Illustration Friday: Ripple

This week's Illustration Friday prompt really means a lot to me. Since I live in an area that is greatly impacted by the recent oil spill in the Gulf, I understand how much help is needed to restore the waters, wildlife, and communities back to their former glory. I live in Mississippi, in a city about an hour and thirty minutes from the coast. We know of many who are concerned about their jobs. We've had friends visit Orange Beach and comment on the oil. We've talked to restaurant workers at places where seafood is their biggest source of income. And, we've seen footage of helpless animals unable to survive this tragedy. It is incredibly heartbreaking.

But every bit of help will make a difference. Not immediately. But eventually.

My submission this week is a mermaid of the Gulf doing her part to save the animals. She has rescued a poor baby fish and is carrying him to cleaner waters. Others have seen her efforts and are encouraged to do their part.

Kelly Light started the Ripple Blog as a way for illustrators to band together and support clean-up efforts of the oil spill. Here's what she says about this week's prompt:

"It's hard to make ripples in oil soaked water. But throw enough stones and you will! It's not about the politics or the corporation. It's about the animals. It's about not feeling helpless in the face of an overwhelming disaster. We're illustrators. We don't lose touch with that kid inside who marvels at the creatures who swim below or fly above the sea. We draw them. We are inspired by them. We need to help them. The Ripple blog was started on th 45th day of the Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe. The oil spill in the Gulf is now over 50 days old with no sign of stopping. We may be too small as individuals to do some grand gesture, but together our small gestures can be grand."

Artists from around the world have donated a 2.5x3.5-inch sketch card. Each sketch card featured on the blog is for sale for $10.00. The $10.00 is a donation to help the animal victims of the Deep Water Horizon Gulf Oil Spill. Every penny is donated. The two Non-Profits that are benefiting are The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center.

For more information and to view cards for sale, check out the Ripple blog here.

We don't have to feel helpless. We can help. Our small actions together will ripple outward.