Lillian Fortenberry came by to pick up three "Kids at Play" t-shirts a few weeks ago and struck up a conversation with Mary Welch.  "When I walked in the door, it looked like our house used to look because we had six kids.  I saw Mary with the baby in her arms and thought, oh, there I am again," said Fortenberry, a ten-year Clinton resident. 

 Fortenberry hand-paints notecards as a hobby, giving them to family as gifts.  "I just love to paint--it's always a kick to me to see what is coming out of the end of the brush," she said.

 Her only formal training has come from night classes and from watching TV artists explain their trade.  "I think I learned more from Helen Van Wyck on Saturday afternoons than anywhere else," said Fortenberry, referring to the PBS series.  Fortenberry works in  watercolors and admires Wyatt Waters' craft, with several of his canvases on display in her home. 

 "I took up Oriental painting on my own--I do bamboo, bonsai trees--and floral arrangements that I make up in my head," Fortenberry said.  Her typical hand-painted 5X7 card stock pieces take about a day to paint; working from a photograph of the treehouse, Fortenberry thinks she spent about two weeks producing her first version of the structure.  "I wanted to be pretty sure of the architecture and the dimensions--I've never tried to paint a treehouse before."

Fortenberry went to the Welches and showed them the work--offering to defray the cost of printing up copies for the Welches.  "Just to bring in some money for them," she said.  

"She's just doing this on her own, trying to be nice," said Scot Welch.  Fortenberry at first wanted to remain in the background, not wanting to be seen as trying to capitalize on the Welches' situation.  But Welch said he persuaded her to sign the cards before they went to the printer so she would get credit for her work.  "We'll use them for thank-you notes for people who send us donations for the legal fight," said Welch, adding that sets should be available for people to buy as well. 

The painting is available for viewing on Welch's website, www.SaveOurTreehouse.com, with a thank-you to Fortenberry for her efforts from the Welches.

 Scot Welch said he hoped to file his court appeal by Friday, August 16 to delay the city's order requiring Welch to comply with the zoning ruling.  "Once you file an appeal, we wait until whatever the judge decides," said Welch.  "It could be several months before it could be before a judge."

 "I know that the town fathers are just trying to do their best," said Fortenberry of the dispute.   "But I don't believe that treehouse is an accesory building.  I hope they won't have to tear it down--that would be a crime."

A local, talented artist painted a beautiful picture of the Treehouse; and donated her time, work and thank you cards to the Save Our Treehouse campaign.  Thank you so very much.  She graciously seeks no credit.
Her Treehouse cards are now available!

Thank you again,
Scot and Mary Welch