To my way of thinking, we are all citizens of the planet. I think some of us are more aware of this fact than others. Depending on where you are in your life, your perspective of this fact can fluctuate. However you see yourself, as citizens, we have responsibilities.

Helping Others

Helping others means helping other people or other living creatures. I personally think it is important to do both. When we see a need, we should do our best to help in whatever way we best can.

When I started this website many years ago, initially it was just as a cyber portfolio. As an artist, it was and is nice to not have schlep a physical portfolio from place to place or have it on hand. Thanks to the internet, just type a few characters on a keyboard and my work appears. People were interested in my work, which was wonderful. Sometimes that interest would lead to sales, which was even more wonderful. But that’s where it starts to get interesting…

In speaking to other artists I found myself admiring those that were not only talented artists in their own right, but also finding a way of giving back, through their art. To help causes. To help. Period.

I felt inspired by their efforts and wanted to try and do something to help too.

Change Through Art

Way back in 2008/2009, I was invited to be a part of an art event held at the Doongalik Gallery. This gallery is now on Village Road in Nassau, but at the time, it was located at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. The purpose of the event was to bring awareness to the plight of the Sea Turtles to all we could.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn that the government did listen to the many voices, including us artists, and brought laws in to protect turtles. Although this decision was unpopular in many places, I think time has been the best teacher in showing everyone that the laws were important not just to implement, but to follow. In all my years in the Bahamas, the last few years have been full of turtle sightings! What was once a rarity is now a very common sight in many places!

Helping Through Art

So when developing TurtleLady.com and forming Saltwaterspurs.com, the idea was to not only showcase my artwork and other items created by myself or a loved one; but also to help others through the worthwhile causes we were either already supporting in some way or feel strongly about.

As you look at the Home page of the website, you see several “Partners”. These are causes that I feel are important and that by just a click of your finger, I will happily send part of the money you spend with me, to them. To support the important work they do. It doesn’t cost you any more, but it sure helps in the big scheme of things.

The Sea Turtle Conservancy, the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research and Helping People Succeed are very worthwhile causes. I will be writing more about each of these in the near future.

It All Helps

Know that my support does not just stop there. I also donate work and items, as well as my time, directly to these, and other, causes. Many hold annual auctions and fundraisers and the items help them with those events.  Bottom line; it all helps. I could continue for some time here, but my point I come back to is the importance of helping.

If you have bought something from me, I thank you for being a part of that. If you haven’t, that’s ok. I hope in your own way, you too are “paying it forward” as they say. To help in your own way.