Art for a Cause

If you were to ask me what my favorite subject in school was, I would definitely say art. My parents recognized my love for art at a very young age and one of my earliest memories was painting a monster in an art room at a local college. From there, I was lucky enough to be accepted into my elementary school's gifted & talented program, where I did all sorts of interesting art projects. One of the most memorable was making a marionette for the puppet show "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." A few years later I was chosen to represent my school in painting a brand-new car with Olympics-inspired pictures when the Olympic torch made its way through my home town of Littleton, CO. I kept active in art classes throughout high school and would have loved to continue in college but I had to buckle down and concentrate on classes that went toward my major. Art has always been and will always be part of who I am, whether drawing, graphic arts, music, theater, or writing.

Now, I live in a tiny mountain town called Eden, Utah. It's not abnormal to see photographers and painters set up with tripods and easels alongside our picturesque roads and trails. Not too long ago, I happened to meet an artist by the name of Ashley Bennett-Stoddard. Not only is she a gifted painter and sculptor and an amazing art teacher for budding artists; she is a generous soul who donates to notable causes, including: Rape Recovery Center, Image Reborn, YWCA Salt Lake City, Ferguson Ridge Ski Hill, Dragon Fly Health Foods, Autism Speaks, The Hope Alliance, Natural Birth Project, and Love Whole Heart/Stephanie Pope. Here is her web-site, if you want to take a look at her art: http://ashleybennettstoddard.com

I'm not an art critic so I don't think I'd be able to do her work justice, but here are some things that Ashley Bennett-Stoddard's art brings to my mind: inspiration, peace, continuity, happiness, female, celebrations, life, blossoming, spirituality, and above all, hope. Thanks to people like Ashley Bennett-Stoddard,who use their gifts to make a difference in the world.

Do you have a favorite local artist? How has art changed your life? And don't forget to comment on Lauren Baratz-Logsted's post for a chance to win a signed ARC of Little Women and Me.

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