RIM : Why did you choose these specific Rhode Island images ?
FL : Rhodeside Attractions was born out of doodles I started when I was bored at the beach . ( I ’ m not really a beach guy .) The “ At the Beach ” image from one of the notecards is a cleaner version of these original doodles . I thought about summer in Rhode Island , then added images that were more specifically RI — Del ’ s Lemonade , Dari Bee ice cream , the East Bay Bike Path — and it went from there . Because Rhode Island has so many iconic sights , I started to look for things people would instantly recognize like the Big Blue Bug , Hope Diner in Bristol , the wind turbines on the Providence River , the Newport bridge and the Narragansett Towers . I created the ballpark illustration for my colleagues after we attended a PawSox game at McCoy Stadium , where we were guests of the team and gave on-air interviews . I thought it would be a nice memento from before the team became the WooSox ( in true RI fashion — like where the Almacs or Ann and Hope used to be ). Conversely , I thought that the new Providence River pedestrian bridge would be cool to draw , as a new icon .
RIM : Could you tell us about the charitable component ?
FL : I have been with Hasbro Children ’ s Hospital for twentyseven years and have always proudly promoted the great work happening here . I have been even more involved with the hospital ’ s development efforts since becoming pediatric surgeon-in-chief . I decided to print the Rhodeside Attractions on notecards and make them available for purchase , with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Hasbro Children ’ s Hospital . I pictured selling them in the hospital gift shop and they are available there now and online at rhodeside . art .
Q & A
THE FUN NOTECARDS , FEATURING OCEAN STATE-CENTRIC VIGNETTES , BENEFIT HASBRO CHILDREN ’ S HOSPITAL , WHERE LUKS SERVES AS PEDIATRIC SURGEON-IN-CHIEF AND DIVISION CHIEF OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY WHEN HE ’ S NOT DRAWING . BY CASEY NILSSON
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY : When did you first become interested in art ?
DR . FRANCOIS LUKS : I ’ ve been told that when I was three years old , my pediatrician said to my mom , “ As long as he can hold a pencil , he ’ ll never be bored ” or something to that effect . I ’ m not sure if the story is true , but it “ feels ” true because I have always drawn .
RIM : You also are known for your medical illustrations . Could you share how art and medicine intersect in your life and at Hasbro ?
FL : I started teaching medical illustration ten years ago — first just to medical students and now to undergrad students as well . Many of my colleagues like to practice and show off their own skills . All physicians draw and it ’ s fun to try to get better at it . Drawing is a great communication tool for physicians because a picture is worth a thousand words of medical jargon .
Since the summer , the cards have already raised thousands of dollars for Hasbro Children ’ s Hospital . Cards are available online at rhode side . art , as well as Barrington Books in Barrington , the Providence Children ’ s Museum , Ohanga in Garden City and other locations .
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l APRIL 2022 67