Main fundraiser photo

Pascal Paints

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My friend Pascal is a prolific artist. If you don't know him, the sparkle in his eyes would inform you of his light-hearted, creative, kind, thoughtful nature. At age 90, he paints every day. That's more years of painting practice than many of us have on the planet. What an inspiration to the aspiring artist!

All those paintings need a place to live. I’ve started this GoFundMe to generate the money to build a storage shed for Pascal’s art.

Dana Louise Williams thoughtfully did this interview with me about Pascal. And a followup 5 minute conversation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU6Mqd5QaT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGhwVaDSLBI

The Backstory — Community

I first met Pascal in 2005 at the neighborhood coffee shop in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico. There, next to the little river, we would talk art and philosophy — sometimes joined by Rhonda the psychic, Stan the Zen priest, and a man called Don.

Back then, Pascal lived in a tiny one-room shed. It was filled with paintings from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling. Between the paintings, there was just enough space for two stools next to the wood stove, his small bed, and a small table that held his paints and palette. To me, Pascal was the epitome of the starving artist — well-educated, generous, vibrant, happy, and definitely living outside the box.

Pascal was born in 1928. He moved to the United States from Europe in the early 1970s. A few years ago, Pascal had a stroke. I don’t say suffered, because he didn’t feel a thing. He only knew he’d had a stroke when a friend couldn’t understand a word he was saying. Pascal is multi-lingual and he was getting French, English, Greek, and Latin all jumbled as he spoke. He’s since recovered, thankfully. The episode got him into the healthcare system which allowed him to transition into the apartment where he now lives.

Pascal Paints Everyday

Pascal’s space, again, is overflowing with art. His studio apartment is filled with paintings, drawings, and sculpture. It’s so full, his landlord and healthcare advocate are concerned it’s too hard to get around, making it unsafe. They are insisting that most of his paintings be removed.


Losing this body of work would be absolutely heart-breaking to Pascal.

We’re asking for donations to build a good storage shed to house Pascal’s art. His landlord kindly said she would hold some of his paintings, but only short term. This means the shed needs to be started pronto. We’ve got the spot, we just need the money to purchase and build the shed, A.S.A.P.

Knowing his paintings are safe, Pascal can continue to create in peace and happiness.


Pascal is happy to sell his paintings, and if you'd like to have a look at many, please visit 
http://winkvisualarts.com/winkvisualarts.com/Wink_Presents.html   (Prices negotiable.)

I visited Pascal yesterday. He told me a story from the time he spent a year working with a small Circus in Spain. How he observed two chimpanzee, and had the awareness to see they were very human-like in their planning to scare a kid who was teasing them, and later their amusement over it. This story gave me insight into why the chimps often show up in Pascal's paintings.

42" x 42" oil on canvas (cropped image shown)

The Shed

3 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 144″ long SKIDS
2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 144″ long, 10 pieces – 141″long FLOOR FRAME
3 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 3 pieces – 48″x48″ long FLOOR
2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 144″ long, 1 piece – 137″ long, 9 pieces – 81″ long 2x SIDE WALL
1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 144″ long, 1 piece – 137″ long, 2 pieces – 32 1/2″ long, 6 pieces – 81″ long, 2 pieces – 75 1/2″ long, 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 75″ long FRONT WALL
2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 137″ long, 1 piece – 144″ long, 7 pieces – 81″ long BACK WALL
11 pieces – 48″x96″ long, 1 piece – 8 1/2″x48″ long SIDING
11 pieces of 2” foam INSULATION
12 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 12′
3 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12′
5 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″
34 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
11 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12′
3 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8′
12 pieces of T1-11 – 48″x96″
1 5/8″ screws, 2 1/2″ screws, 3 1/2″ screws
6d nails
wood filler, wood glue, stain/paint
A skilled carpenter to build it — LABOR

Much goes into building a shed, still, it will be more affordable to build than to buy a comparable ready-made. The list above is preliminary, based on a plan for a 12’ x 12’ shed. I’ve estimated the cost at $3500 which is $24 per square foot.

Through the compassion and generosity of art loving, elder loving souls, we can ensure Pascal and his art are safe and sound.

From the heart, thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Kelly

P.S.
If we raise more than enough for the shed, we’ll also get Pascal a more comfortable chair — though you’d never hear him complain about it.


This is one of Pascals sweet still lifes. (cropped to display here) 16" x 16" oil on canvas.

Organizer

Kelly Pasholk
Organizer
Taos, NM

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