**Artist Haley McAndrews, of Denison, poses with the Herky she painted.** Submitted Photo

Local artist Haley McAndrews, of Denison, was chosen to paint one of the 100 new Herky on Parade statues revealed on May 1 in Johnston County.

McAndrews’ sculpture, titled “From Soil to Sky”, is on public display outside MacBride Hall on the University of Iowa campus. The design depicts a cross-section of a classic rural Iowan landscape – from rocks and dirt on Herky’s feet, through a layer of green corn field, up to a bright blue sky, and into a star-filled night.

The design was painted by hand by McAndrews with acrylic paint. She outlined everything with black lines, giving it an illustrated feel – a nod to McAndrews’ other work as an illustrator of children’s books.

McAndrews spent over 30 hours working on the sculpture over the course of 34 days in January and February of this year.

“It was a big undertaking for sure,” McAndrews said. “Herky is a big boy! He filled up all the space I had left in my studio!”

The Herky statues, made from hollow fiberglass, stand around 6 feet tall, nearly 5 feet wide, and weigh about 50 pounds.

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This year marks the 20th year of the Herky on Parade public statue project, as well as Herky’s 75th birthday.

For more details and step-by-step photos of McAndrews’ process while painting “From Soil to Sky,” check out her art blog at www.RedStoneArtStudio.com.

“It was a real honor to be chosen,” McAndrews said. “I’m very proud of my Herky and look forward to taking a trip to Iowa City to see him in his new spot.”

The statues will be on display until August. For a full list of all 100 statues from this year, a map of their locations, and more information on the project, visit www.HerkyonParade3.com.

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