Ashley Cecil

As of two days ago, I am scheduled to visit Venezuela this February with Witness for Peace.

Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, nationwide grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. WFP’s mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean.

I set a goal this year to begin international travel for my art-meets-social-activistism. I didn’t expect after a couple of weeks of making the commitment I would be getting vaccinations and making copies of my passport in preparation for an imminent first adventure. A friend, at the Louisville office of Sister Cities, brought a flier to a meeting we both attended earlier this week about the delegation to Venezuela. The itinerary by no means includes long walks on the beach and spa treatment. A few highlights of this trip will include:

• Meeting with labor organizers, scholars, professionals, business people, representatives of the media and activists to discuss the economic, social and political issues confronting Venezuelan society.
• Learning about grassroots resistance to unjust and devastating global economic trends.
• Discussing alternatives to current US policies and ways to advocate for more just policies towards Venezuela.

The images I will gather from this trip will certainly yield excellent material for my paintings. I will be creating watercolors while I’m away and posting them (as well as my commentary) whenever an internet cafe is available. I wouldn’t be surprised if paintings of Venezuela linger after I return home.

So, here I am just one month from my departure, and $2,000 needs to be raised. I’ve added the badge above to the sidebar so my readers can contribute with donations. I plan to save that space permanently for the donation badge as this trip is the first of many. I am already in the beginning phases of coordinating a trip to rural mountain villages of Guatemala soon thereafter.

If you’re not one to give without receiving, I am pre-selling paintings that will come as a result of this trip. 6″ x 9″ watercolors are $70, and 8″ x 10″ oils on canvas are $220. I encourage you to support my efforts in raising awareness about these issues and the organizations that are working to resolve them by clicking on the donation badge to the right, or by emailing me at ashley.cecil@gmail.com to pre-purchase a painting. And remember, a portion of all my art sales go back to benefit corresponding organizations.

As of two days ago, I am scheduled to visit Venezuela this February with Witness for Peace. Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, nationwide grassroots organization of people...

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to KY Refugee Ministries)
SOLD
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Only my generation could pull off naming a social fundraiser “Blingtini.” That’s what you get when the Young Professionals Association of Louisville combines “bling” (much thanks to Davis Jewelers) with martinis (not actually together in a glass of course).

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to KY Refugee Ministries) SOLD See all paintings available for sale. Only my generation could pull off naming a social fundraiser...

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $220 ($50 donated to the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft)

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For your viewing pleasure, above is the finished version of a previous article about a recent Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft‘s holiday fundraiser. “Martinis and Mistletoe” was a jubilee evening of holiday cheer hosted at the contemporary museum featuring festive cocktails, classic guitar tunes of Silver Bells, a glowing crowd of art patrons.

The museum supports artisans in a professional, well represented gallery setting that offers increased exposure and sales. The nonprofit also focuses on education for school children and adults alike, artist professional development, and scholarships. The museum is out to help enable the work of Kentucky, regional, national and international artisans while also engaging the public in such work.

The two attendees above stood facing a gallery space (turned martini bar) admiring hand-crafted quilts and glass-blown vessels. Holiday cheer was inevitable with such amazing arts and crafts, peppermint and eggnog concoctions in martini glasses, and great company.

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $220 ($50 donated to the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft) See all paintings available for sale. For your viewing pleasure, above is the...

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to the Mary Byron Foundation)

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A handsome and cheerful crowd convened this weekend to support a foundation that battles an incredibly somber issue, domestic violence. On the 13th anniversary of Mary Byron’s murder, the foundation named in her honor celebrated its successes and roused energy for many more.

The Mary Byron Foundation is a public grant-making charity that supports services nationwide addressing domestic violence. This year’s gala event, “Time For A Change,” featured keynote speaker, actress Meredith Baxter. Through Baxter’s moving testimonial of her own battle with domestic abuse, the audience got sense of how close to home this issue is to many people we often assume are immune to its reach. Statistics like 5.3 million women, and 3.2 men being abused by an intimate partner every year bring the severity of the issue to light.

One of the greatest accomplishments of those involved in the foundation was the launch of a system called VINE. The around the clock service quickly informs victims when their offenders are released from custody or scheduled to appear in court via phone, the internet, or email. Appriss is the company responsible for the creation of VINE as well seed funding to help establish the Mary Byron Foundation. Both organizations have successfully intervened and prevented many would-be cases of abuse, or worse.

Such celebratory events must serve as medicine to mend the broken hearts of Mary’s parents (president and vice president of the foundation), who have channeled their energies into making tangible change around the crime that claimed their daughter. Out of tragedy comes triumph.

