I’m crossing the pond for good (or a few years at least). London shall be my new home as of January 2010 and none of my finished paintings are coming with me.  That’s great for you, because I’m selling everything at prices I haven’t listed since college.  That’s hard to stomach, but it’s working because there aren’t many left.

About 10 paintings are still available.  You can click here to see the PDF of my remaining inventory (disclaimer: I may not be able to keep the list updated immediately as things sell, so have patience). Please keep in mind that these prices do not include shipping.  If you’re in Louisville or Cincinnati (or somewhere in the drivable vicinity), we can arrange a face-to-face delivery.

So, got any London tips or people you want to introduce me to?

For 114 years, the Wildlife Conversation Society has endeavored to preserve wildlife and wildlife habitats around the world through science, wildlife park management, environmental conservation and education.

Their earliest accomplishment was helping the American bison population recoup in the Western Plains.  Today, they manage about 500 conservation projects in over 60 countries and more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, employing more than 200 scientists.  WCS also manages the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, which includes five New York City “living institutions.” These parks reach 4 million visitors each year and assist in educating millions of schoolchildren in science and conservation issues.

Here’s a comical video example of what park visitors would find at one of the New York City zoos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6fsLW8JQtA

The WCS website is equipped with templates for wildlife supporters to use in writing their congressman/woman about conservation issues.  You can also donate online to support their “commitment to protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity.”  That’s no small undertaking, for which I’m certain your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Ps- Take a look at another animal welfare group, Paw-Talk, that graciously republished this post.  Thanks for helping to spread the word.

While dropping off this portrait to my client (Gill Holland of the Green Building) I discovered a connection between the portrait and another project Gill has involved me in.  It turns out the children’s book I have been asked to contribute another piece of artwork to is dedicated to the subject of this portrait, his daughter Cora.

The book, “Louisville Counts! A Children’s Counting & Art Book,” is a project that assembled 22 artists to create unique, child-friendly pieces of art to accompany 22 pieces of Louisville trivia. Each piece corresponds with a specific number, from 0-21, encouraging the reader to count their way through the book using everything from Muth’s Candies to baseball bats to Olmsted parks and even disco balls. 

All 22 pieces will be on display September 4th - 25th at the Green Building Gallery and sold in a silent auction that runs for the duration of the show. All proceeds from all sales of the book, as well as the gallery’s share of the sales of the corresponding artworks, go directly to Art Sparks Interactive Gallery, the children’s gallery at The Speed Art Museum.

Participating artists include: Chris Radtke, Nico Jorcino, Jacob Heustis, Cynthia Reynolds, Natasha Sud, Monica Mahoney, Gibbs Rounsavall, Bryce Hudson, Amanda Bishop, J.B. Wilson, McKinley Moore, Julius Friedman, Lloyd Kelly, Russel Hulsey, Billy Hertz, Letitia Quesenberry, Thea Lura, Sarah Lyon, Valerie Fuchs, Skylar Smith, and Stephen Irwin.

I’ll be at the opening reception on Friday, September 4th, which is a First Friday Trolley Hop (for you wine moochers out there).  I hope to see you there.

11″ x 14″ oil on masonite board.
Email me at ashley.cecil at gmail.com for purchasing inquiries.
A donation from sold painting will be made to the Women’s Second Chance Scholarship Fund.

Gallery caption:

Project Women (now the Family Scholar House) provides housing to single mothers who are experiencing homelessness and supports them in obtaining a baccalaureate degree, thereby enabling them to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their children.

Although Aaliyah coming into this world is the best thing that ever happened to Stephanie, being a committed single mother left her unable to give adequate attention to her own needs, specifically her education.  Without her college degree, Stephanie knew finding employment that would afford them stable, sufficient income was not a reality.  Project Women has provided them with housing and given Stephanie the support she needs to pursue her degree full-time.

Stephanie’s quote in the painting:

I began to believe that this was a blessing designed specifically for me.  I am now in an environment that understands the importance of education and does everything possible to help keep me on track while I pursue my dreams.

For months, eleven artists have been creating beautiful street paintings designs with clients and staff from the nonprofit partners of the Norton Women’s Pavilion Champions 4 Her Festival.  These designs will be translated onto the sidewalk of Witherspoon at Water Front Park the morning of Saturday, June 20th, which coincides with a 5k walk/run.

Last year’s event and street paintings were a huge success.  The goal was to raise $100,000 for the participating nonprofit partners, but instead over $170,000 was allocated to the organizations.

Join us this year to see the street paintings unfold at your feet, participate as a walker/runner, and check out all of the educational/health booths.  You can register here for the 5k.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWhKGJkxaXM

And thank you to the artists for all of their hard work and service:

• Rebecca Baldwin
• Mary Margaret Carlton
• Sarah Hall
• Clare Hirn
• Ted Nathanson
• Mari’ Renn
• Cathy Shepherd
• Susie Slagbaugh
• Guy Tedesco
• Terry Wunderlich
• Mary Yates

Gallery caption:

Women 4 Women envisions our community as one of the best places for girls, women and their families to live and work.  This vision guides our mission, which is to dedicate ourselves to improving the health and economic well-being of women and girls by increasing awareness, expanding resources and creating solutions to strengthen our community.

Joi’s experience with Women 4 Women has been specific to their “Finance 4 Her” financial education program.  Joi started as a student, learning to more effectively manage her budget and save.  She now serves as an instructor/volunteer financial coach for the program.  Joi teaches other women how to gain the same financial independence she has established by securing their own finances.  She’s seen improvement in their quality life, as well as her own, by getting out of financial ruts, even while on the tightest budget.

Joi’s quote in the painting:

I’m going to start with this much and end with this much more.  When you write all of it down, it makes you realize what you can really do.

From the wonderful staff at Just Creations, Louisville’s International Fair Trade Marketplace:

On Saturday, May 9, noon-4, we join organizations from around the world to raise awareness about the need for and the benefits of Fair Trade.  Our special event features:

• Potting Activity for Kids & Adults: Just in time for Mother’s Day! Pick your herb, pick your pot. Plant it yourself or let the experts do it for you. While supplies last. Suggested donation - $7
• Jeneen Wiche Container Gardening Presentation at 1pm. Jeneen will talk about creating interesting containers, with emphasis on starting out right with the right container, right soil mixture, and right plants for the site. Jeneen will also offer tips on how to make your garden more sustainable. Admission is FREE, but reservations are suggested.
• Herb Planter Raffle - We’ve got a special pot with kitchen herbs planted up just for you! Raffle tickets are available through May 9. $1 each or 7 for $5. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to “Planting for the Future,” an environmental education program in Haiti that helps students learn how to plant and care for tree seedlings, improve the soil and deal with trash, one of the region’s most visible problems.

Special thanks to Thieneman’s Herbs & Perennials for partnering with us by providing herbs for our event and raffle.

Just Creations
www.justcreations.org
2722 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
502-897-7319
info@justcreations.org