My fondest memories of going to college in Northern California was meeting wonderful people, many of whom became life long friends, and communing with nature on a daily basis. I grew up on the Central Coast, which is closer to Southern California. The climate, both literally and figuratively, is quite different from Northern California. I fell in love with the lush, majestic Redwood forests and the new environment immediately. My university, UC Santa Cruz, is cradled in a Redwood forest on top of a hill overlooking the Pacific ocean. I still have dreams occasionally where I am walking in between classes - my classes were scattered among different colleges on campus and we would hike in the forest, sometimes crossing wooden bridges to go to them.
When my friend, author/illustrator, Shirley Ng Benitez, invited me to participate in an AWEtober Art and Wellness Auction she was putting together to raise money to benefit those affected by the August Lightening Complex California Wildfires, I immediately said “yes!”. This complex of fires originated as 38 separate fires that merged. As of October 2, 2020 the fires have burned 970,563 acres — which to put in perspective, is about the size of Rhode Island.
The fires are still raging across California, even though we may not be seeing as much of it in the news outside of the state. The devastation is heartbreaking. Over 3.9 million acres have burned, and thousands have been displaced.
It is a small act, but every bit matters. Please consider donating and/or bidding in the auction. There are so many wonderful artists participating. See the list here. The auction takes place this month on Instagram at: @awetober . DIrections for bidding are here. Every day, four artists will be announced.
The pieces I’m donating are to raise money for the Sempervirons Fund to help re-wild forests and plant new trees. They include: a signed print of a spread from the book I illustrated, called So Small! Yosemite.
I am also donating signed copies of So Big! Yosemite and So Small! Yosemite as part of the package.
BIdding has begun today (October 3) and will continue until October 16 on instagram..
Thanks so much and stay safe!