the Painting Activist

The content of this website has consisted of very work-in-progress orientated postings for the past several months. There is a very straight-forward explanation for this: I’ve been exclusively working on a series of portraits titled, “Women of Mass Construction.”

Starting in January of this year, I began interviewing 15 women and girls who are current or former clients of a Kentucky nonprofit that has helped them make a positive transformation in their lives. After collecting their stories and photos, I started on creating the 12 portraits (3 paintings include 2 people). The organizations tied to these phenomenal women include:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
• Center for Women and Families
• Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson Co.
• Family & Children First
• Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana
• Kentucky Refugee Ministries
• Kids Acting Against Cancer
• Louisville Visual Art Association
• Project Women
• Women 4 Women
• Women in Transition
• Youth Alive! Louisville

I left every interview believing anything was possible. My own personal woes immediately became proverbial drops in the bucket; not worth another thought. How can car maintenance and family drama compare to trying to find employment when you hardly speak English, and have spent the last 2 years of your life in a refugee camp, displaced from you home country? Or getting back on your feet after leaving a relationship, spanning the length of your adult life, with a man who nearly killed you multiple times during regular bouts of domestic violence? Talk about putting things into perspective.

What I’m really excited about is introducing the portrait subjects to each other at the exhibit opening at Gallery NuLu on Friday, August 1st, 5-9pm. Since the portraits won’t fill the gallery space, I invited local photographer Sarah Lyon to exhibit with me. In combination with Sarah’s supporters, this opening is going to be amazing!

In the spirit of honoring women in this community who are turning corners, donations from gallery guests, and a portion of my gallery sales, will be given to the Women’s Second Chance College Scholarship Fund.

I hope to see you at the opening to celebrate these 15 women’s success stories. It’s been an honor meeting each of them, and I hope you can do the same on August 1st. If you’re not in this area (or otherwise cannot make it to the gallery) and you would like to contribute to the donation made at the end of the exhibit, shoot me an email at ashley.cecil(at)gmail.com.

Last week’s press conference of the Open Doors mural unveiling at the Center for Women and Families was a phenomenal success. The Courier-Journal published a wonderful article in addition to several other newspapers, magazines and blogs.  There were more cameras at the event than Louisville has TV stations (?). The CWF’s PR director later emailed me a “Television Media Monitoring Summary for 7-1-08: 10 stories reaching 388,747 with a value of $3,519.00″ (wow!  I need to know how to get that kind of information myself).  Clearly, we did something right!  It was truly an honor to give the women who participated in the art project the attention they deserve.

I am incredibly excited to invite you to a public event to celebrate the completion of my first community based art project since joining the Louisville Visual Art Association as the program coordinator of “Open Doors.”

July 1, 2008 at 10:30 AM
The Center for Women and Families (CWF)
Joan E. Thomas, M.D. Campus
927 South Second Street
Louisville, Kentucky
(across from the downtown Kroger)

After over 2 months of weekly sessions with clients of the CWF, we have a beautiful mural to unveil. The artwork will be dedicated to the Center by the women involved in the project. Several local media outlets will cover the event and help us inform the community about Open Doors and CWF.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to support the project participants by showing your interest. The painting will serve as a visual message of encouragement for future CWF clients for years to come. Please join us on the 1st to celebrate their accomplishment!

I could hardly believe my eyes as I turned 360 degrees on Saturday to witness the behemoth project I had spent so many months coordinating unfold onto the pavement in vivid color.  This street painting festival was part of the first annual Champions 4 Her walk/run festival benefiting 10 Kentucky charities serving women and girls.

The goal was to raise $100,000.  1,680 runners, 75+ community street art participants, 9 local artists, and 1 international renowned street painter later we raised more than $150,000.  Not too shabby for a first go, eh?  To see more event photos, go to my flickr account.

Not even a week has past and I’m already hearing a buzz about being tasked with breaking a street painting Guinness World Record next year (hopefully donations raised are proportional).

Click here for a direct link to the Champions 4 Her video.

I have spent at least the past six months coordinating the street art festival for an upcoming umbrella fundraiser for 10 Louisville nonprofits. One week from today (Saturday, June 21), ‘Champions 4 Her‘ walk/run will launch its first year at Waterfront Park.

Initially, I was asked to scout and hire an internationally renowned madonnaro (street painter) to set the festival apart from the plethora of other walk/runs in the city. I loved the idea, but immediately thought of the truly unique opportunity the concept of a street painting festival afforded clients of the 10 organizations we were raising money for. I agreed to find a feature artist for the event to draw in the media, but pitched the additional idea of having each of the beneficiary partner organizations create their own amateur street paintings depicting how their respective nonprofit assisted women and girls in our community.

