Does Anyone Care?

Behind the Artwork2 Comments

People seldom leave their email addresses when I have exhibited my artwork in the past. But Courage Ablaze evoked such an enormous response that hundreds of people left their email addresses or wrote expressions of gratitude for the Congolese women and their stories. While typing out page after page of email addresses and notes, I spotted two tiny words written from an unknown visitor that summed up the public response:

I care. Beth

Thank you for caring and voting Courage Ablaze into the Top 100. I’m grateful for all the kind expressions. Don’t miss the last response from a nurse who was touched by Courage Ablaze.

Thank you for telling the story! Faith
Your art encourages the eyes and soul…
Beautifully told. Carrie
Very touching – Beautiful work. Meghan
We have been to Africa and carry in our hearts the stories of the refugees who touched our souls. Cheryl
So moving and thought provoking.
I love it. I have traveled to Ghana and Congo. Never give up! I think you should have won! Julia
You’re artwork is so amazing. It has inspired me a lot. Alicia
I really love your work. It’s amazing! Thank you! Hannah
This room is very life changing! Kylie
Thank you for informing me and helping me to know the courage and strength of women everywhere!!
Thank you for telling these stories.
Simply awesome. Absolutely love it!! Jalena
Your art transcends time. This is a gift to the public—a gift of courage, strength, valor, and love. Anne
Keep telling the story. BEW
Thank you for making us aware.
Loved the music and the meaning. Keep on your journey.
This is wonderful. It takes you there. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome for you to choose to make this for the public to view.
This picture is so peaceful and beautiful. JKV
Thank you for telling this story so skillfully.
I’ve seen this ArtPrize entry twice now and I still think it is inspirational and very heartfelt.
You have embodied womanhood in cold and light. Thank you. Susan
Great work!! Thank you for responding to the Spirit’s leading to do this work. Kathy
Very nice work! Natalie (age 9)
It brought me to tears.
The courage of these women inspires and humbles me.
Amazing women! Stay strong! Elle
Thank you for the great artistic ability to do watercolor.
Beautiful and moving. Denise
Pamela, your work is beautiful and so moving! Thank you. Amy
I commend you for exposing this social issue. Great job!
Love it! I will soon be volunteering in Africa once I graduate from high school. This work helps encourage people to see things in a different perspective. Claudia
Unreal yet so inspired by both the art and the message. Great job! RM
This is awesome and you should be in the top 10!! Miriam
I can really feel the art in it.
That’s the problem. The world focuses on what separates us instead of on what binds us.
Your caring expressions of the human heART will stand triumphant. Laura
A great tribute to these women.
Very reverent.
Your words really honor these women.
Very respectful of these women.
What a brave artist.
Bless you Pamela for your encouraging and God-led creativity. Margo
A wondrous inspiration.
You are wonderful! God bless you and the Congo.
Great work of art for a great cause.
Sooo powerful! Keep up the good work. Helping our sisters and men heal. MS
Phenomenal and healing.
Pamela, thank you. Moving. Kathy
Keep on! Jennifer
Your words speak to women and for women. Chiara
I can see your heart.
Thank you for the important message.
Thank you. The black cloth forces the spectator to get involved. It is easy to walk by a flat picture.
From an art standpoint, sociologist standpoint, and humanitarian standpoint—great work!
You’re an honorable woman to tell this story. Unfortunately, people don’t know this story.
Once you go to Africa, you can’t get the people out of your heart.
My heart cries for these women.

Thank you for opening my eyes to this! I’m a nurse and would like to help. I’m also interested in giving a donation. Shannon

Shannon, thank you for caring so much that you are willing to go to Africa to help the women and children who are still suffering.

Start with Your Heart

From the Heart

While exhibiting ArtPrize Courage Ablaze—to help raise awareness of the plight of the Congolese women, visitors kept asking me if I had seen the documentary, Half the Sky.

Don’t miss this documentary. It is a real eye-opener to the terrible abuses that women and girls face all over the world. Half the Sky shows well the problems—and the message of hope. In challenging the viewer to help bring about a positive change for women and girls at risk, I love what one former sex slave said, “Everyone can do one thing. Just start with your heart.”

Congo’s Silent Heroes

From the Heart

Congo's Silent Heroes window decal - part of the Courage Ablaze exhibit

As part of the Courage Ablaze exhibit at ArtPrize 2012, this window sign honors the two million women who suffered from the consequences of rape in Congo.

Mass rape is cheaper than bullets, and it creates instability. The women feel defenseless; the men are rendered powerless. The goal of sexual violence is simple: Shame the women. Break the men. Destroy the nation.

For their sake—to honor their pain and courage, I dedicate this work.

