchword: WoHeLo (Work, Health, and Love). Scattered among these are a few non-specific items relating to art, music, writing, creative construction, and a telescope looking toward the future. (The smoke was a challenge at first, until I tried adding few Sparks, Stars, and strings of beads. Another strip of photo or movie film and a twisting music staff might also be incorporated here.)

At this stage, nothing is set in stone. This sketch is really just a glorified thumbnail study, to give us an idea of how a full-scale design might work. Keep watching. More sketches on the way.