Though I am still in high school, as a self-proclaimed artist, art has always been my passion; my way of life.

When I was a young child, my 'artistic talents' first manifested themselves (much to my parents frustration) in the form of hideously over-sized scribbles on walls that had to be painted over and over again for this very reason. Since then, these abilities have been reined in and refined into an actual skill. For some years now, I have preferred pastels and paints, still life and landscape, over sharpies on wall.

I take my sketchbook everywhere.  So when I was packing to go to Haiti the night before my 16th birthday (where I was going with 4 other students and two teachers from my school to stay in the village of La Fond and help build an addition to the village's small school- the opportunity, a birthday present from my parents), the sketchbook obviously got packed.

Later in the trip, I was sketching the breathtaking natural scenery that surrounds the village of La Fond, when a little girl named Farah who had become my friend came up to me and asked to see the picture. Clearly disappointed, she said it was good, but boring.

According to her, drawings and paintings were supposed to have lots of bright colors that make you happy just looking at it, otherwise you might as well just take a photo.

So that's how it all started.

It was so fitting, that this inspirational idea came to me while staying with the happiest people I have ever met. A marvel that I had already noticed, and wondered at. These people who didn't get three square meals a day, who lived in houses which were little more than broken rubble and tarp, who didn't get the chance to go to school past the sixth grade... if at all, who had no electricity or plumbing, these very people were always smiling, cheerful, and optimistic. 

I wanted to find a way to share the happiness I was witnessing in La Fond with the rest of the world. So I decided to take Farrah's advice and use art(something that has always made me happy) to do so. I decided that I would use it to help the people I owe this whole idea to.

The Color My World Project

I want to make 50 Canvas Paintings (and many more - should my project be over-funded) over the next year that invoke the spirit and liveliness of La Fond through bright happy colors (Farrah would approve!).

I hope to have these paintings exhibited and sold in the spring of 2013 in an effort to raise money for La Fond, where I plan to return next summer! The money raised will be donated to the village and used for reconstruction and towards further developing their school.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/LaFond-School/217562151621844

But to make the world a brighter place (and actually be able to make these 50+ Canvas Paintings) I need YOUR SUPPORT!

Funding Is needed to help purchase:

• the 50+ canvas boards
• Tubes and Tubes of Paints
• Paintbrushes
• Primer
• Other Supplies

THANK YOU

 I am not 18 years old, but my parents support this project by creating an Amazon Payments account for me.