Children using the pediatric gym at the Crittenton Hospital Outpatient Physical Therapy Center in Rochester have their own jungle to play in, compliments of Lake Orion artist Lynn Jensen Button.
Button, who grew up in Oxford and graduated from Oxford High School in 1989, was recently commissioned to design a mural for the gym at Crittenton after she painted designs for several of the mother/baby rooms there. She will also be designing an aquarium-themed mural for the hospital’s speech observation room.
‘I’ve always been artistic, since I can remember,? Button said. ‘I loved to draw, that was my past time.?
Button comes from an artistic family. Her brother is an architect and designed the home she and her husband Dave; along with sons Lukas, 8, and Logan, 3; live in on Cole Road.
‘My oldest son is an excellent little artist,? she said.
Button attended the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, studying graphic design for a year and a half before transferring to Kendell College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. She graduated from there with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Illustration in 1993, the same year she married Dave and moved to Lake Orion.
Button has done a lot of customized design work for clients such as homeowners, but said the Crittenton job was the biggest she’s done. She designed a jungle-themed mural for the pediatric gym because she wanted something the kids could get involved with.
‘I’ve done a lot of kids? rooms,? she said. ‘I did a jungle theme for my son’s room.?
The mural at Crittenton took her about a month and a half to complete.
‘It was all lifesize, with the scenery and animals. Each of the scenes are created with the children in mind,? she said. ‘Like monkeys in the tree by their climbing area…it inspires them.?
Button’s design talents extend well beyond jungles and animals. She has done all kinds of freelance work, including borders, floral scenes and abstract art.
‘I go into people’s houses and it’s all custom originals,? she said. ‘I also do photography and decorating. I didn’t care for painting in college, but then I painted my oldest son’s nursery and it snowballed from there.?
Button likes it when her clients give her the freedom to explore ideas. Some of her artwork is currently hanging in the Poppyseed Deli in downtown Lake Orion.
‘I can visualize things other people can’t,? she said. ‘The ideas come pretty quickly. A lot of times I’ll go to the library and look in the children’s section (for mural ideas).?
Lynn Jensen Button can be reached at 693-8185, or (248) 408-6044.