About this project

Project:

I plan to create a large public artwork that will consist of several parts that can be assembled, disassembled, and reassembled for a traveling exhibit. The project will have a focus of raising awareness about the connections between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. The artwork will have a positive focus, featuring stories and faces of animals and people who have triumphed over the ugliness of violence.

I plan to create one overall artwork that consists of several pieces that come together as a whole. It will be a piece that evolves with bright colored imagery reminiscent of my previous pet themed creative endeavors, possibly employing collage elements with animal and human portraiture.

The size and scope of the project will depend on the amount of funding I receive. I have purposefully set the goal low to ensure that I get some funding, however, I hope to exceed the goal so that a more substantial work can be created.

Explanation: 

Some say that domestic violence and child abuse are more important concerns to address than the needs of animals.  Here is the truth.

When animals are suffering in society, children are too. When there is violence to animals, there is likely violence to children and others who may be defenseless.

Okey’s Promise, named for a small rescued cat, is a public art initiative designed to create awareness about the connections between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. Its purpose is to create six highly visible public artworks to bring the awareness to a national and global audience. (Watch the video for the first project that explains the genesis of Okey’s Promise.)

We must treat our animals well, in addition to addressing the needs of children and others in need in the community. Merely sharing the facts doesn't seem to get the point across, however.

Creating artwork that is highly visible to the community has a greater chance of connecting the dots for people. It is easy to ignore a fact sheet, but hard to dismiss a powerful public artwork that moves your heart and soul.

My hope is that this artwork will start a dialog about the combined issues of animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. I have created a website and blog dedicated to the issue: http://okeyspromise.com/ to facilitate the conversation.

Will you help me get the dialog going?

This is my second project for the Okey's Promise: Art for a Cause initiative. The first project, funded by 85 Kickstarter backers, was recently completed and dedicated in the Canton, OH Arts District. My goal is to do six different projects along the same theme to create national and international awareness.

Funding Needs:

Funding is needed to assist with the purchase of art materials, studio rent, and creative time spent painting the mural. The funding goal is a minimum. Additional funding would be greatly appreciated to assist with other costs that will inevitably arise in the process. The more funding I receive, the larger the scale of the work, and the more impactful the artwork will become.