Painting for Causes

When my Interior Design Company slowed down in 2009 due to economy my husband had just been hired with the State of Michigan Unemployment Division giving me with the ability to use my artistic skills to help with important causes.

It began when I reunited with dear friends from my youth, getting together reminiscing and updating to current. A friend having a grandson affected with Autism asked if I could donate a painting to help with this fundraiser. Without hesitation I said yes and a friend that shared art classes from youth joined in to create a wonderful painting titled "Friendship Trees Reuniting" to help raise funds for Ian. This was truly a gift that God helped in creating.

Shortly after I found myself wanting to help more and felt a higher power guiding me. Lapeer, Mi. Relay for Life appeared and I created another special painting "Path for a Cure" to help the American Cancer Society. A short time later a great childhood neighbor came to me about a fundraiser for helping the Elderly in Oakland County, Mi. thus creating the painting " Reaching Out" that is now their Logo.

Joining the Lapeer Art Association back in 2009 was such a great outlet for me to connect with other artists and get involved in my community. Art on the Town 4-H of Lapeer, Mi. was asking local artists to create art to help the children in the 4-H program. That is when I created "The Arts of Lapeer" a painting of Downtown Lapeer with my Favorite places, Gallery 194 and the PIX Theater! This painting came in 3rd place and received a great bid for the cause!

Last year while on a volunteer shift at Gallery 194 in Lapeer, Mi. a Vietnam Veteran came in looking for artists to help create a wall mural for VFW Post 4139. Without hesitation I organized some artist friends to create a wonderful mural named "Coming Home" to Honor all who have served for our great Country! They had a wonderful dedication the beginning of Sept. I cannot express how good it feels to use the gifts you have to help others with important causes.

I hope to continue to use my artistry talents to help in causes that are dear to my heart in the future, but may have to take a break and reinstate my Design Business for my Husband was laid off last August from the State of Michigan. He has been diligently looking for work and needs me to step back into the work force.