The idea was not hard to sell, and soon I was also hiring a team of local artists to guide the novice nonprofit participants through the process of a creating a roughly 8′ x 12′ chalk pastel painting in one day.

I saw a lot of wide eyes as I sat in on the introductory meetings between the art teams and the artist they were paired with. This is the first time many of the participants have been to exposed to the visual arts on this level. Working with a full-time professional artist has really expanded their perception of the abilities of the arts to impact a community.

Within a few weeks I was getting concept sketches of each group’s final design. It has been such a treat to get photos in my email inbox and snail-mailbox of the art they’re designing.

You can support these wonderful organizations by registering yourself or a team to do the walk/run, or just come by and see the art in action.

I did of course hire a feature professional artist for the main street painting. Her name is Tracy Lee Stum and she will start on her piece the Wednesday before the event. Feel free to stop by Waterfront Park during the day to see her at work. She (and the other street paintings) will be in the parking lot in front of Joe’s Crab Shack.  See you June 21!

Since last summer’s Kentucky Remembers! Project, I’ve fallen in love with facilitating the creation of collaborative, community art. After returning from that youth camp, I began actively pursuing a way to continually run such projects. To make an incredibly long story short, the end result of my efforts took the form of accepting a position at the Louisville Visual Art Association as a program coordinator. The arts outreach program is called “Open Doors.” The mission of the program sounds like it was scripted specifically for me:

Open Doors is an umbrella program of classes and art enrichment experiences designed to give a voice to under-served populations including the at-risk youth, refugees and immigrants, senior citizens, victims of domestic abuse and more. Our projects are designed to pair local professional artists with groups who have limited access to the visual arts to collaborate in creating works of self-expression. Projects are tailored to meet specific needs of each population and serve to enrich not only the individual participant, but the community as a whole.

Artists who lead our programs are passionate about facilitating the realization of creative talent and offering tangible tools for communication, engagement, leadership and positive change.

So, while I’m continuing with all of my other various endeavors mentioned on my blog, I’m also overseeing an incredible group of talented visual artists bringing their expertise to people rarely exposed to the arts (much less engaged in the art-making process).

Of course I could never be tied to a desk chair as a full-time administrator. I split my time between coordinating all of the Open Doors projects and facilitating my own. Currently, I’m at the Center for Women and Families working with a small group of victims of domestic violence on an 8′ long mural that will hang in the lobby of the Center’s main office.

Introducing the women to the visual arts included meeting them at the Louisville Visual Art Association to see the Liz Quisgard exhibit. I was expecting quick drop-ins from the women, but ended up spending 2 hours with them altogether answering their questions and chatting about their reactions.

After several weeks of preparatory exercises to get them comfortable sketching and thinking visually, we starting on the canvas. I took each woman’s photograph and projected the image onto the canvas for them to trace. Next, they began filling their silhouettes with images from their sketches books.

A group decision was made to jointly create a background that symbolized unity and interconnectedness. We talked about puzzle pieces, which lead to the idea of a using a tessellation of figures. The women also decided to paint the tessellation the colors tied to domestic violence awareness (purple and teal) and the pink to symbolize femininity.

Once again, I’ve been blown over by the progress and investment in the project. I think they’ve surprised themselves just a little as well We’ll be wrapping up the painting this week and focusing on the community celebration/dedication of the artwork at the Center. I will certainly keep you posted about this event since I know these women would be overwhelmed by a strong turn out to honor their accomplishment and gift to the Center.

Do I still have any Courier-Journal writers subscribing to my blog (hint, hint)?

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $350 ($50 donated to the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana)

See all artwork available for sale.

The Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana (a.k.a. Louisville, Kentucky + Southern Indiana) recently hosted a breakfast wherein their new CEO, Terry Blackwell (pictured above), gave an intriguing presentation entitled, “Change it Up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership.” The presentation was based on a study conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), which “serves as a center for research and public policy information on the healthy development of girls.”

Every generation takes societal norms passed onto them and molds them to mirror the times in which they live. This study is a thorough look into the minds of our youngest future leaders. With a fine-tooth comb, the study breaks down the definitions, predictors and aspirations that our youth assign to leadership.

A few highlights that especially caught my attention were:

• The number one reason girls resisted becoming a leader was that they did not like speaking in public.
• When categorized by race, Caucasians were the least likely to aspire to, or be motivated by leadership.
• Repeatedly in charts, boys’ positive responses were higher than girls only when the questions included mention of money, power and sports (altruism apparently is not as innately prominent in males).

