Domestic Violence Fundraiser

Good Evening Darklings! It's another day and 
another fundraiser! I love to donate to causes that mean something to me, something personal. With that, I had the pleasure of creating a piece for Domestic Violence Project in New York City. They will be having a fundraiser, DVP Fall Ball, October 6, 2016. 

My piece is untitled, 11x14 inches in frame, 8x10 without framing, but has a hell of a lot of meaning behind it and took a total of 9 and a half hours to complete. (Alot of details that might be hard to see in the photo above.) I wanted to take this time out to explain it to everyone. The piece was made on cold press 140lb. paper, with Ink, Watercolor, Acrylic, Metallic paints and markers. 

The birds were taken from inspiration by the species known as Grosbeak, and used a meaning for its representation from here: 
http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/dictionary_of_birds.html

"Grosbeak:
Grosbeak teaches it is a time to heal wounds for mental and emotional harmony. Forgiveness and caring should be exercised as relationships are evaluated. She shows the fine balance of situations and connection to family. She aids in recognizing the spiritual and physical aspects of all things. Grosbeak teaches to awaken to surroundings in increase activity in life. Watch for movement in new experiences. She helps in recognizing your own voice and internal power. Grosbeak shows how to increase psychic perceptions while remaining balanced within the new awakening you are experiencing."

One bird represents a mother, the other a child. The purple ribbon is for domestic violence awareness. It is tied to a key, which I drew scales of justice on to show the family being released from the "cage" which is held by a man's hand. It shows how someone can be held prisoner by a relationship. Sometimes people can be "jaded" into thinking the person abusing them, loves them, Hence the usage of green jade-like gems and heart shapes on the cage. The cage also has a short veil to show that sometimes these things aren't visible on the outside. The hand has no color because domestic violence has no color, anyone can be a victim. The color is mainly on the side of the birds to show freedom and an uplifting positive outlook on life and the future. The mother bird is looking away from the cage, while the child bird looks back. Sometimes its really hard on children and if they are too young, they might not understand why one parent leaves another, often leaving them with a haunting question of why that other parent is missing in their lives. 

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Domestic violence comes in various forms, not just physical, but there's emotional, mental, even financial abuse. You don't deserve it, no one does. No amount of it should be tolerated. Don't convince yourself that its ok, or that its not bad or not bad enough to leave. Take a stand against violence. 

So if you get a chance check it out their page and support a cause. 

Thanks for your time guys and as usual, Take care and Stay Creative.

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