During the holiday season, we feel great joy in giving. Whether it's in finding a perfect gift for a loved one, or sharing with those in need, our hearts overflow into our actions.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could give both ways at once?
We can.
Art for 1000 Wells is an international group of Artists and Artisans, who came together to participate in a 10-day eBay auction, from Saturday, November 24th, to Tuesday, December 4th, 2007. For ten days, these artists offered their original artwork and crafts at auction, with the common goal of raising funds to benefit Blood:Water Mission's Thousand Wells Project.
Founded by the members of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay, Blood:Water Mission is a non-profit organization which strives to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, through providing clean water solutions in African communities, supporting medical facilities, and promoting community and worldwide involvement. The goal of the 1000 Wells Project is to provide one thousand wells to one thousand African communities.
“We hold fast to the conviction that we are all responsible for being good stewards of our time, our resources and our compassion in a broken world,†quotes the Blood:Water Mission website. “Every person has something to give in return for what has been received.â€
The 1000 Wells Project connects people from all across the globe, and Art for 1000 Wells is a perfect example of this. Hailing from several countries, the individual artists and artisans each have their own personal challenges in life, yet are still reaching out to help others.
Working with eBay’s auction and fixed price formats, the artists offer their original work for sale online, and contribute a portion of the profits to Blood:Water Mission. Holiday shoppers may go to eBay.com, and enter the keyword term TWBW (Thousand Wells Blood Water) into the search bar, to find original items for sale. The creations include such one-of-a-kind items as artwork and fine-art photography. Each item will be as unique as the artist who created it.
Water is life. A thousand wells will save uncountable lives. Art for 1000 Wells invites shoppers to search “TWBW†on eBay this holiday season, and give the gift of original art. With one purchase, you will really be giving twice.
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I'm a writer and artist currently living on the coast of California. I've written andillustrated my own stories since before I knew how to spell. (Now I have spellcheck.)I'm mostly self-taught. Having come from a homeschooled background, I naturally leaned toward self-study in my writing and artwork.
Four years ago, my family and I survived chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. Varying levels of carbon monoxide were being emitted by household appliances, without our knowledge, for a year and a half. By the Grace of God, the problem was discovered--the home inspector who did so literally saved our lives. However, the experience left us with long-term damage. For myself, that includes a tremor in my hands, memory loss, hindered thinking ability, and bouts with depression and fatigue. All of which make my career as a writer, artist, and businesswoman an uphill battle every day.
Ever since that time, my family and I have become committed to raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. We regularly encourage others to have their homes tested, to install detectors, and to learn about the symptoms--so they can even recognize them in others. I blog about the subject periodically, and I welcome readers to check out my posts for more information. Be safe!!
As a writer, I am currently working on the first installment in a series of mystery novels--which are a collaboration with my sister, teen photographer Stacy J-M Taylor. What began as a diversion to pass the time during our rehabilitation from the CO poisoning has now evolved into a deep, exciting series with a modern-day setting, and an off-edge mix of funny banter, mysterious intrigue, and suspenseful action. This is what we get when the two of us put our heads together. Stacy contributes character development and plot ideas, and I put them together with my own thoughts and typing fingers. It's taken us four years to get here, but now we're on a roll.
12/17 STATUS REPORT ON BOOK ONE IN THE SERIES:
Title: Decided, TBA
Word Count: Currently being tallied
Completion Date: Early 2008
Not much information, is it? Well, after all...it's a mystery. :);) WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FURTHER UPDATES.
In the meantime, I'm keeping a running blog that is filled with all the latest news about my art, charity auctions, writing, and technology adventures, plus whatever thought happens to cross my mind at the time. I also have a gallery of artwork there, which is going to undergo a major renovation shortly. I welcome you to come by and visit!
As an artist, my first medium of choice has always been the pencil--I love to draw, with a focus on figures. Colored pencil allows me to draw with color, and paint with a pencil. I enjoy experimenting with this medium, and am a contributing author to the Colored Pencil Art website.
Soft drawing mediums such as pastel, graphite, and charcoal offer wonderful opportunities to explore possibilities.
Next in line (literally) is ink. A great deal of my art explores the technique of pen-and-ink, whether on its own, or paired with watercolor or colored pencil. Ink allows me to hearken back to my graphic novel roots. I still think my artwork always looks better with an outline.
Not to be restricted to drawing, I also paint--watercolor, acrylic, and oils each have their own blessings and frustrations, and I have a great time taking that challenge.
Examples of my work vary in size from a ten-foot-tall stained glass window in a Midwestern church, to miniature ACEOs--or Artist's Cards Editions and Originals, collectible miniature art the size of trading cards: 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches--in private collections all around the world.
Present in all my recent artwork is my signature Mousie. He can be found hidden within each drawing...and somewhere on this very page, as a matter of fact.
I am selling my original artwork on eBay as 'mousewords.' My subjects are eclectic, and may change from abstract to Victoriana within the week. I follow where the Spirit guides me, so I never know where the day will take me. I welcome everyone to stop by and visit my auctions!