I have donated this painting to a fundraiser for "Memories in the Making" -  a unique art program which enables people with Alzheimer's disease to express themselves creatively.

Even after people with dementia have lost the ability to use words, they are able to paint their thoughts, emotions and memories in a manner that is expressive and often beautiful. The experience provides professional caregivers and families an avenue to learn more about the person with dementia. The essence of who they are and what they care about shines through their artwork. Art from the Memories in the Making Art Program is donated by the families for an annual art auction.

Beautiful artwork is created by those with memory impairment in 18 Memories in the Making art classes held weekly throughout Northern Colorado. A jury of professional artists selects the artwork for the auction and it is then professionally framed for display at the annual Memories in the Making Art Show and Auction.

This year over 1,600 pieces were submitted, and 53 chosen by the jury to be in the auction. Of these, ten pieces are "paired" with the work of a professional artist. The artist chooses the piece with which to pair. Then they create a piece that is similar in color, composition, subject matter, style - or in some other way ties into the artwork created by the MIM artist.

When I was invited to participate in this project, I jumped at the chance. Just having recently learned that my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I wanted to do something that would not only allow me to explore my feelings about the disease but would also help raise awareness - and give me the sense of being able to DO something.

The picture below is the piece of art I chose to pair with. The auction will be held on May 20, 2010, at Drake Centre in Fort Collins. For more info, http://www.alz.org/co/in_my_community_10051.asp