Recently, I have begun fundraising for a project that has been in the planning stage for several months. If you are interested in learning more about this project please take the time to read the following blog, which will describe the influence behind the Portrait Project.
In 2018 I went on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico with a group named 'Sojourn Collegiate Ministries.' While there, we worked with a safe house for children survivors of human trafficking called 'International Network of Hearts.' After being blessed with the opportunity to spend time with the children living there, I have not been able to stop thinking about them. They taught me so much about faith, strength, and dignity. As a Christian and an artist, I have been working to find a way to merge these two parts of my life. For the past year or so I have been brainstorming how I could use my art to work with International Network of Hearts (INH) again!
The idea I, and a few amazing supports in my life, have come up with is to pursue a large series of portraits. The paintings are meant to honor the children who have been rescued and who are now being raised by INH. I am partnering with an organization named 'Project Micah,' to market and communicate with the safe house. I will also be traveling to Tijuana with Project Micah once the funds have been raised. We hope to visit with the kids, as well as take reference photos for each of their future portrait paintings!
The Portrait Project is being fundraised via GoFundMe, where you can learn even more about the mission behind the series. Fundraising will cover the following:
-painting materials
-shipping costs
-labor costs
-travel
We believe that art has the power to touch hearts and act as a healing process. There are currently 20 children living at the INH safe house; each of them will receive a portrait. Portraits are a sign of wealth and status in art history, but I believe the INH children deserve their own portraits just as much as any person of great wealth does. Each painting will belong completely to the respective child. The paintings will be a personal heirloom to take, if they would like, when they are reintroduced to society at age 18.
If you feel strongly about fighting the human trafficking trade, and you would like to help bless a child who has been through the unimaginable, we ask that you would please consider donating to the Portrait Project.
Photos from International Network of Hearts
*10% of all funding will be gifted to International Network of Hearts.*
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