Red Deer artist Haley Tolland is using her doodle art to help the homeless.
Tolland has created six cartoon drawings featuring homeless bugs that include a hobo ant, a ladybug camp out, a bumble bee hitchhiker, a homeless dragonfly under a bridge, a dumpster fly and a banjo playing caterpillar.
The goal is to sell 100 of the $25 prints with the proceeds going to Red Deer Food Bank and the Mustard Seed.
Tolland said the homeless people she sees in Red Deer are sadly just trying to stay warm and find shelter.
And their efforts inspired the 21-year-old artist.
“I realized that they’re a lot like the bugs I’ve been drawing. Trying to stay afloat during the winter. Trying to survive. It’s heartbreaking to see,” Tolland said.
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She first drew the hobo ant in 2014 for her grandfather Jimmy Henderson, of Red Deer, who died last month.
“He absolutely loved it. He thought it was the cutest thing ever. I’m pretty much doing the fundraiser in memory of him because he always helped out in the community.”
Growing up, Tolland and her grandfather often went on walks and were always on the lookout for bugs.
She said he believed in helping out in the community and volunteered building homes.
Now Tolland is trying to do her part by raising money and awareness for people in need.
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Tolland, who is the artist behind Venture Ridge Photography and Artistry, is also a second-year heavy duty mechanic and works at Red Deer RV. Most recently she participated in CulinART Exhibit held in Sylvan Lake.
For more information on the homeless bug prints visit on Venture Ridge Photography and Artistry on Facebook.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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