Ali J Art & Illustration

Art Fights Fire bushfire fundraiser

"Art Fights Fire"

I'm sure you've heard the about the awful situation we've encountered here in Australia in regards to bushfires across Melbourne.  I've always grown up in areas surrounded by bushland, and I've been close enough to bushfires twice to the point where you could see flames on the hill.  It is a scarey thought to sit there and start mentally making a list of what you need to pack & take before you race away from your home.  Thankfully though it has never reached the point where it has lately where people couldn't leave their homes, or perished fleeing.

I don't know what to say, or how to express it.  Other then it ties me up in knots inside.  The thing is, this could have happened to anyone.  I feel like I need to help in someway, but being on the other side of the country does not leave a lot of options.  I am unable to donate any money, I can't donate blood (low iron) and I'm unable to donate goods (too far away).  However I need to do something.

What I am doing is participating in the upcoming "Art Fights Fire" charity art exhibition on Wednesday the 25th of February from 6.30pm.  Kaotic Kraft Kuties and Outré Gallery are joining forces to create a one night only bushfire fundraiser. 

I'm donating a painting to be auctioned off, with all monies going to the Red Cross Appeal.  The painting being donated is the one pictured above titled "Princess Penelope".  She has been created with mixed media and measures 30cm x 30cm x 1.5cm.

Some of the other artists that will be exhibiting alongside myself include -

Gina Garan (NYC)

Magic Jelly (in South Australia)

Lab Partners (San Francisco)

Angelique Houtkamp (Amsterdam)

Shag (Los Angeles)

Audrey Kawasaki (Los Angeles)

Beci Orpin (Melbourne)

Sublime Stitching (USA)

kozyndan (Los Angeles)

Ghostpatrol (Melbourne)

Neryl Walker (Melbourne)

APAK (USA)

In addition to the auction there will be raffle tickets available for sale both in Melbourne and online for $10 from Monday the 16th of January.  Which means you can win great goodies!  Purchases are welcome from Australian or International buyers.  You can read more about the exhibition at the blog or shortly at the website for Outre Gallery.

It is for such a great cause, so if you are in Melbourne head down on the night to help raise some much needed money.  You can also help out with selling raffle tickets, just contact Gemma through her blog.  However the best thing you can do is put the word out about the "Art Fights Fire" event so we can make a huge contribution to the Red Cross Appeal!  So please - tell your friends, family, blog about it, put it on your website. 

xox

Want other ways to help?

• Funds can be donated directly to the Australian Red Cross
• You can help out the animals and donate directly to WildlifeVictoria
• help with handmade
• Donate or purchase items from OzBushfireAppeal, who's sales are being donated to the Red Cross.
• Shop at Coles on Friday the 13th of February. ALL PROFITS go directly to the bushfire appeal!  How great is that.  :)

The RSPCA is dear to my heart

Mentioning the mere word of the RSPCA meant that I jumped at the  next opportunity.  The second reason?  Well what was proposed would be a huge challenge, but also a whole lot of fun!

I was one of five invited artists to decorate a record bowl for Leeloo which will be auctioned off with all proceeds from the auction will be donated directly to the RSPCA.  What a great cause!  One of my dogs Cash is from the RSPCA, and the other one Jem was rescued before being taken there, so I believe strongly in supporting them whenever I can.

I decided to keep this illustration simple and naive, with a lot of symbolism.  When I think of pets, I think of them being my best friend and growing up with them, so I wanted to keep the theme around the same type of concepts.  Without ado, here is my creation -



She has a 'spotlight' of animals shining her way, all sizes and shapes.  A semi reflection of me who has 2 dogs, a cat, 8 guinea pigs, a rabbit and 5 fish.  Not to mention the thousands of ants in the garden, spiders, worms and lizards too!





As you can see the bowl has a ton of curves and was a huge challenge to paint on.  It wasn't until afterwards that I learnt most artists who painted on plastic would paint on it first, then melt the plastic and shape it - so I basically did it the wrong way around!!  LOL.  Although the bowl was given to me in the shape it is now, so it wasn't really an option to paint it flat first.  More of a challenge anyway!









The bidding has commenced at a low $50, so dig deep this Christmas and not only will you be getting this cool original painted record bowl, but you will also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing your money is going to a great cause!  (The RSPCA Guardian Angel Christmas Fund)

The bowl would be best displayed on a plate stand, and would look gorgeous on a vintage desk or on a shelf.

You can see the auction in all it's glory here - Ali J Record Bowl Auction Site