Woodland Peace

Shilpa is a child development center based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It's housed to around 30 girls referred for care by Juvenile Courts and Department of Probation. It hosts various functions for the children throughout the year as well as providing tutorial assistance to prepare for their national exams. Shilpa also help the youth with university education, vocational training, secure accommodation outside the center and job placements once they reach 18 years of age.

My child sponsorship with Shilpa began in July 2018, and today a second child in my care benefits from the program. At the beginning of 2020, Shilpa has proposed an art project for the children funded by me.

The Shilpa board of trustees have thought of getting a few art teachers involved, buy art materials and to have an art & handicraft exhibition and a sale. From the funds raised from selling the paintings, a percentage would go to the girls' savings accounts while the balance would be utilized to fund a fun activity for the children, perhaps to go on an outing.

I have so far received a sample of their absolutely stunning marvel of creations (see gallery). And in particular caught my eye is this one, which I named "Woodland Peace". It’s drawn on canvas surface, stretched across a wooden frame.

The composition of various elements in the scene, mix medium of pencil and brush used to bring value to the painting by butterflies roaming in the woodland – Spring haven is coming to life in branches and leaves above, yet the ground below is pristine clear with pebbles sparkled over.

Picasso (Spanish painter), one of the greatest artists of the 20th century once said... “It took me four years to paint like Raphael (Italian painter), but a lifetime to paint like a child.”

Shilpa artists indeed have portrayed a masterpiece standing before your eyes to an endless imagination of contemplation!