Painting with the Fugee School kids
Friend Deborah Henry has set-up this wonderful education hub for refugee kids in Malaysia called Fugee School. Cool right? Education is power. So when she asked me if I could I help her create some art with her kids for her fundraiser auction, I was more than willing. If my art can help....than so be it! #ARTFORLIFE
We did 3 paintings one Sunday afternoon. That's pretty fast considering the kids were only exposed to watercolors before this. I painted in the outline of the designs to start (I made them very simple) and they then were free to paint them in whatever color or pattern they wanted.
The kids worked in groups to paint in the designs
The boys decided to paint the 'Yellow hibiscus' design. They had no issues painting a feminin subject.
That's Deborah doing her bit for the 'Tree of hope'. I basically did a quick painting of a tree and told the girls to paint in patterns in the background.
They were really proud of their paintings at the end of the session. This one's called 'Colors of Somalia'. Its based on the colors from pieces of Somali fabric.
I later then added a few things to finish up the painting for the auction. I retained all their colors and patterns and simply enhanced it by darkening the lines and filled "bits".
From left: 'Colors of Somalia' painted by Mohamed, Maymuna, Abdala & Fatima.
'The Tree of Hope' painted by Maryam, Yasmine and Amal (Amal did most of the pattern design work)
'Yellow Hibiscus' painted by Hassan and Muctar
Beautiful Deborah giving her opening speech at the 'Send me to school' auction held last Wednesday evening. (Thanks Joseph Teoh for the photo I have stolen LOL)
I'm explaining to the crowd the ideas behind the patterns designed by the kids. The auction went well, all paintings were sold in the end!
Thanks Deborah for inviting me and THANK you to the kids who volunteered to paint. Here's to a new life for you all.
Love, Nini
