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Mom to Reignite Dream

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My Sister’s Story:



I’m writing this on behalf of my sister, who is a mom trying to get back on her feet after a slew of unfortunate events in her life:  financial crimes against her family and a HUGE family emergency that has left her and her children emotionally and financially depleted. Although in turmoil, my sister has decided to rise from ashes to start anew, in the form of reigniting her art career. She would like to show her kids that tragedy does not have to paralyze a person.

One of the biggest hardships on April’s energy, time, and finances has been taking care of her eldest son, who is mentally challenged with multiple diagnoses. She’s had to see her son go through a heartbreaking decline where he lost his social skills and ability to take care of himself. The state did very little to help April and her son (my nephew) as the US is ultimately lacking in services for the mentally challenged. This had prevented April from being able to get a job as she had to keep a close watch and aid her eldest son 24/7, trying relentlessly to get him the the proper therapy. He is now in a facility awaiting placement in a therapeutic care residence. April now has more time to explore her path in life, which is her personal art projects and art therapy for all people.



What Your Contribution Will Go Toward:

April is a talented artist in many art forms—painting, clay work, mixed media, photography, etc.—and has grand ideas for the direction of where she’d like to take her art career. She’s been an animator and artist/fashion designer in the past for Disney, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom. She has also taught classes in art therapy at the Deepak Chopra Center.  However, taking care of her kids singlehandedly left her art and design on the backburner. Since her kids are now older, she’d like to focus on her dreams again.

A breakdown of general costs of starting up her art business: 

- kiln: $1,500-2,000
-clay art supplies*: $1,000 for a month, $3,000 for 3 months worth of supplies. 
-glass, canvas, paints: $1,500

(please note that April is a specialist in multi-fire clay work)

*supplies include: clay, china paints, enamels, lusters, etc. 

To see what she’s created in the past, simply check out some of her pieces pictured in this post! I’ll be helping her create an Etsy account (anyone that contributes will get a discount on pieces they wish to buy from the Etsy account we will create once things get rolling). In this post are examples of her photography, clay work, and paintings. Isn't she truly talented? 



(the above is from her line of galaxy paintings)






April’s short term goals would be to provide a living for her and her family. Her medium and long range goals would be to invite children, teens and other adults of trauma or financial loss to express their emotions in a safe place through art.

Her desire is to dive back into her artwork; she simply needs the supplies to do so. Really, the littlest contribution is appreciated as she valiantly moves ahead in her dream.  


She can make it through this storm with your help. This in turn will be the biggest gift to her children, my nephews. 




Thank you in advance for any contributions! You're helping raise the spirits and make the life of a single mom who badly wants to get back in business and provide for her family. 

Here are some quotes from two of her favorite artists:

“ An artist needn’t  be a clergyman or a churchwarden, but he certainly must have a warm heart for his fellow men”.  Vincent  Van Gogh

“ Hardships  and handicaps…stimulate our energy to survive them. You’ll find if you study the lives of people who’ve accomplished things, it’s often been done with the help of great willpower in overcoming this or that.” Beatrice  Wood

Organizer and beneficiary

Ashley Jeanson
Organizer
Santa Barbara, CA
April Joy Jones
Beneficiary

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