Summer Vacation

Cicadas buzzed as I peddled my beach cruiser down the dark road. Despite the fact that it was nearly midnight, the temperature was still a balmy 80 degrees. A hot ocean breeze filtered through the island mangrove hammock. I left the neighborhood and pulled onto a bike path which runs along the Overseas Highway. Old railroad bridges have been converted to bike trails and fishing piers on the 100 mile trek from Key Largo to Key West. New bridges parallel the old. Built for heavy traffic.

I passed small groups of friends and families camped on the narrow bridge. Each group sits on camping chairs or coolers. They cast lines into the dark water and wait. Nobody played music. The sounds of waves slapping against the concrete pilings dominate the night. Then a semi truck rumbled past and the old bridge is washed in bright light.

My night vision took a few moments to return, but when it does I can see the line of the Milky Way. Moments like this are so inspiring to me. I had no desire to paint, record, or photograph that moment. The experience was everything.

Sold!

My portrait of Jon Stewart didn't last long. I received payment and donated $50 to United Arts of Central Florida. I'm so close to my goal of $1000 in the first 6 months. $930 have been donated so far. I have 2 custom portraits awaiting payment.

I have really enjoyed this project. Honestly, it feeds the ego. I don't make any money and donate a lot of time and money in supplies, but I get a ridiculous amount satisfaction from donating the funds after each sale. I know it's not a GREAT amount of money donated but I have to believe that every bit makes a difference for these organizations. And I'm sharing art. I believe in original artwork. It has so much more life than a print. I sometimes imagine the journey of a painting once I sell it. Oh the places it will go...

Painting Colbert to GNR's Greatest Hits

Tonight after putting my daughter Fiona to bed I sat down at my painting table to work.

I feel like I'm close to completing this one. I'm just not quite there. Gun's N Roses great hits seemed appropriate while painting. Their music is like a tsunami of nostalgia for me. It's the music of my childhood. It brings back memories of air guitar solo's with tennis racket in hand. Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle, and Civil War actually remind me of Stephan Colbert. The songs are aggressive, over the top, and play at being tough. Oh, and GNR were terribly afraid of BEARS!

Introducing Charity Paintings, the blog

Welcome,

I'm Ryan Wollard. I paint portraits, sell the portraits, then donate all of the money to charity. I decided to create a blog about my painting process, inspiration, and offer some behind-the-scenes content.

Why am I doing this? What do I get get out of it?

I started this project around the same time all of the fighting was taking place in Wisconsin over teachers pensions and collective bargaining. I was angry. At the media and politicians. I was so frustrated I couldn't tolerate satire. I couldn't watch comedians make fun of the situation. I was mad. I didn't understand how we as a country could prop up industry with billions of tax dollars but begrudge a fair living wage to teachers, fire fighters, public servants. There are tons of examples of the things that pissed me off. Underfunded arts programs in school for instance. What you should know is that I felt powerless and had to do something.

 I've sold art in the past. Most recently I created ceramic robots and sold them at farmers markets. I made enough money to purchase x-mas presents for my family, but not a living wage. I'm a sales representative for Heinz Ketchup. This is how I support my family. Could I use more money? Sure, everybody could use more. Do I need it? No. The money I've made with art has only supplemented my regular income. Which lead me to the idea that I didn't need to keep it. I could give it away.

I could try to make a difference. I could use my artistic expression to fund programs in need. Education, the arts, science, fighting poverty, and the environment are my hot buttons.

I started Charity Paintings. 5 months later I've donated over $800 to Modest Needs, A Gift for Teaching, Page 15, The Center for Contemporary Dance, The Nature Conservancy, Harbor House, and The National Parks Conservation Association.

That's a snapshot of who I am and what I'm doing.

Thank you for supporting Charity Paintings. I hope to keep this blog fun and update it regularly.

Ryan Wollard