 |
| Ryan S. Brown Bre - "En Plein Air" 24 X 32 in. oil |
On this special day of thankfulness, it is only natural that our feelings of gratitude for the many good things we have in our lives would be counterbalanced by the thoughts we give to those persons less fortunate than ourselves. If you are someone who has been blessed, and are thinking of reaching out to help someone in need, consider, this season, donating to The Bre Project, a Kickstarter campaign whose long-term goal is to help bring public awareness to the childhood cancer osteosarcoma, while at the same time helping to raise money for the medical treatment of Bre Hatfield, a young dancer suffering from the disease.
Founded by Utah-based painter, Ryan S. Brown, The Bre Project seeks to raise $45,000 to allow Brown to paint a series of pictures chronicling this young woman's progress through chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery. The money would be divided between securing an exhibition space for the Bre paintings, advertising the sale, framing the works, and providing Brown with a stipend while he eschews other ventures to concentrate on this one. A large portion from the sale of these finished works will be given to the Hatfield family to help cover the expenses this unfortunate situation has incurred them.
For Brown, this is a very personal mission. Young Bre first modeled for Brown at age 13, and she quickly became the motivation for many more paintings. It was during a period when he was working on a new series of paintings featuring Bre, that Brown learned of his muse's illness. This is his way of trying to help the girl he has found so inspirational.
Bre's story touches me, not only because I have had people close to me affected by cancer, but also because she is a dancer, as is my wife. That this disease has affected her legs, and so directly impacted her passion, only saddens me more. I can only imagine the many fears this young woman is experiencing, but she seems to bearing them all with tremendous grace and positivity. She is fortunate to have been diagnosed so early, and we are all wishing for her a speedy return to good health.
Even if you are unable to help with funding for this endeavor, please consider spreading the word about this crowd-funding project. Every bit helps.