There’s no better fitting portrait commission to post on Valentine’s Day than this painting of one of my favorite couples.

I hope it’s been a sweet holiday for you!

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.

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.

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:

Girl Scouting provides a place where today’s girls can become tomorrow’s leaders. Most girls join a local troop for fun and friendship, but they also find out about building character and self-esteem and serving their communities. In Girl Scouts, girls find a safe place to discover, connect, and take action.

Hannah has experienced the fun and games most of us associate with Girls Scouts, but the organization has also helped shape this shy young woman into budding, confident public speaker.  Her experiences with Girl Scouts have provided her with safe and supportive opportunities to tackle her Central Auditory Processing Disorder.  With encouragement and coaching from her troop leaders, Hannah’s language challenges have taken a backseat when she has given speeches across the country and even in Japan.

Hannah’s quote in the painting:

My world was certainly made a better place which has enabled me, by extension, to make the world a better place for others.  It was a very empowering feeling to think I what I said, or what I did, really mattered to these younger girls.

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:

The Center for Women and Families engages individuals and community in the elimination of domestic violence, sexual violence and economic hardship through service, education and advocacy.

This domestic violence survivor endured unspeakable abuse and hardships inflicted by her husband, which took her years to escape.  She described walking through the doors of the Center for Women and Families as one of the scariest days of her life.  I would say, given the beautiful woman she showed herself to be in our interview, it was also one of the most pivotal days in her life, as well for her two children.

“God replaced my tears with laughter.

He replaced my fears with faith.

Now, my soul overflows with joy, peace, and thanks.”

Quote in the painting:

We were like broken winged birds when we first came through these doors.  For my safety and sanity, I had to leave everything I knew.  With the love of God, we have been loved and nurtured.

11″ x 14″ oil on masonite board.
SOLD
See all artwork available for sale.

Gallery caption:

Women In Transition is a grassroots organization run by and for poor people working on four primary campaigns: 1. Dismantling Classism, 2. CORROC (Claiming our Rights, Reclaiming our Children), 3. Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and 4. Louisville Living Wage Campaign & Raise the Wage.

Virginia’s involvement with WIT began after years of struggling to keep custody of her two daughters.  Poverty was most often the obstacle that stood between her and her children.  Although she worked two jobs, it didn’t provide her family with their basic needs.

WIT ‘s services would have been a tremendous asset during those challenging times, but Virginia has benefited greatly from the amazing social justice advocates she has since met.  She now volunteers as a parent advocate, helping others living below the poverty level navigate the legal system as they work to maintain custody of their children.

Quote in the painting:

If I had known of an organization like this then, I wouldn’t have lost my girls.  They motivate me and inspire me.

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:

Because art nourishes the human spirit, the Louisville Visual Art Association enriches community life by educating people about the value and meaning of today’s visual arts and by championing artists and the creative process.

When Arla moved from Las Vegas with her mother in the 4^th grade, she expected her school experience to be the same as it was in Neveda.  The transition was short of ideal, and Arla faced a rough adjustment to her new home.

Arla’s mother got her involved in the LVAA’s Children’s Free Art Classes to reconnect her with a familiar creative outlet, visual art.  Expressing her ideas on inviting sheets of empty white paper helped Arla gain control of her emotions, open up to others, and express herself creatively.

Arla’s quote in the painting:

We had just made a major move. It helped me learn to interact with others as well as to express myself. I would just forget what was going on in the crazy world or what made me angry, and create.

By guest writer, Attica Scott, Kentucky Jobs With Justice Coordinator

I’m in DC this inaugural weekend and thinking about what this moment in history means. For two days, I sat in meetings of the National Organizers Alliance thinking about how Obama’s election is helping to advance our movements for human rights and social justice. When I see the future first family, I see community and culture. But then I walk outside and I see overwhelming amounts of fanaticism and I get concerned about what we are building power for.

Are we creating an environment that will set up Obama for failure? Will we turn our backs on him when he cannot solve all of our problems like toxins from nuclear weapon waste being dumped into the water supply of towns in New Mexico and causing cancer to its residents? Or are we building a new kind of power that demands that those of us who consider ourselves organizers hold Mr. Obama just as accountable as we do all other elected officials?

As a non-profit organization, we at Kentucky Jobs With Justice cannot engage in partisan politics. But that means we need to intensify our electoral organizing year-round in a way that says to folks that we need you involved on the regular. That we are moving from this “moment” to building “movements.”

I think that what this moment means is that we are called to rebuild and redefine community organizing. Rebuild in a way that maintains the enthusiasm that was created during the Obama campaign and acknowledges that organizing takes many different forms. Redefine in a way that recognizes the complementary nature of new forms of on-line organizing and deep-rooted ways of building relationships. It is up to us to do the hopeful work that leads to change in our communities every single day.

Kentucky Jobs With Justice
1800 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, Suite 2E
Louisville KY 40203
502.582.5454
Check us out on MySpace

DONATE NOW at www.kyjwj.org to support economic justice & workers’ rights

Yesterday, I learned about a horrific accident in Louisville involving four teens who are members of Youth Alive (where I have been doing community art programming through the Louisville Visual Art Association since this summer). After leaving a holiday party at the Presbyterian Community Center on Thursday night, Arron Shields, Jemar, Demar, and Marc Claybrooks were killed in a car accident. You can read the full story here.

Three of the boys were brothers (two of them twins). The fourth boy was also a twin. I cannot image how their parents are coping. Clearly, this will be a tremendous loss for the families and everyone at Youth Alive to cope with. The families are surely also struggling to pay to bury their children. If you would like to make a contribution to the families, please make it to the Youth Alive Fund for the Benefit of the Claybrooks and Shields families at any Republic Bank.