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to the Mary Byron Foundation) See all paintings available for sale. A handsome and cheerful crowd convened this weekend to support...

10″ x 10″ oil on wood panel, $200 ($50 donated to the Blackacre Foundation).
SOLD
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“Green rolling hills and lush forests” – a description you would not find out of the ordinary when used to describe Kentucky. The majority of residents living in the state’s city centers, however, face a different landscape. “Urbanite” is being used in the bluegrass vernacular more and more as skyrises and contemporary condos sprinkle the cityscapes.

Amidst this growth, nonprofits such as the Blackacre Foundation are ensuring that the wellbeing and history of a piece of Kentucky’s pristine countryside, hugging Louisville’s boundaries, is preserved. The foundation places emphasis on environmental education and the heritage of its 271 acres. School kids are nearly as common as squirrels and robins since field trips are the focal point of its educational efforts.

The foundation was rewarded in ticket sales from a classy bourbon tasting at an appropriate venue, Bourbons Bistro. A bourbon expert/historian led a group of approximately 70 guests through a sampling of 6 high end bourbons, followed by a four course, bourbon based meal. Needless to say, the chic bistro was full of happy campers filled with warm spirits (both the emotional and liquid type).

10″ x 10″ oil on wood panel, $200 ($50 donated to the Blackacre Foundation). SOLD See all paintings available for sale. “Green rolling hills and lush forests” – a description...

8″ x 10″ oil on wood panel
SOLD
See all paintings available for sale.

Tomato and mozzarella salad in a martini glass to bourbon slushies, the signature chefs at this fundraiser for March of Dimes wowed attendees with tantalizing treats. Not a single guest was found without a mouthful, fork in hand, or jaw dropped at ballroom filled with cuisine as aesthetically pleasing as it was delicious. A few of the smiling faces in pristine white chef hats dishing out their masterpieces were Quang Dinh of Blu Italian Mediterranean Grill (one of his dishes painted above), Peng Looi of Asiatique and August Moon (as if one kitchen wasn’t enough), and Michael Crouch of Bourbons Bistro.

For once, the shame of gorging yourself on irresistible delicacies took a back seat to the pleasure in knowing that your ticket to partake in the gourmet feast was going towards efforts to combat premature births. Through research, education, community services and advocacy, March of Dimes is taking on the problem and strives to “improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.” Many parents are surely thankful that the organization is working hard to prevent their child from being one of the unfortunate 1 in 8 who are too early.

Technorati tags: March of Dimes, premature birth, painting.

8″ x 10″ oil on wood panel SOLD See all paintings available for sale. Tomato and mozzarella salad in a martini glass to bourbon slushies, the signature chefs at this...

8″ x 10″ oil on masonite, $200 ($50 donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation).
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After a childhood crammed full of pink dresses, bows, blankets, and yes, even wallpaper, I have developed a slight aversion to the color. Personal taste aside, 21C Hotel recently hosted a fabulous “Pretty in Pink Fashion Fete” featuring knockout pink ensembles that put my Laura Ashley Easter dresses from the 80′s to shame. The event included a fashion show and silent auction. Auction items came from retailers such as Clodhoppers and artists like Emily Maynard. Even the tables were painted with pink M&Ms, and who am I to discriminate against any type of chocolate?

It’s amazing how aggressively the awareness of breast cancer has come to the forefront of my attention. Finding a cure is a tremendous task for such a monster of a disease that only represents a subset of cancer in general. In 2005, the National Insititute of Health estimated the cost of all health expenditures related to cancer to be $74 billion. Sounds like we can’t have enough pink-themed fundraisers.

I’m inspired by women like Sylvie Fortin who blog about their experience with breast cancer, giving us insight into the hardships and courage associated with the disease.

I’m glad pink has planted roots with the concept of activism and shied away from being every husband’s home decor nightmare.

Technorati tags: breast cancer, breast cancer fundraiser, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 21c hotel

8″ x 10″ oil on masonite, $200 ($50 donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation). SOLD See all paintings available for sale. After a childhood crammed full of...

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to CASA)
SOLD
See all paintings available for sale.

Bill Clinton spoke last night to a sea of Kentuckians who, fortunately for the democratic candidates, came with fat wallets. I met a fellow blogger in the press area who devotes his time to politically geared vlogging, when most men his age would be fishing with grandchildren. I was inspired by his devotion to citizen journalism and truly impressed by his tech savvy. He video records events, such as this, in extended versions to supplement the short snippets fed to us by TV media. He and I both were curiously glared at by reporters and camera crews wondering, “how did they get press passes?” Times are changing.