ArtPrize Courage Ablaze: “Beautiful and Disturbing”

Behind the Artwork

A group of teens viewing Courage Ablaze

A man said, “This is not just a work of art for you; it’s a commitment. You have touched my heart.” Then he started crying.

The avalanche of responses from visitors continues:

Your artwork is beautiful and disturbing.

A terrific tribute to the African people.

Thank you for doing something to show their plight.

Thank you. This story needs to be told.

The true tragedy is that those violated are made to feel guilty.

I was looking forward to see what you did this year for ArtPrize.

I love what you are doing with your impressions of the beautiful people of Africa! Pat

Thank you for sharing your vision. Lisa

Absolutely stunning and breathtaking. Mariah

Thank you for sharing humanity and inhumanity. We pray for all.

God bless you and these amazing women! BKS

Thank you for sharing the pain.

God has used you to spread the truth. Sharon

Gorgeous display of your God-given talent! Bethany

My mom wept. How amazing.

The expressions are so authentic.

The stories make the pictures come alive!

Keep your faith. We love you.

Beautiful! Inspiring! Powerful! Resilient! But we can feel the healing peace in the music. VS

Remember your piece last year. You move me to tears. Kat

Thank you for sharing these ladies and their stories! Beautifully portrayed!!

Thank you for sharing these stories. Thank you for your beauty and strength and setting such an amazing example for all of us!

You can feel your inspiration.

I am from Zimbabwe. When I heard your music, I started crying. Can’t even describe the feeling.

I remember your Healing Tree. It is wonderful that you use your art to send a powerful message.

Top 100… Holding Steady

Behind the Artwork

After another 50,000 votes were cast, more visitors weigh in on Courage Ablaze:

Your art room transcends time. It’s unlike other art in that you don’t get that quick rush of awe. You have to find yourself in the room—then you’re suddenly taken over by the art and you’re taken over by the story. Anne

Your pieces are always thought provoking.

Somehow the columns make the figures come alive.

Every year you have something to say that’s important. I appreciate your message.

You have a very deep heart for these women.

Thank you for dealing with the issues directly and speaking plainly.

Your compassion for these women shows in your artwork.

This display will bless you and break your heart at the same time.

Your art is bigger than the message that’s right there; it has longevity. I believe it will take off in ways that you can’t even imagine.

I can’t wait to see what you do next year.

Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless. The Honorable Governor Kabasu Babu

Top 100! Here Are Some Visitor Responses

Behind the Artwork4 Comments

Strong women can always survive.

As a victim of rape myself. I applaud your help in healing. Carry on—courage!

This is an amazing portrayal of sorrow, suffering, and survival.

I love the stories behind your art! Your pictures of the women show their bravery!

What an amazing story of courage this exhibit tells! The spirit shown by these women as they work to build new lives should be an inspiration to us all.

God bless you and thank you for bringing these incredible stories to our attention.

Thank you for this beautiful work that tells powerful stories so few know about. Elizabeth

Your art is really good and the story is even better!!

Thank God for making you if He didn’t there would be no artwork. PJ

They are brave.

Thank you for your art and compassion. Barb

Thank you! They are women of courage! Jacque

Wonderful depth of knowledge. Their story needs to be heard.

Very moving as was your work last year and the year before. Sally

Pamela, I cried when I saw this. Stephanie

Beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. Laurie

Your work is very moving…so peaceful.

It’s wonderful that you think about these people.

You are brave.

Very touching. Agnes

It’s amazing! What a testimony to their amazing strength and God’s healing, power, and grace. Kristina

Thank you for your poignant artwork.

Your art is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your talent with us all. Maddie

What a journey it has been. One of courage, valor, strength, friendship and faith! Anna

Unique. There is courage and hope. Excellent!

This is amazing how you can think about what you make. Wonderful.

A truly amazing piece of artwork. Courage Ablaze is right!

Amazing work and thought.

Thank you for doing this. We need to hear the facts.

With Gratitude!

Sacred grown and holiness throughout the room. God bless you always!

So touched by your artwork! Blessings

One little girl came up to me and said, “I’m so sorry that the bad men took the woman’s child.”

Barnes & Noble Artist Series

General

Barnes & Noble and Starbucks of Rivertown Mall recently kicked off a monthly artist series during ArtPrize. They’ve invited me to be the first artist showcased in this new series. One friend wrote: “Today I was at Starbucks and looked up and saw some beautiful, heart moving art! Thankful you share the gift!”

While grabbing your Starbucks coffee, take a moment to relax and enjoy giclée watercolor reproductions of my 2012 ArtPrize entry Courage Ablaze. Three paintings from my series are being featured now until the end of October in the store café. Please let Barnes & Noble know that you appreciate their local support for the arts.