Please Read this if your purchased a shirt or another item with "Sweet Sweet"

First of all, Thank you for your support! I can not even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it! 

I have had the pleasure of speaking to Myrlia Purcell.  Along with her husband Steve, they created  http://www.looktothestars.org/ 

Look to the Stars is the web's number one source of celebrity charity news and information, covering what the top stars are doing to make a positive difference in the world. The site includes exclusive interviews and a database where fans can learn about their favorite stars' good deeds.

Publications and websites such as Celebrity Society Magazine, Think MTV and E! Online go to them for information, and their broad readership includes fans and those working in the non-profit sector.

Myrlia loves what I am doing and is thinking about starting a project called “Look To The Stars Moments”, which will help to publicize works such as Art & Music for Hope. She is asking people who have been inspired to take action to create a video for them to include on their YouTube page. The videos will tell their viewers who inspired them, what actions they are taking and which organizations are benefiting from their works.

So, I am asking all of you that purchased a shirt or any other item with “Sweet Sweet” to send me a picture of you wearing or holding your item. I will create a video explaining my inspiration, which will be followed by a slide show of all your pictures, set to the song, “Sweet Sweet”. I believe it could be a great way to get more exposure, help out our cause and also promote Lee! 

PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR PICTURES TO ME NO LATER THAN AUGUST 1ST TO jmharding86@gmail.com 

Thank you again!!!! 

Inspiration...

Hello Everyone, It just occurred to me that I have explained the inspiration behind each song and painting, but not how Lee inspires me as a person. Those of you that are fans already know this and feel the same way; this is for the benefit of the people that just do not know!

I have always been a fan of music, all kinds of music. In my opinion, anything you would have to say about anything can be said through a well thought out play list. (I know this, because I do it all the time). Great music can help you get through your day, help you relax, get out frustration and even help you solve problems….

When you hear that this was inspired by someone from American Idol, your cheesiness factor flag goes up, doesn’t it?  It used to for me, until season 9! Most people may see Lee DeWyze as just another American Idol winner, but he is so much more than that. Did you know he has been the only American Idol winner to have writing credits on his first single/album? That is a big deal.

I hold the highest respect for song writers. To make someone actually feel what you are saying...it's a gift…you can not “learn” that. You have it, or you don’t. I have had many favorites throughout my life so far, but Lee is by far my favorite. I just get this comforting feeling when I hear his voice and can relate to all his songs. It is the ultimate “comfort” just feeling that someone else understands where you are coming from and how you feel. Aren’t I right? That is how his music makes me feel. I can not listen to his voice without visualizing every single lyric, wanting to get it onto canvas.

On top of being an incredibly talented singer/song writer, he is an amazing genuine person. Never before have I witnessed someone in the spotlight be so down to earth, humble and appreciative. He has to know how talented he is, He gets paid to do what he loves and you never see the slightest cockiness in him. He appreciates his fans and makes sure we know it everyday.  How can you not be inspired by someone like that?  And I promise you, this is genuine awe and respect for him as a person and an artist- not a girly-girl attempt to gush over her favorite singer. It’s really important to me that you all know that.

Seriously, you should visit his site and check him out, you will not be sorry!!!! http://www.leedewyzeofficial.com/

THANK YOU!

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to thank everyone for being so excited and supportive of this project! The amount of positive comments and kind words are overwhelming.

I received a thank you from my local food bank; Greater Berks Food Bank and would like to share it with you because it should really go to everyone that has help me get started, everyone that purchased a shirt so far, and everyone that has re-posted the link to spread the word. Thank you all so Much!

“On behalf of the Greater Berks Food Bank, I’d like to offer you a heartfelt thank you for all of the time, energy, and talent you put into this project and for seeing it through to completion. I am sure the campaign will be a success and because of it many, many families in need will benefit.”

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!

Hello Everyone! Surprise, it is launch day of my “Sweet Sweet” Project!

After receiving such positive feedback on the painting and about 30 e-mails a day from people asking to buy it-I had an idea!

Back in November of 2010, I decided to create a T-shirt utilizing the “Sweet Sweet” painting. However, I did not feel right making money off of Lee’s fame.  Lee DeWyze has been a very active supporter of Feeding America, so I sent an e-mail to the Peg Bianca; director of my town’s local food bank (and member of Feeding America), Greater Berks Food Bank. I told her that I would like to make a shirt using this art and then donate the proceeds to their charity.  Much to my surprise, not only did she love my idea, she is also a fan. Peg has been a huge help and I appreciate all she has done. At that time, I also reached out to Wuli Records, who graciously offered to assist with the project. Wuli Records is offering a one time only free digital download of the song, “Sweet Sweet” to everyone who purchases a shirt.

100% of the net proceeds will be donated to Feeding America and Greater Berks Food Bank.

Please check out my website below to read more about the project, Feeding America, Greater Berks Food Bank, Wuli Records and Lee DeWyze, and to purchase the shirt!!

 

BUY THE T-SHIRT HERE :    http://artandmusicforhope.com/

 

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive with this project and helped it become a reality: Greater Berks Food Bank, Feeding America, Wuli Records, Lee DeWyze fans and Darren Price, Art Director for Virtual Farm Creative.

 

Thank you for your Support !!!!!!!!

Me and My Jealousy

Painting # 7 in currently still in the works!  Between work, family obligations and my top secret “Sweet Sweet” project; I just have not had much time. However…I am very pleased so far!!!!

