I remember my thoughts the last few days in February before starting my rainbow collection: ‘should I do it? Should I not to do it? What if it’s a total flop? Well, what if it isn’t?’
In the beginning of February I had this idea of doing a month long rainbow challenge – each day for the month of March, I would create a piece of art with a rainbow. This challenge would allow me to play around with different mediums and ideas while still giving me the chance to experiment with what I like and what I don’t like. Because that was the whole point of the challenge in the first place – to discover something new in my art practice.
A couple of days before the challenge started, I decided to write a list of all the possible rainbow products I could create – and when I had 31 items on my list I told myself “ok you can do this!” Now mind you from the outside it looks easy and simple and not that big of a deal right? I mean these are just rainbows! But think about it – not only did I create unique designs and concepts every day, I also had to make sure I completed them, photographed them and posted them daily. I also have 2 kids who require a lot of attention, 2 dogs, a vegetable garden, and 4 budgies 😅 oh and a life and other projects going on too.
After the first few days of panic and delays I decided it was better if I made a detailed plan of what piece I would make each day, what supplies I need for the week and a couple more ideas because not everything I create turns out nice! I honestly thought I would give up after the first week but it was so therapeutic to paint and a lot of times my son, Karim, would join my painting sessions and make his own cute rainbows.
Like with all other pieces of art I make, I always try to give back to the community in one way or the other. For my book launch (let’s go on an adventure) I donated 50 copied to ghana wildlife association, for my landscape collection I donated to share the meal to help children in Syria, and for the rainbow collection I donated 30% of my proceeds to GIWA an organisation founded in 1922 by a group of women in Ghana driven by the passion to ensure the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and social equality for all, especially the most vulnerable in society. The funds I donated will go directly to their scholarships fund which has become more important than ever before due to the drastic negative effects of the covid pandemic on children’s access to education in Ghana.
Through the sales of my art, I was able to donate over 900 GHC to GIWA. I am grateful to always have the opportunity to help others through my art.
And after one whole month of being the rainbow lady, I am now giving up the position and retiring for good!
But first, here’s what I learnt through this:
- consistency takes hard work and determination
- it is important to find small things to be grateful for daily
- painting is very therapeutic, you should try it
- anyone can help to make a change in someone’s life
If you would like to help and donate some money to the Ghana Italian Women Association you can do so through their mobile money number: 0540123160
Below are a few of my favourite pieces from the collection. If you are interested to view the other pieces, you can do so on my instagram here
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