Watercolor auction will help kids

A Rolling Meadows agency that provides counseling groups for children experiencing pain and grief, have drawn the interest of a big name supporter: watercolorist Tom Lynch.

Rainbows serves nearly 20,000 children in the Chicago metropolitan area alone with its peer support groups for children and teens dealing with the pain of death, divorce and other life-altering crises.

On Saturday, some of its biggest supporters will be attending a first time benefit, Canvases & Corks, at the Wyndham Chicago Hotel. The gourmet dinner and auction will feature the chance to bid on specialty wines and more than 30 pieces of original art, including a painting by Lynch.

"Fountain Rainbow" is an original watercolor custom-designed by Lynch for the agency and its backers. It depicts a rainbow, as seen through the spray of Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, during a bright summer day.

"I think it's more unique than just seeing a rainbow in the sky," said Lynch, a Naperville-based artist whose watercolors have been featured on the Daily Herald's Christmas Day editions for more than 10 years.

"I like the lost and found effect, that it looks like the rainbow is coming through the mist."

Rainbows officials said they admired the painting even more because it captures their mission and conveys hope and renewal.

"We were thrilled to have him connected with our organization," said Krista Coffee of Rainbows. "He's well known in the community, and with the quality of his work, he's a great fit."

Currently, an original Lynch watercolor fetches $4,000 in the marketplace, Rainbows officials said.

Other works to be auctioned at the event include limited edition prints by sports artist Leroy Neiman, Arlington Heights portrait artist William T. Chambers, and landscape artist Mark King.

Proceeds from the event will support Rainbows' local programs, including supplying workbooks and materials for its mostly school-based groups as well as those based in hospitals and social service agencies.

The Rainbows organization will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. What started in the basement of Des Plaines resident Suzy Yehl Marta, now spans 17 countries and has helped more than 1.6 million children worldwide.

To attend the wine and art benefit, contact Rainbows, at (847) 952-1770.