Well that went much more quickly than expected!!
Thanks to 22 generous supporters over on Buy Me A Coffee, you have helped raise 1215€, even more than the 900€ I’d originally hoped for to cover the basic stretch bars, canvas, gesso and paints needed to start work on two paintings for Zionskirche in Berlin…. which is good because I’d completely forgotten to calculate the paint rollers and trays I’ll be needing to work at such a huge scale!!
Through this humbling process of asking for help, I’ve realised that your support is about so much more than just the money. I confess to feeling somewhat daunted as I stand before the largest painting task of my life, but now I am no longer standing alone. We are making this happen together and I can’t express how much better that feels!
It also means I can’t quit before I’ve begun, because you are invested! 😂
So, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!
Once the funds have dribbled through the various payment portals, I’ll be pressing ‘Purchase’ on the shopping cart from my favourite art supplier… it will be a good day for them!
Meanwhile I’m beginning to work on some preparatory sketches and next will be a detailed colour study.
I’ve also been back to the church for further inspiration and to confirm proportions. When I had the original idea for the works in 2018 I had envisaged them suspended on the wires I saw between columns on a balcony above the cross. The figures were reaching down:
Since then the church has been renovated and the wires no longer exist, but I am permitted to place these paintings, freestanding (figuring that one out!) either side of the alter. The altar is also in the process of being renovated, so working out dimensions of the final cross placement is tricky.
Huge shout out to my model for “Maria” otherwise known as Silvia Sarsano, a talented painter at StudiosID where I have my studio in Berlin. She donated her enthusiasm, encouragement and 161cm to help figure out the new placement for the figures. Then we went back to the studio, she posed and helped me brainstorm some cool ideas. Check out her art too!
Art is never made in isolation, let’s bust that myth right now!
The donation pot will remain open for the whole project so if you would also like to be a part of this, your contribution will go towards installation and transportation costs, any extra paint I need and helping towards the studio fees…. plus anything else I have forgotten!
Thank you!! 🙂