Art for a Reason - Donating to Causes
I believe we all can help make this a better world and that each and every one of us can have a positive influence upon the future. My means of expression is through my art and I want it to go further than the canvas—I want to have it put into real action through the various groups that are striving for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. Ideally, I would like to see the end of racism, sexism, and the abuse of people and the environment.
Many issues that the media presents are laden with fear and meant to stimulate hate and war and greed, and many people fall into that trap. I believe one of the roles of the artist is to reveal such prejudice and strive to counteract it, or at the least encourage dialogues that are necessary for understanding between people. I endeavor to do this in my work and have chosen to pass on contributions to the groups that are attempting to facilitate change. I have chosen to correlate the subject matter of my work with designated groups, enabling this “art for a reason” to contribute both to ongoing dialogs about civil rights and environmental well-being as well as helping organizations that put these dialogs into action.
For my most recent show: My Stealthy Freedom—In Support of the Women of Iran, I will give more than artistic tribute by donating to Amnesty International, a leading human rights advocacy organization. I pondered on an appropriate group for the erotic oils and watercolors and it made sense that funds go to Planned Parenthood, a group that works to ensure equal access to healthcare, including reproductive education and services globally. A percentage of the sales of all other water colors will benefit Water Aid, to promote access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. Proceeds from paintings addressing the conflict between Israel and Palestine will go to IPCRI - Growing Together, a group founded 37 years ago by a conceptual artist that seeks to build practical and peaceful solutions in the Middle East. Their “Growing Together” project is of particular importance, as it addresses water, a critical and threatened natural resource we all need to survive. Other work that deals with the environment will produce donations to Washington Wild, a local environmental group working to protect and expand wilderness areas, and The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation organization doing cutting edge environmental advocacy and adaptation projects. I hope by calling attention to these issues and doing what I can to contribute monetarily to them will help make this a more humane world that may be able to overcome environmental degradation.
Many issues that the media presents are laden with fear and meant to stimulate hate and war and greed, and many people fall into that trap. I believe one of the roles of the artist is to reveal such prejudice and strive to counteract it, or at the least encourage dialogues that are necessary for understanding between people. I endeavor to do this in my work and have chosen to pass on contributions to the groups that are attempting to facilitate change. I have chosen to correlate the subject matter of my work with designated groups, enabling this “art for a reason” to contribute both to ongoing dialogs about civil rights and environmental well-being as well as helping organizations that put these dialogs into action.
For my most recent show: My Stealthy Freedom—In Support of the Women of Iran, I will give more than artistic tribute by donating to Amnesty International, a leading human rights advocacy organization. I pondered on an appropriate group for the erotic oils and watercolors and it made sense that funds go to Planned Parenthood, a group that works to ensure equal access to healthcare, including reproductive education and services globally. A percentage of the sales of all other water colors will benefit Water Aid, to promote access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. Proceeds from paintings addressing the conflict between Israel and Palestine will go to IPCRI - Growing Together, a group founded 37 years ago by a conceptual artist that seeks to build practical and peaceful solutions in the Middle East. Their “Growing Together” project is of particular importance, as it addresses water, a critical and threatened natural resource we all need to survive. Other work that deals with the environment will produce donations to Washington Wild, a local environmental group working to protect and expand wilderness areas, and The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation organization doing cutting edge environmental advocacy and adaptation projects. I hope by calling attention to these issues and doing what I can to contribute monetarily to them will help make this a more humane world that may be able to overcome environmental degradation.