Painted Rain Barrels Combine Art and Sustainability

Washburn neighborhood, in La Crosse, Wisconsin held its first annual rain barrel painting contest and silent auction.  The event was sponsored by Green La Crosse and the Coulee Sustainability Organization.  Sharon Chavolla sponsored the rain barrel that I painted for the event.  The theme was “All Natural, All Local”.   Read more about the event, the rain barrels and watch some video footage (see the barrels in the auction) at one of our local news station’s site– here.

All the rain barrels on display were really great –and fun to see.  A highlight of the event was seeing one of the youngest entrants, perhaps 8 or 9 years old, win the drawing for a magnolia tree and 100 dollars.  She entered the contest as a novice, someone who has never painted before.  It was inspiring to see her receive a gift for her effort and for a good cause.

My heart and soul embrace sustainability, earth, resources, nature and all within it.  Being given the opportunity to combine my art with that passion was so enjoyable.  I created my piece with love, gratitude and child-like joy.  I found it interesting then, when my daughter, who is 8, pointed out to me how the children were drawn to my rain barrel and were excited about it.  If you have looked at my art on my other site-”Love, Hope, Make Art”-  then you know my art is inspired and grows with that child like wonder and excitement that can make all things seem new.  I find that quality important, especially in the midst of so much tragedy and crisis.

Here are some pics of the rain barrel I painted for the silent auction, along with descriptions:

(Click on a thumbnail to enlarge it.)

My daughter, Samara, helped me plan out this idea of an earth flower blooming near a sun/moon radiating in a metaphorical sky.

The earth flower is hopefully not a passing flower, but a lasting mystical flower of great beauty and worth.

The frog, mushrooms, ant, spider, bees and butterflies came from joy.

It is meant to be whimsical, symbolic and mystical.

I offer Thank You (Love & Gratitude) for the rain barrel, the rain and all life.

The sun offers Namaste to all life.

The details of little insects offer reverence for those little beings who are intregal to this life.

Hummingbirds represent joy, love, fidelity and magic.

Adding death to the images of love and gratitude completes a cycle of life, with seeds of nourishment in the midst of the loss.