Goblin Gallop Art - Food for Others

in progress by MG Stout

BEEing Herself

in progress by MG Stout

in progress by MG Stout

I do have a few more but unlucky for you... I left my cable at the studio and today I am working from home.  (I'm on call as today a very good friend of mine is having a baby and I am taking care of her children while she is PUSHING her newest child into the world)

What an exciting day.

I wonder if you recall the photos of the runners/walkers that I posted earlier?

Walking for Gavin

  Autism Speaks Now 2010 Walk

I love a family who has a child with autism and I've been wanting to do something to show them how much I care.  So I walked.

 I registered online to be on their team - The Rockets

Here is the nifty sign that our daughters held high for the entire 3.5 mile course.

Erin, Bethann and Megan ready to get their walk on!

This sign is special because it has images of all Gavin's favorite things.  We were surrounded by hundreds of other teams donning their colors and signs.  Boys and girls, young and old walking hand in hand supporting and loving each other.  It was beautiful.  The girls also showed support by having their faces painted.

Megan sports a rocket

Erin rocks a puzzle piece

Then the MC announced that it was just about game time and so...

We were lead in some early morning stretches to get our blood pumping and our muscles loose!

Pre Walk Warm Up teams Orange & Green

Now for the fella of the hour, the man of the moment, the dude of the day 

Introducing....the brilliant, the handsome,

the "rocket man"!

Gavin 

...a marching we will go...marching for love...marching for awareness...marching for him et al!

Beginning the journey

The Rockets stepping toward the Washington Memorial

 Autism is a disease that is found in every income bracket.  It doesn't discriminate.  It has no religion, race or gender.  It is a conundrum that is cropping up at an alarming rate.  It really bothers me how diseases of the mind are more often than not the target of discrimination.  When someone thinks or communicates in a way that we don't understand we get upset and frustrated and think...  What is wrong with them? ...are they stupid or something?... why won't they just listen to me, do what I say and behave?  We are so egocentric!  What makes the way we think normal or right?  If normalcy is based on what is average - then I'm looking to learn from the individuals found in the periphery!  For they are truly exceptional and can teach me about alternative ways of thinking.  I say that we should all invest our time in  seeing the world the through their eyes.  We just might learn a thing or two.

I recently read a book written from the perspective of an autistic boy.  The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time.  Brilliant and insightful it reminded me of one of my favorite books - The Catcher In the Rye.  I highly recommend it and have attached a link which includes a discussion guide.

While I haven't read the discussion guide it might be helpful in starting the conversation?

I can't wait to start the paintings of this amazing experience!

  

Wanna Little Taste?

Okay for all of you who are just dying to know what I've been painting for ART Fare 2010.

I'm going to whet your whistle with an under-painting.  Be advised that it will look very different for the opening reception...Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 7:00-9:00p.m.  

Work in progress 24 x 24 x 3 MG Stout

A little taste so you can see what it will taste like.

Feeding Families, Nourishing Lives

Harvest for the Hungry

Delivering Healthy FRESH whole foods to our neighbors

All bellies should be full in the United States of America.  

NO EXCEPTIONS 

The number of hungry families in Northern VA is oft overlooked because of the affluent reputation of this area.  Yet, 90,000(+) of our neighbors are living in poverty and need our help.

ENTER STAGE LEFT: Food for Others

  Their mission is to obtain and distribute free food to the hungry of Northern VA and support food programs of other community-based organizations.  They also provide a channel for people to volunteer their services to help their neighbors in need.

ENTER STAGE RIGHT: MG Stout 

This November I am the featured artist of Studio 4 at the Workhouse Arts Center.  So I've decided to use my featured status to bridge the gap between my studio work and my commitment to DO GOOD.

I've created a whole new body of work celebrating the bounty of our county.  A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Food for Others. 

All month long I will be doing my best to raise awareness, funds, and food for an organization dedicated to helping our neighbors who need our support. So stay tuned or click the "followers button" at the top of the page to receive updates and positive promotions that will benefit everyone.