Artist Directory

Discover talented artists from Anna and the surrounding community

Anna Arts Council

Creative Consultant

"I made this for you." Those five little words spoken by little angels before handing over priceless, instant family heirlooms actually prove every bit of what I believe: that when we create handmade gifts (art) for people who inspire us, art becomes spiritually healing.In 1999, I was a cake decorator for a local bakery in New York. Armed with an air compressor and an airbrush pen filled with food coloring, I created custom-made cakes for special occasions. When customers picked up their cakes and opened the lid to inspect my work, their faces lit with joy, their eyes welled with tears, and I was a kid again, handing over art that makes a difference. So, when the cake decorating gig ended, my best friends pooled their money together and purchased me a French easel, dozens of canvases, oil and acrylic paints, and brushes, and encouraged me to use the canvas instead of tables, walls, floors, and my clothing.Art has long been a currency for me; it allows me to buy another joyful moment where I orchestrate happiness, encouragement, and compassion. And since I control the price, it gave me the ability to be as generous as I wanted to be.In 2018, after spending at least three years without painting anything while enjoying my fourth baby's first steps, my best friend called me with the terrible news that her father was diagnosed with cancer. I'd given her dozens of paintings before, but this painting was different. I held my baby the entire time, tears in my eyes, contemplating how fragile life really is. When it was done, I called her over (she lived half a mile away) and I watched her hold the painting of an elephant (her father's favorite thing), and she wept with such appreciation. She knew of my hiatus from painting and my frustration with it, and knew this painting was such a desperate longing to show her I care.Afterwards, I placed the painting and a prayer request on Facebook. This is my "God Descending Moment," where a woman contacted me to ask if I would sell her the painting. It's every artist's dream to hear those words, "How much?" but this painting was spoken for. She would go on to tell me about her son who was born with non-verbal autism and was competing in a spelling bee that weekend—and that he, in fact, was holding the phone, saw the painting, and gushed with emotion over its beauty. She had to have it. How much?God does not bestow artistic talent so that it is held hostage for ransom; it is to be given freely to whoever needs it to heal. I offered to create Cody a painting of his own at no charge, which is what I did.This is that same night, that same day, that same event—that started with a call from my best friend—where by 9 PM I created a Facebook page, a website, and that first post: "How many of my friends want to celebrate their Warrior of Cancer, Warrior of Autism, or Warrior of Life with a totally free painting of their favorite things?"There were 12 in the first hour, 56 the first month, and 157 by December. Every painting shared a different Warrior Story, and every story taught us all about being brave, graceful, beautiful, and faithful. My God, it changed my life every single day. I made this for you- Anna Arts Council, The WarPaint Project, AnnaArtPro.org, and this app- I made it all so artists have the experience of a lifetime, like I did. and that I will be here, every step of the way, to help.

1 listings

Joseph M

Other

I’m the co-founder of The Warpaint Project and the Anna Arts Council, and I came to art not by training, but by necessity. When my wife, Aubre’, was overwhelmed by painting requests from families fighting cancer—84 in one weekend, all free—I asked how I could help, and we began experimenting with acrylic pouring, a process that feels part paint, part science lab. Together, we created more than a hundred paintings that blend pouring and brushwork, and donated them to families across America.

2 listings

The Warpaint Project

Painter

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.

0 listings