Today, I want to share something very special with you. This is something I've had in the works for a while, but only just recently finished putting the final touches on and have gone "live" with.
I did promise to show you how I've combined my passion for autism awareness with my passion for art. That's what my current project is all about.
(click on any of the pictures for a larger view)
CLICK HERE to find out how to get this great piece of artwork and support Autism Support Daily at the same time!
There's a love for painting in my family. My great-grandfather on my maternal grandfather's side was an amazing artist and painter. He spent hours in his basement painting and also painted signs for local businesses. My great-grandfather on my paternal grandmother's side was also an artist and painter. He painted the beautiful landscapes of his country of Germany.
I grew up loving anything to do with art supplies. I am most comfortable with a paintbrush or colored pencils in my hand. I always asked for art supplies as a kid......whenever a birthday or Christmas came up, art supplies were at the top of my wish list. I was always drawing and painting. This love has continued into adulthood.
My children have inherited this same love and passion for art.
My daughter loves the arts. She is just like me when I was a child. Girly (yes, she DOES have a real name - it's Elise - pronounced Ee-LEE-za, which is the German pronunciation and is also my grandmother's name) enjoys sitting at my desk cutting and pasting away. It's amazing that a simple set of watercolors can make her feel like someone has just handed her a treasure chest. In the eyes of a child, and in the eyes of those that still have the heart of a child, a simple set of watercolors IS a treasure chest.
Zach also loves to draw and paint. I can't even begin to tell you how much paper we go through in this house. I'm forever finding drawings all over the house. Of bugs, of planes, of dinosaurs, even of the sequence of dreams he has the night before. Many of you may remember the amazing painting Zach created at the bottom of this post ---> HERE. I'm so thrilled that both of my children have inherited both the passion for art, as well as the talent for it.
Someone asked me in a blog comment what I liked to paint and my favorite medium. I love to use acrylic paints. Right now, my favorite thing to work on is stretched canvas. And right now, I'm really enjoying working with a whimsical style.
My family and my life are my inspiration for many of the things that I create. And because my family and life are my inspiration, I created this 16 x 20" canvas to benefit Autism Awareness.
As much as I feel connected to this piece of art, I didn't create this to hang in my home, but to hang in someone else's home. I don't know who that person is yet, but I know they're out there somewhere.
This piece is available on Ebay here ---> "Love Rocks" on EbayAutism Support Daily - and 90% of the final auction bid will go to benefit an organization that is "dedicated
to empowering, supporting and educating families and friends of
children with autism as well as individuals with autism by providing
guidance, support, informational resources and family-oriented
activities, in addition to financial assistance for medical,
educational or professional services, treatments or programs for those
with autism, while building a heightened public and professional
awareness of the challenges faced, with emphasis on enabling those with
autism to achieve independent living." (from autismsupportdaily.com)
I'm planning to have a new piece of artwork up on Ebay every week or two, either created by myself, or by my son, Zach, to help to raise both awareness and funds for Autism.
To take part in this auction, click here ---> "Love Rocks" on Ebay