New Art Print for Japan + Bloggers Day of Silence

'LOVE FOR JAPAN' 8x10 ART PRINT, $20
100% of profits to be donated to human and animal relief efforts.

Earlier this week, I posted some thoughts about the recent disaster in Japan, and my plans to design a piece of art to raise funds for relief efforts. In addition to donating to the Red Cross, who is working to provide humanitarian care to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami, I wanted to create something that could help raise both money and awareness for animals that have been devastated by this disaster. Countless animals in Japan are alone and scared, and without food, shelter and veterinary care, many could die.

What I came up with is the design shown above, which features Bubby dog thinking of Japan with love, via a small white heart atop the red rising sun symbol from Japan's flag. In the bottom right corner in gray is the Japanese symbol for hope.  Along with the Red Cross, 100% of profits from the sale of these limited edition art prints will go to Animal Refuge Kansai, who is accepting as many animals affected by the earthquake/tsunami as they can hold, but needs funding to care for them.

The 8x10 print features archival inks on acid free matte art paper, and is available for $20 in the Bubby & Bean Art shop.  The buyer has the option of choosing which organization they would like to receive the funds from their purchase.  It is my hope that this piece of art will serve as a reminder that compassion and love in the face of tragedy can make a powerful difference.

With the same mission as I had in designing the art print, many hundreds of us in the blogging community have come together for a project called For Japan With Love.  By coming together to spread the word through our blogs, websites, and social networks, we're working to encourage donations to ShelterBox, an organization that responds instantly to families around the world who are affected by disasters, by delivering boxes of aid to those who are most in need. As of today, March 17th, For Japan With Love has surpassed our initial goal of $5,000 (5 Shelter Boxes), and has raised over $20,000 (20 Shelter Boxes).  If you would like to make a donation to help even more families affected, please click here.

As part of the For Japan With Love project, I will also be participating in an event tomorrow, Friday March 18th, called Bloggers Day of Silence. For the first time, there will be no posts tomorrow on Bubby & Bean. Over 1,100 blogs around the world will be taking part in this day of silence, in an effort to acknowledge and raise aware for the devastation that Japan continues to endure. 

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
- Helen Keller

Love and Respect,
melissa