Images of Courage

Gracias!

2008-02-18T12:01:00.001-08:00

I wanted to give a warm thanks to all of the people who particpated in the Santo Domingo projects. The mural below was created by Ana Diaz, Paula and I.

Frances Colon
Francisco Lazzaro
Paula and Marel
Raúl Fernandez
The Nuns from La Casa Rosada
Maureen Smith
Jackie y Familia
Carmen Cruz
USAID
Denisse Lozada
Miguel Savinon
Clarita and Enrico
Carolina and Orazio
And Ana Diaz whom without her continuous dedication I could not have done a thing.

You are all amazing!

THANK YOU!

Beata

La Casa de Jackie

2008-02-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

On the second last day of the trip another

opportunity arose. Ana Diaz called me asking if I would like to paint a mural with her in another orphanage, La Casa de Jackie. So off we went. We were given the children's classroom to paint. Ana and I chose to paint the children's portraits. There were 30 children and each of them were extremely sweet. Each of the children introduced themselves to me in English, told me their name and age. At the end of the day, a future pastor called us into the living room area and said a prayer for Ana and I. We all held hands and repeated after him. Afterwards hugs were given all around as we said goodbye.

! Fiesta ! Unveiling of the Mural

2008-02-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

Friday February 8th Ana Diaz, her mom and I went to La Casa Rosada to celebrate the unveiling of the mural.
The mural was created for the children to have in the new part of the orphanage which is under construction. The mural was entitled "Sun Rays" because no matter the weather the sun is always shining on the children. Once we had unveiled the mural the children were socializing around it. They were eating their snacks and all of a sudden all together they left the room and began march around the entire orphanage with the mural on their shouldars. It was quite an endearing sight to see.

Painting on T-shirts at La Casa Rosada

2008-02-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

A friend I met in Santo Domingo, Paula, had t-shirts donated from her workplace. We spent an afternoon painting on the t-shirts with the children. The picture of Paula and I was taken by one of the kids, she demanded that we have our picture taken by her!

La Casa Rosada

2008-02-11T08:11:00.000-08:00

This is one of the murals which were painted for La Casa Rosada. It has some prtraits of people who made this project possible and children, some resembling the kids from the orphanage. It was made to have an energetic feel which is parallel to the vibe of La Casa Rosada. Everytime we came to see the children of The Pink House were running, screaming and full of life.

2nd Painting for La Casa Rosada

2008-02-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Thank You !

2008-01-26T19:57:00.001-08:00

A year has passed since the idea of The Santo Domingo Project was birthed. The path which has led me to the 3 hour countdown until i board the flight is one that points out a simple fact of life.

Never stop living your dreams.

Thinking about this whole journey has made me reminisce on the amount people who I would like to thank for their participation in the creation of The Santo Domingo Project, their continual inspiration and faith in me.

Shea Chang. Martyna Wrobel. Marcia Villalobos. Andrea Vriesen. Ana Diaz. Thank you ladies for your continuous advice and your ears which never tire of listening. Also, one integral person I would like to thank is Hanna Barczyk. She has grown with me as a friend and business partner. I couldn't have lived my dream without her help and support.

23 Days to GO!

2008-01-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

Countdown to Santo Domingo Project.

Fellow illustrator and mural painter Ana Dias will be participating in the painting of the La Casa Rosada mural which is taking place from January 28th to February 8th. Ana's work can be seen at

www.anarimaconbanana.blogspot.com

Santo Domingo Project: Prints in Exchange for Sketchbooks

2007-12-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

Images of Courage will be traveling to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to create a mural project for orphaned children living with HIV at La Casa Rosada (The Pink House). In addition to the mural project there will also be a photo documentary created about the experience. In order to make this project possible, we need art supplies for the children, mural painting supplies, and materials for the documentation process.

This holiday season Beata Kruszynski of Images of Courage will be exchanging her illustrations and mural prints for skecthbooks for the children of La Casa Rosada.

For exchanges or donations contact Beata at imagesofcourage@gmail.com. Much Thanks!!

2007-09-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

Our first Fundraiser was a success! Thank you for everyone that came out to the Dovercourt House

2007-09-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Images of Courage would like to the Thank the following people for their participation and support at our first Santo Domingo Project Fundraiser:

Shahina Sayani (Art Reach Toronto)
Andrea Vriesen (Promotion, Communications)
Michelle Runch (Public Relations)

Fellow Illustrators:
Shea Chang
Patrick Gray
Fitza Barczyk
Ana Diaz

Mueve-te Dance Company (Underground Mambo, Manuel Dosantos)
Irena (Belly-dancer)
Dovercourt House, Andy and John.
Jose Ortega (Lula Lounge)

Santo Domingo Dance-Off Fundraiser At Dovercourt House

2007-09-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

Mural about Influencial Women

2007-08-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

This is a recent mural Hanna and I did with women in a shelter this summer. The mural is about influencial and inspirational women, the women painted are activists, writers, singers, environmentalists and political leaders.

Thank you

2007-06-14T08:05:00.001-07:00

Here are some thank you's to people who are either already doing community work and/or have provided us with great info, insight and help.

Chris Katsarov (Grant writing,international and community development/involvement, research)
Emily Dauria (expertise in community development and research)
Rachel (Rachel has been working in the Dominican Republic with Por Amor, teaching children art.)
Michael Brown (Harbourfront Centre)
Karin Eaton (Mural Routes)
Sady Ducros (mural painter and friend)
Javid (mural painter in Africa, and Toronto)
Stephanie Boudreault (Youth Employment Services)
Fitza Barczyk (Video)
Toronto Arts Council (Community Arts Grant)
Art Reach Toronto Grant (Shahina, Laura)

Life Changes

2007-06-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

A mural entitled Life Changes, was created as a mini-movie for the purpose of showing how we work together. The theme was growth and change in life.

LuminaTO: Our Murals at the Distillery

2007-06-04T10:16:00.001-07:00

Hanna's Mural

2007-06-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Beata's Mural

Spring 2007

2007-05-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

Images of Courage founders Hanna and Beata will be a part of a group of artists painting a live mural at 55 Mill Street at The Distillery this weekend. It is part of the city wide arts and culture LuminaTO event. Please come out and support your local artists Friday 5-8.30 and Saturday and Sunday 12-6. Hope to see you there!

Who we are

2007-01-31T07:22:00.000-08:00

Images of Courage is a non-profit organizaiton that provides artistic outlets for women in shelters and at-risk youth. We focus on the aesthetic, educational, and cultural development at shelters and community centres.

The founders are Beata Kruszynski and Hanna Barczyk.
Reach us at Imagesofcourage@gmail.com