Bob Welland: The artist behind our Kids section
by Dawn Crosson, owner
Bob Welland has been The Reston Letter's Kids section editor since February. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, he has lived in Reston for the past 25 years, working as an IT consultant for Accenture while raising a family with his wife. After retiring, Welland was looking for something new to pursue.
“I've admired journalism since I was the editor of my high school newspaper. Since I retired, I've been pursuing creative outlets. So when I heard about the Kids section editor opening, I jumped at the opportunity.”
Now, he has another reason to look forward to each issue. “I like getting each issue in the mail or walking by a stack of them in the library. It's nice to see all our combined work in print and being able to hold it in my hands.”
For the Kids section, Welland draws on his experience as a den leader for his son's Cub Scout troop. “I always liked to think of silly ideas for den meetings to keep them entertained. I try to make the Kids section something that kid-me would have liked, a cross between Highlights and MAD magazines.” His goal each month is simple: “I hope kids get a laugh and have some fun doing a puzzle.”
Welland recently won second place in both the amateur and People's Choice categories at Reston Town Center's Chalkfest in October. He has entered chalk festivals in Stafford and Reston for three years, refining his techniques for blending and matching colors. As with his work for the Kids section, he starts with a grid and focuses on each small square until the whole picture comes together.
Whether playing pickleball at Autumnwood, recreational ice hockey at SkateQuest or enjoying Reston's trails, Welland is always thinking up ideas for the Kids section. His latest creation has already delighted younger and older readers alike. “I've just started making comic strips about Reston's fuzziest superhero, Fair-Fox. I'm looking forward to inventing new adventures and side characters each month.”
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