Artblink 2012

I was asked to participate in UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center's Artblink on February 25, 2012. It is their annual fundraising gala at The Kirkland Clinic. Artblink is made of about 18 artists that are asked to create a work of art in 90 minutes in front of a live audience and then the work is auctioned off. I was thrilled to participate! It was a new challenge for me because I have never painted infront of an audience before and I paint SLOW, so I've never created anything in 90 minutes. My dad joked that I can't even sign my name in 90 minutes!

My participation was in honor of my Dad, who had just been declared cured of throat cancer earlier that month. He was a patient at The Kirkland Clinic. My husband's grandmother, Joan Sutherland aka "Granny Grunt" was also honored that night with her photo displayed on my table. Granny Grunt was battling lung cancer during the event and passed the following Monday.

I decided to paint a water lily scene for the event. The reference photo was taken at Monet's water lily garden. I didn't get a clean shot of just the painting, but here are a few photos from that night. You can see my portrait "Lauren" on display in the background. The event was a big success, with the committee raising around 1.5 million dollars! For more info about the event click here http://138.26.246.74/index.html

My Dad and I at the start of the event

I had to listen to music while I worked to help calm my nerves from people watching me. I'm a little bit of an introvert what can I say?

With the finished painting

The winning patrons of my auction piece!