Auction for ALS

~Paint a Paddle Auction for ALS~

I was approached by my art partner in crime to participate in an Art Auction to support our local Chapter of ALS Canada. I was given a 56 inch wooden paddle and the only instructions that came with the paddle was to make art! The thought of creating art on an oar was a little challenging to the mind and after racking my brains with the "what on earth should I do to this paddle" question, the only thought that came to mind was to just go with the flow and let my imagination run wild!

***UPDATE***
PADDLE #153 FOLKS, 153!
Science helps us to solve problems. Art helps us cope with them. 🛶 💜
Paint a Paddle for ALS Canada - Online Auction is now open right here!

Like a river, there are obstacles all of the time that give us no choice but to change direction. In response to the obstacle that is COVID-19, we have found a different path to bring us to our final destination - raising funds and awareness for the Niagara-chapter of ALS Canada. The online auction is now open to preview 215 one-of-a-kind paddles.

Bidding opens for all paddles Monday, November 9th. Bidding closes for all paddles on Sunday, November 15th.

Paddles have been categorized into ‘Landscapes & Nature’, ‘Animals & People’, and ‘Other’. Please be aware that each category of paddle has a different closing time.
Landscapes & Nature - Auction closes: Sunday, November 15th @ 7:00pm EST
Animals & People - Auction closes: Sunday, November 15th @ 6:00pm EST
Other - Auction closes: Sunday, November 15th @ 5:00pm EST

Please help share this event far and wide! Every invite will help us to reach our ultimate goal of $50,000 for the Niagara-chapter of ALS Canada, which assists an estimated 3,000 Canadians and their families currently living with the disease.

To read more about the inspiration for this initiative, please see the story published this week in Niagara this Week.

The ultimate goal of our Paint a Paddle Auction for ALS Canada is to be used for artistic expression, to harness creativity and to knit a community together by forging towards a common goal. Because by pulling together, we forge ahead.

A Paddle with Options

While the sunset side of the paddle has been sized and painted with oils, the hummingbird side is wood burned with acrylics and a protective coating of EnviroTex Epoxy Resin. There is another little hidden feature on the hummingbird side but somethings are better left as a mystery!

Side One:

I was gifted a new wood burning kit and the first thought that came to mind was doing something with the wood burning pen. The image that was embedded in my mind was Hummingbirds. So off I went, scrolling Hummingbirds and trumpet vines with the burning pen. Hopefully for those who love art, Hummingbirds, nature, canoes and paddles, this unique piece of art might be just what you were looking for!

After the initial burning and paint detailing was completed, an additional process was applied to the finished painting. This will cure for a bit then onto the next step(s) but again, not sure what the imagination has in store.

This is before and after applying a coat of Envirotex Lite Pour-On Resin. It will need to cure for about 72 hours before a fine sanding then onto the next part of the paddle project.

Part Two:

The flip side of the paddle was lightly sanded before applying several layers of acrylic gesso. After drying and fine sanding, layers of Gamblin Oils representing an evening sunset inspired from Loborough Lake in Battersea, Ontario graces the wooden paddle.