About this project

Artist Andrea LaHue will uplift, beautify and inspire by painting GIANT flowers across the United States focusing on the ten hardest economically hit cities.

“Cross Country Random Acts of Flowers” is the mission of artist Andrea LaHue. A prolific LA based painter, she started painting giant flowers in her community in 2008. It quickly evolved as the economy stumbled and her interaction with the community regarding the “Random Acts of Flowers” was positive, inspiring and more “Random Acts” were encouraged. In her 1994 Ford F150 X-Wide, with her little mutts Lily and Buckley, LaHue’s unprecedented “Cross-Country Random Act of Flower” continues June 12 to August 15 2010.

In Fall 2009, LaHue left Los Angeles with a driving inspiration to uplift communities by painting “Random Acts of Flowers” nationwide. The local newspaper in Racine Wisconsin captured it this way:.

“A mural has been painted on the side of a building at the intersection of College Avenue and Sixth Street. The anonymous artists signed it "Random Act 2009." Kate Remington says that she is moved by the mural because she remembers the site as the scene of a murder on her birthday in 2006. "It also in my humble opinion an example of why artists exist - to help us lost humans get back into balance and into reflection." Photographed on November 17, 2009. / Gregory Shaver, Racine, WI, The Journal Times

Today, there are over 45 plus flowers and counting, in 18 cities across the United States of America. Andrea LaHue’s Random Acts of Flower are painted on uninhabited “for lease” storefronts bringing passers by a smile and reminding everyone who sees them, beauty and growth are imminent. These “Random Acts of Flower” are enjoyed by everyone in communities from Los Angeles to Harlem, Milwaukee to Savannah. Always placed with consideration, the flowers amplify storefronts and “for lease” signs in a positive, creative and valuable manner. In the case of abandonment, the painted flowers soften the blight by beautifying and inspiring. LaHue has painted live on stage with acts such as Mozella and Chapa and has been asked to paint her “Random Acts of Flowers” in homes, pre-schools, stores and office buildings.

Here's the daily schedule: load truck (wake, walk dogs, breakfast) – search for perfect spot (town/city info, lunch, gas, dogs, *secure one individual in community as contact) – travel to next destination 5-8 hours (stops, gas, walk dogs) – Hotel check-in (dinner, scope out town/city, walk dogs) – upload, blog. Capture interactions with images and video.

Andrea LaHue has a unique talent as a painter and has traveled extensively as a model, artist and European born US Army brat. LaHue has a history of completing multi-faceted projects as an artist, set designer, stylist, creative director and event coordinator for widely respected companies such as IDG Publishing, Strand VCI Entertainment International and Martha Stewart Living Omni Media. LaHue’s passion and track record assures each project will be completed beautifully within the time frame, in budget, exceeding expectations.

Andrea LaHue considered the happiness and well being of her country, contemplating what she could do to ease the pain of its financial transition, while experiencing the nation, its spirit and people first hand. By thinking globally and acting locally, LaHue has brightened communities across our country. Her intention is to continue spreading flowers wherever there is an opportunity to inspire those suffering. These “Acts” encourage people to think out of the box and create community prosperity. A prolific painter, LaHue also captures her journey in photographs and oil paintings further expressing a true love of the country and its spirit.

Here is the budget for the two month or 60 day journey:
Gas $180 dollars a day ($3000+)
Food $40 per day ($1000+)
Lodging $80 day, ($2000+)
Paint/Brushes healthy paint ($400+)
-- Some nights will be spent couch surfing, gas use will vary, some meals will be provided by friends.

http://www.alahue.com/Cross-Country%20Random%20Acts%20of%20Flowers%20Project.html.
All the finer details, proposed route plan, sponsorship information, resume, art, CCRAF Fall 09 Slideshows, links and feeds to blogs, etc. can be found at the website www.aLaHue.com.

Pay it forward by kickstarting the Summer 2010 Cross-Country Random Acts of Flowers and be a part of uplifting, beautifying and inspiring people and communities across the country!

Thank you! Shine a light!!