Update

I've talked with and met some terrific people since the reception. Calls and emails continue to come in from people that have seen the show or read about what we're doing. Please get in touch if the project has moved you in some way. It's invaluable to hear feedback and make connections that will help me decide what's next.

All 40 paintings are available as prints, anytime.

A note on prints

Many people have asked about specific prints. I can offer any of the 40 paintings, so if you are interested please shoot me an email. They're all signed limited edition gicleé prints (using archival inks on heavy acid-free paper) at their original size. All come with foam core backing and a clear envelope for protection. This is a great way to continue to support our project and Save the Children.

Hope for Haiti... 9"x9" on 11"x14" paper - $35

Day 1 - 38... 6"x6" on 8.5"x11" paper - $30

Liberty's Torch... two sizes offered
12" x 12" on 13" x 19" paper - $65
30" x 30" (original size) on 36" sq. paper - $300

Post Reception Wrap Up

I just want to thank everyone that was able to come out today. It was absolutely incredible and I am so humbled by the support and good will our community has given to this project and to me personally. I hope I had a chance to thank you in person if you came to see us, but if in the craziness I missed you, please know that your presence meant the world to me, my family and all the artists that participated. More than 200 people attended today's show. In fact, so many pieces sold before we had a chance to start an auction we decided there weren't enough left to do it properly.

I'd like to give out some totals because I am simply blown away....

11 prints sold at the Firehouse... $385
7 prints sold on LocalGinger.com... $245
cash donations/print raffle... $314
27 paintings have sold (16 today alone!!)... $3,900

As of today... $4,844

That number is just extraordinary. There are 11 paintings left and I'm hopeful that they'll go quickly. I'll list them here for anyone that missed the reception and would like to help me sell all the originals and reach our goal of $6000.

Reception Today!

Day 37 - "The Aquarium" with help from Emma R., 3rd grade
Day 38 - "Make Believe" with help from Sadie R., kindergarten


It's finally here!! I hope to see many people there today. Forty pieces are done... these two from just last night.

Hot off the press!!

I ran to pick up copies of The Daily News this morning... and WOW! There is almost a full page of color dedicated to displaying the work and a great article to go with them. Emma took the copy to show her classmates, saying "SO cool!" on the way out of the car. I completely agree. The print version showcased eleven paintings plus a few of kids doing their thing. What a great send up for Sunday. My thanks to everyone at the paper for getting this done so fast... Ian Berry, Sonya Vartabedian, Will Courtney and Jim Vaiknoras. http://www.newburyportnews.com/pulife/local_story_063235050.html

We're also on the website http://www.newburyport-today.com/. Kim Gobbi has been great to work with and posted a write up for us on Newburyport-Today!

Just a side note in case you thought I had it all put together... I was rushing to get ready yesterday for The Daily News photoshoot and in my haste chose to douse my head with an oily coating of SPF 70 sunblock instead of hairspray. It was way too late to do anything about it, so the GIANT photo of me on the front page of today's paper sports the wet look! Ugh. Is it Sunday yet?

Day 36

Today's post is the last day of painting for Haiti!! Il est fini.

This final piece is called "Tea Party" with help from Gabrielle Sergi, a high school senior who has been a student aid in Mrs. Whitney's 3rd grade classroom this semester.

There were thirty six students that participated in this work over the last seven weeks. Two additional pieces were painted during the Haiti project, for a total of 38. (The painting called "Hope for Haiti" which is the print for sale and a 30"x30" piece called "Lady Liberty's Torch").

In addition, I'm happy to announce that two additional kindergarteners are helping me with pieces we'll auction on Sunday for the PTO. Our schools in Newburyport have been huge supporters of this Haiti project and we'll recognize their effort Sunday!

So grand total... forty.

Day 35

This morning I picked up 26 beautiful prints from Paul McDonough with Child at Heart Gallery in Amesbury. They look fantastic. He sat with me and my six year old Sadie in Greta's and I signed and packaged them

to have on hand Sunday. Sadie's hit the chocolate jackpot recently for being such a trooper. No wonder she keeps suggesting I make pastry shops my new permanent office. I then met with Kimm Wilkinson of the Firehouse and Jen Hansen, my volunteer event coordinator, to walk through logistics for Sunday. These ladies sure make this look easy! I can say for sure the reception is going to be a fun, relaxed two hours for all. Okay, maybe not exactly 'relaxed' for me, but I will fake it well. The children are truly the stars of the show.

Today's painting is "Push Me" with help from Miles O'Malley, third grader Bresnahan.

Day 34

Today's piece is called "Karate Kid" with background painting by Jeremy Laliberty.

I have a few more incredible people to thank.... Jen Hansen with Gracious Events stepped into my world today and offered to help me whip it all together for Sunday. She's saving my sanity - no joke. Laura Elias, another great mom and business owner of Oregano's in town, has generously offered food to the reception. Chris Miller from Port Media and Tom Goodwin have helped me get a video clip together and up on our local access channel with VERY short notice. (Look for a 1 minute clip on local TV kids!) And lastly, I needed background music for this video and the longer segment I'll bring on Sunday. After a quick call to a friend in NY, I was put in touch with a talented singer/songwriter in Olso, Norway, Frederik Fossum (www.frekk.net). He and my friend, Rene A Sosa, wrote a song called "Shelter" together. It was perfect as is, but they are now changing the lyrics for us, re-recording it by the weekend, and offering all proceeds from downloads of this new song to Save the Children on our behalf. Simply incredible. I'm going to feature Frederik's music in the longer video at the reception but in the meantime please check out his work on youtube under the name WaxMud. My deepest thanks go to these great people.

You are invited...

Further details: http://event.pingg.com/ArtForHaiti

Just by asking...

I walked into The Daily News today, showed the managing editor (Will Courtney) the poster and explained what we're doing. He was great and within a few hours reporter Ian Berry was calling me to flesh out a story for this coming Thursday's Arts Section. Great publicity makes a huge difference!

Then I walked around town to post a few flyers and ask if some of our local businesses would help us at the reception with food. Starbucks, Not Your Average Joe's, Alden Merrell, Shaw's... everyone I've spoken to so far has agreed to help in some way. There's more running around to do but I'm truly humbled by the generosity of our community.

One other note I think bears repeating... Checks for paintings should be made directly to Save the Children (but handed to me). This means the donation you make is fully tax deductible. Prints have to be handled differently than paintings however - please inquire.

Save the Children works in many countries where children are at risk. For instance they've mobilized an emergency response to the Chilean earthquake, where almost 300,000 children could be affected in the most severely damaged areas. From their website: "You can help Save the Children respond to emergencies around the world that put at risk the survival, protection, and well-being of significant numbers of children. By contributing to our Children's Emergency Fund, you enable us to prepare and respond immediately to children and families who urgently need our help when disasters strike."