HOT SPRINGS, Ark (KTHV) -- Lavender: the beautiful herb whose flowery aroma evokes a sense of peace, comfort and healing. The lovely plant has been used for centuries in teas, oils, perfumes, and more. Its brilliant violet hues are recognizable to anyone, the scent unforgettable.

It is not surprising, then, that Arkansas artist Alison Parsons would choose the lavender herb as the inspiration for her next series of paintings. Already inspired daily by plants in the Natural State and tropical flora from her residence in Seychelles, Parsons jumped at the chance to add lavender herbs to her repertoire of beautiful flower paintings.

She was recently invited by the Lavender Association of Western Colorado to paint the fields as the flowers bloomed in the mountains. The plein air method of painting allowed her to be immersed in the purple landscapes while she painted in the summery Colorado mountains.

July 11, 2011 (Little Rock, Arkansas) – The fastest growing fashion week in America, Little Rock Fashion Week (LRFW) heats up with NBC Miami star, Peter Bailey.

Bailey, host of NBC's Miami-based entertainment show NiteCap with Peter Bailey, will take center stage as he co-hosts the featured Posh Expression Fashion Experience on Saturday, July 16.  

"I've seen Brandon foster Little Rock Fashion Week from an idea into a movement to foster growth and opportunity in his native hometown," says Bailey. "I'm a fan of such innovation.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The fastest growing fashion week in America, Little Rock Fashion Week will be held July 11-16 in downtown Little Rock. This annual event will showcase collections of emerging local, regional and national clothing and jewelry designers, as well as the best of our region’s hairstylists, makeup artists and musical performers.

“In 2009, we made history. In 2010, we enhanced fashion. In 2011, we’re reinventing fashion trends,” says Brandon D. Campbell, Little Rock Fashion Week’s founder and executive producer.

Campbell continues: “A person who has experienced the previous Little Rock Fashion Weeks will recognize our transition. My team and I have pushed ourselves to create an atmosphere containing fashion and entertainment that has never been seen before. To be very frank, we are breaking all sorts of fashion show rules that I’m confident people will love and that will be followed after Little Rock Fashion Week 2011.