My Sacred Mission to the Whales

Next week I depart for one of the greatest adventures of my life so far. I have been invited to Loreto, Baja, Mexico, to paint a mural of whales and sea life.
The invitation comes from the Grupo Ecologista Antares (GEA), a local ecological organization who oversees the preservation of the Bay of Loreto National Marine Park.
This fragile and diverse ecosystem in the Sea of Cortes is home to over 800 species of marine life. Jacques Cousteau called it the “world’s aquarium.” The work of GEA, the Nature Conservancy and other agencies has helped restore populations of endangered reef fish, sea turtles and shore birds. Whales and dolphins who breed here also benefit from protection. Threatened once by overfishing, the Bay of Loreto is now threatened by overdevelopment. Vigilance by local and international ecological caretakers is vital.

This opportunity came to me when I met Colin Garland at a Ceremony of Light at the Center at Westwoods in Massachusetts in December. He designed a powerful labyrinth there. Colin has a group called Global Classroom which brings groups of young people and adults to work with the GEA in Loreto, as well as a cloud forest preserve in Costa Rica.  I asked Colin what could I do to help. I wanted to meet the whales for myself.

He conferred with Fernando Arcas of GEA, and they invited me to come to Loreto at my own expense to paint a mural of whales and dolphins at their new Visitors Center. Without hesitation I said yes. The honor of meeting the whales in their home, and communicating with them through my painting is awesome. Being of service to the people who work tirelessly to protect the waters they live in is my privilege.

It is necessary to bring most of the art materials I will use with me, as I cannot get them in Loreto. I am prepared to fund their purchase myself, and make this mural a true gift. I am inspired to invite my friends at home in Maine and in my expansive community of the internet to share this giving with me.

You may click on this link to donate through a special chip in account, or copy and paste it in your browser. You can also visit my website to chip in.

http://www.chipin.com/contribute/id/e76a24a84b8c3f3e

At my Touching Art Blog, I have placed a Chip In box to receive donations through Paypal. You may give any amount from a dollar up, kind of like emptying the change in your pockets to help out a good cause. I estimate the cost of materials and checking them on the airlines to be around $450. The Paint the Whales campaign receives donations through February 17. Please visit my website at http://carlasanders.com and Chip In.

I will be in Loreto working on the mural from January 27 to February 8. I hope to make the Peace Chamber fire ceremony on the beach in Loreto on February 7. I will take lots of pictures and share them with you when I return home. You will all be with me in my heart, and I ask that you hold me in your hearts and prayers.

The whales are singing to the Peace Chamber and King Oceanus is guiding my steps.