Invest In the "Price of Freedom"

In my last post I said I would rather never sell another piece of art. Hopefully as things progress and I can develop a system of support or, like in medieval times I can procure a Patron of the Arts, I will be able to do just that. However, the present reality is that making art is about selling art.

I refuse to just "sell art," though, the art will make a statement and help support a worthy cause. Here's how you as an individual or as a group can help me make art and also make some money for yourself and/or organization.

Investor needed:

I am looking for an investor(s) to help provide funding to do a limited edition “Price of Freedom” print series. There will be 100 numbered hand-printed and signed pieces. 

Prints are 24” x 48”

Latex and Acrylic on Heavy Acid Free Paper

Each print will sell for $25. From each piece this is how the funds will be distributed:

$5.00 Donated to IJM

$15.00 to Investor

$5.00 to Artist

$500 Investment

Please Contact Armando Heredia

618.971.0935

Armando@heredia.ws

I’D RATHER NOT SELL ANOTHER PIECE OF ART

As a commercial or even fine artist my challenge is to make art to sell to pay the rent and buy food for my children.

As an art activist I need to make art to speak for the oppressed and raise awareness about social issues.

I am not a hobbyist; this is not something I do as a past time or even for relaxation, some of these pieces burn in my heart and mind often causing me to feel ill until they are out, on paper or Styrofoam or some other medium.

I understand the Old Testament prophet that said “It’s like a fire shut up in my bones.” I don’t feel sacrilegious comparing art to preaching or evangelism. These are the messages that God gives me. My job is to express them to the world, sometimes for the world.

I would rather give away every piece of work I create or give away every dollar made to support people and entities that are impacting the world. This is my mission. Does that make me a missionary?

How can I do that without becoming a beggar on the street? I wish someone could help me figure out how to bridge this incredible gap.

I have thought of creating a campaign and just asking for money to be an artist, but who would I ask? These aren’t rhetorical questions, either. I am really feeling this calling to make an impact, not just make art. What do I do? Text, email or call me if you have a suggestion or can point me in the right direction. armando@heredia.ws | 618.971.0935

Injustice in Person | Invisible Wounds

I have been on a journey over the last year seeking to make my art have an impact on social issues, especially injustices like oppression and slavery. I see the malady and how it impacts the society as a whole, but the impact that these situations have on the individual is so long lasting.

I posted this on twitter at the end of my art class yesterday, "Emotionally exhausted from my art class. Drawing from memory is not the same thing as drawing memories."

Oh, these memories, how they affect me still. This particular sketch is a memory that shaped my self worth (or lack there of) for most of my life. Looking back I know that my extended family would have and did do everything they could to help my little fractured family. On this day my siblings and I were being separated into the homes of the brothers and sisters of my father who was being incarcerated.

I remember sitting on a trunk full of my things, interpreting their arguments as a sign that they didn't want to take me, the youngest, due to my inability to add value to any particular household. I was a complete liability and not only worthless, but a burden.

As you and I reach out to the hurting people around us, as we endeavor to rescue people from abuse, injustice and neglect, let's be mindful of the emotional wounds that these people carry. Some are externally visible, gashes that bleed profusely and scream for attention. Others are not so visible, internal wounds that cripple and destroy from witihn.

Rescue Series To Benefit The Red Thread Movement

I am very excited to partner with the Red Thread Movement through the Rescue Series to raise awareness and funds to help stop human trafficking and provide hope and life skills to rescued girls. The 72 Hour Abduction will raise awareness of my art project and the important work that the Red Thread Movement is doing.

The Red Thread Movement's mission is to generate awareness of the global human rights crime of sexual slavery, particularly of women and young girls; raise financial support for efforts to end sex trafficking in Nepal and educate girls in Nepal to actively prevent sex trafficking on the front lines. Visit their website: http://www.redthreadmovement.org

The completed Rescue Project will be three concrete cells that will house representations of incarcerated people. These pieces will be "cast shadow" works where the ultimate idea of the work will be represented by the shadow the piece casts. Visit our IndieGoGo.com campaign page for more information.

My hope is to create a tour with the pieces in the late spring and summer of next year. Since the pieces will be representations of actual cells I thought it would be very impacting to have an artist, activist or other person (like a pastor, youth leader or teacher) local to the area we go to participate in a “24 Hour Abduction” where they would actually stay in the art for a 24 period. We would allow them to have a set of sharpies and they could write or draw on the cell walls. I can imagine the heart of the movement speaking through those walls.