Lebanon woman’s drawing becomes greeting card

Whenever Kayla Hines thinks of Christmas, her thoughts immediately turn to the Golden Lamb.

“I’ve always loved Lebanon and am so proud to live here and that building is like the heart of the city,” Hines said. “And at Christmas time, it’s just so beautiful. It’s really decorated nicely and just seems like Christmas to me.”

So when Hines, an aspiring artist, heard of a contest for art for Christmas greeting cards seeking local scenes from around the Cincinnati area, she knew there was only one image that would do.

“As soon as I heard about the contest, I just knew Christmas at the Golden Lamb was perfect for it,” Hines said.

Hines was one of four artist to have a piece of artwork selected for M.Hopple and Co’s annual holiday card contest. Hines’s pen and watercolor rendering of the Golden Lamb, the famous Lebanon restaurant, has been turned into a greeting card for this holiday season.

“The image of the Golden Lamb at night has always inspired me,” Hines said. “I’ve also always loved the horse and carriage parade so I tried to incorporate that into the image as well.”

Hines spent about a month on the drawing, working from reference photos and spending an hour or two a day at her dining room table sketching.

“I used only one size of micro pen for the whole thing,” Hines said. “I was really surprised I could get the texture that I did. I wanted to give it an old-time look and I think I succeeded.”

Hines has always been interested in art but gave it up for a while in school. She picked the pen back up two years ago and mostly draws for fun and also illustrates stories written by her fiance, Chad.

“I try to do something artistic everyday,” said Hines who works as a pharmacy technician. “I’d love to be able to make a living out of it.”

M. Hopple’s has held a greeting card contest for the past six years, each year selecting a different theme.

“The Golden Lamb fit perfectly with our theme of local neighborhoods and communities,” said store owner Mary Hopple. Hopple said close to 50 people entered the contest this year and in year’s past as many as 100 have tried out.

“We work through a group called ArtWorks to put out a call to artist and get information about the contest out there,” Hopple said.

Card sales will benefit Breakthrough Cincinnati, a local nonprofit organization that helps high-potential, under-resourced middle school students succeed academically and inspires talented older students to consider careers in education by providing opportunities to mentor and teach.

Hines said she was totally surprised and elated when she was told she won in October.

“I bought a bunch, so did my mom and my grandma,” Hines said. “Basically, our whole family will be sending out the same greeting cards this year.”

Hines’ card is available for sale the M. Hopple & Co. store located at 7920 Hosbrook Road in Maderia as well as at the Golden Lamb.

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