Malala: Growing Peace

New art work I am donating to the Allen HS Arts Academy Alliance's annual "8x8 Event" art auction to raise money for arts programs at Allen High School in the Allentown School District. The opening is on November 13th, 2013 from 4-6:30pm at Muhlenberg College. Baker Center for the Arts. I chose Malala Yousafzai, the courageous Pakistani girl who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban while trying to get an education, as my subject. I think she is a great role model for students, and she should have won the Nobel Peace Prize, even though she is a young 16 year old girl. She is planting the seeds of peace and equality by standing up for her human right to an education. It was difficult working on such a small canvas (8"x8") because I felt a bit constricted, and because I think large work has a bigger impact. I wanted to portray her as being soft, yet very powerful. The color green as a symbol of youth, growth, and hope. The flowers, also symbols of growth, are cut out images of the Nobel Peace Prize. This is a mixed media/acrylic painting on canvas. I hope someone wants to buy it!