Marsha Clements, Canyon Artist, says that her inspiration for her chair was: "...thinking about a field of wildflowers and everything else that could be found there. At first I thought I would do a seek and find, but I decided nothing was very well hidden. I did think it would be a great activity to just ask a child-'How many ladybugs can you find' or 'Tell me a story about the mouse and the flower' or 'Do you see a honeybee-How many?' I taught young children for 21 years before beginning a career teaching educators. So that is always on my mind-how to use something to start up a conversation with a young child."

Marsha says she really enjoyed thinking about what kind of flowers and critters would be in a field full of flowers

Marsha has not had a personal experience with the Ronald McDonald House but she thinks this House provides a home for parents during a time where they need kindness and support and prayers. RMH does that and is such a blessing to those families.

The inspiration for Richard Burk's chair was driving between Albuquerque and Farmington NM at sundown. "All the colors seem to change!"

Richard shared that "painting a landscape on a chair instead of a canvas is challenge. The struggle I had reminded me how much greater the struggle of a sick child can be."

Bryan Oliver's inspiration for his hand-tooled leather chair was our very own West Texas Bar Ditches. Though he's been working with leather for years, Bryan learned how to air brush on this project.

He shares: "Being in the saddle business, I have known several Cowboy families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House during medical emergencies. I'm grateful that the Ronald McDonald House stands in the gap in their time of need."

Nikki Bounsing was inspired to create this chair following a recent trip to Chateau Mingo! She had started with a different chair shape but then switched to the Adirondack rocking chair to help fulfill the design she wanted. Nikki truly enjoyed designing a fun chair for a child! As an added bonus, Nikki has included a precious striped beach towel with a huge pink flamingo!

The "Chairwoman" of our 40th Birthday Chair Affair, Judy Rogers, drew inspiration for her Adirondack rocking chair from recent art she has been creating in her studio. "I have to say that my chair has morphed from one design to another which is how I normally operate! So, it went from flowers on a white background to black and white checked with florals to hearts, flowers and butterflies on the black back ground. A work in progress!"

Judy shared that several of the chair designers were painting together in her workshop and their mistakes turned into laughter. She's so happy that they could find joy in their missteps or "misstrokes!" It was so dear to Judy to have budding artists, her talented neighbor June Oliver and her talented granddaughter Winn Rogers, create their chairs in her Studio!

"One interesting thing that I discovered in painting an Adirondack rocking chair was how many blooming sides it had! My challenge was to find which sides to paint and which to leave blank. It was a Labor of Love!

"When my son Mason was 6 moths old, he was admitted to Dallas Children's Hospital with anemia. We had just moved there and it was before Ronald McDonald Houses were in existence. That would have been an answered prayer to our family. So, helping out RMH so families with sick children can have a place to stay in a stressful time is an opportunity that is close to our hearts."

Amy Wixom, long time Chair Artist, drew inspiration for her Adirondack rocking chair from the springtime, fresh air, and sunshine! When Amy started working on her chair, the only thing she had in mind was one particular flower. From that, her chair just took on its own creativity.

Amy's springtime chair is so colorful that when we took it outside to photograph it, a real honey bee landed on the chair and did not want to leave!

Amy has been a faithful supporter of the Ronald McDonald House and has a passion for helping care for our young cancer warriors.

Multi-year Chair Artist, Jake Cunningham, was inspired to recreate his chair by his love of old school water skis! Jake actually replaced the back of his Adirondack rocking chair with a vintage, wooden water ski!

Jake says he was a little challenged with too much lacquer!! He loved creating something a child would like and want!

Jamie Hamous honestly had no idea what to do with this chair but her husband Josh is a true artist and he knew exactly what he wanted to create the second he saw it. The couple drew inspiration from Josh's mom Julia's love of sunflowers and Talavera Pottery.

Jamie painted the lovely blue base color and Josh hand painted the details. They loved seeing their Adirondack rocking chair transform from a blank canvas to what you see today, a chair that reminds them of summertime fun!

Jamie and Josh have not had a personal experience with the Ronald McDonald House but Julia has been a supporter for many years!

Ann Hagemeier was inspired by her Adirondack rocking chair. She thinks it just belongs on a beach house porch. Ann had fun trying to narrow down the many ideas running through her head and how to decorate it.

This beautiful chair is perfect for sitting on the beach or dreaming about all the wonderful ocean creatures!