WORLD AIDS DAY 2022

This year has taken me to South Africa. The people and the landscapes have been inspirational so I am putting together a small collection of paintings that are available for purchase

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WORLD AIDS DAY 2021

When: 3 December 2021 at 19.00

Where: Bains des Paquis, Geneva - The advent Calendar event

What: The smallest Art Galerie in a changing cubical -  a masked theme dedicated to Girls education 

Why: All of us carry a secret inside and hide behind a mask so that no one will see.

HELP KEEP THE GIRLS IN SCHOOL, JOIN US, DONATE, BE PART OF THIS WITH US

World AIDS Day 2020

Every year 'Painting for an Education' participates in some sort of world aids day event and despite the ongoing pandemic, this year will be no exception!

We invite you all to join us at 'Painting for an education's world aids day event taking place on November 29th (2 days before world aids day) from 4pm to 5pm (CET) to continue fighting for our cause and helping less fortunate children get the education they deserve!

During the event, we will hear from key speakers about this cause as well as have several pieces of art up for sale so don't miss out!

To register please click here.

Like each canvas we stand alone, alone in making sense of who we are - building an identity.  HIV is a chronic disease that can and does lead to stress and problems in mental health.  Accepting the diagnosis and possible self-stigma, disclosing status and facing rejection, adhering to treatment when life and its demands get in the way. Through my painting I have always said one small action added to another, added to another, can grow to something bigger. Here 14 small canvases are transformed when together creating the larger picture. Mental health of those living with HIV is too often overlooked, there are too few services available, and when these problems are not addressed it can lead to stopping treatment and increased health risks. In these paintings I wanted to explore some of those issues, and bring attention to the lack of mental health service for the vulnerable populations who are left behind.

May 2015 - For his school project, Owen McCullough 11 has been painting for Elijah's education. He has spent the last 6 weeks painting 24 paintings that represent the number of children born with HIV in one hour.

Owen has already sold all his paintings and the money will go to Elijah 12, born with HIV and living in Nairobi Kenya, to help with his education.

Find out MORE

London 18 September 2014

I attend the IAPAC Conference: HIV Controlling the HIV epidemic with antiretroviral. The meeting took place at the basement of the Royal Garden Hotel in South Kensington. London was at its best, the sun shone over the city and the leaves on the trees were taking a golden hue. Despite sitting under artificial lights as the sun shone outside the debates at the conference were riveting. I had the pleasure of meeting Ambassador Birx, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator PEPFAR, and sitting on a panel with her on why access to paediatric HIV treatment is so important today. In one of Deborah’s presentation she showed some astonishing facts:

This week alone:

• Over 3,600 children died of HIV
• Over 25,000 adults died of HIV
• Over 4,600 babies were infected with HIV
• Over 36,500 adults were infected with HIV of which more than 7,000 were young women.

Our work is not done.

The fight against HIV continues, too few children have access to treatment and too many young women are being infected with HIV. I can only do so much to help so few, but we must all be aware that our fight against HIV is not over.

TANNAY 13-14 September 2014.

I was invited again this year to exhibit in the local hall in Tannay Switzerland along with 30 other artists. Tannay is a small pretty village by the lake. Most of us attending were amateur artists and photographers who want to bring a little of ourselves out of the cupboard to share with others.

I brought along large canvases and maybe too much colour, this led to my display to be a little busy and the paintings were not well displayed. I also believe that landscapes and abstracts work better at these events, never mind. Since June I have been going through a figurative period, I paint for the passion, something I might have to revise if I want to keep raising funds and stay closer to what people want.

The bottom line is that after two long days I was unable to sell any, I did however plug ‘painting for an education’ and all thought it was a noble cause. The best part of the weekend was the other artists. It was a delight to share technics and experiences which such knowledgeable and lovely women. I made good contacts that I will follow up.

My stand was next to a great photographer, Carole Turincev. We had much time to chat about our work and the causes that we support. Carole helps raise funds for an orphanage in Vietnam. When we were dismantling at the end of the exhibition, she slipped me some money for my ‘girls’. I am touched and honoured by the kindness people have shown. Thank you Carole.

On Wednesday I met Maurine from Lean on Me Kenya, who was attending a meeting in Geneva. Those funds flew off to Kisumu that day where they will go directly to fund a young 14 year girl. More on this soon.