Updated: December 1, 2020

Hi! My name is Barbara Simpson. I am a visual artist based in St. Catharines. Every year around this time I consider a charitable organization I would like to give a donation for the holidays. Community involvement has always been important in my life.

I think I started realizing this when I was a Girl Guide back in the day. Aside from coming from a loving supportive family which I am so grateful for, along with awesome mentorship in school, university, and the amazing jobs that followed, being a Girl Guide taught me much about life, too.

I have been a visual artist for more than 2 decades, and personally and through my art endeavour, it has been important to me to give back in some way, other than the colour, joy and love – what my art is all about. Read about me and some of the organizations I have helped over the past couple of decades here on my website. Or take a peek at this snapshot of some,

I realize it has been a challenging year for everyone, I totally get that. Covid is trying to, literally, take the life out of us. But if we can be strong and support one another, we can get through this.

As an artist, with all the in-person experiences of exhibiting my art in person pulled from under me, it has been a real shocker indeed. It is the first time in 20 years that I have not had an in-person show.

Some people might say there have been opportunities to still show in person, but for me, I am tad apprehensive. Why? To start with, I am vulnerable. I have no spleen and I am susceptible to pneumonia. Fluke baseball accident back in the Hospitality League I played in Calgary in 1986. I took a line drive in the back, ruptured my spleen, bled internally for 2 days, and given 3 hours to live. I thank my lucky stars for all the people who helped and saved my life, and grateful for another 34 years I’ve had in my life. Since, I have been helping others, by donating blood when I can, and other ways. That’s me above at a previous appointment at the St. Catharines Blood Clinic. My next appointment is coming up this week!  All the staff, nurses, at the St. Catharines clinic are awesome, make you feel comfortable. It’s a good feeling to give. Besides, someone(s) saved my life. Makes for a Joy-filled heart knowing that you’re helping, giving somebody life.

So, when the pandemic landed, I did not let it stop me in my tracks. All year, albeit majority of the time indoors, I have been reading, researching, connecting with my valued clients and collectors, and many other wonderful people, while I figure it out. Thank goodness for technology which I am still learning, better. Not so technically savvy, I am learning to adapt. Though, give me a paintbrush, I can paint!  I still have not figured it all out, but I am making progress for what is helping me get through each day. It has been a huge learning curve. Still, my parents did not raise a quitter, and as that saying goes, “where there is a will, there is a way.”

One way is connecting with others and sharing a common goal. I have always believed in “strength in numbers”. Working together to strive toward an amazing same goal is a great thing. And as sharing is a great thing too, without further ado, my goal, initiative, for 2020.

This year, my chosen charitable organization to give a donation during the holiday season is right here at home in St. Catharines, part of Canada Food Banks and is St. Catharines Community Cares. As you can see from the image above, together we raised $611.80 for food for families for this 2020 holiday season! I feel extreme gratitude for the support of all my valued clients and art collectors from Calgary Alberta to Brockville Ontario, McConnell|Andress EXPRealty Brokerage, from Cathy Bekhout-Bosse Broker of REMAX Welland Realty Ltd and from MyNiagara online and everyone who got my message out. Take a bow! Thank YOU!!!!

My fundraising initiative is called, ARTful Heart | #communitycarestca My goal was to raise $1000. I didn’t achieve my goal, but still did very well. Together we made a contribution to provide food for families during the holidays. How wonderful is that!!!! SO WONDERFUL!!!!

Personally, and through my art, I am STILL donating a portion of my sales proceeds this holiday season to St. Catharines Community Cares, for food. Everyone should have nutrition. There is still time to help! See where I am at, here!

I invite you to peruse my website, view my colourful joyful art available for sale, including my 2020 Holiday Small Works.  Even for a bit of inspiration.  Giving a cash donation on my fundraising page, as little as $5- can help provide a hot meal for a family (i.e., pasta & sauce). Make a cash donation to my fundraising initiative here. 

Yes, times are different this year as we are all in isolation, one degree or another. And family gatherings and holiday parties are not happening. I am not happy about it either. Still, we can be creative with virtual Christmas get-togethers or other virtual seasonal soirees. We can enjoy and be grateful for what we have. Consider sending your original artwork ahead of your virtual occasion and then watch the expressions on your family, friends, customers, and colleagues’ faces when they open their vibrant joyful original artwork package.

Awesome reasons why purchase my original artwork: 

#1 Helping me, helping others

– Aside from you helping me continue building my legacy as an originals-only Canadian Artist, you are helping others during this special time of year through my fundraising initiative.  If you would like to make a monetary donation instead, they are appreciated too. Click on this link,  ARTful Heart | #communitycarestca.

#2 Positive & Enriching

– Artwork provides a positive influence and enriches lives for those who own it.

#3 Heart

– Emotional connection between my art and the owner.

#4 Adding Colour & Joy to environments

– I have been adding colour and joy in people’s environments with my original works since 1998. Read some testimonials here from happy clients / collectors in my Art World.

#5 Social aspect

– even virtually today, art is an awesome conversation piece connecting with family, friends, and colleagues. It might not be the same as it is in person (no question) but it is awesome!

*#6 Investment purposes

-in the arts community, for your investment portfolio too. Did you know that original art for businesses and corporations is recognized by the Canadian Government and considered a tax incentive? It also keeps our amazing creative culture alive!

There are many great reasons to collect original art and these are just a few.  I encourage and invite you to share my fundraising initiative with people in your circle, be inspired, find artwork you desire on my website and help me help achieve my goal.

Visit my Art World Facebook page too! LIKE and Follow Me. Please Share my initiative.  ARTful Heart | #communitycarestca 

Please note, as it is now December 1st, depending on when you acquire your artwork and your location, I cannot promise it will be there in time for Christmas, but I always do my best. The earlier the better allows me to prepare your artwork for shipping and get it out to you in a timely manner.

Thank You for your support. Be safe everybody.

Always with inspiration and creatively yours,

Barbara xo

Barbara Simpson Art World

Canadian Artist | Originals-Only, Since 1998

A member of CARFAC – the the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists, since 1998.

*Please consult with your tax advisor.

 ARTful Heart | #communitycarestca – a Fundraising Initiative by yours truly, Barbara Simpson