Artwork by graphic artist and author Dave DeVries is being auctioned off at eBay this week to benefit a Minot family that suffered damage in this summer's flood.
What makes the artwork special is that it was based on drawings by three Minot children.
DeVries, a New Jersey-based artist and illustrator who participated in Minot State University's NOTSTOCK festival earlier this fall, drew pictures of monsters inspired by children's artwork for his "The Monster Engine" project and repeated it for the flood effort in Minot.
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Submitted Photos - - Artwork by area children was incorporated into a composite work which was then made available to auction to help raise money for flood relief.
Children from schools in Minot were asked to draw either a "monster beaver" or a "beaver rebuilding Minot" and DeVries chose portions of three drawings for his artwork.
Mycah Garrett, a second-grader at Lewis and Clark Elementary, inspired DeVries' creation of the pen-and-ink "Beaver Rebuilding Minot" used as a silkscreen for T-shirts during NOTSTOCK. DeVries liked the backhoe and the buildings in Mycah's picture.
"Oh, he was super excited," said Mycah's mom, Rose Garrett, who didn't find out that Mycah's drawing had been chosen until later.
Mycah drew a picture of a beaver rebuilding Minot. Mycah had the beaver sitting in a crane.
"He's always been fascinated with animals, anything related to animals," said Rose Garrett, and Mycah and his two brothers love anything to do with tractors and trailers. Rose Garrett said Mycah's paternal grandparents had their house flooded and they stayed with the family for awhile, so Mycah knows firsthand how serious the flood is.
DeVries' acrylic "Monster Beaver" painting is a culmination of two students' talents. Longfellow Elementary kindergartener Caz Buckles drawing of a beaver was featured in the painting. DeVries chose it for the beaver's unusually large teeth.
"When I saw Caz' drawing, I had a visceral reaction to the teeth," said DeVries in a press release. "The teacher had explained that beavers have large teeth, and Caz drew them larger than anybody."
Randy Jundt, a second-grader at Little Flower Catholic School, had his block lettered "MINOT" featured in the painting. DeVries said the block-lettered MINOT reminded him of a city with big buildings and his beaver towered over them.
"He was really pumped about helping another family," said Randy's mom, Jennifer Jundt, who said Randy thinks it's neat that his artwork is featured in DeVries' painting. Randy lost his home in the flood and his school, Little Flower Catholic School, was also flooded.
DeVries said in the press release that he was really saddened by the flood.
"Through The Monster Engine, I engage the children's talents and hopefully empower them; that inspired me to look to Minot's smallest citizens to benefit a family in need. I chose the beaver illustration as the focus because I wanted something relevant to Minot and to the students."
DeVries chose the three drawings from about 100 submissions made by Minot school children. DeVries' friend and NOTSTOCK organizer Bill Harbort helped organize the fundraiser.
The "Beaver Rebuilding Minot" and "Monster Beaver" originals are available for auction on eBay through Nov. 12. For more information, visit (www.themonsterengine.com).