Prior to Clinton’s talk, the event was a crash course in 2006 democratic candidates 101. The massive audience cheered to “Are you ready for change?!” from various speakers like high schoolers at a pep rally. The enthusiasm was strong and all ears were attentive to the election issues. A few of the speakers included Jerry Abramson (Louisville Mayor), Jerry Lundergan (Kentucky Democratic Chairman), and John Yarmuth (Ky Democratic candidate for US Congress).

In addition to attending this unique event, I also finally answered a question plaguing my mind for years. Estimated from the number of mouths moving during the singalong to “My Old Kentucky Home”, I would guess that just over 50% percent of well educated Kentucky residents know the lyrics to the state song (or maybe some just don’t like singing anywhere but their own shower). Odds are in your favor for being able to join in on the Stephen Fosters number if you are 60 years of age and up. Now I don’t feel so shamed by staring at my feet at derby while those around me bellow mint-julep-intensified lyrics.

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to CASA) SOLD See all paintings available for sale. Bill Clinton spoke last night to a sea of Kentuckians who, fortunately...

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to Court Appointed Special Advocates)
SOLD
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Sunday night I got to see a side of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) that I, as a volunteer for the nonprofit, rarely ever see. My usual involvement, which includes advocating for abused and/or neglected children enduring the burden the legal system as a result of the abuse inflicted on them, was far removed from this evening’s activities. Instead I found myself surrounded by an incredibly colorful mix of party-goers at the organization’s annual “Hobnobber’s Ball” in Millionaires’ Row at the legendary Churchill Downs.

Before the event, I asked my volunteer supervisor for some pointers as to what to wear. Her answer confused me further. “Well, some people will be wearing formal dresses, some in jeans, others in costumes. I think a few people came dressed in drag last year.” She wasn’t kidding. I saw derby hats, fishnet hoses, fur, sequins, face paint, tiaras, garter belts, lots of stilettos, even more cleavage, and one kilt. Possibly the most notable of fashion displays was put on by the Derby City Rollergirls. Believe me, your mother would not approve of their fun and scanty outfits (but hey, this way you can see all of their cool tattoos).

Local wineries and distilleries lined the perimeters of the enormous venue, caterers enticed the palate and great musicians kept the chairs empty and the dance floor packed. All of this for the most worthy of causes.

If you’re looking for a organization to contribute to in some form, I highly recommend finding a CASA near you. These fundraisers make transformative change in the lives of many children possible. It’s stories like these that might pull at your heart strings and get you involved.

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to Court Appointed Special Advocates) SOLD See all paintings available for sale. Sunday night I got to see a side of...

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $250 ($100 donated to John Yarmuth’s campaign)
SOLD
See all paintings available for sale.

Last night I attended a fundraising dinner for Kentucky congressional Democratic candidate, John Yarmuth. I accepted the last minute invitation with a resounding “yes” and immediately began to think about possible compositions for the painting I would create for today’s post.

If you ever feel dulled by a lack of individuals to engage in intellectually rigorous conversation with, I suggest you frequent political fundraisers. It was an inspiring evening with no lack of enthusiastic proponents for positive change and growth in Kentucky. I was surprised to find that some of the attendees were republicans. There doesn’t seem to be much grey space for the “undecided” voters to stand in nowadays, but apparently even some firm republicans are looking for a new voice for Kentucky in congress.

I will admit that, although I lean left, this election has often left me inclined to bite my tongue when I’m surrounded by my democratic friends. The issue that personally leaves me on the fence is healthcare. I am sorely reminded of my self-employment when my friends talk about their employers’ health benefit packages and I feel at a disadvantage. Given my OCD involvement in my own healthcare, I’m a huge advocate of consumer driven healthcare and Health Savings Account (here’s a great blog post about HSAs). But at the same time, my volunteer work with disadvantaged people, especially children, pulls my heart towards the universal healthcare model that Yarmuth stands for. Clearly, I’m not certain where I stand. Having said that, I will add that I have met John on several occasions and feel confident about his sincerity and competency.

If you’re interested, here is John Yarmuth’s site, his opponent’s (Anne Northup) site, and further info on all the candidates running for office in Kentucky.

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $250 ($100 donated to John Yarmuth’s campaign) SOLD See all paintings available for sale. Last night I attended a fundraising dinner for Kentucky congressional...