Friday, April 30, 2010

"Cry for the Children" for Adebanji's book

10x8 oil on gessoed paper

I appreciate Banji chosing to have his Book dedicated to bring more awareness to the "invisible" homeless.

Did you know that children under 18 make up for roughly 27% of the homeless population in America? Or that 50% of the women and children who are homeless are running away from domestic abuse?

Fortunately, there are resources for all children in the the United States and limited shelters for women but in many countries, children have to fend for themselves. Often siblings just few years older than their younger brother or sister end up trying to care for them the best the can. They are truly the most vulnerable of our homeless.

20 comments:

  1. Sheila, you have blown me away with this incredibly moving piece. You are truly outdoing yourself...the quality of your work grows with each brushstroke. You have captured the essence of Banji's theme in a graphic and compelling manner. And your commentary on this plight is well-stated and very appropriate. You shine, girl!!!!

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  2. Sheila, I saw the thumbnail for this on another blog and just had to come see this extraordinary piece for myself. James hit the nail on the head with the word "moving." It brings tears to my eyes. The love a big brother has for his brother or sister...the losing of the older boys childhood as he takes on adult responsibilities out of that love, the homeless feel to it...Gut wrenching and yet so very poignant. An absolutely stunning art work, Sheila.

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  3. Not only is this beautifully and done, it is also so incredibly moving. I am astonished by your growth with each and every post. Just amazing!

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  4. Sheila-I am moved so much by this piece. And as a painting, it is quite extraordinary. I can't stop looking at it.

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  5. Sheila, you have risen to a new level with this beautiful piece. It clearly expresses so much with the palette and brushwork...take a bow!

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  6. beautifully done, Sheila. You must have encountered many difficult stories of children and women without shelter in your previous career. The stats are alarming and eye-opening. Your painting is one of your strongest.

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  7. Sheila I agree, this is definitely one of your best works. It tells this sad story so beautifully. I love everything about it.

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  8. A masterwork...charged with gripping emotion.

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  9. Wow..... such a poignant scene of love and hardship. What a blessing you are to each with your talent. Their expressions says it all and you shine through your brush strokes.
    I thank you for sharing not just your work but the stats on this.
    Our children are our greatest riches thank you for reminding us.

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  10. A very powerful piece, Sheila - well done.

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  11. Oh my goodness Sheila...this is an extremely powerful rendering of a situation that just breaks my heart. It is a scene played over and over again in third world countries and to some degree in our country as well.

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  12. This painting has an epic quality to it. You have put them across in such a gripping way -- graphically and poignantly and yet with such grace. I agree with everyone, you have completely outdone yourself!

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  13. Absolutely wonderful, Sheila. Thank you so much for focusing on children, our future leaders, these statistics are alarming and disturbing. Again, a beautiful painting rendered with so much love.

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  14. One of your very best, to date, IMHO!
    This painting reaches out to appeal to the goodness that resides in us as human beings. Powerful!

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  15. Sheila,

    Be proud my friend.

    *insert applause here*

    Nicki

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  16. This is beautiful, sad and incredibly moving. I feel I have to be quiet right now and just look at it and think. It makes me want to help.

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  17. WOW WOW WOW- Just back from a revival at Youth CAMP! Thanks soooo much Sheila, this is it! Really touching, emotional and the first children in the book, creates a different taste but communicates the same message! Simply POWERFUL!

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  18. Shelia, you have such a talent for capturing emotion. This is so strong and so moving. Really fantastic work!

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  19. So powerful and filled with emotion. This is masterfully done, Sheila! Their tender faces really tug at your heart!

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  20. Sheila, this caught my eye and I had to stare at it for a while. Powerful and full of emotion. It brings to mind the images of the wonderful Kathe Kollwitz. FANTASTIC!

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