This was donated to the silent auction for the Wings of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation’s Wild West Auction – A Night In Support of Women with Breast Cancer, being held on June 17, 2006 from 7pm to Midnight at the Big Rock Brewery in Calgary.
Wings of Hope is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that raises funds for Calgary area patients living with breast cancer. With no staff costs, virtually all dollars raised go directly to their Endowment Fund which is used to provide immediate financial assistance for everyday living expenses and medication to those in need who are undergoing traditional cancer treatments at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.
Tracy Quon, treasurer of the Wings of Hope approached me asking if I had anything I would like to donate to their silent auction. I didn’t have anything on hand, but after a brief discussion, we agreed a Phoenix would be the perfect symbol and emblam for this organization and the spirit and determination it represents. The problem was I had 5 days to paint it to meet the donation dead line. But for Tracy, and for this cause, I’d do just about anything.
I tend to not paint very much between January and April. I don’t know why. It just sort of happens that way each year. Maybe to give my hand (and head) a rest, maybe just the winter blues tampering with my chi and dampening my motivation. Then as the snow melts so does my hibernating mind, and the ideas start to flow. Then more and more ideas come, and my head explodes into torrent of inspiration and I can’t get to a canvas quick enough.