More on Marylou's artistic ability & needs

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.2 at 14.0mm iso400

It was Marylou who'd initially introduced me to Rosa/Edison and the Family in early 2004.

I hired Marylou to be my helper while I was in town; she was working for the Coconut Man vending cigarettes & candy at his drink stand on the street and business was so slow he couldn't afford to pay her anymore, so I offered her 2 weeks of work and I've helped her with food & clothing ever since, each time I arrive in Manila.

In 2004 I never really knew just how poor she was, but it began to hit me when I'd take her to a small local restaurant for her daily meals, as she ate more than I'd ever seen a 4'11, 85lb. girl eat - she'd eat everything on her plate, then ask me if it was ok for her to order a 2nd. helping (common amongst those who only get to eat maybe once per day there) and of course I'd say 'yes'.

When we were done, she would then ask me if it was ok if she could have some food to bring home to her Children, so we'd order another meal for 'take out' (to go) and she'd have such a smile on her face, and thank me over & over...

I'd always told her it was ok to ask me for things that she needed; Filipinas as a whole will almost never 'ask' for anything, but hungry people will.

I remember in 2005 when she first told me she used to paint when she had some free time, and that seeing my portfolio of images that she told me were very beautiful, and that she very much wanted to be able to paint & work in oil pastels again, and I was happy to hear she was a creative person - so later that day she brought me an oil pastel of a beautiful sunset to show me (pictured below) and since my Father painted in oils and was a freelance sign painter, I myself have a graphic design background, I really wanted to be able to do something very special for her.

I knew she had absolutely no extra money for art supplies (Marylou, her 4 young Children & her sister live in a not-so-nice part of Metro Manila, in a crampt & dank 1-room, rundown place with a few light bulbs, a small b&w TV for the kids & no running water; everyone sleeps on a bed mat on a concrete floor) so one day we met in the morning and I said "let's go shopping - I want you to begin painting again..." and I took her to Robinson's Mall to the art supply store - I asked her to select what she needed, and her eyes opened wide as she looked at all that was there.

She'd pick up an oil pastel set, turn to me and ask "is it ok for you if I see this one please???"
...she always asked permission before she picked up an item, and I always said yes.

I wanted her to have a quality pastel set, and she found a very nice Professional set that came with its own case & handle; it was really nice, but the price tag said P550 ($11USD) so she looked at it for a while then just put it back on the shelf - I knew she liked that one but was ashamed of its price.

She began looking at the other smaller sets there, and I whispered to her "I think the other set with the case & handle is for a real artist like you, it's the best brand here & it's ok with me if you would choose that one...I'm happy to get it for you dear"

She smiled shyly and asked "it's really ok to you if I like that one?"

I picked it up & put it into her hands, and told her it's indeed ok with me, and that I wanted her to have it and create many beautiful things with it.

Again it was like Christmas Day - her eyes lit up and she hugged me and said thank you more times than I can count - we went through the isle & chose the proper pastel paper and some accessories, and each time I told her to choose what she needed, she'd find something, then turn to me & ask my 'permission' to pick it up (she's very sweet and respectful, and I told her she didn't need my 'permission' if she saw something she needed, but that's just how she is)

Before she boarded a Jeep for the hour ride back to her home, she thanked me again & told me she was going to give me a few of her paintings she would do with her new pastel set - I told her I had a better idea, and that she should make a few nice paintings for me to take back to the USA to put online to try to sell for her, and she thought that was a great idea, so those paintings that are available for sale are featured in the post below.

It would make both of us quite happy if I could give her the money from all 5 paintings that are left, when I see her this November; that would be a tremendous help for her & her Family, and a great encouragement for her art aspirations.

If you'd like one of her paintings pictured in the post below, either email me or send a PayPal for $50USD + $9.95 shipping/packing (PayPal ID: team@projectrice.org) and I'll get it to you right away.

If you need any more information about Marylou's paintings or situation, please feel free to email me, as she needs all the help she can get.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/3.4 at 46.0mm iso400