giving back

I think it's important to find a way to give back when you can. And I think it's often easier to do than most people imagine. You do not have to write a giant oversized check to a good cause. Sometimes it can be just a donation of your time. Volunteer organizations always need extra hands. Earlier this year I donated a piece of artwork to the Town Theatre project in my town. This is a project near and dear to my heart and I've worked on saving this theatre for the last couple of years. But that's a story for another day. It's the end of March, and we're all thinking Spring is around the corner - despite getting another snowfall this morning.

April is Autism Awareness Month. 

Truly, it is no cause for celebration in my house. Thing 1 is on the severe end of the spectrum. Everyday, every single day, we are very Aware of Autism. April is his birthday month. He will be 15 this year. Where did my tiny little monkey go? 

My sweet little monkey aka Thing 1, age 2

He's a big kid now. A big massive, hulking kid, although still very small for his age. He doesn't know his own strength. He's non-verbal and not quite potty trained. Thing 2 wishes his brother was more fun to play with. Thing 2 often wishes he has his own room on nights when Thing 1 just can't seem to settle down.  Yes, we are all quite Aware of Autism here.

Each year for April, I try to give back. I donate 10% of my sales for the month to the National Autism Association. Locally, the NAA offers grants to families to help offset the never-ending high medical costs associated with caring for someone with autism. The NAA is also behind the Big Red Safety Box, tools for parents and caregivers to minimize wanderings, because kids who wander are often kids who die. Children on the spectrum do not recognize dangers. Thing 1 wandered away from school last December. It's scary. 

This year, I will be donating 10% for autism from all of my sales for the month of April, except for my latest work which will be at the Towle Theater in Hammond. This show was installed today! I will be donating 25% of sales from this show. 

at the Towle Theater

To find out more about my 10% for autism challenge, and where you can see my artwork, click over to my art blog.

To donate directly to NAA, please click here.

#twitterartexhibit

I'm going international.

I've joined the Twitter Art Exhibit: Moss. This is the third twitter art exhibit I've participated in, and the fifth exhibit overall. And since Moss is in Norway, I will now be referring to myself as an Internationally Exhibited Artist. I'm getting my business cards updated right now. 

Okay, not really. I could certainly put a sarcasm font to good use. 

One of the things I've enjoyed through the last few exhibits was searching the hashtag #twitterartexhibit on twitter to find new artists to follow. What an amazing group of talent being used for good. The twitter art exhibit is a charity exhibit. All artwork is donated by artists from all across the globe. Sales from this year's show will benefit Home-Start, Moss, a nonprofit organization helping families in need. Artists, there is still time to submit, if you'd like to go international, too. There will be an opening reception March 12th at Moss Library, which, sadly, I will not be able to attend. After the reception, unsold work will be available for purchase online. This space will be updated when artwork is available for purchase online.

If you're interested in seeing more of my artwork, please check out my art blog. My work will only be featured on So Essential sporadically.