In Addition To Art

It's Triathlon Season in Florida!
I have been training for four months for the Danskin Women's Triathlon which comes to Orlando every year on Mother's Day. I have competed in this race twice before, and my goal is to beat my own time and to come in at a respectable place in my age group. I have been seriously training for the past four months in preparation for this race, and I can't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day morning!

The race takes place at Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds at Disney. My family and I will head down there on Friday afternoon and spend the weekend. It's so much easier to just walk down to the beach on race morning than to have to deal with getting up at 4am, driving and taking the bus to the parks.

The Danskin Women's Triathlon is a sprint distance race, that means it's half of an Olympic distance. It's a half mile swim, a 12 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. This race has been inspiring female athletes, novice and expert, for over 20 years. The first year I did this race I did it with my sister Aimée who talked me off the couch and into a lifestyle of swim, bike, run that she herself had been enjoying for years. These days I'm addicted to triathlon training and I have her to thank for it.

This race is the largest and longest running triathlon series in the world and it will be in seven US cities including Orlando. Check it out, you might be able to compete in one near you. A portion of monies raised go to Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Sally Edward's Team Survivor Foundation who's goal is to return fitness and health to women who have received a cancer diagnosis.

Training is always better when you have a specific goal to work toward. So what will I be working toward come Monday? My goal is to compete in a full or Olympic distance triathlon here in Orlando on July 10th, three days before my 43rd birthday! A new year, another new experience. Living life to the fullest.

Art With Heart; Raising Money for Cherie

Indian Paintbrush #1 and #2 purchased by Andrew for Cherie

If you are new to this blog you must know that since last September I've been trying to help out a friend who was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a car accident. See her stories here.

Recently I received photos and a couple of emails from a VERY generous man who purchased two Indian Paintbrush paintings from me when I offered them for sale with all of the profits going to Cherie and her family.

Andrew has had hard times in his life when he was down on his luck and did not know where he was going to get money to pay his rent. He lost his job and at times lived day-to-day. Andrew's mother raised him with an appreciation for art and music that he never forgot, even in hard times.

I am a fan of the band Cake and through their newsletter I found out that they were coming to Orlando. I went online to purchase my tickets and out in the right hand column, I clicked "like" and left a comment that I was a big fan. Andrew is also a big fan of Cake, and he does not live in Orlando, he lives all the way on the other side of the country in CA! He saw my comment in the side bar and decided to follow my art links. Andrew found my blog, saw my Cherie story and was touched, he wanted to help. Just at the time Andrew landed on my blog, I had put a wildflower collage up for sale for Cherie. The original collage sold to the trauma nurse at the hospital who cared for Cherie for over a month. I told Andrew that I would offer a second piece for the same reduced price, with 100% of the money also going to Cherie.

Wildflowers #2 Purchased for Cherie by Crista

Andrew and I communicated back and forth and ultimately he picked TWO pieces he wanted to purchase, Indian Paintbrush #1 and #2. This was a BIG deal for Andrew because it was a LOT of money to spend in one fell swoop, especially for someone who had experienced money troubles and knew how easy it was to loose your job in today's economy. This was also a BIG deal for Cherie and her family, as Andrew purchased two paintings and Crista had already purchased the first one. And it was a big deal for me because I was using my art sales for my very best childhood friend.

Andrew emailed me with some of the most kind words about my art that I have ever received and I wanted to share them with you.

OMG, amazing.  I love the art so much that words can't articulate.  It is what art is - something that you sense and feel and experience.  And I love it.  I am so, so glad I followed my instincts and got over my fears (which I told you about) and went for it.  When I take in art that speaks to me, I can feel it in my gut and my heart and my head and my eyes.  And I am experiencing all of that now.  Art is such a trip that way with me...

I said I can't explain but I'm trying but certainly failing anyway.  So perhaps I should express gratitude.  Thank you for being you and being so nice and patient and generous.  Artists such as yourself, or CAKE or whoever make this world a much better place.

Sincerely,

Andrew

Ultimately Andrew shared one of the paintings with his mother, since she was the one who taught him his appreciation of art and music. He was hesitant to tell me that he had split up the set, but I think giving one to his Mom was really very appropriate.

Indian Paintbrush #1 at Andrew's Mom's house

Indian Paintbrush #2 from Andrews perspective!

"I love it there as it is the last thing see at night and the first thing I see in the morning.  I love it at least as much, maybe even more, than when I opened the box."

I'm teaching a workshop this weekend in Atlanta and if I have said it once to my students, I have said it 10 times, the generosity of others never ceases to amaze me. I have been graciously given art supplies, papers, postage stamp collections, old style Starbucks bags, hand painted papers, and cancelled envelopes all the way from Greece to name a few. Artists even donated their work to Art With Heart my fundraising book for Cherie.

Most recently a friend from our hometown has offered to donate proceeds from a wonderful product he invented, to Cherie's charitable trust. Traveler-ER's PERFECT card is something that everyone and anyone can use to store their medical records and emergency contacts on a tiny USB drive, right in their wallet. Please check it out and remember to use the promo code that gives you free shipping and handling, and makes sure that the money goes to Cherie.

Cherie and I on her birthday

Thanks to EVERYONE who has helped me support Cherie. I have to tell you that just last week her sister in law told me that she has some NEW MOVEMENT in her forearms, we are very excited about the possibilities of this.

Not So Black Lab Commission

the sketch on wood panel

The CEO of Full Sail University here in Orlando was taken with my art when "Poised Peacock" appeared on the cover of Winter Park Magazine (that's my cover art you see on their home page) this year. His assistant contacted me about "Over The Moon" but it was already sold.

