I must get to bed soon and get back to work in the morning after a very lovely, springy and un-Cape like school vacation week. I am playing around with the look of the blog as anyone can see and I think it is still a work in progress. But I should post a few things before I do.
One thing I should mention, now that I have changed the tag line, is that I generally donate 10% of all purchases to Habitat For Humanity. That is where the “helping the housing issues” comes in. For a long time I was somewhat conflicted about the fact that I wanted to make art: “Why do I feel compelled to “make pretty pictures?….it doesn’t cure cancer, feed the hungry or solve any other really significant world problem. How can I justify this?” Then I sort of has an epiphany: I can indirectly help in some way by how I use my art. So by and large I give part of the proceeds to Habitat. Right now I am directing the monies specifically to be used on the current Women’s Build project because I find myself short of time to actually work on the construction. (You can restrict the donations in such a way, if you wish.) Occasionally, I will give the money to another cause. For example, my most recent sale being to the Executive Director of another important non-profit organization involved in hunger causes, I donated to the organization she runs instead. Seemed only reasonable to do so. And both food and shelter are very basic needs and both really critical for many neighbors right here on the Cape.
While I am plugging good causes, I might as well mention the Evening of Purpose at Ocean House in Dennisport on June 1st. www.oceanhouserestaurant.com It is an auction, dinner and raffle for Autism Speaks. Janet Hart-Barbato, who owns the Ocean House, kept hoping that someone would do something on Cape Cod for the organization, then realized she would have to be the person to do it. It’s a cause that touches my family directly, too. So I have therefore not only donated a piece to the auction but ended up begging more donations from artists and others. Still time to join me if you want….
