My friend Marylou's Paintings for sale here

Marylou Banalgay in Manila Philippines has been a trusted friend & my helper since 2004, and she's been struggling to support her four children on her own since her husband left her then, with a substance abuse problem of his own (he does not currently support Marylou or his children), so she's entirely on her own.

I've always done all I can to help her & her Children, specifically keeping her supplied with rice & powdered baby milk while I'm there, and in late 2005 while she was looking at my portfolio, she asked me for an 8x10 print I had which was a Cebu sunrise I'd shot earlier that month, and I gave it to her.

She explained that she'd always painted in oil pastels when she could afford some 2nd. hand supplies, and since she was then vending cigarettes & candy on the sidewalks in Manila from 8am-8pm each day in the heat/rain & elements, she didn't have the time to get back into painting, but she said seeing my images had inspired her to try to paint again.

I said absolutely YES, that she should get back into painting - I never knew she was a creative artist, but if my work inspired her, I would personally take her to the art store and get her whatever she needed to begin painting again (Marylou is poor and could not afford the necessary materials, so I bought them for her)

I took her to Robinson's Mall and got her a brand new oil pastel set, and a big block of pastel paper (you should have seen the look on her face in the store; like a child at Christmas!) and said if it was ok with her, that I would be willing to bring her paintings back to the USA with me, and put them online for sale - she was ecstatic; said yes and gave me a huge smile as I told her It was my pleasure to try to help her in any way I could.

I brought back 6 of her paintings, and 5 are left (painting #3 - the painting from my sunset image has already been sold & I gave her the money for it in Dec.2006 - it's in a private collection in the USA) and of course all proceeds go to Marylou.

Marylou's oil pastels are priced at $50 each plus $9.95 shipping & insurance - and I personally know how hard she struggles to work to support her Family, so if you enjoy impressionistic oil pastels it would please Marylou (and me) greatly if you would consider buying one of her artworks for a very reasonable price.

That $50 would pay her rent for an entire month, or supply TWO 50kg sacks of rice where her & her kids could eat for TWO months.

I'll be writing more about my dear friend this week, so I personally thank you in advance for taking the time to look at her beautiful paintings featured here - if you'd like the ones that are available, just use the donate button here on the website & specify by number which painting you'd like so I can ship it to you within 24 hours.

Many Thanks for reading today - Good Sunday Evening to you all,
PJAMES

Dec.13, 2005: Manila Philippines

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/400s f/2.8 at 14.0mm iso400