Many times it’s the tiny things in life that are the most precious.
That’s how artist Lori Joy Smith views her two young girls, Sosi, 6, and Ila, 2, who account for much of the illustrator’s inspiration.
It’s also how Hershey’s Canada feels about two small paintings the artist made of her children. Those photos resulted in the company awarding Joy Smith one of its five national Reese Minis Perfectly Tiny Awards.
“I think they’re (Sosi and Ila are) pretty excited about it all,” Joy Smith said Monday after being presented with the award.
The award came after Hershey Canada launched a country-wide search to coincide with the release of their new Reese Minis candy.
Sean Citrigno, spokesperson for the Reese “Perfectly Tiny” campaign, said that with the chocolates being the smallest Reese Peanut Butter Cups has ever released, about the size of a dime, the company wanted to find other small things in Canada it felt deserved recognition.
“We decided to look across Canada and see what else we had that was mini,” he said.
That’s where Joy Smith came in.
A children’s illustrator who began painting around the time Sosi was born, as a way to get more creative output, Joy Smith said she found the small, about four inches high, canvases while on a trip to Toronto.
She decided the small size would make for a unique painting of her two daughters.
“I like the preciousness of small things,” said Joy Smith. “They didn’t take too long (to paint).”
She added that she’d been contacted by the company well after she painted the two.
“I thought, why not? That sounds like fun,” she said.
Joy Smith received a trophy, a year's supply of the small chocolates and bragging rights with the award.
She’s the third to be honoured with the prize, as Hershey Canada has already made two out of five stops in B.C.
The first award was given to the population of Greenwood B.C., which was honoured as being the tiniest incorporated city in Canada, with of a population of just more than 600.
They also stopped in Prince George, B.C., to honour Mike McPherson, a fisherman who specializes in the tiny.
While the final two winners haven’t yet been revealed, Citrigno said those interested can keep checking the updated blog on www.perfectlytiny.ca to see them as they’re unveiled.
“The photos from Charlottetown will be up there as well,” he added.
Now working on a project for Kids Can Press, Joy Smith received her bachelor of fine arts from Concordia University and has been working as an illustrator since 2000.
Her work can be seen at Cottage Industry and Modern Home Décor on Grafton Street, or on her website, www.lorijoysmith.ca.
This is just great! So proud of you!!! Glad your talent is being recognized and that this publicity puts you "out there". Just watch for the cavities in my granddaughters!!! Love you lots, mom