Trisha 'romances' shoppers with new book

BY WENDY BIRD

Well-known artist Trisha Romance visited Sudbury last week as part of an international fall tour to promote her first book for children called "A Star for Christmas."

"I love the colours she uses in her paintings," said MaryAnne Zufferli, who waited in line at the New Sudbury Sears store to have Romance sign several copies of the book.

"Her pictures are so inviting. I really like the traditional settings she uses for her paintings."

Zufferli said she plans on giving the books Romance signed to her future grandchildren. Several other customers giggled when they heard her intentions and said they were planning to do the same.

Romance's artistry is all about family, which is at the heart of everything she does. She has created a whole world in her warm, detailed pictures, which celebrate family love and devotion.

Her latest offering, a 40-page book geared for children between the ages of four and eight, tells the story of a gentle old carpenter who has spent his whole life in the service of others. He has finally begun to build his own home in a quiet meadow, with nothing but a small reindeer to keep him company. Finishing by winter seems like an impossible task, but the carpenter reaps the years of kindness he has sown, and his neighbours return his love by helping complete his new home by Christmas. He has a wonderful surprise in store for them, making this Christmas one that everyone will cherish forever.

"We are delighted to have Trisha Romance signing books with us," said New Sudbury Sears store manager Tony Commito as he perused the long line-up of customers waiting to get their books autographed by the artist. The store brought in 150 books for the event and plans to bring in more as needed.

Last year Sears Canada featured one of Romance's paintings on the cover of the company's annual "Wish Book."

Sears also carries several Trisha Romance products, including music boxes, sculptures, ornaments and decorative plates.

Romance, who is originally from western New York, moved to Canada in 1969 to attend Sheridan College in Oakville, where she received a degree in design and illustration. She now lives in Niagara-on-the Lake with her family.

According to information on her web site, Romance had to take a sabbatical from her work in 1989 due to a venous angioma attack - likened to a varicose vein in the brain. This bout left her weakened, with a heart condition and on medication for epilepsy. Now she finds she must pace herself, and the family plans around her health concerns.

Romance has been given many awards throughout her career including her investment into The Order of Ontario.

Sources:
www.trisharomance.com