Kerplunk

The "Ripple Effect" is based on the understanding that all of us are interconnected.  Thoughts and actions are like stones dropped in a pond, and they create ripples that travel outward.  The choices you make have far reaching consequences, and each of us has the capacity to change the world: for better or worse.

In response to the crisis occurring in the Gulf of Mexico, fellow illustrator Kelly Light has stepped up with a stone in hand and has made a huge ripple with her blog Ripple.  Artists from all over the world have donated artwork in order to raise money for The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center.  For a $10 donation, amazing artwork can be yours!

I, personally, feel drawn to this cause because my family tries very hard to do right by the environment.  We've given up the ole power mower for an old fashioned reel mower, traded our standard cars for hybrids, we recycle and reuse ad nauseum (ask our friends),  my eldest daughter is a vegetarian, and my youngest, a huge advocate for endangered animals.  (Yes, we're those tree huggers you hear so much about).   So when the magnitude of this disaster began to sink in, we felt helpless.  What could one family do in the grand scheme of things?

Ripple has allowed us to feel like we're doing something.  My girls painted sketch cards (which I'm happy to say were "sold"), as have I. We also purchased some really cool artwork that the girls plan on hanging in their rooms.

So, if you haven't had a chance to get involved yet, I highly recommend taking a peak, and making your own ripple.

Below is the piece I've most recently donated, as well as the paintings my girls contributed.