The idea for Street Stories began as a tiny voice in my head whispering that it was time to use the gift God gave me to give back. I am an artist-primarily a portrait artist. My favorite subjects, and probably not coincidentally, my most successful paintings are of older men with lots of years showing on their faces. I have been quite successful with my paintings, winning many awards, selling, and have even been published in magazines, but I felt there must be a better use for this talent. Inspired by the sermons of Pastor John Elford at University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, an idea began to form to paint oil portraits of homeless and disenfranchised people, then donate these paintings to organizations that provide them services, to use in fundraising.
And so it began. In April of 2014 I began attending the Saturday breakfast for the homeless that UUMC provides looking for “models”. With the help of Wanda and C.L. Evans, directors of Open Doors, I began talking to and photographing the people there. I have been moved by their stories, touched by the expression in their faces, and transformed by the process.
Their tales are not pleasant ones. They are filled with physical abuse, mental illness, substance abuse, poverty, violence, poor choices, and just plain bad luck. Most people look the other way when they encounter the homeless on the street. I hope you will look at the people in my paintings and see hope, humanity and beauty, as I do, and that you will be moved to help.
The last year of my painting life has been spent exclusively on this project and I have completed 31 portraits. They will all be offered for sale in a series of events beginning August 30, 2015, at University United Methodist Church. The collection is also being hosted by the Dell Jewish Community Center from October 6-11, 2015 with a reception on October 8th. The paintings, depending on size, will be offered for sale at either $2200.00 or $2900.00. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the paintings will be donated to homeless service providers as designated by the individual event. All of the paintings will travel with the exhibit until the final event at City Hall November 16-20, 2015. At the conclusion of this event they will be available for pick up or delivery to purchasers.
Additionally, at each event, there will be an opportunity for contributions directly to the featured homeless service provider. A poster showing all of the portraits will also be available for sale, with the proceeds likewise going directly to the charity. ~ Artist, Sonja Keever