Everyday hero: Lynn uses her love for painting to raise thousands of dollars for people in need
When a teacher told her she had no talent, Lynn Colwell packed away her art supplies. Then, after retiring, she took an art class…and her paintings have raised thousands for people in need!
Lynn Colwell put down her paintbrush and blinked in amazement at the painting she’d just completed. I was wrong all this time, her spirit rejoiced. Artists are NOT born, they are made.
Lynn had always loved art, but one day in grade school a teacher saw her drawings and told her, “Art isn’t your thing. You should find something else to do.” Lynn took the comments to heart and focused on other interests.
Lynn went on to graduate from college, and, after traveling, planted roots in Tucson, Arizona, where she married, had three children and built a good career in corporate communications. Upon her retirement at 65, she spent years dabbling in new interests. But then one day, a friend mentioned an online art class, and Lynn felt a longing deep inside. But she was still nervous and wary…
I’ ll just do it for fun, she told
herself and signed up.
Over the course of the yearlong class, she created several “masterpieces” and gave them to appreciative family and friends. Many insisted her work was good enough to sell.
It was around that time that Lynn stumbled upon the “Art Abandonment” group on Facebook, a collection of artists around the world who leave their art for others to find in order to inspire and uplift. And, suddenly, she longed to make a difference with her art.
What if I did sell my work, but instead of paying me, I asked people to make a donation to a nonprofit instead? This way I could help hundreds of people, she thought excitedly.
In November of 2014, Lynn set up a Facebook page (facebook.com/lynncolwell) and, instead of friends, she requested buyers for her artwork, offering paintings in exchange for a $ 25 donation to a charity of the buyer’s choice. The response astounded her.
Demand was so high that Lynn began posting a new painting every day, selling it to the first person who expressed interest.
Each sale filled her heart with joy. But she was just as touched by the posts people left telling her how much her paintings and the inspirational sayings she included on them inspired them and lifted their
spirits, especially during hard times like the pandemic. Some were artists themselves who were so moved by what Lynn was doing that they followed her lead, giving their paintings away in exchange for donations to worthy causes.
Today, 75-year-old Lynn has helped raise $ 60,000 through her paintings for nonprofits such as food banks, homeless shelters and animal causes. It’s an accomplishment she holds dear and intends to keep going strong.
“I never imagined my work could make such a difference in the world,” Lynn says. “This experience has encouraged me to always be true to myself, and it’s proof that every person can do something to make a difference. It can be as simple as sending a postcard to a friend or dropping off some cookies to first responders. Never let self-judgment hold you back. Follow your heart.”