But in the boys’ defense, one of my favorite quotes included in the intro of the study was by an 8th grade boy in Atlanta:

“I would like to be a leader some day so that I can change different aspects of the world, such as homelessness, poverty, and unjust happenings.”

To read the study for yourself, click here.

12″ x 12″ oil on canvas, $400
SOLD
See all artwork available for sale.

I although I missed it this year, I got an update from my friends at the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana on the outcome of last week’s Dessert First. Over $35,000 was raised at the box-o-cookies-meets-gourmet-ambrosia-sampling. 600 folks with a serious sweet tooth browsed and indulged in treats from 27 local restaurants.

The “Golden Whisk Award”-winning Tagalong cheesecake (a creation of The Jefferson Club) is a clear reminder of why I decided not to utilize my free press pass. Of all the Girl Scout cookies my family bought when I was a kid, Tagalongs were the only ones that ended up getting stashed in my sock drawer to keep my brother from downing them before I got my share. My willpower would have been out the window. This is my contribution to the cause

8″ x 10″ oil on canvas

Here’s a bit of exciting news about 2008: I was recently awarded a grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women to complete a unique series of portraits in the first half of the year. I’m making arrangements to travel throughout the state of Kentucky to interview and photograph my female painting subjects, each of whom has a powerful story of positive life transformation.  The women/girls are being introduced to me through the nonprofit organization that played an integral in part their turnaround.

The completed series of paintings will be on exhibit and for sale at Gallery NuLu in Louisville in the summer of 2008 in honor of the successes of these women and the organizations that served them. Information about each charitable organization will be available for gallery visitors below each corresponding painting.  And I hope several of the portrait subjects will be able to attend the opening to enrich the experience. 

Pending successful sales during the exhibit, a small scholarship will be awarded to a woman/girl pursuing her post secondary education at a Kentucky school.  My regular blog followers will of course hear more about the exhibit and the paintings as the project gets underway.

Please feel free to nominate an individual or organization for the project by using “Suggest a Lead” or “Contact” in the sidebar.  Any portrait subjects must be:

• a female Kentucky resident
• able to disclose their identity and story to the public
• comfortable with the painting being sold

I look forward to hearing your suggestions.  Have a Happy New Year!

Through multiple meetings with the incredibly energizing CEO of the Center for Women and Families, Denise Vazquez Troutman, I have been introduced to several sobering realities of domestic violence. Earlier this year Denise gave me a tour of the CWF main office, which includes both administrative offices and residential spaces for their clients. While we walked the Center’s halls I heard the story of her unconventional and self-designed first several months at CWF, which included working at the receiving desk where women in crisis call or come to the Center seeking protection and aid. A corporate background left Denise shocked as she learning first-hand the diverse reach of domestic abuse. Women suffering from domestic violence fall into no singular category. Victims are beaten and thrown onto laminate and marble floors alike. No specific age, race, religion, or education seems to ward off the abuse. Organizations like CWF assist these women and their children in breaking away from their dangerous relationships and establishing a healthy stable life.

The Center for Women and Families has posted a calendar of events related to this month of awareness. Click here to view the activities. If you’re not in Louisville, here are 2 national resources for you find a way to get engaged:

• National Calendar of Crime Victim Assistance
• Office of Violence Against Women list of resources

Direct link to YouTube clip

Tomorrow marks the 87th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the American Constitution, providing women with the right to vote.  It’s incredibly hard to believe there are still women living today who, in their lifetimes, have not been afforded suffrage.  It sounds like something tucked away in a dusty old history book, far removed from modern times.

From 9-5, the Frazier Arms Museum in Louisville is offering free admission to all women and girls in honor of Women’s Equity Day.  Crafts, interpretations, and other activities will take place before a 6:30 performance (which I don’t think is free) of “‘The Long Road to Victory’ in which Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others come to life!  This one-woman performance showcases a story of vision, courage and tenacity.”  Click here from more details.

The best way to end this post is with a quote by a woman who, unfortunately, did not live to see the amendment enacted, but devoted much of life to ensuring the right for future generations:

“…The day will come when man will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation.  Then, and not until then, will there be perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race.” - Susan B. Anthony

There’s still time to catch the tail end of the Women’s Leadership Revival Tour tomorrow if you’re in Louisville, and on June 22 if you’re in Nashville.

Join Meg Wheatley (internationally known writer and speaker) and neighborhood women for a stimulating and inspiring inquiry into how we women can step forward with the gift of our leadership and offer it in service to our community.

