My friend, Mandi contacted me to see if I would be interested in being the featured artist for the next big fundraising event for Noble. Since it was Mandi, of course my answer was yes. Mandi is smart, beautiful and super-successful. So naturally, I wanted to be involved in an organization she supported.
I have never done anything like this before in my life, so I was anxious, nervous, but excited for the experience all at the same time. I decided to meet with Liz Evans, the Program Director, prior to the painting session so that I could get a sense of what other artists had done in the past. It was a short meeting, but very informative and helpful. We made arrangements to spend a few hours painting on a Wednesday. I was to meet with Art Specialist, Chris Arnold, and we would collaborate with three Noble Participants on an art project that would be used to help promote the big gala.
I signed in at the front desk and got to meet Chris, who was waiting for me. Chris led me to the art room and introduced me to Lynda, Penny, and Liz. I shook their hands and introduced myself. Lynda and Penny were very expressive and outgoing. Liz was a little more on the shy side. Lynda had just received a scented pencil that smelled like coconuts. She was very happy and willing to share her pencil with all of us and that made me smile.
We started out by sketching ideas with markers and paper. I had visualized a composition with lots of flowers: A garden scene with party lights and maybe a little table with chairs. The theme after all is “Let us entertain you!” so I thought it would be a good idea to get some creative ideas from these ladies before putting paint on canvas. I was very impressed with the creativity they possessed. Their drawings were even better than mine!
Once we had a couple of drawings complete, we moved to the painting. I brought along my favorite art material: modeling paste. I love it because of the wonderful texture it produces. We all got a good amount of it and applied it right on the canvas with our fingers. It was so much fun! Then we started to draw things in the paste and that was fun too. It is always nice to let the modeling paste dry a little bit before adding paint, but we didn’t. We went right into the painting. Chris set us up with paints and brushes. Lynda and Penny worked side by side on painting grass. It was so cute! At one point Lynda reached over and kissed Penny’s arm and Penny responded, “Oh you quit that!” with a big smile on her face. And Lynda replied, “But you’re my best friend.” That moment made me smile too. It just filled me up with so much joy!
The time had just flown by and it was approaching 3:00. Time to clean up! I asked Chris how the ladies would feel if I went back over the piece and “touched it up.” Chris said that they all understand that art transforms and changes and he didn’t think it would be an issue. So we cleaned up and I left feeing wonderful and inspired. It was a great collaboration. I think I learned more from those ladies than they learned from me.
It was a great experience and so good for my soul. Since painting with my new friends at Noble, I have noticed that I have become even more compassionate for people with disabilities… more than ever before. Noble is such a great organization and it has definitely changed my life and opened my heart in ways I never thought possible.
