In her quest for a cover illustration for her book
“Two Sons: Twice Born,” Hilda Moore looked to the place that her sons loved dearly, their alma mater Darlington School.
“We think so much of this school that I felt someone from Darlington’s art department should do the cover,” Moore said.
The memoir – which chronicles Moore’s life and the tragedy she has faced with the loss of both of her sons, her husband, and two bouts with cancer – is remarkably positive and uplifting considering the pain and heartache out of which it was born.
“There are no words to describe the pain I’ve felt,” Moore said. “I’ve searched the dictionaries over and over, and the words just don’t exist. But the Lord wouldn’t let me have any peace until I wrote this book.”
When it came time to choose a cover, Moore contacted Mary (Hight) Sawhill (’96), director of planned giving, to discuss the possibility of using a student artist. Soon, Moore met with senior Adrienne Hamil to discuss her vision for the artwork.
“I wanted the illustration to engender the characteristics and personalities of my sons, Reyn and Tom, and it does that perfectly,” Moore said. “Once we talked and Adrienne perceived this image, her creative genius prevailed. She completely surpassed my expectations.”
Hamil painted a watercolor of the boys on the bank of a small body of water known as Two Run Creek, which was located on the Moore family farm.
“I’m a field and stream girl, and I grew up on an 1840s plantation in Newnan, Ga., so I was pretty familiar with the type of location Mrs. Moore described,” Hamil said. “When I first began the project, I was intimidated because I don’t feel that watercolor is my strongest suit. I did two different versions of the painting, and the second time it turned out so much better.”
Hamil added that she is excited for the book’s release later this winter. “I feel like a lot of doors have opened for me,” she said. “I am thinking about studying marketing and advertising in college, and Darlington has given me a great opportunity to do so many different projects that play into that. Last year, I took a graphic design class that I loved. I've also been able to design posters and T-shirts for campus events. And now there’s this book cover. It has all been so much fun.”
Moore said her book is currently in the printing phase, and she hopes it will be in stores by mid-March.
“I’m not looking to make money, and I don’t want anything back,” she said. “All I want is peace … and to help others. I want to be a light for someone else. Don’t cry for me. I miss my boys and my husband, but we’ll be together again.”
