The Warpaint Project

It wasn't painting that drove my creative spirit but writing. Every teacher, every friend, every family member- even now, encourages me to write books. In 2023, I enrolled in college with nothing more than a GED , to pursue and publish my work- but painting is another world that needs artists the most. With AI taking over art, and writing, its art that cannot be easily replaced. The arts are dying and I cannot sit back into written words when the stories art tells lasts 1000 years.

When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, or any other life-threatening, Life-changing, and sometimes life ending diagnosis, there is nothing you wouldn't do to show your support. But buyer beware as you search for cancer-care gifts as you'll be met with companies slinging dollar-store junk and promotional items disguised as cancer support that are sold by companies whose profit relies on cancer diagnosis. These companies are no better than ambulance chasers and high-priced giftshops; whose business model does not care about the family on the other end of the receipt. When my best friends father was diagnosed with cancer on February 5th, 2019. I gathered my painting supplies and created a painting of an elephant- her father's favorite thing. I remembered visiting his house while we were both pregnant. We were swimming in his pool. He laughed when he turned the corner "You look like a couple of elephants," It was true. That was 20 years before this tragic day, but a memory i held dear- of a time when we were carrying our first babies (born two months apart) The elephant painting was a reminder of a funny moment, a reminder of the hundreds of elephants adorning his shelves and walls, and when she picked it up later that day, her reaction told me she knew exactly what this painting was about. That same night, I began The Warpaint Project, my father created my website and showed me how to update it. I added a Nomination Form and creates a post on Facebook inviting anyone who wanted a painting for their 'Warrior' at no cost, whatsoever, to celebrate their loved one's bravery fighting cancer, to fill out the Nomination and I will make a painting for them- so they can experience what I did; and watch art conquer all. Over the next 8 years over 400 paintings were shipped across the United States as The WarPaint Project became the only 501c3 nonprofit organization in the cancer care space. We shared their Nomination Form's Warrior Story, of a time when their Warrior ser aside their diagnosis and chose life, love, family, and faith. We shared their GoFundMe link and forfeited our donations asking our supporters to support our Warriors instead. We stayed close to our Warriors, updating everyone as their fight with cancer improved, celebrating when they became cancer free, grieving when cancer took their life. When we learned our paijtings were seated on easels next to their Warriors at their wake and funerals- we finally understood the profound impact a painting has; art truly heals us, both the artist and the recipient, in ways no fuzzy socks and overpriced chapstick will; in ways neck pillows and blankets in a plastic basket for $125 won't. There is a presence in handmade gifts, in paintings and handmade things that tells the person it was made for, how the artist sat down with love in their heart to focus on their feeling loved. Today, we offer families fighting cancer in the Anna community, the Warpaint Project experience. All we ask for in return is help with materials. We will help design the painting, help tell your story, help guide donations to your family. And when the painting is done- we wrap it and bring it to you, so you can schedule a time with family all around and celebrate your bravest Warrior.