The Empowering Giveaway to help the fight against cancer

Canadian abstract artist Matt LeBlanc officially started his Matt LeBlanc Art for Life Campaign on March 24th. Matt is going to paint 200 paintings in six months with the goal of raising $25,000 for cancer research.

It seems that everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. Take my blog partner Victoria for example. A couple of years ago she had cervical cancer and had to have a hysterectomy… and, last June, she wrote a post about her friend Roni who, after 4 grueling rounds of chemotherapy, continues to bravely fight against metastasized breast cancer. All my dad’s siblings died from cancer. Even pets get cancer. It’s evil and non-discriminating, and often we have no control over becoming one of its victims.

That’s why Matt’s Art for life Campaign is so important — the money he raises for cancer research may help you or a friend or family member one day.

I asked Matt why he decided to do the campaign…

The reason is simple. I lost my big sister to the ugly disease. She died before I was born, so I never had the chance to meet her. She was almost five when she died — my son is turning five this year, so it’s been on my mind for a while now.

I’m also a big believer in giving back to your community, either by volunteering your time or by making a monetary contribution. I’m fortunate to have a good life and a great family, and  I’m in a position now with my career that I can give back. So to me, it’s a simple thing to do.

…what he hopes to accomplish…

The biggest thing I want to accomplish is to surpass my goal of raising $25,000. There’s no doubt in my mind that I will create the 200 paintings. It will demand a lot of work and a big commitment from my family, but we’ve talked about it and everyone is onboard. The biggest challenge for me will be to sell the 200 paintings. I’m lucky to have a strong network supporting the cause, and I’ve already sold 10 paintings that I haven’t even started yet! These purchasers are current clients who have stepped forward and told me that they are supporting my cause.

…and how he’s going to create a painting a day…

My life is already crazy!!! A lot of people don’t know I actually work full time as well.  We can’t forget my two young demanding kids either! Painting a piece a day is an average really, and I know I won’t be able to paint every day. I have six months, and there will be weekends, vacation time, and holidays in there. I know I may fall behind, or I might get ahead at some point. Who knows? All I know is that cancer never sleeps, so I plan to be sleep-deprived many nights over the next six months to make sure I complete all 200 paintings.

You go, Matt!!

Matt usually gives his paintings one-word names. For his campaign, he’s numbering all the paintings from 1 to 200. Giving them all individual names would be too difficult and time-consuming, and he’s already got his hands full with creating 200 paintings!!

After the Art for Life Campaign ends on Friday, September 24th, all 200 paintings that Matt creates for his campaign will be displayed at the Art for Life Gala. After the gala, all paintings will be sent to the purchasers.

The Empowering Giveaway to help the fight against cancer

To help Matt spread the word about his Art for Life Campaign, we’re giving away this 16” x 20” Matt LeBlanc original painting, appropriately entitled Empowering.

 

A couple of close-ups that show the texture of Matt’s work…

How can you win?

By spreading the word about Matt’s campaign!! The more people who hear about it, the better the chance that Matt will reach his goal of selling all 200 paintings and raising $25,000.

Doing any one of the following will get you an entry. Do all of them, and you’ll get seven entries.

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Post about Matt’s campaign on your blog and/or add a link to his campaign to your sidebar, and then leave a comment here letting us know that you blogged about it. Feel free to include his logo:3. Spread the word about Matt’s campaign on Twitter, and then leave a comment here letting us know that you tweeted about it. Use the tag #ArtForLife.

4. Spread the word about Matt’s campaign on Facebook, and then leave a comment here letting us know that you posted about it on FB.

5. Go to Matt’s Art for Life Gallery and check out his paintings, and then leave a comment here telling us which painting is your favourite.

6. Have you supported the fight against cancer? Leave a comment here telling us what you did.

7. Have a great idea for how to raise money for cancer research? Leave a comment here and tell us about it.

The giveaway is open for two weeks. We’ll do a random draw from all the entries on Thursday, April 22nd and we’ll announce the winner on Friday, April 23rd.

It would be so cool to spread the word about Matt’s campaign all around the world. With your help, I’m sure we can do it!!