I am so honored to be a small part of this:

$2,800 was raised in one week. Please watch this gorgeous video about the successful ZNE Auction for Hope Sees a Star memorial project for the Oakland Zoo in honor of two lives lost and two lives forever cherished.

For A Very Good Cause

Want to acquire a piece of beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork and contribute to a very meaningful memorial at the same time? Nationally-known artists (as well as un-nationally known like Lilly*s of London*ish) have contributed outstanding items for an auction this week only through Sunday at http://www.HopeSeesaStar.com/.
You will see gorgeous quilts, collages, jewelry, art dolls and more- over 80 items donated to help fund a mosaic at the Oakland (CA) Zoo in honor of the late daughters of two of my fellow ZNE art members. You can read more about it and view the items for sale by visiting the site above. Consider gift-shopping, and please spread the word.

My Hope Sees a Star Donation

I was so thrilled to complete this project today. I have been working on it for several days to donate to the fund-raising auction of my ZNE group, entitled "Hope Sees A Star."

In a news release, Chelise Hery, founder of explained: "ZNE is an international group of independent artists and crafts persons working in conjunction with the Oakland Zoo to create a permanent installation in memory of two teenage girls – Stevie McMoyler and Brianna Grant - whose lives were lost earlier this year in April and June, respectively.

Gina Gabriell and Iva Wilcox both of California, are two artists who share a tragic connection. Both women’s daughters were diagnosed with fatal diseases in late 2006. In April of this year, Gina’s daughter Stevie McMoyler died from a brain tumor at the age of 19. In June, Iva Wilcox’s daughter, Brianna Grant, was only 17 years old when she died from a rare disease ~ MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome).

When ZNE group members found out about the two deaths, they wanted to go beyond extending traditional condolences to Gina and Iva, given the magnitude of their loss.

In January of 2008, Laurel True, a world renowned mosaic artist, will begin designing a permanent mosaic art installation in memory of the two girls. The installation is scheduled to be installed in the Butterfly Conservation Garden at The Oakland Zoo in May of 2008. The memorial will incorporate the sentiment: “In Memory of Stevie and Brianna – forever loved daughters of the creative community.” In conjunction with the installation, a $5,000 donation will be made to the Zoo. Staff at the Oakland Zoo have indicated that they hope to use the funds to support an intern who will be a caretaker for the garden.

ZNE is holding an online sale and auction October 1 – October 15, to raise the funds needed for the memorial project. More information on the Hope Sees a Star website, http://www.hopeseesastar.com/, or email Chelise Stroud Hery at info@ZNEart.com.

My canvas is a 10 x 10 handpainted, stamped, collaged 3D project with removeable inlaid-turquoise antique pendant.