52 Portraits

     So it is with a bit of relief and a bit of sadness that I bring you this post.  I have FINISHED with the portraits for my ArtPrize piece, and none too soon.  In three days I will move my piece into it's home for the next few months, The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel!  It has been an amazing journey thus far, and I believe that I have stayed true to the idea behind this piece.  I have learned a few things on this journey that I would like to share with you.

1.  There is so much more need out there than I could have imagined!  When we set out on that rainy afternoon with the Blessing Bags, we had no idea that we would be able to hand them all out at one time, much less in two hours.  But hand them out we did, and we could have given out SO MANY more.  My hope is that people will see this piece and be moved to act!  Just imagine how BIG this could be if everyone chose to do something.

2.  It is amazing to step out of your comfort zone!  I have learned this twofold with this undertaking.  First, I have never shown my work publicly before.  Sure, I show it to family and friends, but nothing like this.  The real test will come while I am down there with it during the show, but so far so good :)  Secondly, I wasn't comfortable around the Homeless before this.  Since I started to volunteer at Heartside and interact with them, I have come to realize that they are just like me.  They long for compassion, and to be heard.  I will not continue to walk on by and ignore them just because they have fallen on hard times.  To be honest, I am ashamed of how I behaved before!  I have met some awesome people that I never would have taken the time to know before, and it is absolutely to my benefit to know them!

3.  My family and friends are amazingly supportive!  O.K. I already knew this, but it just really needed to be acknowledged publicly.  There is no way that this could have happened without the love and support of those around me.  THANK YOU ALL!

4.  I am an artist!  I have always been shy to admit that I am an artist.  I have loved art all of my life, but when I put labels on myself they have always included wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, etc. I have never really labeled myself an artist.  That changes now.  I have been given this talent by a God that I am in awe of, and I am meant to use it!  I intend to do just that!

5.  God is Awesome!  This talent that I have was indeed given to me.  I also believe that the idea for this piece was given to me.  I am just glad that I had the courage to listen.