One of the most meaningful parts of Affinity Art Advocacy is hearing what a painting comes to mean once it finds its way to the person it was always meant for. This is a story about a piece called "Intersectionality," and about someone who unexpectedly recognized herself within it.
Here, in her own words, is what Karen shared:
"A few months ago I received a LinkedIn message saying Karen, I created a painting called 'Intersectionality' and I've been trying to figure out who she belongs to. Today I realized she belongs to you, how can I send this painting of you? I just received the painting and she sits on my desk, reminding me that changing the world can be done with kindness, love, giving and through something as gentle and beautiful as the gift of art.
Through Affinity Art Advocacy, Bianca uses art to create connection, belonging, healing, and hope and she gifts it to people who are going through a tough time, grief, loss, struggle and more. She helps people feel seen and reminds them they are supported and loved.
When I first looked at this painting I saw so much abundance. So much vivid life, so much joy. And then when I looked closer I saw the woman at the centre of it all, wearing a flower in her hair, it was me!! Bianca didn't think of me as she painted it, but she made the connection to me afterwards and sent it with a message that said 'if you're going through anything these days, the Universe wants you to know it is taking care of you.'
I don't talk about it often but I've been through a lot the last few years and have tried my best not to let it break me. This message, this painting, seeing me inside of it, a gift I didn't do anything to deserve or earn, it felt like a giant hug from the Universe that I didn't even know I needed.
Now everyday I sit down at my desk and I'm reminded I am a child of the earth and I am so so loved, all I need to do is just be me. Thank you, Bianca. I'm so grateful for who you are and what you do to uplift others and promote connection and healing."
This is exactly why the work continues. A painting made without a specific face in mind can still find the person it belongs to, and remind them, on the hard days and the good ones, that they are seen, supported, and loved simply for being who they are.
If Karen's story moved you, consider supporting the next Portrait of Hope: a portrait for a family currently winning their fight against cancer, so that they too can feel held during one of the hardest chapters of their lives.
L'une des parties les plus significatives d'Affinity Art Advocacy, c'est d'entendre ce qu'un tableau finit par représenter une fois qu'il trouve la personne à qui il était destiné. Voici l'histoire d'une œuvre intitulée « Intersectionality », et de la femme qui, sans s'y attendre, s'y est reconnue.
Voici, dans ses propres mots (en anglais, pour préserver l'authenticité de son témoignage), ce que Karen a partagé :
"A few months ago I received a LinkedIn message saying Karen, I created a painting called 'Intersectionality' and I've been trying to figure out who she belongs to. Today I realized she belongs to you, how can I send this painting of you? I just received the painting and she sits on my desk, reminding me that changing the world can be done with kindness, love, giving and through something as gentle and beautiful as the gift of art.
Through Affinity Art Advocacy, Bianca uses art to create connection, belonging, healing, and hope and she gifts it to people who are going through a tough time, grief, loss, struggle and more. She helps people feel seen and reminds them they are supported and loved.
When I first looked at this painting I saw so much abundance. So much vivid life, so much joy. And then when I looked closer I saw the woman at the centre of it all, wearing a flower in her hair, it was me!! Bianca didn't think of me as she painted it, but she made the connection to me afterwards and sent it with a message that said 'if you're going through anything these days, the Universe wants you to know it is taking care of you.'
I don't talk about it often but I've been through a lot the last few years and have tried my best not to let it break me. This message, this painting, seeing me inside of it, a gift I didn't do anything to deserve or earn, it felt like a giant hug from the Universe that I didn't even know I needed.
Now everyday I sit down at my desk and I'm reminded I am a child of the earth and I am so so loved, all I need to do is just be me. Thank you, Bianca. I'm so grateful for who you are and what you do to uplift others and promote connection and healing."
Voilà exactement pourquoi ce travail se poursuit. Un tableau peint sans visage précis en tête peut tout de même trouver la personne à qui il appartient, et lui rappeler, dans les jours difficiles comme dans les bons jours, qu'elle est vue, soutenue et aimée simplement pour ce qu'elle est.
Si l'histoire de Karen vous a touché, envisagez de soutenir le prochain Portrait of Hope : un portrait pour une famille actuellement en train de gagner sa lutte contre le cancer, afin qu'elle aussi puisse se sentir accompagnée dans l'un des chapitres les plus difficiles de sa vie.