 For this painting, I was inspired by “Me & My Jealousy” off of the Live it Up album. The song is intense and I think I have nailed that feeling (if I do say so myself...) I’m actually pretty proud of it so far! It is only in the beginning works though (so be nice!)  I knew what I wanted to paint after the first time I heard this song, but had two different images in my head. With the help of another awesome Lee fan (thank you @Dewyzemomma), I decided to go with this one.  I love how you can feel the emotion and torment he feels through this image. Even more, I love the fact that I used the image of him during the Idol Season 9 finale ….where the actually feeling was anticipation! Fooled you! Isn’t funny how atmosphere can make the exact same image look totally different?? I have done much more to this painting since this picture was taken….but I’ll keep it a surprise until it is finished (*wink)

**WORK IN PROGRESS**
"Me & my Jealousy" Acrylic- Jennifer Harding

Me And My Jealousy by Lee DeWyze (“Live It Up” album)
I'm thinking about I'm holding you
There's nothing much that I can do
The seconds and the minutes
The minutes and the hours
The future is his and the past is ours

They tell me I should just move on
It's easier said than done
The only thing left keeping me company just me and my jealousy

Lying awake at night
You keep running through my mind
Jealous of the hand that you hold
The city in the winter never seemed so cold
Nothing left of me just me and my jealousy
Just me and my jealousy

You said there really isn't much to say
But we'll be better off this way
So tell me is it better while you're lying in bed
I wonder if you ever think of me instead

Then I got nothing left to prove
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
The only thing left keeping me company just me and my jealousy

Lying awake at night
You keep running through my mind
Jealous of the hand that you hold
Chicago in the winter never seemed this cold
Nothing left of me
Just me and my jealousy

I'm jealous of the pillow where you lay your head
The only thing you're lying with is my regret, my regret
And I'm jealous of the way he says your name
I should of held you tighter but I let you walk away

I lie awake at night
You keep running through my mind...

This needs to end tonight
I can't get you off my mind
Jealous of the hand that you hold
Chicago in the winter never seemed this cold
Nothing left of me
Just me and my jealousy, my jealousy, my jealousy
Me and my jealousy

Sweet Serendipity

Although I have plenty of sketches for other Pre-idol Lee songs, I have decided to put them on hold for a bit. When I started this series, the only songs I was able to listen to were the ones off of “So I’m Told” and “Slumberland” (Which I still listen to every single day! My “Lee-shuffle” on my iPod just expanded!) I love them ALL

In November, 2010 Lee DeWyze released his debut post-Idol album “Live It Up” with RCA.

It is a great CD and a huge step in Lee’s career! J  Painting # 6 was inspired by Lee’s First Single off the album “Sweet Serendipity” This is one of my son’s favorite songs! He knows all the words and can even sing it when it is not playing (he is only 3 ½ years old... so that is just amazing!)

I decided to go with simple silhouettes for this painting to almost mirror the plot of the music video. For as simple as it was, the fact that I chose to use all metallic paint gave me more than a few issues. In all honestly, this painting turned out to not be one of my favorites, but don’t get me wrong I still like it. I am just hard on myself at times and do not feel it is up to par with the other paintings so far. However, it received lots of positive feedback from Lee fans and also from Jonna Walsh, who happens to be in the video and very close to Lee, So that made me happy!

(Just between you and me, I think when I get some of my other paintings completed; I might re-do this one and go in a different direction)

"Sweet Serendipity" metallic acrylic-painted by Jennifer Harding

“Sweet Serendipity” by Lee DeWyze (“Live It Up” album)
I ain’t got no car
And I've got one pair of jeans
They’ve been stretched too far
And now they’re weak at the seams
I can’t say what’s next
And I got nothin' up my sleeve
But I don’t lose my head
Cause it ain’t really up to me

[chorus]
And I’m doing just fine
I’m always landing on my feet
In the nick of time
And by the skin of my teeth
I ain’t gonna stress
Cause the worst ain’t happened yet
Somethings watching over me
Like Sweet Serendipity
Sweet Serendipity

I don’t ask for a lot
No nothing more than I need
Because I love what I got
Don’t need to play the lottery
I just want to be strong
At the end of the road
I don’t want to hold on
I want the strength to let go

[chorus]
And I’m doing just fine
I’m always landing on my feet
In the nick of time
And by the skin of my teeth
I ain’t gonna stress
Cause the worst ain’t happened yet
Somethings watching over me
Like Sweet Serendipity

And what will be will be
In the nick of time
And by the skin of my teeth
I aint gonna stress
Cause the worst ain’t happened yet

Somethings watching over me
Like Sweet Serendipity
Sweet Serendipity
Like Sweet Serendipity

Don’t look fate can only find you
You can’t choose for something to surprise you
Set sail without a destination
Just see where the wind will take you
You never know when you're gonna fall
But I'm not worried
No I'm not worried

[chorus]
And I’m doing just fine
I’m always landing on my feet
In the nick of time
And by the skin of my teeth
I ain’t gonna stress
Cause the worst ain’t happened yet
Somethings watching over me

And I’m doing just fine
I’m always landing on my feet
In the nic of time
And by the skin of my teeth
I ain’t gonna stress
Cause the worst ain’t happened yet
Somethings watching over me
Like Sweet Serendipity
Sweet Serendipity
Sweet Serendipity

Don’t look fate can only find you
You can’t choose for something to surprise you
Set sail without a destination

Sweet, sweet
Sweet, sweet
Sweet Serendipity
Sweet, sweet
Sweet, sweet
Sweet Serendipity
I don't know
Sweet Serendipity

Much Love!!!!

"Much Love" Acyrlic- painted by Jennifer Harding