About a month ago the CEO's wife contacted me about doing a portrait of her husband's dog Mario as a birthday gift. I asked for some good photos but could not get any that really portrayed Mario's facial features. We arranged for me to meet Mario in person and my husband Doug Nelson took reference photos for me to work from. We worked hard to get Mario to sit still!

Doug's photo of Mario

Doug got several good shots and I decided to use this 3/4 view but to turn his eyes to be more facing and engaging the viewer. I loved the way his red collar looked against his dark fur and so I decided to make the background red as well and to frame the final piece in black reclaimed barn wood.

One thing my friend and fellow artist Kim Santini has taught me is how to portray black dogs in blue so that they have more character and more color. After all, her blog is "A Dog A Day" so if anyone knows about not so black labs, it's her. Kim was so generous, even sharing the suggestion of prussian blue and other colors on her palette with me. 

Mario in the under-painting stage

The client was thrilled with this under-painting photo which I sent for approval. Once I get a thumbs up at this phase I dive right into collage. I try to stick to the guides of color and shading I have established in my under-painting with the papers. Luckily I had a lot of blue/purple/gray hand painted papers on hand.

Mario completed 

I pumped up the red in the finished piece and gave it some texture by mark making with Derwent InkTense pencils. When I delivered the work to the client she said that it looked just like Mario and that her husband just loved that dog and she was sure he would love this portrait. 

I'm always happy to have a happy client and a happy ending. Mario the not so black lab was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed working in alternate colors to black and trying to highlight the blue/purple tones.

Dynamic Duos

click to enlarge

The oversized postcards for Dynamic Duos Celebrations Gallery arrived and they look great. Many thanks to Jackie for putting my collaborative piece with Robin Maria Pedrero "A New Take on Cake" on the top left!

Robin and I shared our detailed process and the works here on the blog and on facebook. One of several collaborations, but our first time to actually have worked on the sames pieces.

 

If you live anywhere near Pomfret Center, please stop by the Gallery and Shoppes, they have recently opened a beautiful tea room on the premises where you can sample some unique blends and sweet treats. They are offering monthly themed afternoon teas from 2-5pm and reservations are required.

click to enlarge

Cherie's Progress

It's been a while since I posted about Cherie's progress. For those of you who are new to this blog, you can catch up on the story of my childhood friend who was paralyzed in a life changing car accident on September 30th, 2010 from previous posts.

I have asked you to make and send cards and notes to her, first at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and then at Shepherd Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Center. I have asked you to consider contributing to or purchasing a copy of the book that I created for her on Blurb, with proceeds going to her family.

I'm still trying to help raise money for Cherie and her family. Cherie has no health insurance, she is not married and has no children. Her sister and brother have quit their jobs in order to provide 24-hour care for her in Vero Beach, FL in the home of her sister Sue.  They are still in need of simple things like a front door ramp, widened doorways, a shower chair, and other adaptive equipment as Cherie is paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Recently I reconnected with an old friend from our hometown, Tom Mihalek. Tom, Cherie and I all attended Westfield High School together. When I told Tom of Cherie's story, he wanted to help. Tom's sister was in a life threatening car accident when he was a kid and he remembered how hard it was on his family. It just so happens that Tom Mihalek owns a company that makes a health care related product. This product is the PERFECT Card©, a Portable Electronic Records For Emergency Care and Treatment. Basically this USB card (MAC and Windows compatible) is YOUR portable records protected and in the palm of your hand. Click here to view the emergency records report.

TravelerER has a very special offer, they are willing to donate 100% of proceeds of this product to Cherie's charitable trust fund.

Please click to enlarge the letters here from Tom Mihalek and learn a bit more about his product and how he plans to share the proceeds with Cherie. The offer for you is FREE SHIPPING AND HANDLING when you utilize the CS2011 promo code. This code also signifies that your purchase proceeds will be applied to the Cherie Stannard charitable trust.

Our goal is to sell 1000 pieces! Spread the word to family and friends. This is a great product for a wonderful cause.

BUY IT NOW!
and use promo code CS2011

In Addition to Art

Anyone who has watched my inspirational video by Growing Bolder knows that in addition to art, I like to think of myself as athletic. This morning my husband and I completed the Columbia Muddy Buddy at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Disney World, FL. What a great time and a great cause!

All proceeds from this race series go to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helps people with physical disabilities, including many of our wounded veterans, prepare for an active lifestyle and participate in competitive athletics. Some amazing men who returned from Iraq without legs were there to show us all that where there is a will, there is a way! They all had "running legs" on and they were not only competing in this obstacle course, run/ride... but all of them have done bigger, better races as well!

My husband and I really enjoyed our run/ride and obstacle course, including rope wall and mud pit this morning starting at 6am!

The Muddy Buddy is raising funds for a great cause, check out this informative CAF video on YouTube. They are bringing this race to 18 cities this year, check their website to see if it will be coming to your area!

In the mean time, check out my Facebook Fan Page for an album awesome down and dirty photos from today.

An Inspiration

Bob Cline, a 7th grade science teacher at Dr. Henry W. Karrer Middle School in Dublin, Ohio sent me this letter along with photos of his student's "Paper Paintings" bird collages this week. Each of his students chose a bird to research and visually display using art. They were presented three artists with unique styles and many of them gravitated toward my work (I was in company with Audubon and Charley Harper!). the students used classroom scraps to create with and boy did they come up with some wonderful birds!

Thank you Bob for taking the time to send me such a wonderful letter and photos which I will put in my brag book binder!
Please view the album of the kids work on my Facebook Fan Page!