Home is Where the Heart is

It's been nearly three years since I've returned home to New Zealand. I've missed so many things since I've been away: my dad's wedding, the growth of my young nephew Asher, and many happy events in the lives of my friends. I'd been trying to find a time of stability where I could afford to go home and see everyone - but things kept going wrong, whether with expensive medical bills, bouts of ill health, or six months of unemployment. It has been a really rough ride.

Now, my older brother is getting married to his lovely fiance at the end of May. I've moved to England and FINALLY found work (hooray), but my first paycheck won't come until the end of April, and I will need it to pay rent.

The good news is that because I have found work I can take 9 days of leave to make the journey there, and still be able to pay rent at the end of the month. This is a big step, and one I'm really happy about.

The bad news is that I'm still scraping by, and there's no way I can afford the ticket. 

SO I am asking/begging/pleading with all my friends, family, and kind strangers, to help me get home so I can see my family at this momentous time in their lives. I want to meet my new sister-in-law, I want to see my brother happily married, I want to see how big my nephew has grown, I want to see my family and my precious friends, and I want to see the stars again the way you can only see them in New Zealand...

If you make a donation I would really love to share some of my art with you, as my only current currency. If you would like a physical print, please let me know. Otherwise include your email address and I will send out a digital copy of an entirely new piece that I will finish by June 30th 2015.

I am not sure whether it will be a digital painting, or something new from me entirely, but I will have something on the way to your inboxes/mailboxes by June 30th. 

Also it's my birthday next month! So, rather than buying me a gift or sending me a card, it would be great if you could make a donation (however small) to my fund for getting home.

ALSO if the goal goes over the mark, this will enable me to visit Auckland, Wellington, AND Nelson. The three places I've lived/grown up in/where all my loved ones are. 

Thanks for reading guys - I love you. 

xoxo Jamie