Meg will seed the conversation by describing the impact that women are having in communities around the world, then lead us in an inquiry about our own leadership…you will have an extraordinary opportunity to share and hear about local community initiatives in which your leadership skills would be invaluable…renew your own belief in your leadership abilities and use them to truly make a difference in our community.

The tour has traveled the country, and part of Canada, and will continue tomorrow 3-8 at Papa’s John’s Cardinal Stadium.  Click here to register for the Louisville event and here for Nashville.

‘Tis is the season, once again, for the exchange of “stuff” on the cheap from the comforts of someone’s driveway. God bless America!

But, would I tell you about any ordinary yard sale? Of course not. I just received an email from the executive director of Women in Transition of Kentucky about their:

GIANT YARD SALE
to benefit Women in Transition’s travel to the US Social Forum
Saturday, June 2
8:30am-2:30pm
corner of 3rd & Ormsby
rain or shine

I’m having trouble accessing their website, but will save a fleshed out article about WIT, with a working link to the organization, in a full profile at a later time. For this post, what you need to know is that WIT is a small grassroots nonprofit assisting members (poor women, often times single mothers) in their transition from from poverty to success. Beyond their support to participating women, WIT is very involved in the political process and lobbying for policy that positively impacts their constituents.

WIT is fund raising for the cost to “attend and participate in the United States Social Forum as a member organization of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign.” They will be addressing issues such as the Kentucky child welfare system and inadequate wages during forum workshops.

There are other similar organizations (if not identical) throughout the country, and perhaps in your neighborhood. Try a google search to find one near you as nearly everyone, regardless of your own economic standing, will come in contact with a person in need of such services.

If you have items to donate or questions, call WIT executive director, Jennifer Jewell, at (502) 298-0462. Otherwise, let the season of yard sales begin!

“My mother said to me, “If you become a soldier you’ll be a general; if you become a monk you’ll end up as the pope.” Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.”- Pablo Picasso (pretty fitting, isn’t it?)

5.5″ x 9.25″ watercolor, $70 ($10 donated to Women 4 Women)
SOLD
See all artwork available for sale.

The start of my day typically consists of Good Morning America or the Today Show in the background while I paint and answer emails. I feel lukewarm about what these morning shows cover, and what I do care to hear is clouded by no-cable-reception. So, I often mute the TV, listen to NPR, and take some pleasure in the visual noise in the background (strange, I know). Friday, I left the muted TV on for an unusually long time. A talk show I had never heard of caught my eye and demanded I swap the mute from the TV to the radio. I was disgusted by The Dr. Kieth Ablow Show segment featuring model, Janice Dickinson (who has her own reality TV show). I only saw about 5 minutes altogether, but I think the show was about Janice offering to make an audience member into a supermodel. I heard disturbing things such as, “He did exactly what I told him and didn’t eat for days.” She asked one audience member to look her in the eyes and tell her why she wanted to be a model. The girl replied with something to the effect of, “I just really love this industry. I want to be a part of it.” Janice paused, and then claimed she looked deep into the girl’s soul and could tell she was sincere. Sincere about what? The girl’s answer was elusive and flimsy. Janice runs aspiring models through a boot camp of sorts that involves being herded like cattle to be judged by designers, and pole dancing lessons from a strip club owner.

Maybe I shouldn’t judge the show from my 5 minute takeaway. Have you seen it yourself? What do you think? It looked to me that Dr. Albow played a puppet to the scripted segment asking shallow questions and complacently nodding his head. Friday’s show makes it incredibly hard to believe that “Dr. Keith Ablow brings both his professional and personal experience as a psychiatrist, author, husband and father to daytime television, offering viewers practical solutions to everyday challenges.” I wonder if he feels remorse about the current form of his practice as a psychiatrist as he goes along in helping youth buy into beliefs of belittling acceptable body image and less meaningful professions. It really breaks my heart. I remember bailing out on my own brief modeling career when I was in high school after one wedding show. I was told I needed to lose weight and begin payment for my modeling classes. There was no weight to lose, and I didn’t understand why I had to pay them.

If youth (or anyone for that matter) are encouraged to pursue their interests and strengths, it is less likely they will be allured by such industries to provide them with self-worth. At such an influential stage in life, youth need to build strong self esteem with substantial, worthwhile endeavors. Websites such as these are working on just that:

• adiosbarbie.com
• girlsinc.org
• youthnoise.com
• shapingyouth.org/blog

Give your children, nieces, nephews, cousins, or whomever at your Easter get-together some positive words of encouragement. You would be surprised how far it will go.