This past weekend Brian and I were able to participate in a local fundraising event: SHRED: The Finale. SHRED was founded by Vic and his wife Tara. We met Vic at a Market at a brewery about 2 years ago. He told us about his skateboarding and the charity that he and some other older skateboarders founded. The charity raised money to gift to families with children with extraordinary disabilities, such as Spina Bifida by auctioning off skate decks with art by local artists. The wheels immediately started spinning.
I was determined to make a few pieces for auction so I created 2 original Mandalas, Floral Dreams and Kaleidoscope, that I burned into decks. I was really proud of them and I knew it was going to a good cause as 100% would go to the families of the kids with disabilities. I am happy to report that they both found good homes and I uncharacteristically approached both winners and asked to take a picture with them.
My inspiration for Floral dreams were spring meadows and the airy comforts of clouds and daydreams. I colored the flowers and highlights with color-shifting handmade watercolors by Emily Grace Palettes (@mily_grace_palettes). In comparison, Kaleidoscope has intricate shapes and intertwining lines that when you look at closely seem messy and too much. But like life, when you step back you get a clearer picture and you see the harmony and balance of all the lines, curves, and shapes. I loved creating the Mandalas and truly loved burning them.
Along with the pieces I donated for auction, I created 5 additional original pieces of work.
- The Antidote (oil pencils, sealed with polyurethane): Brian helped me design and create this piece. It prominently displayed a Plague Doctor, flowers, a top hat, and the words “The same ones who sell the panic sell the cure”. This was inspired by the events of 2020 and the chaos of the world during the pandemic. It was a huge hit at SHRED and it too found a home.
- Geometric Dreams: This is another original mandala. It is sharp shapes, with open spaces, reminiscent of geometry and the symmetry of geometric shapes.
- Arms of the Deep (India Ink for vibrant, permanent color, sealed it with polyurethane.): Brian designed this deck. He is a fan of horror and HP Lovecraft. He wanted a piece that reflected the eeriness of the deep and the legend of Cthulhu. I stippled the octopus, rather than shade it, to give it an interesting texture.
- Incandescent: We are a huge fan of Octopi in this house. They are extraordinarily strong and intelligent creatures. They can figure out puzzles and get themselves through holes so small you’d think “Nothing can get through it!” The deck represents perseverance to break free from something that seems impossible, even when you feel it is a losing battle, even when you think you are being chased by arms of darkness.
- Beautiful Afterlife: Death scares many, but it doesn’t always have to. Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of The Dead, is a Mexican holiday that welcomes the souls of loved ones who passed away by offering food, drink, and celebration. I created Beautiful Afterlife as a reminder that death is not the end and that maybe there really is a beautiful afterlife.
Beautiful Afterlife, Geometric Dreams, Arms of the Deep, and Incandescent are still available for sale and we’ll donate 15% of the sale back to SHRED.
The whole event was a blast. Brian got his face painted by the high schoolers raising money for charity. We met a ton of great people and, the biggest surprise, a young girl who was one of the recipients of the surgeries we were raising money for, took a keen interest in my work. Throughout the entire course of the day she hung out, watching me burn, giving me ideas, asking to help, and telling us in great detail her love for 80s hair metal.
Remember, what you put out into the universe always comes back to you! DO good, and I have faith it will return to you! And as always; Stay unique!