The funeral for Arron Shields will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Stephen Church, 1008 S. 15th St., with visitation from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Rogers-Awkard & Lyons Funeral Home, 951 S. Preston St. Visitation for the Claybrooks brothers will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at G.C. Williams Funeral Home, 1935 W. Broadway. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lampton Baptist Church, 850 S. Fourth St.

11″ x 14″ oil on masonite board.
SOLD
A donation from sold painting will be made to the Women’s Second Chance Scholarship Fund.

Gallery caption:

The mission of Family and Children First is to “strengthen our community by helping families with children maximize their emotional, social and physical well being through behavioral health and social services, advocacy, and prevention efforts.”

Sherry was 40 years old when her sister convinced her to press charges against the man who sexually abused her, and several of her family members, for years as a child. Although she calls the experience “’empowering,” she also found it very frightening. Therapy at FCF helped Sherry navigate her way through a stockpile of feelings keeping her from fully moving on with her life. The shame she felt left her silent during early group therapy sessions. Now she openly shares her story with new clients of FCF to help them through the same process of recovery.

Sherry’s quote in the painting:

I always thought I was the only one. I blamed myself for years. I was able to let go of the shame. It was the most nurturing place to tell my story.

11″ x 14″‘ oil on masonite board.
SOLD
A donation from sold painting will be made to the Women’s Second Chance Scholarship Fund.

Gallery caption:

Kids Acting Against Cancer (KAAC) raises money to help the fight against cancer primarily through ticket sales to youth musical performances.

Whitten, and her sister Jaclyn, founded KAAC out of their dream to help kids and their families suffering from cancer. Inspired by their mother, Sandy (an 11 year cancer survivor), their mission is to literally act to help find the cure. The girls, along with countless other children of all ages, have put on musical productions to raise money for the charity. In addition to entertaining, they have distributed backpacks and gift packs to sick children locally as well as made generous donations to several cancer charities.

Whitten’s quote in the painting:

I wanted to find a way to use acting to help my mom. It started as something to keep our minds of it. For the first performance 30 people came and paid $3 to see us perform ‘Annie’ in my basement. To date we’ve raised $250,000 (she’s 18 years old).

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:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana helps children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships between youth and adult mentors.

When Diana’s daughter left for college, she set out to fill her empty nest with a child in need of her time. BBBS paired Diana with Madison, a Katrina evacuee. Diana has helped Madison through the transition to a new city under less than ideal circumstance. Aside from recreational outings, they’ve also delved into Madison’s social challenges at school. The two journal together about what makes Madison angry. Then, they shift the focus to positive thoughts about the people in Madison’s life. Although these experiences are meant for Madison’s wellbeing, Diana admits they’ve equally benefited her.

Quote in the painting:

‘She’s here! She’s here!’ I’ve never had someone so excited to see me. It’s wonderful to make a difference in her life.

11″ x 14″ oil on masonite board.
SOLD
See all artwork available for sale.

Gallery caption:

Alexis and Kelsey, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson County
The Court Appointed Special Advocates program provides training and support to volunteer advocates who serve as a voice in court for the best interests of abused and/or neglected children through the jurisdiction of the Family Court.

These two beautiful girls played with new Easter bunnies while I listening to their grandparents tell their heart-breaking story. The toddlers’ parents’ rights were terminated by a judge due to their drug addiction. Their CASA volunteer, Robin, played a critical role ensuring the girls’ case was given thorough attention and that they were placed in a loving home. Alexis and Kelsey now live with their grandparents, who tell me “there should be more people like Ms. Robin. She should be a judge in family court.”

Quote in the painting from the girls’ grandparents:

They would have taken from place to place. We probably wouldn’t have ever seen them again.

]]> http://www.ashleycecil.com/2008/09/01/women-of-mass-construction-alexis-kelsey/feed 1 http://www.ashleycecil.com/2008/09/01/portrait-by-portrait http://www.ashleycecil.com/2008/09/01/portrait-by-portrait#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:02:53 +0000 Ashley http://www.ashleycecil.com/2008/09/01/portrait-by-portrait/
Now that the “Women of Mass Construction’ exhibit has come down, (and I’ve finally gotten great shoots of each of the portraits) I’m going to feature each woman one-by-one. Consider this your own private, virtual gallery tour. These women certainly deserve the spotlight.

I suppose the best place to start is with my artist’s statement:

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” -Rabindranath Tagore

My life long interest in art-making came to a rather dismal place three years ago when it struck me that art for art’s sake wasn’t enough anymore. At the same time I was beginning to really engage myself in the Louisville community through volunteer work. Through a process as natural as breathing, I soon reignited my love for painting with new meaning: illustrating my developing interest in social issues on canvas.

Soon I launched ashleycecil.com (‘the Painting Activist’), a personal online journal of my artwork related to activism. That initiative blossomed into a multitude of full-time opportunities to share my art for service orientated causes. One such result of this new focus was the idea for a series of celebratory portraits of women who had been touched by a charitable organization.

Art highlighting social and political leaders is abundant. However, the work of these social justice pioneers is rarely expressed through art portraying individuals they impacted. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet so many amazing people as a “painting activist,” and through this series I’m honored to introduce you to a handful of them.

With the generous help of many colleagues in our nonprofit community, I have been connected with the beautiful women in this series. Each has shared with me an intimate story, all with endings of positive and pivotal change aided by the services they received from their respective charitable organization.

These women have encouraged me, reminded me not to take life for granted, and reinforced that the most sacred aspects of life are the relationships we foster and nourish. I left every interview feeling that no obstacle in life was insurmountable and that my own seemingly unbearable problems were dwindled to petty inconveniences. I’m incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with and be touched by each of them.

Ashley Cecil

This project is made possible in part with funding from the Kentucky Foundation for Women.

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