Japan Relief Fundraiser - Susan Schwake: Birds in the Bush

Birds in the Bush, by Susan Schwake.
100% of the sale of this print goes to Doctors Without Borders.

Like us, you've probably been following the coverage of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on Friday. Also like us, perhaps you are looking for ways to help with the relief efforts.

We have partnered with Susan Schwake to bring you this week's print edition, Birds in the Bush. We will donate 100% of each print sold to Doctors Without Borders, who are currently in Japan assessing the post-quake needs, setting up mobile clinics, and focusing on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and victims suffering from chronic illnesses. You can read more about Doctors Without Borders' efforts here, and I'm sure that the website will be updated as they conclude their assessment of the post-quake needs. Birds in the Bush is an open edition that will only be available through March 31st, so pick up your print now and help us support Doctors Without Borders! Prints will ship on April 4th.

Birds in the Bush is about the promise of spring. No matter how bleak the winter, spring always comes to comfort us - heralded in with the songs of birds. Originally a gelatin monotype made with mixed media in ink and pastel, this is a digital print on acid free, Neenah uncoated matte 100lb cover paper that is 80% recycled. Huge thanks to Susan Schwake for enabling us to bring you this special edition.

PURCHASE $30!

About the artist:
Susan Schwake grew up in a creative family with her father painting and her mother playing music. Her mother supported her interest in art from a very young age and made sure that she followed her dream. Doing just that, Susan studied fine art at Plymouth State University with a concentration in painting and printmaking in the 70's. Since that time she has continued her studies by working daily in her studios and with master classes in the processes of making art. For the past 16 years she has run an independent art school which she developed and opened for children and adults. She also has worked as an artist in residence in many public and private schools and community organizations. For the past seven years the art school has been part of artstream, llc which is a gallery and design studio. She owns artstream with her partners, Rainer and Mary-Jo. Susan has also curated over 60 exhibits at artstream and has been a guest curator at other venues.

Her work has been collected and exhibited around the US and abroad and in the spring of 2010 her work will be exhibited in galleries the UK and Romania. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and has created public art works for the city of Portsmouth, NH and Rochester, NH where she lives with her husband Rainer and two children. She markets her artwork through her site and others on the internet and in galleries around New England.