Pencil Drawing of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Michelle Thompson Rideout created this drawing of Fayetteville, Arkansas, which was used as a fundraiser to benefit the Children's House, a nonprofit, therapeutic day treatment center for preschool children who have been extremely neglected, and/or physically, emotionally or sexually abused. The Fayetteville civic club that sponsored this project had this to say about artist, Michelle Rideout:

"Michelle Thompson Rideout is fast becoming a modern day Norman Rockwell. Concentrating on towns of the South, she is one of the region's most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana.”

Rideout graduated from the University of North Alabama with a bachelor of science degree in graphic design. Soon afterwards she began working with her father, Tommy Thompson, also known for his sketches of Southern towns.

Rideout's composite pencil drawings reveal a meticulous attention to detail, which gives a delicate quality to the overall print. Her prints have often been used for fundraisers, raising money around the country and receiving greater prominence through features in national magazines.

Rideout has done drawings of the homes of the late record producer Sam Phillips and late author Alex Haley. Because her art prints are limited editions, they represent an investment that increases in value with time.

Smackover, Arkansas, Drawing

Smackover is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. The Museum depicts the history and culture of Smackover and the surrounding area with an indoor reconstruction of downtown Smackover, an Oil Field Park, and numerous exhibits illustrating South Arkansas's oil industry. Smackover hosts an annual four-day Oil Town Festival held in June. Smackover was home to a rough-and-tumble oil boom camp. It began in February 1923 when a man leased 1,000 feet of farmland. In June 1923 there was a huge flood, which covered the main street with 10 feet of water. Most of the inhabitants moved away permanently and no trace of the settlement remains today. To order a Smackover, AR print, please check out http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/smackover-ar.

Siloam Springs, AR Drawing

Siloam Springs' earliest history dates to 1835 when Simon Sager settled on a farm one mile west of what is now the City of Siloam Springs. The 28 springs along the creek were named in his honor, "Sager Creek." His original dwelling has been restored and is now located on the campus of John Brown University. The first settlement was called Hico, and in 1884 Caldeen D. Gunter settled there. At about this time the Hico Post Office was established. This was later moved to Siloam City (Siloam Springs). Hico was a prominent trading post with the Cherokee nation and consisted of two stores and a mill. In 1879 it was discovered that the waters contained medicinal qualities and the establishment of a summer resort began. The first anniversary of the town was celebrated on the 24th of June. In March 1880, J.V. Hargrove laid out the original plat of Siloam City. The name was later changed to Siloam Springs. Due to the reputation gained as a summer resort and the prospect of the railroad through town, the town was incorporated during its first year of existence on December 22, 1881, with a population of over 3,000. After this initial "boom" many of the transient residents returned to their homes and the population dwindled to about half. This was the only time in the history of the town that the population dwindled so rapidly. To order a print of Siloam Springs, Ar, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/siloam-springs-ar.

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Known only as "opposite Little Rock" until the Civil War, North Little Rock grew as a crossroads that linked river and overland traffic. In 1866, surveyed and platted, an unincorporated town of mills, factories, hotels and saloons became known as the town of Argenta. In 1890, the community of Argenta filed papers to incorporate as a city. However, Argenta's southern neighbor, across the Arkansas River, quickly passed legislation to annex the little town and make it the eighth ward of that city. Years later a group of north side businessmen led by William C. Faucette (who was elected to the Arkansas state legislature) introduced a bill to allow a new city to be created by annexing the eighth ward of Little Rock. In 1903 North Little Rock and Argenta town residents voted to merge. Little Rock mounted a court challenge, but on February 6, 1904, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the 1903 merger of North Little Rock and Argenta (named for silver mines), with more than 8,000 residents. In January 1906 North Little Rock changed its name to Argenta, but in October 1917 renamed itself back to North Little Rock. Visit the History and Historic Commission's page for information on historic buildings, landmarks and sites, learn more about the colorful stories of the people and places that shaped the North Little Rock of today. To order a print of North Little Rock, AR, check out this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/north-little-rock-ar

Murfreesboro, Arkansas Drawing

Murfreesboro is a city in Pike County, Arkansas. Crater of Diamonds State Park is located just to the south of the city. The "crater" is an eroded lamproite pipe where diamonds were discovered in 1906. 100,000 were found by 1933, and visitors to the park may still take away whatever they can find. Hillary Clinton wore a 4.25 carat (850 mg) yellow diamond known as The "Kahn Canary" Diamond, found at the park in 1977, to the inaugural balls in 1993 and 1997. Also located in Murfreesboro is the 1,000-year-old Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village and museum, which offers a field that can be excavated for authentic arrowheads. To order a print of Murfreesboro, AR, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/murfreesboro-ar.

