Giving

Above, my take on Hukosai's Tsunami. Below, Tsunami, Young and Mature and Lindol (Earthquake) Young and Mature. Pen and ink on 9"x12" Bristol Board.

Ah! What irony. I am chagrined with the fantasy I have created with Chunami and Lindol. The lines and squiggle belie the sad and painful reality. Perhaps, it was my intention all along, to deny the pain and suffering brought by these horrible disasters. I can shut them from my memory and I will go to sleep tonight in sweet slumber.

But not quite so for the people who have suffered and continue to suffer from the recent Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami. They cannot even begin to rebuild their lives and homes because of the nuclear calamity. Having been born in a country ravaged with natural disasters, I understand the pain and suffering of the Japanese people, therefore, I join my dearest friend Bella Sinclair in her effort to help the people of Japan.

Please bear with me. I am asking for your help. I am requesting you to donate $25.00 directly to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund. What do you get for your effort? For starters, the satisfaction of having helped, instead of just hoping you could help. It's hard to part with money, especially in today's uncertain and depressed economy, but if you can, Bella and I will be extremely thankful for your effort. Bella and I will give you prints and original pieces of our artworks:

An 8" x 10" print signed by Bella Sinclair. In Bella's words, "This is an image of two young Japanese children painting in one eye of a Daruma Doll. In Japan, the Daruma is a symbol of good luck and perseverance and is inspired by Bodhidharma, the Buddhist monk often credited for his Zen teachings. The doll is weighted on the bottom so that it always rights itself rather than toppling over. Because of this, it is often associated with the saying Nana korobi Ya oki, which means, 'Seven times fall down, eight times get up.' Upon acquiring a Daruma Doll, a person will set a goal and paint in one eye. When the goal is achieved, he or she will paint in the other eye. In this image, the young children are setting their goal, and that is to get up once more."

As a thank you, you will also receive an original ACEO (2.5" x 3.5") of a Japanese Blue Oak Acorn (Quercus glauca), rendered in pen and ink and signed by yours truly. It comes in a handcrafted envelope made of beautiful Japanese decorative paper, along with information about this majestic tree.

Everyone who makes a donation will also be entered into a raffle to receive a larger original 9" x 12" pen and ink drawing of the Japanese Blue Oak on Bristol Board. If you would like to receive the above, please email your receipt for a $25 donation to the American Red Cross (earmarked for the Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund) to bellasinclairdoodler@yahoo.com or to cesandherdishes@sbcglobal.net. The print and ACEO will be shipped to you, free of charge. In addition Bella and I will, combined, donate $30 for each $25 donation received (up to $200).

The Quercus glauca illustration above, which I will be happy to give, is part of my personal collection below:

Thank you very much!