*note:  For those of you not aware of Kickstarter's 'All or Nothing' policy:  Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money changes hands.

*The most recent piece finished for this project, enjoy!

The Project

People are fascinating to me in all their complexity, like characters in a story with their own experiences, backgrounds and characteristics that define them, giving each person a unique flavor and personality.  I want to paint paintings of real people and that go beyond just their physical features or the contrived pose. I want to bridge the gap between reality and my art, creating work that is both grounded and based on real people, but expressive and surreal at the same time; you can see what I mean in some of my past works below.  The ultimate goal is to take this series of paintings and compile them into a beautiful book for distribution, where you'll see how truly diverse and intriguing people from all walks of life really are. 

The focus of this project is to paint one painting of each person who contributes $15 or more to this project.  These paintings will then be documented and compiled into an art book which will be published and available for purchase and distribution.  Rewards ranging from canvas prints to editions of the final book will be given to those who contribute more to the project. (See rewards column)

Here's where you come in...

Those of you who donate $15 or more will have the option of sending me a picture of yourself which will then become the basis for an original painting**. Furthermore, that original painting will then be featured in the final book compilation of paintings itself.  This collaboration won't amount to anything without YOU people and this is how I want to show my appreciation, by directly including you in the process.  And that's the beauty of the project.  Not only do you, my supporters, become the inspiration for this project, but the paintings based on you will be featured in the final published art book!  

**Pictures will be collected after the funding period ends on May 6.  I will send a notice asking for the picture along with other relevant information such as address for delivery and any other relevant information.

Your contributions will help pay for the materials necessary to make this project even possible, as well as contributing to the publishing cost of the final compilation book of paintings to be produced.  The rest of the funds will go directly back to you as the remaining money will be spent on the various rewards for the backers of this project.   

 Again, sending in your picture is completely optional, though I encourage your participation. However, alternative rewards will be given to those who donate but decline to send in their picture (explained below under 'Rewards'). For those of you who DO send in your picture, I can guarantee that this will be kept completely confidential and that your picture will not be used for anything other than the scope of this project and will not be seen or used by anyone other than myself.  After the project is finished the pictures will be returned and/or deleted for your protection.

  We will begin accepting submissions of the pictures if/when the project is 100% funded.  At that time, instructions for how to submit the pictures and other guidelines will be provided for you.

Rewards

As you can see to the right, there are a variety of donation amounts that can get you rewards, however, any amount is helpful.  You guys are just as essential to this project as I am, which is why I want to reward even the smallest of contributions, hence the $1 rewards.  If $15 or more is donated, you have the option of sending me your picture to be featured in an amazing painting based on YOU!  

For those who still would like to donate but decline to send in your picture, I completely respect your choice, and you will still receive rewards of equal value.  In regards to the paper and various canvas prints, the only difference for you will be that rather than the print being of a painting based on you, the image of the print you will receive will be from one of the paintings below which inspired the whole project.  The type and size of the print are the same as the normal rewards and are dependent on the amount donated.

Much Thanks!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me!  And thanks in advance for your help.  This isn't just "my" project, this is a collaboration and I can't do it without you guys.

To see more of my work, go to: www.TanalBarakat.com