I picked up one painting and three framed photos for the auction today.  All are just beautiful, and acquiring them involved spending time with good friends.  Someone should pay me to do this.  =)

Jubilee Band

I just found out that Curtis Romjue and maybe even Jubilee Band will be performing at the auction.  Thank YOU Jeremy Vallerand for making that happen.  You all may remember Jubilee Band from the Justice Conference.  Part of our proceeds will go toward benefitting Curtis' organization Arts Aftercare. 

A generous friend of a friend donated a rather expensive painting by Charles Fazzino to our auction.  Somebody pinch me!  The artist's work can be seen here:  fazzino.com.  Now to just get people there to see it...

Here's yet another rough draft of a second blog post I created for the Rescue:Freedom blog regarding the auction:

We’re excited to announce that Thatcher Kelley will be one of the artists featured in our art auction and benefit happening on Sunday, August 18^th, 2013 from 4 – 7 P.M.  His work can be seen at thatcherkelley.com.  In fact, Thatcher’s photography is currently on display at the auction’s location in Pioneer Square’s The Hub, located at 220 2nd Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104.  And there’s a reason for that.

            In order for us to acquire The Hub as our auction’s location, Andrea, the auction coordinator, needed to curate an art show over the summer for The Hub.  Upon seeing Thatcher’s work at a solo show of his earlier this year, Andrea knew he was just the artist for the exhibit.  As a photographer, Thatcher writes, “Fresh perspectives are what I seek out with my camera.  I’m not interested in replicating photographs I have seen before.  I want to find perspectives that make me and others think and feel differently”.  One just has to view Thatcher’s stunning, larger-than-life photos of land and cityscapes to know this is true. 

            Thatcher’s work can be seen throughout the summer at The Hub and at the Art Auction and Benefit for Rescue:Freedom happening on Sunday, August 18^th from 4 – 7 P.M., also happening at The Hub.  For information on the auction, please visit facebook.com/ArtAuctionforRescueFreedom.

Here's a copy of the first draft of a blog post about my auction that will hopefully appear in the Rescue:Freedom blog:

What happens when you use your talents to work against the things you are most concerned about?  Well, in the case of Andrea Krook, these things combined to create an Art Auction and Benefit for Rescue:Freedom, which is happening on Sunday, August 18^th from 4 – 7 P.M.

            Andrea is a graduate student at Northwest University in International Care and Community Development.  The program is about two years in length.  Every summer break, the students complete a practicum in a field which interests them.  Andrea knew she wanted to acquire project management experience.  She’s a watercolor artist (andreakrook.com).  And, she has a growing concern for the local and international sex trafficking problem.  The chair of her department introduced her to Jeremy Vallerand of Rescue:Freedom, and, after much thought, it was decided to put on an auction as a fundraiser for the organization. 

            The event itself is free and is being held in Pioneer Square at The Hub (thehubseattle.com) at 220 2nd Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104 with plenty of street parking nearby.  The auction will feature artwork by over 27 artists, including an acrylic by Brad Dinsmore (brad-dinsmore.com/home.html).  He created a painting just for this event.  It will also feature high quality craft items made by survivors of sex trafficking from India.  We’ve seen their work, and it’s beautiful.

            The event will also feature music and a live performance by Candice Russell who made it as far as Hollywood during season 11 of American Idol (candicerussell.com).  It will also feature free food, wine from Sozo Friends Winery, and coffee from Caffe Lusso.

            To learn more about our auction, please visit   facebook.com/ArtAuctionforRescueFreedom.  To RSVP, to our auction, please visit facebook.com/events/485645704847066/.

            We look forward to seeing you there!

Generous

Yesterday I met with my friend Ann who donated both art AND craft items to the auction.  I was really kind of humbled by her generousity.  We'd met up at church beforehand (Bethany Presbyterian, of course).  I'd gotten there late and was sitting in the back.  You know how worship can move you sometimes?  Well, it had totally moved her, and she mentioned how excited she was getting for the auction.  It makes me feel not alone in this.  I sometimes wonder if I'm "calling in" too many favors for this auction.  On a broader level, I also wonder why no one cares or tries to make life better for others.  Ann reminds me that's not true.  I think sometimes you just have to create a way for others to be a part of change...

Darek Farmer Photograpny

Here's a link to a participating photographer, Darek Farmer:  http://www.darekfarmerphotography.com/
http://www.darekfarmerphotography.com/Photography/Landscapes/9112856_8S6VCQ#!i=2634938559&k=6nQLj3h