Posted Mar 11, 2010 By EMC News
EMC Events - Barbara Simpson is showing her support of the 27th Annual Easter Seals Telethon this Sunday (March 14) in Kingston by donating a painting entitled, 'Spirit of Children' that she specially created for the event.
During the first week of 2010, the Brockville artist said she was approached by Timothy Ross, one of the newest collectors of her art, to ask if she would be interested in donating a painting to the telethon.
"Having an understanding of my love for children and the type of work I've done in the past, i.e. donations of my art to the United Way for the past decade, I did not hesitate to say yes," she said. "I was very enthusiastic about this initiative. I don't have children of my own but I do have seven beautiful nieces and nephews and other beautiful children in my life who always have a way of encouraging and inspiring me. I care about the welfare of children and being presented with such a wonderful opportunity, this fundraiser is another way that I can give back, through my art. My inner child always comes out to play when I'm painting."
The painting is 16 in. x 20 in. in size. An original acrylic, no prints will be made, as is the case for all Simpson's work since 1998. Immediately, she thought of 'The Spirit of Children' for a title. Actually, which she says is rare for her, the title came before the painting.
The local artist wanted the subject matter of the painting to depict one of the special environments created especially for Easter Seals children, hence Camp Merrywood outside of Perth. She also wanted the artwork to be "energetic with colour and, above all, happy."
"It also captures a moment in time," she noted. "With donations, camps like Camp Merrywood in Perth can function, allowing Easter Seals children to participate in many indoor and outdoor activities, such as canoeing shown in my painting."
Individuals, companies and corporations can bid on Simpson's painting with the highest bidder winning the painting and all the money going to Easter Seals "to help kids with physical disabilities succeed."
"This is just one of the ways that people can give to this rewarding children's charity," she says.
Easter Seals serves 1,700 children living with physical disabilities in Southeastern Ontario.
Sunday's telethon airs on CKWS TV and TVCogeco from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring hosts Julie Brown and Bill Hutchins of the CKWS news team and Anthony Mann and Timothy Ross of TVCogeco. The event will be hosted at K-Rock Center in Kingston.
More information about the telethon can be found on the Easter Seals
website at easterseals.org.
Hello...To answer the same question a few people have already called or facebooked me with ....yes, I will be in Kingston this Sunday, with my painting!! Thank you!! Mark your Calendar now! Barbara Simpson