As Director of PATH, I had worked hard to schedule several incarcerated artist exhibits to be installed to take place this year. One was scheduled to take place at the Memphis, TN Jewish Community Center this past May; another at the Community Congregational Church on top of scenic Rock Hill Road in Tiburon, CA (late August thru October 2nd, 2020); and the third at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael, CA (from September 2020 thru January 2021).
Unfortunately (and sadly), all three fundraising art exhibits were cancelled due to the current covid situation and subsequent official mandates to “Shelter in Place”, face mask wearing and social distancing protocols.
This blog is to highlight and feature one of the (many) wonderful paintings that was to be installed in the “BIRDS, BEES, BUTTERFLIES AND FLOWERS” exhibit this Fall, and all potential sales of which was to directly benefit ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL. The incarcerated artists I’ve been working with unanimously agreed that the proceeds from any and all sales of their artwork should go to this specific children’s non-profit organization.
I will be creating other blogs in the near future to highlight and share the other wonderful pieces of artwork (created and generously donated by other incarcerated artists from all around the country) for this very specific fundraising purpose, as well as give you the opportunity to purchase some really terrific artwork.
For now, I’d like to introduce and share, artist Ben Ballard’s "THEN, AND NOW" © 2020
"THEN, AND NOW" is an original acrylic painting measuring 30" x 22". It was painted on 140 lb Strathmore, 300 Series Watercolor Paper and finished with one coat of acrylic gloss. The painting is signed by the artist on the back. The painting is superb with lots of details, great perspective and impressionist lighting filtering through the trees. If anything, it should bring the viewer back in time to conjure up memories of more innocent and golden childhood days. Please see the artist's notes about his painting below:
The House, representational of Abandonment
The Vintage Car, representational of Restoration
The Tire Swing, representational of the Loss of Childhood
The Flowers and Bird, representational of Life, Beauty and Nature Continuing On.
I have listed this painting on Ebay and it can be seen, as well as purchased HERE! Any questions, please feel free to ask!
NOTE: 70% of proceeds from the sale of this painting will go directly to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Thank you for your interest! And, God bless!
Leslie Lakes, Director
Images: "Then, And Now" by Ben Ballard, CA 2020