Email from Helene

Candice Te Brugge · 02:34 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

From: Helene Steyl
Sent: 12 April 2010 19:45
Subject: FW: Emailing: Million to one survivors - koi (1), Million to one survivors - koi (2), Million to one survivors - koi (3)
 
Hi Lara,

Why did I choose to paint koi fish?
 
I was shocked to hear about so many new-born babies who are simply being disposed of.  It immediately reminded me of the way baby koi are treated at a breeding farms. Thousands of baby Koi fish spawn at the breeding farms.   These baby fish are very expensive to feed, so at regular intervals the breeders select only the ones they like to keep.  The unwanted baby fish (up to 85%) are rejected, discarded and used as pet food, fertiliser or bait.   
 
If you see a beautiful koi swimming in a clear water pond, you must know- this is a very lucky fish.  Each adult koi had someone who saw his potential and helped him to survive.  

Thank you, Shepherd's Keep and each and everyone who contributes by giving these babies a chance to achieve their full potential!  


Heléne Steyl


     
Helene Steyl
Million to One  Survivors - Koi I
Oil on Canvas
Sold
 Helene Steyl
Million to One Survivors - Koi II
Oil on Canvas
Sold




Email from Moray

Candice Te Brugge · 02:26 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

From: Moray Comrie
Sent: 13 April 2010 16:53
Subject: Re: MORNING WALK

Hi Lara,

The figures in the painting are my wife André and younger son Graeme. The image is based on a photograph I took of them early one morning during a beach holiday (we live in Maritzburg).

The painting is not a straight copy of the photograph. For the setting I used a rock formation at Umzumbe that I have sketched and painted many times. I am not sure what the painting itself conveys, but I wanted a shoreline with a hint of both protectiveness and challenge to it.



Not long after the photograph was taken André was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a radical bilateral mastectomy and, because of the age of our then young family (Graeme is our younger son) was subjected to the most extreme chemotherapy and radiation treatment available to medical science at the time.  So yes, the image of a mother and her child facing an insecure future has a certain real poignancy for us.

Fortunately André has survived, thanks to the doctors and even more to wise nutritional supplementation, and she is working hard to share what she knows with others at risk from cancer and other diseases.

Graeme is now a graduate student in England having completed a journalism degree at Rhodes. He has completed his Master’s degree in Writing for the Media at Bournemouth University, graduating with distinction and winning the prize for the best script of his year

Best wishes,

Moray

Email from Tracy

Candice Te Brugge · 02:21 PM Dec 11 · Comment

From: Pass
Sent: 23 April 2010 11:44
Subject: Re: everyONEcounts

Lara,


I cried when I received this email if my buying this painting helps only one
abandoned baby it is all worth it!!!  Thankyou for all you do.








Marizia Pinkham - Small Beginnings
Oil on Canvas - Sold

Email from Ritha

Candice Te Brugge · 02:16 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

From: Ritha Fenske 
Sent: 21 May 2010 22:10
Subject: Re: everyONEcounts - SOLD - Miserere nostri, Domine and Thulelani - my Mona Lisa

Dear Lara,  
 
Maggie told me this morning that both my paintings were sold, and I was so happy.  These two really came from my heart, and for a while there I was quite overcome..........  God has been so great to have opened my eyes to art, even at this late stage of my life, and I praise Him for it.  I am also totally delighted that this will help your fund.  Maggie mentioned how much you have to do, and I just want you to know how much I admire you for having run with this project - you are in my prayers.
Love,
Ritha.




Ritha Fenske - Thelelani - my Mona Lisa
Oil on Canvas - Sold

Email from Gill

Candice Te Brugge · 02:12 PM Dec 11 · Comment

Feedback

We've received many encouraging stories that we'd like to share with you. These are just a few ...
_________________________________________________________________________________

From: Dick/Gill 
Sent: 09 June 2010 17:44
Subject: My thanks

Dear Lara,
 

I am just so humbled by the fact that I have been able to assist in a small way with your special project. Everyone counts is an inspiration to so many of us artists and to many who are not artists as well.  “Everyone” that I speak to is enthusiastic about the idea that we have come out and done something so pro active, the problem of little babies being abandoned is a problem that many are aware of but not able to even conceive of any way in which to help and there you come along with this inspiration for all of us.  You and your team has really given a special meaning to the work we do thank you for the opportunity, I would like to suggest that perhaps this initiative continues long after the World Cup and possibly become a bi-annual event.
Thank you again, wishing you God’s Blessing and much success.
Love Gill.

Gill Van Wyk -  A Light in the Dark
Oil on Canvas - Sold

Email from Paula Wright

Candice Te Brugge · 12:57 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

We've received many encouraging stories that we'd like to share with you. These are just a few ...


 __________________________________________________________________
From: Paula Wright
Sent: 11 September 2010 22:22
Subject: everyONE counts
 
Firstly,congratulations on a great initiative! I am amazed at the response and realise that only God could have orchestrated it. Well done on such a professional approach and excellent website. I pray that this will ignite the hearts of the world to the suffering children and to the huge hearts of those who care enough to follow through with their convictions. I am involved in supporting the Starfish Baby Home and look in wonder at Cathy and Warwick Pearce who have taken on this plight and given so much of themselves and their family to show the love of Christ to these little ones in need.

On a different note, I attend Ana de Vlieg's art class and we all have submitted works towards this worthy cause. Mine was entitled "Catch of the Day", and was inspired by the recent death of my 22 year old nephew, Dean Duchenne, who was struck by lightning in July whilst working in Canada. He was a magnetic person, and really made an impact on anyone he came into contact with and, as my sister's only child, this tragedy has had a significant impact on our family, and especially hers. I was inspired by the photos I took after participating in the sardine run. Embedded in the base layer are fishing paraphenalia, obituary notices, some scriptures (one of them upside down - as I don't understand why this happened) and plenty of tears! I am a very slow painter yet managed to paint this picture in a morning - I know it is part of my healing. Dean really was the "Catch of the Day"!! Oh, we miss him!


I have been painting for 2 years now, and am truely excited about this amazing journey and what God is teaching me about myself. 

May God richly bless you in this wonderful project - praying that He opens the storehouse of His blessing upon

 The Shepherd's Keep.
Kind regards
Paula Wright   





Paula Wright
Catch of the Day
Oil on Canvas
Sold