When Art Touches
In the fall of 2018, I was in New York talking with a long-time friend and colleague who told me about a fundraiser he was working on to support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. “St. Jude’s”, he explained, “spends $2.2 Million a day.” Having been hospitalized twice as a child, I knew I wanted to participate. Almost immediately the idea of creating a piece of art specifically for the auction came to me. Right after that, I knew I would somehow include the childhood craft of “paper dolls” – folded paper that is cut to make a chain of dolls.
When I got back to Atlanta I found a large piece of graffiti from the Krog Street Tunnel that was brightly colored and thick enough to handle being carved. A thick piece of graffiti can be made of a hundred layers of spray paint – it can withstand being handled. First, I needed to draw the dolls. It took many attempts to get the shape right. But it took many, many more tries to learn how to carve the fragile graffiti chip without it breaking. Eventually, I settled on a curved X-Acto blade and patience. Years of spray paint also include years of vehicle emissions. So, I had to wear a respirator as I painstakingly carved out the paper dolls, saving the hearts to include and the beginning and end of the chain of dolls.
I painted the board with cream and grey acrylic paint that I built up to give a texture to the background. The first resin pour was tinted silver and I floated the paper dolls in it. The final layer of clear resin was thinly poured over the entire piece which allowed the chips of graffiti to show through. The finished piece is 24” by 36”.
Boxing it up and shipping it to New York was a little sad for me. I knew it was going to a great cause, but this was a piece I truly poured my heart and soul into. The auction was several days away; all I could do was wait and hope someone would bid on it. I have to admit to contemplating buying it myself. Once the auction was over I learned that two individuals had gotten into a bit of the bidding war and the piece sold for $1475, more than the retail price. The winning bidder turned around and donated the piece to the Kids for Kids Foundation! My heart grew three times.
As an artist, we all hope that our work has an impact on the viewer. To know that someone was moved to donate so much to the foundation was so validating and touching. But fast forward 15 months and I learned the true meaning of “touched”. I received an email from the development coordinator for Kids for Kids, Danielle Romain: “Two years ago, you donated the most beautiful piece of artwork to our Winter Ball benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital titled ‘Hearts and Hands’. Your artwork inspired us to make a new logo – and was wondering if you could help us out with it or know of anyone.” Guys, I BALLED. Of course, I would help! I’m not a graphic designer, but I was referred to a website, 99Designs.com, to find one. Based on the desires of the foundation, I prepared a designed brief and solicited designs from over 25 designers on the site. Working with Danielle, we chose the designs from one contributor, Rinta, who I learned was a father of three daughters. Rinta created several drafts for us and was so patient as I worked through this process for the first time.
I am so tickled to share the new logo and the original piece!