Lincoln, Arkansas Drawing

Lincoln is home to the Annual Arkansas Apple Festival, held every year in the first weekend of October. For many years, it has attracted visitors to the area who come to see the arts and crafts of the Ozarks. Apple growing was once a major agricultural industry in Lincoln, but has recently declined due to changing climate conditions and high costs of upkeep. The city of Lincoln was founded in 1907, and recently hosted a centennial celebration in July 2007. Lincoln is also home to the Arkansas Country Doctor Museum, which includes a collection of medical instruments and personal artifacts from the 1930 to 1960. To order a print of Lincoln, Arkansas, check out this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/lincoln-ar.

Jacksonport, Arkansas Drawing

Jacksonport is a town in Jackson County, Arkansas, along the White River at its confluence with the Black River. Jacksonport was once an important steamboat stop on the White River. During the Civil War the town served as a transportation hub for Confederate forces. To order a Jacksonport, AR print, please check out this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/jacksonport-ar.

Bentonville, Arkansas Drawing

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a new and exciting addition to Bentonville, Arkansas. Crystal Bridges takes its name from Crystal Spring—a natural spring on the Museum's wooded site that feeds into the Museum ponds. Crystal Bridges' permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks. Besides the art galleries, the complex includes a library, hands-on experience art studios, and a restaurant. More than three miles of walking and biking trails extend through the Museum’s 120-acre grounds. Crystal Bridges is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM; Wednesday and Friday from 11 AM to 9 PM. The Museum is closed on Tuesdays, as well as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The trails are open sunrise to sunset every day. The general admission to Crystal Bridges is sponsored by Walmart. There is no cost to view the Museum’s permanent collections. Crystal Bridges is a nonprofit organization focused solely on creating a world-class museum for the benefit of the public. The Museum was founded by Alice Walton. To purchase a Bentonville print, check out http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/bentonville-ar.

A Place Called Hope

What two famous men were born in Hope, Arkansas? Former President Bill Clinton, and former Governor Mike Huckabee came from this famous little small town.To learn more about the print of Hope, AR, check out this link.

The drawing of Hope was done by Tommy Thompson's daughter, Michelle Rideout, who is the one of the South’s most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana. Her drawings are known for their meticulous attention to detail.

To purchase one of the prints of Hope pictured above, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/hope-ar.

Hope, Arkansas, Birthplace of Mike Huckabee

The artistic team of Tommy Thompson and his two daughters, Michelle and Melanie, has produced composite drawings of more than 300 towns across 12 Southern states. These drawings can be viewed on the web site, Village Prints. One of the prints is Hope, Arkansas, the birthplace of former Governor Mike Huckabee.  The drawing of Hope was done by Thompson's daughter, Michelle Rideout, who is the one of the South’s most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana.

Struck by the pride of older Americans in the heritage of their towns, Thompson transformed glimpses of the past found in old, faded photographs and memories into composite drawings, which were then printed as limited editions. Collectors of Thompson's prints sometimes find it difficult to locate someone who is willing to part with their prints once all the prints of a particular town have been sold. The artistic team preserved the memories of bygone days for more than 300 towns in twelve states across the South.

Iron City, Tennessee, Origin of Village Prints

In 1984 artist Tommy Thompson was traveling through a small town called Iron City, Tennessee. When he stopped by one of the stores for a soft drink, he was amazed at the town pride that he heard in the voices of the old men sitting around a pot-bellied stove in the store. After listening some more, he learned that a community group needed a fundraiser to help refurbish a park along a creek that ran through the town. The people in the general store, through their descriptions and recollections, helped the artist capture in a pencil drawing the essence of the buildings that had long ago been torn down. The project was quite successful, selling all prints in a month or so, to benefit the small town. From that spark, the artistic team preserved the memories of bygone days for more than 300 towns in twelve states across the South.

For more than 20 years, Thompson and his two daughters, Michelle and Melanie, preserved small-town Americana for posterity in their drawings. Check out the newly redesigned web site to see if you can find the place of your roots. For example, you will see a composite drawing of Hope, Arkansas, the birthplace of two famous men, Governor Mike Huckabee and former President Bill Clinton.

In their travels as painter, photographer, and writer, Tommy and Marie Thompson have met some very interesting people. In Franklin, TN, they met M. L. Rose, the author of the new book, The Road to Eden's Ridge. In a conversation with Tommy Thompson, Rose learned of his original career as an illustrator. She was fascinated with the artist's concept for the unique business that has preserved memories of the past for many Americans who grew up in small towns across the South. Rose advised Thompson to promote vigorously his unusual web site because, she said, in an economic downturn Americans want to reminisce about their roots--the place where they grew up.